Ethan Yu answered after a few rings, his voice calm and unreadable. "Hello?"
Hailey's voice was steady. "I just wanted to let you know that I won't be coming into the company anymore. I'll be staying at my grandfather's house. I'll finish the design at home. It's my assignment, and I intend to submit it regardless of whether it's accepted or not. Until the divorce is finalized, if you need me to cooperate with anything, I will."
There was a short silence on the other end before Ethan finally replied, "Got it."
Before he could hang up, Hailey quickly added, "Wait—there's one more thing."
She paused, making sure he didn't cut the line.
"It's about Jo Ning. She wants to document the construction of the orphanage. She might need access to Oriental Group for some interviews and footage. I wanted to get your permission."
His response came without hesitation, cool and clipped. "Use only your design."
With that, he hung up.
In the conference room, Ethan slowly raised his head and looked at Ji Chuan, his voice low. "Continue."
"Yes, sir…" Ji Chuan hesitated, sensing something off in his boss's demeanor. Though Ethan looked composed, something icy simmered beneath the surface.
Had he just had a fight with his wife?
Or… soon-to-be ex-wife?
—
Hailey stared at her phone screen, confused.
Only her design?
It took her a moment to understand. He had granted permission—but only on the condition that her design be used. And since she wasn't going to the office anymore, there would be no need for Jo Ning to go there either.
So this was his silent way of helping—again.
Hailey shook her head, a complicated feeling blooming in her chest. Then she quickly called Jo Ning to share the good news.
Jo Ning was thrilled. Knowing she could film at Hailey's home made her even more comfortable. "This is even better! I'll feel more at ease, and the setting is more intimate."
Hearing Jo Ning's enthusiasm sparked Hailey's own motivation.
This project… she was going to pour her heart into it.
Later that afternoon, Hailey was discharged from the hospital. She returned to the Tang residence, and Mrs. Zhang would move her things back the following day.
She wouldn't be living with Ethan Yu anymore.
This time, their separation was real.
From the moment she was reborn, Hailey had been plotting how to free herself from that doomed marriage. It had been her dying wish in her previous life.
If she couldn't fulfill it now, she would never escape the curse of her past.
But now… she was finally close to freedom.
At dinner that evening, she sat across from her grandfather, her plate full of food, her spirits light.
"Grandpa, you have to try this," she said cheerfully, placing food on his plate. "And this one too."
Old Mr. Tang smiled warmly, relieved to see her so happy. "You're in such a good mood tonight."
"I feel great," she said brightly.
He had worried the divorce would hurt her, but watching her now, he saw no sadness at all—only the joy of a woman breaking free from invisible chains.
"Hailey," he said after a pause, "Have you thought about what you want to do next? You're still young. If you want to study abroad again, I won't stop you this time."
She shook her head. "No, I'm not going anywhere. I just want to stay with you, Grandpa. Let's rely on each other."
He laughed. "That won't do! You're still so young. You should finish school, then find someone new to settle down with. You can't keep me company forever."
But Hailey didn't answer.
She knew her heart too well. When she loved, she gave everything—too much.
Her love in her past life had drained her completely.
Now, she had no more to give. No passion, no hope, no desire for another man.
She had loved once.
And that was enough for a lifetime.