"Dad. Mom."
Hailey greeted them with the familiar titles, even though the divorce papers had already been signed. Her voice was polite, but distant—an unmistakable signal that she truly intended to end the marriage.
But Madam He didn't seem to notice, or perhaps she simply didn't care. She held Hailey's hand warmly, her tone cheerful and affectionate as she asked after her, completely ignoring the elephant in the room.
Mr. Dongfang sat across from them, tall and commanding even in his later years. He still carried the elegance of a man who'd once turned heads in every room he entered. His nose—straight and prominent—was clearly passed down to Ethan, the resemblance between father and son striking at close range.
"I heard you've been doing design work at the company?" he asked abruptly, his tone calm but full of weight.
Hailey straightened her back instinctively. Facing him always made her feel like a student summoned to the principal's office.
"Yes, but just one project," she answered respectfully.
"What about the New York bid? That was your design too, wasn't it?"
"Not entirely," she said cautiously.
He nodded, the corner of his mouth curling slightly in approval. "Still, you have talent. If you continue to learn from Ethan, I believe you could go far."
Hailey was momentarily stunned.
Learn from Ethan? But we're getting divorced…
Before she could respond, Madam He clapped her hands together, beaming. "My little Hailey, you're so talented and hardworking. I have a gift for you!"
She picked up a delicate velvet box from the coffee table and opened it with a flourish.
Inside lay a breathtaking necklace—an enormous ruby surrounded by smaller sparkling stones. The gem gleamed under the light, its rich crimson hue almost blinding.
"This piece came from the British royal collection. Isn't it gorgeous? I saw it and immediately thought of you. If I see anything else that suits you in the future, I'll buy that too!"
Hailey blinked in disbelief.
This had to be a mistake.
She and Ethan were getting divorced… Did they not know?
Just as Madam He reached for the necklace, Hailey leaned back instinctively.
"Mom…" she said gently, "thank you, truly, but I can't accept this."
"Why not?" Madam He asked with a frown, puzzled.
Hailey hesitated, then looked between the two elders. "I… I thought you knew. Ethan and I—we're getting a divorce."
But neither of them looked surprised.
Madam He chuckled like Hailey had told a joke. "Of course we know. You must be upset with him over something. But sweetheart, every couple fights. Every marriage has its ups and downs. You and Ethan are perfect together. It would be such a waste to split up over a few arguments."
She waved her hand dismissively, already lifting the necklace from the box. "Now, come on. Let me put it on you—it'll look stunning!"
Hailey jumped to her feet, stepping back quickly. "No—really, I can't. I don't deserve it."
Madam He's expression faltered. "You… don't like it?"
"No! That's not it at all," Hailey shook her head. "It's beautiful. I'm just… I'm truly grateful for your kindness, but I can't take something like this now."
Her voice was soft, but her tone was firm. She felt guilty—she had always liked Madam He—but she couldn't accept a gift that carried so much meaning when she was walking away from their family.
Madam He's smile faded slightly. "You're really planning to go through with the divorce?"
Hailey lowered her gaze. "Yes. We've already signed the papers. I'm not changing my mind."
Mr. Dongfang finally spoke again, his deep voice cutting through the tension. "Why? What happened that's so serious it can't be resolved?"
"We're just not right for each other," Hailey said, keeping her voice steady. "This marriage… It shouldn't have happened in the first place. I forced it—back then, I thought I knew what I wanted. But I've realized now that I was wrong. Holding on any longer will only hurt us both."
Madam He gave a soft laugh, shaking her head. "So that's it? You think you made a mistake and want to give up? I've already spoken to Ethan, you know. He doesn't agree with this divorce. If he truly wanted it, maybe we'd understand. But he doesn't. That means something, doesn't it?"
Hailey's chest tightened. For a moment, her resolve almost cracked—but only for a moment.
"Mom," she interrupted softly but firmly. "I know you're trying to help, and I'll always be thankful for your love and kindness. But this isn't just a whim. I've thought it through. Ethan and I—we need to end this. We have to."
Her voice didn't shake. Not this time.
Even as Madam He stared at her in disappointment, and Mr. Dongfang's expression darkened, Hailey knew she had finally said what needed to be said.
She wasn't running away anymore.
She was walking away—on her own terms.