Last time, my love for him was too strong. I
didn’t want to see Star Corp fail. It was my
parents‘ legacy too.
Now? I don’t give a damn.
- 4.
I left the Holt mansion with my suitcase,
checked into a hotel.
On the wedding day, I didn’t show. My phone
exploded with calls.
Friends, colleagues, business partners,
everyone but Ethan.
I walked by the river alone.
Then, in the evening, Serenity texted me.
A bunch of photos. Her in a wedding dress,
smiling with Ethan.
She was taunting me.
The internet was going nuts over Ethan’s
wedding.
<
“Ethan Holt of Star Corp marries, but the
bride isn’t Hailey Stewart!”
“What’s going on? Hailey was supposed to be
the Holts‘ chosen daughter–in–law!”
“The woman with Ethan is his assistant,
Serenity Bell. She’s been sleeping with him.
She must have stole Hailey’s place!”
“That’s not how it happened! Ethan and
Serenity were dating in college. Hailey broke
them up!”
“There’s going to be a showdown at Star
Corp!”
The online chaos spilled into real life.
That night, Ethan called, furious. “You moved
out?”
I said calmly, “You and Serenity are married
now. I can’t live there anymore. It’s not right.”
He sounded even angrier. “Do you know how
much damage you’re causing?”
“What do you think will happen to Star Corp’s
L
stock if people find out?”
“You’re a VP. Don’t you have any common
sense?”
“I know you’re upset. Just come home, and
we’ll talk.”
What was there to talk about?
I said, “I’ll talk at the office tomorrow. I’m
tired. Bye.”
I hung up.
I lay in my hotel bed, making plans.
I was done with Star Corp. I stayed for the
sake of my parents‘ memory.
That was gone. I needed to think about my
future.
I’d go travel for a while. Clear my head. I’d
been working too hard, obsessing over Ethan.
Time to rest.
The next morning, I dragged myself to the
office, yawning.
Planning my escape had kept me up half the
く
night. I was exhausted.
But walking into the office like that, people
got the wrong idea.
They looked at me strangely, whispering.
“The wedding must have hit Hailey hard!”
“She’s loved Ethan for so long. Business
tycoons wanted to snatch her up, but she
stayed loyal to Ethan. And this is what she
gets!”
“Men are trash!”
“You’re exaggerating. There are good men
out there. The trash just stands out more.
Like me!”
“If I had a girlfriend like Hailey, I wouldn’t look
at another woman.”
“You’re still drunk! You think she’d look at
you? She’s a powerful woman!”
I ignored the stares, yawning, and went to my
office to pack my things. I’d tell Ethan I was
quitting and get out of there
く
quitting and get out of there.
But when I walked in, Ethan was sitting in my
chair with Serenity in his lap, flirting.
I walked to my desk, packing my things,
acting like they weren’t there.
Ethan and Serenity seemed smug.
Ethan said, “Stop being dramatic, Hailey.
Come home today!”
“The house has plenty of rooms. Your
dramatic move was photographed. Make a
statement to explain this.”
Serenity cooed, “Hailey, Ethan and I didn’t get
our marriage license! Don’t worry.”
“You’re in charge of everything at home, but
give Ethan and me some respect in public.”
“It’s for the company’s sake. You don’t mind,
right?”
I’d be their maid, managing their lives?
I glanced at them. “I wish you a happy
marriage!”
