Chapter 3

It was quiet around the cemetery at night.

I hadn't walked around alone at night in a long while.

Mom used to hold my hand in the past, and later on, I would hold onto Hayden's arm instead.

From now on, though, I would be moving forward alone. I believed I would be able to adapt to it.

I only arrived home at 1:00 am.

Hayden wasn't asleep yet. Instead, he was staring at his phone screen and typing messages.

His nervous expression dropped as he saw me return, and he immediately rushed over to hug me. "Where have you been? None of my calls went through, and you didn't reply to any of my messages. If you hadn't come back, I would've gone to the police and reported you missing!"

I was stunned for a moment, after which I broke free from his embrace. "I just wanted to spend some quiet time with my mother."

A trace of guilt flashed across his face at my words. He had even promised to visit Mom earlier.

Suddenly, his expression shifted. He pulled out an exquisite little gift box from his pocket and held it out to me.

Seeing how serious he looked, I opened the box and was stunned to see a diamond ring nestled inside.

Hayden once seriously confessed to me and said that he would get down on one knee to propose to me with Mom as our witness. He wanted her to watch as we received our marriage certificate and bear witness to our happiness.

I waited countless days and nights since that day, eagerly looking forward to the promised day, but those expectations had since dried up.

I closed the box and handed it back to Hayden.

He frowned slightly before recalling what had happened earlier today and explaining, "Yet another day has passed. Just wait a little more, and I'll be able to divorce Scarlett. I'll definitely fulfill my promise from back then.

"How about the day after tomorrow? I'll formally propose to you then, and we'll order a certified copy of our marriage certificate right away. I'll even personally put the ring on your finger."

I could no longer feel moved by his words and simply replied indifferently, "I get it, but I'm too tired right now. I'm going to sleep first."

Hayden had truly experienced my nonchalance for the first time, and his happy expression disappeared instantly.

He attempted to hug me from behind as I turned around, but Scarlett stepped out of our bedroom just then. She was even wearing my nightclothes.

She rubbed her eyes before running over to take Hayden's hand. She swung it lightly while cajoling, "Lucy's back now, so stop fretting and come to bed already."

Hayden looked at me and said quickly, "Scarlett fought with her mother, so I let her stay in the guest room for one night."

He stared closely at me as he spoke, as if deathly afraid that I would misunderstand the situation.

I replied expressionlessly, "Sure. It's fine. I'll just stay over with my mother."

Hayden looked at me in astonishment, surprised that I would agree so readily.

Scarlett showed no hesitation upon hearing my answer and smugly walked back into the bedroom.

Hayden was still trailing after me as I dragged my suitcase out of the house.

He bit his lip and kept his hand on mine, refusing to let go. His eyes were filled with heavy guilt.

Scarlett was still nagging at him to return, so he said quickly, "We'll go to the city hall early the day after tomorrow to get our marriage certificate, then visit Mrs. Atwell immediately afterward."