Chapter 3

Hannah’s POV:

My father was always against my relationship with Hayes, so when I decided to marry him without his blessings and cut off my family, we made a deal; if I could last three years in the marriage with Hayes without revealing my identity as the daughter of the Blacken Empire, the biggest oil & gas company in the country. Then he would accept Hayes as his son-in-law and give me his company.

I was planning to tell Hayes that night everything about my family.

But before I could I caught him in bed with his own sister.

And worse? Lenora was the one who shoved me down the stairs, and Hayes didn’t stop until he was sure my breathing had almost stopped.

He once saved me, but he also killed me. I don’t owe him anything now. I can finally start living for myself

*

*

Adam’s place had the same familiar tone as his apartment back in college. The earth colors, the dim lighting, the wooden furniture— it was a perfect balance of luxurious serenity mixed with a homely feeling.

“I see some things never change,” I spread out my arm, gesturing at the ambiance.

Adam flashed me a nervous smile. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Then my eyes caught a mushroom shaped lamp on the glass table by the curtain. The designs and shapes looked oddly familiar and I moved closer to inspect it.

Immediately my hand touched the lamp, it glowed a warm yellow color. I gasped. “Adam, is this what I think it is?”

Back in college before I dropped out, I was working on a mood lamp that once you touch it, the colors can tell your feelings. I gave up on the project as a whole to focus on Hayes company.

“I couldn’t let such a bright idea just go to waste,” he replied with a faint smile.

“Let me show you to your room.”

I walked in admiring the space.

“Don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything, okay?” he urged as he was about to exit the room.

“Thank you,” I answered. “Also, I'll be going to the office to pack some things and get my computer.” I told him.

“Oh. Alright, be careful.” He turned and left the room.

I took out my phone and dialed my father's number. I had been too embarrassed to call him earlier and ask for help because that would mean I lost the bet.

But I can't possibly live with Adam forever.

It took every strength in my body to call the number. He answered after the third ring. “I thought you said you'd never call.”

I didn’t answer right away. Our conversations were always filled with either silence or sarcasm, even though we were father and daughter.

I heard him laugh from the other end of the line. “He cheated on you, didn't he? And now you want to come back?”

I should have expected. He knows without me even saying a word.

“Since you've lost the bet, just come home. When you do, we’ll announce your return to the company.” He rolled out another belly laugh.

His laugh was like salt to injury, an obvious taunt to my earlier resolve. How I had boldly declared to him that I would prove him wrong, only to not last more than a freaking year.

I can't return back just like this. No, I wouldn't. It’s not like I want to go back home to beg for charity or anything. I need to prove to my father and to myself that even though my marriage to Hayes failed, I myself I’m not a failure.

“Give me a month,” I clenched my fists by my side. “I'll return home in a month.”

I hung up the call and headed out for Hayes’ Company.

My plan was to get my things and head straight out but I should have known it wouldn’t be that simple. No one in that building respected me, and why should they? When even my own husband disregarded me in front of them.

“Great, Hannah you’re here,” Martha, one of the junior staff, looked up from her desk as she spoke. “Can you go get us our usual coffee and snacks from the cafe down the street?”

Back then, I would try to be on everyone’s good books by doing tasks like this and still handling all the actual workload by myself. Now I see these people saw me as a slave and they used me as one.

I ignored Martha and made my way to my desk. As Hayes' assistant, my office was directly opposite his office. Immediately he saw me coming; he slammed his door shut because he thought I was here to apologize.

I walked to my desk, grabbed my computer and some files for the submission project I was working on, and turned to leave.

“Where are you going? You can't leave.” Hayes's secretary stood in my way.

“Why can’t I?.” I fired hot, but he didn't deter; he stood firmly, arms wide apart.

“The boss said, as his employee, you can't leave, and you have to apologize.” He retorted.

“The boss?” I let out a sinister laugh.

The boss whose company I elevated single handedly?

Fine. If he wants to keep me here because I am an employee and he is the boss, then let's see what he does when I quit.

I turned around and headed to my desk, turned on the printer, and printed out my resignation letter.

I grabbed my things once again and walked back to Michael. “I quit.” I shoved the letter in his face.

“Now get out of my way.”

I walked out on him as he stood stagnant, unable to believe that I quit.

As I got to the elevator, I saw Hayes rush out. “ If you're here to beg for forgiveness, don't just stand at the door; go to the hospital and beg my sister, then hand in your competition submission.”

He looked around to see I was no longer at his door but instead now in the elevator. He was speechless.

“What…why…you…”

“Sir…she resigned.” Micheal stuttered.

“What!!?” Hayes's confused face was the last sight I saw before the elevator door closed.

That confused look needs to be put in a frame.

When I came out of the building and the fresh air hit my face, it was like I was breathing for the first time.

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath before exhaling. Refreshing.

“Are you done inhaling the air? Get in.” I opened my eyes to see Adam in a sleek, black SUV.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, astonished.

He shrugged. “Josh told me you might be needing help when I told him you came to pack some things from here.”

I smiled and got into the car. Soon my phone chimed with a message, and I pulled it out to check. It was from Josh: ‘Heard you practically quit. Want to come work for our company’?

Wait… This actually isn't a bad idea at all.

I looked up to see we had passed a turn that was supposed to lead home. It seemed we weren't going straight home.

“Where are we going?” I finally asked.

“We're going to make good on what you promised.”