Chapter One

Hailey wiped her hands with a towel and flicked away the sweats on her forehead. Her eyes roamed over her masterpiece on the huge table inside the kitchen. Plates of various cuisines were spread on the enormous table. And they were all cooked by her. 

She hadn't worked this hard for a long time. But this was a special occasion. Kendrick would return tonight. It had been three months since she saw him last. And three months since her marriage to him. 

When he had walked out on her on their wedding night, nothing could amount to the joy she felt. A month before that, she never knew she would end up being his wife. It was the most tragic thing that ever happened to her. Just one mistake, from a night of painful pleasure, and the next thing she knew was being forced into an arranged marriage. But all would end tonight.

"Hailey, are you done?" Chloe entered the kitchen. Her eyes surveyed the table and having confirmed for herself, she locked the door and walked forward. "Here, make sure you drop it in each dish," she said and brought out a tiny bottle from her bag.

Hailey's hand trembled as she took the bottle from her sister and she couldn't help her hand that wandered to the little bump in her stomach. 

"Don't worry," Chloe continued in a low voice. "This drug is not fatal, I have confirmed it. It will only make him feel some discomfort and sick for a few days." 

"I know." Hailey forced a smile. And they had already been planning this for a long time. That way It would be easier to get him to divorce her. Who would like to live with a woman that tried to poison him? But still, she couldn't dismiss the nervousness that crept up in her mind. 

"And you shall finally get to be with Rob," Chloe added with a sweet smile.

Hailey's grip tightened on the bottle at the mention of his name. Rob, her childhood love and her boyfriend. He was the only reason why she was doing all this. He still loved her and eagerly waiting for her to return to him. He had even said that he'd accept the baby, as long as she came back to him. 

With hands trembling, she uncapped the bottle. After making sure each dish had a drop of the transparent liquid she breathed out a sigh. 

"Good," her sister whispered with a satisfied grin. "Only a few hours left and you shall become free again." 

Hailey took off her apron and brushed past Chloe. She didn't need to stay there any longer, otherwise, she might change her mind. 

As she strode up the stairs, she chanted many words inside her head to assure herself that she wasn't doing anything wrong. Besides, the poison was not going to kill him. Kendrick had left a scar in her life, she was never going to forget. And the fact that he hadn't shown any interest in her after that night. It was only fair. If not for her grandfather finding out and investigating the matter, they would have long forgotten each other as her sister had convinced her to take out the baby. 

When she got inside her room on the left-wing of the stairs, she paced for some minutes before going inside the bathroom. After taking her bath, she dressed in one of her finest clothes. It was going to be their first time eating together, although she wasn't planning to eat anything tonight. 

Her long black hair rested on her right shoulder. She dabbed some powder onto her face, and applied to her lips, a rosy lipstick. Then she picked up a perfume.

A knocking sound came from the door and a maid stepped in. "Madam, Master has arrived. He is waiting for you downstairs."

Hailey's hand paused mid-air before she dropped the perfume. "Th–The foods," she said past trembling lips. 

"Ma'am Chloe and the other servants are already setting the table."

"O–Okay, you may leave." Hailey nodded and the maid bowed and walked out. 

She turned back to the mirror then her hand wandered to the bump in her stomach. She took in a deep breath and patted her chest, then slipped in her shoes and left the room. 

On her way downstairs, she took her time to curb any anxiety building up in her stomach. She made her way to the dining area and could feel an intense gaze on her. 

The servants came inside, from the large door, with huge boxes in their hands, and headed upstairs. Hailey did not need to guess the contents of the boxes, they were all gifts for her. 

However, she didn't need any of his gifts. The tons he had sent her while on the trip had piled up in her closet untouched. If not for her sister helping her do away with them, she was sure half of her room would be occupied by now. 

Every luxury in the world could in no way amount to true love, and she firmly stood by that notion. 

His gaze did not leave her even when she sat on a chair, farther away from him.

 Kendrick sat at the head chair and most of the food was spread in front of him. His face held no expression. His eyes were just glued to her, as if in a trance. 

Hailey looked at anything else on the table but him as she fiddled with her hands. She had for so long held her anger and thought she would explode at the sight of him. But none of those emotions came back tonight. They were replaced by something else. No, she didn't need to feel remorseful for someone as heartless as him. He deserved all that was coming to him.

Silent hung in the air and none of them spoke a word. 

Chloe emerged from the kitchen with a plate of dessert in her hands. She settled it carefully in front of Kendrick and sat on a chair to his right.