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Chapter 3

Author: Strawberry Spring Roll
When Hailey stepped out of Nolan's bedroom, her legs felt like bricks.

She didn't go far—just collapsed onto the couch and waited.

Jordyn came down in full glam: designer outfit, Chanel bag swinging. That's when Hailey's lashes fluttered.

"Why?" Her voice scraped like ash.

"Why what?" Jordyn's tone dripped with sarcasm. "Why I slept with Nolan? Or why I ditched you and the Hart name?"

Her eyes gleamed with spite.

"Please. You knew I liked Nolan. We're both Dad's daughters—so why'd you get it all? I liked him first! Who cares if I was younger? What makes you so special?"

Jordyn's words stabbed deep. Hailey's fists clenched.

"Even so, how could you be with him? Did you forget why Dad's dead?"

"So what? He had it coming." Jordyn leaned in, voice like a blade. "If you were gonna run, why didn't you stay gone?"

Hailey stared at the sister she once loved more than anything. Her eyes, hollow and heavy, held a grief too deep to say out loud.

"You really think he'll pick you? He's using you—to trash Dad's name, to trash all of us."

Jordyn didn't flinch. Just turned and walked off.

Hailey dropped to the floor, completely wrecked.

Her eyes drifted upward—and there he was.

Nolan stood at the top of the stairs, silent. Cold. Just watching her break.

***

With Jordyn around, Nolan stopped barging into Hailey's room like before—no more tearing her clothes off, no more forced nights.

Now he made her stand guard outside his bedroom.

She'd lost count of how many times she sat there, numb to the sounds on the other side. Her heart? Dead quiet.

Nolan dragged Hailey back to the company, slapped "assistant" on her again.

People she used to work with wouldn't even look at her.

Her phone buzzed. Nolan's voice was ice.

"You'll go in my place to tonight's dinner."

Click. He didn't wait for a reply.

Jane from PR dropped off a folder, eyes flicking with sympathy.

"Ms. Hart, Robert Ramirez is a total creep. Just... watch yourself, okay?"

Before Hailey could say anything, another coworker yanked Jane away.

"Are you dumb? Mr. Thorne's setting her up. Ramirez is a known perv—yet he's sending her alone."

Hailey clenched the folder—then pictured her mom, Amelia, still hooked up to machines in the ICU. Her body eased, just a little.

She'd spent a year on the run, doing everything she could to keep Amelia hidden from Nolan.

But he still found them.

She honestly didn't know what else to do to make him stop. To let her go. To leave her family alone.

Donovan dying hadn't been enough.

So... would her death be?

The thought iced her veins. She shook it off fast.

She couldn't die. Not yet.

If she did, who'd look after Amelia?

Jordyn? Please. She hated her—hated all things Hart. She hadn't visited their mom once.

Just thinking about it made Hailey squeeze the folder tighter.

***

That night, Hailey showed up early.

She figured Robert would roll in with a team. Nope. He came solo.

Dinner was gross from the jump. He kept trying to slide his hand over hers.

She yanked back, steadying her voice. "Mr. Ramirez, if your company partners with ours, we'll absolutely hit those targets."

Robert's greasy smile spread across his thick face.

Then he went for it—skipped her hand this time and landed on her thigh.

She flinched, tipping her wine glass straight onto him.

Her face drained. "I'm so sorry—"

But he didn't even bother pretending.

Just clamped his hand around her wrist, eyes locked on her chest.

"Ms. Hart, I came alone for a reason. You get it, right? Project's easy—just make me feel good. Real good. Do that, and I'll toss you eighty, ninety more deals. Whatever you want."

Before she could even move, his hand slid under the table—

Bang!

The door flew open.

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  • The One She Loved to Hate   Chapter 24

    Hailey didn't look at Jordyn anymore.She was done.The game was over, and she had no reason to keep playing.She'd already sent Nolan's most confidential company files to his biggest rival.They didn't waste time.In one clean hit, they cut off Nolan's last lifeline.By the time he came to, his entire world would be gone.Kayden had helped her pack up everything ahead of time.And when she saw him—really saw him—Hailey finally let herself fall.Exhausted, pale, she leaned into him, holding on like she might fall apart.Kayden rubbed her back gently. "It's over now."Hailey had one last stop—to take him with her to visit her parents' graves.To let them rest.But as they left the cemetery, her smile dropped.In the distance, a figure swayed on unsteady legs."Should I call you Laurel... or Hailey?" Nolan laughed, bitter and broken."Does it matter?" Her voice was flat.Made no difference who she was. The ending between them never changed.That blank look in her eyes h

  • The One She Loved to Hate   Chapter 23

    Vanessa suddenly started laughing.One wave of her hand, and everything froze."Nolan, only one walks outta here today," she said, eyes glittering. "So tell me—who do you pick?"Nolan's wrecked body shook as he pushed himself up.No hesitation. "Hailey..."Jordyn went stiff.Then the dam broke—tears streaming down her face.She clenched her fists so tight, her palms bled. "Do you even have a heart?! You seriously can't see Hailey played you?"I've been with you for years—with nothing. No title, no name. You treated me like trash and I still stayed. People laughed at me—called me the Hart family's shame!"And this... this is what I get?"Vanessa's smile was ice. She jerked her chin at one of her guys. "Crawl under his legs, and I'll let one go."Hailey barely lifted her eyes.Nolan looked even worse than Vanessa—and that said a lot.Every gaze shifted to him. The man who once ruled Northwick.His whole body screamed in pain.Still, without a word, he lowered his head and

  • The One She Loved to Hate   Chapter 22

    Hailey acted furious.She stopped going to the hospital, ignored Nolan's calls—played the cold, silent treatment perfectly.Then one day—bam! Someone started pounding on her door.She opened it—and there was Jordyn.Jordyn's eyes were full of rage. "Hailey, it's you, isn't it? You really think a new face and fake name can fool everyone?"Hailey tried to shut the door, but Jordyn jammed her bag in the way.With a sigh, Hailey yanked it back open, ready to call Nolan to deal with the drama.But Jordyn lunged—snatched the phone and slammed it on the ground.Hailey snapped.Her feelings toward Jordyn were a mess. Fury, heartbreak, disappointment—all wrapped into one.She hated her for being blind. For still chasing Nolan like he was worth something. For never waking up.But it hurt too—because Jordyn was her sister. Her blood.And now? Jordyn looked full-on unhinged. Obsessed. Out of touch with reality.She hadn't even visited their mom's grave.Hailey's voice dropped cold. "

  • The One She Loved to Hate   Chapter 21

    The next morning, Hailey made seafood risotto like always.Nolan woke up late.By the time he opened his eyes, the bowl was already waiting.But he didn't touch it.Instead, he pulled her into his arms, warm hand resting low on her stomach. "Laurel, let's have a baby."Her smile froze.He'd always hated kids. Now he wanted one?"A girl, maybe. One who looks like you. Just one. I'll give her everything. You can teach her piano, painting—"He cut himself off.His hand slipped away.His lips pressed tight. "Headache. Don't feel like eating. You can go."Hailey took the bowl and left.The second the door shut, the smirk cracked through her calm.Laurel Quinn didn't know a damn thing about piano or painting.That was all Hailey Hart.***Nolan landed in the hospital with alcohol poisoning. Peter brought him in.When Hailey arrived, she ran into Jordyn.She walked past her like nothing.Jordyn only needed one glance.She grabbed Hailey's arm, eyes going wide. "Hailey!"P

  • The One She Loved to Hate   Chapter 20

    When Nolan killed Vanessa's beloved dog, his eyes said it all.She was next.Because she'd set that dog on Hailey.After that, he blacklisted her. Tanked her family's name across Northwick. Crushed every deal they tried to land until they were circling bankruptcy.She came to his office today to beg. Just wanted him to back off her family.But the second those elevator doors opened, she heard two assistants whispering about Nolan's new favorite.The slap of memory hit hard—how she used to love him. How he used her, dumped her, left nothing behind.So why should some other girl get what she never could?She changed course. Stormed into the secretary's office, ready to scare Laurel off.Only—Laurel wasn't scared.She was straight-up unhinged.Nolan didn't even let her talk. He called security, and they dragged her out like trash.Hailey didn't expect him to protect a so-called stand-in.But she also knew he had a meeting.And she had her own plans.As soon as he left, she

  • The One She Loved to Hate   Chapter 19

    That bowl of risotto only made Nolan miss her more.At work, Hailey didn't hold back.She flipped through his confidential files like they were hers."Hey, those are off-limits! Mr. Thorne said—""Carey!" Someone yanked that girl aside. "Are you trying to get fired? You really wanna mess with Laurel?""Girl, come on," another said. "He's obsessed. Houses, cars—she gets it all. He dumped Diana, his secretary for years, just like that. Ivy League and everything. Now she's pouring lattes at some café. Laurel could set those files on fire and he'd hand her the lighter."They kept it hushed, but Hailey heard every word.The girl named Carey frowned. "But—""No buts. Meeting. Move."They left. The files stayed.Hailey picked them up like she owned the place, not even blinking at the security cams overhead.As she scanned the pages, the office door slammed open.Hailey looked up—and froze.Vanessa.The same woman who once sicced a dog on her.She looked wrecked. No more designe

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