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Chapter 4

Author: Strawberry Spring Roll
The wine bottle slipped from Hailey's hand and shattered on the floor.

She froze, trembling, one jagged shard still clenched and pointing straight at Robert.

Then—some guy stormed in.

Robert shoved her hard.

"What are you, PR or a hook-up? Quit faking and stop grabbing me!"

Her arm smacked into the cabinet edge, pain shooting through her. The glass dropped from her hand.

Before she could catch her breath, the guy from the doorway was already coming at her.

She looked up, shocked. "Ethan—"

Smack!

Her head snapped sideways.

Ethan stood over her, eyes blazing.

"My mom was right. You're trash. You'll sleep with any guy who gives you a second look. Is that it, Hailey? Flash a little cash and you're ready to go?"

Hailey's nails dug into her palm until it bled. She just stared at Ethan, stunned.

She thought he'd come to save her.

Ethan used to be gentle—more like a big brother than anything else. That's why she said yes to his proposal in the first place.

But now?

People believed whatever fit their story.

No one had her back. No one believed her.

Her throat burned like it was packed with needles.

She swallowed hard. Even the taste of blood couldn't distract her.

Robert scoffed under his breath. "So this is who you really are? And here I thought you were just playing coy."

He glanced at Ethan. No reaction.

That was all the permission he needed.

His voice turned nastier by the second. "Should've figured. Your boss usually brings a whole crew. Sends just you? You must've been desperate to get laid."

Ethan's face twisted with rage. Desperate to save face, he jumped in. "Please. She ditched me on our wedding day for some other guy.

"They played her moans on the reception screens—sounded like a total slut.

"Always acting innocent. Who knows how many guys have already used her? Makes you wonder what kind of trash raised her!"

Smack!

Ethan staggered back, hand flying to his cheek. Hailey stood still, her hand tingling from the hit.

"Apologize!" she snapped.

His face darkened. "Apologize? Keep dreaming."

Then—he spat in her face.

Before she could wipe it off, he grabbed her arm and dragged her out, yelling like a lunatic.

"Check this out! Filthy little call girl—look at her face!"

He shoved his phone in her face, holding her down as he took photo after photo.

The fancy restaurant froze. Everyone stared. No one stepped in.

Outside the VIP room, Hailey saw him—Nolan. Jordyn curled up beside him.

He looked like a king, cold and untouchable.

And he watched it all—watched her get torn apart, piece by piece.

***

Back home, the lights were off.

The second she stepped in, Hailey saw him—Nolan, sitting on the couch, face unreadable.

Her clothes were wrinkled, makeup smeared. It was obvious she'd been crying.

The sight yanked up memories he didn't ask for.

Hailey had always been the stubborn one. Jordyn messed up, but Hailey took the fall.

Even when she got hit, she never cracked.

At night, Hailey used to sneak into his room, slip under the blanket, and curl up in his arms like it was the only place left.

Nolan's jaw tightened. Fists clenched.

Those memories should've died with Donovan.

He stood and crossed the room.

She looked up, hollow.

"Nolan... is this enough?"

"What?"

"All of it. Does it pay back what my dad did to you? If not, just give me a deadline..."

No answer.

He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

The moonlight cut across his face, cold and sharp.

"Don't even think about running, Hailey. Not in this lifetime."

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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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