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Chapter 6

Author: Strawberry Spring Roll
Hailey didn't know how long Nolan kept going.

All she remembered was the fever burning through her body, her mouth running with words she couldn't even recall.

Somewhere in the haze, her mind drifted...

She used to love hiking. Nolan would tag along, mountain after mountain.

Once, she heard about this love-wish tree on a far-off peak. The trail was brutal, unmarked, risky.

She wanted to go. But that time, Nolan said no.

Back then, she didn't get it.

He'd never seen a future with her—wasn't about to chase some stupid tree for love.

So she went anyway. Packed her bag, told no one.

And it rained.

Hard.

She got stranded on the mountain.

She never found the tree—but she did find Nolan.

Soaked. Furious. Eyes wild.

Before she could say a word, he started shouting. She just stood there, stunned, heart crumbling.

Then—he pulled her in.

Tight.

Like he'd almost lost her for good.

His chest pounded. His grip was crushing.

In that second, she knew—

Finding the tree didn't matter anymore.

***

When Hailey woke, the sharp sting of disinfectant hit her nose.

She blinked—and there he was.

Nolan.

Staring at her like through a fog, face unreadable.

But just as she tried to figure him out, he snapped back into that icy version of himself.

"Fever didn't kill you. Too bad."

Then he turned and walked out, leaving her alone in the hospital.

During her stay, Nolan never showed.

Not once.

But his name kept blowing up on trending—first with an actress, then some up-and-coming model.

Hailey didn't flinch.

After eight years, her heart was wreckage. Pain barely registered.

When she finally returned to Thorne Corp, every stare in the room landed on her.

She didn't know why—until Jane walked up with a file.

"Robert's dead."

Hailey blinked. "What?"

"Got caught with another guy's wife. Her husband beat him to death."

A frown flickered across Hailey's face, then disappeared.

For someone like Robert... it wasn't exactly a shock.

Nolan didn't show all day.

The secretarial pool hummed with whispers—some actress had supposedly caught his eye.

Hailey's pen slipped from her hand.

A thought crept in—if Nolan really wanted someone else... would he finally let go?

Could she take her mom and get out for good?

The idea wouldn't leave her alone.

Even after work, she was still hoping.

Just as Hailey stepped outside, someone lunged at her.

Before she could react, a bottle came flying—its contents aimed straight at her face.

She froze, eyes wide.

"Hailey!"

Nolan burst in, throwing himself in front of her.

"You bitch!" the woman shrieked. "My son lost his job because of you! Now he's crippled! You're gonna pay with your life!"

Nolan kicked her, hard.

It was Ethan's mom.

She hit the pavement, screaming.

"You filthy pair! You ruined him—now me? I'll sue! I'll watch you rot!"

Hailey just stared, numb, then turned to Nolan.

Someone shouted, "Mr. Thorne, your arm!"

Nolan's face went cold. Dark.

"Take her away," he snapped.

His voice—flat, emotionless—stabbed into Hailey like tiny silver blades.

Stiff, she glanced down at his arm. "Nolan!"

The crowd was growing.

A petite woman shoved past the bodyguards and rushed to him, grabbing his arm with shaking hands.

"That was acid! We have to go—now!"

She didn't wait. Just dragged him toward the car.

Hailey called out without thinking. "Why?"

Nolan stopped.

His face stayed blank—just the ghost of a smirk playing at his lips.

Like he knew exactly what she meant.

Like he was laughing at her for still hoping.

"Why did I save you?" he said, voice low. "Your family owes me more than a thousand deaths could pay off. If you're gonna rot... you'll rot by my hand."

The crowd thinned.

And under the flickering streetlight, Hailey stood alone—small, quiet, and breaking.

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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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