Chapter 2

She had just hung up when Jeremy’s call came through.

“Hailey, I knew you’d understand me,” he said. “The company is about to go public, and this is the only option I have. Don’t worry, divorce is just a piece of paper. It won’t change what we have. I’ll send my secretary to pick you up. Tonight, we’ll celebrate.”

Hailey was stunned to learn that, in his eyes, divorce was something worth celebrating. She did not refuse. After loving each other for ten years, a farewell dinner did seem appropriate.

At a high-end restaurant, Jeremy and Hailey sat across from each other. As he grew wealthier, he also grew busier, so much so that Hailey could not even remember the last time they had shared a meal like that.

“Hailey, everything I promised you back then has finally come true. Once the company goes public, I’ll be financially free,” Jeremy said, lifting his glass of wine and downing it all in one go.

The man sitting across from her was no longer the poor young man from years ago. His eyes were bright, brimming with ambition and hunger for success.

A wave of bitterness rose in her chest. Hailey raised her glass as well, forcing a smile.

“Congratulations on achieving your dream,” she said. “Here’s to your freedom.”

The taste of the wine burned its way down her throat, all the way to her heart.

She held back her tears and silently added, ‘Here’s to my freedom, too.’

Jeremy then took out a document and handed it to her.

“This is a share transfer agreement. I’m giving you fifty percent of the company’s shares. It’ll be your security.”

Hailey accepted the document, a faint, self-mocking smile tugging at her lips. What she wanted had never been the company shares.

Suddenly, the private dining room door swung open. The secretary hurried in, looking flustered.

“Mr. Fisher, Miss Addams urgently needs to see you.”

Jeremy glanced at Hailey before standing up and saying, “The food here is good. Take your time and enjoy it.”

No matter how exquisite the food was, eating alone made it tasteless. With that, Hailey got up to leave. As she passed the private room next door, Jeremy’s voice drifted out.

“Whitney, I’m sorry I’m late. Something came up. I’ve ordered everything you like.”

Hailey’s gaze froze as it fell on the dishes inside through the glass door. They were all the same as the ones on her table. As it turned out, everything had been planned for Whitney. Dinner with her had merely been a convenient afterthought. The date with Whitney was the real main course of the night.

Her fingers dug deep into her palm, yet she felt no pain.

Whitney said coyly, “I know you’re busy now, but today is our third anniversary. No matter how late you were, I would’ve waited.”

Outside the door, Hailey bit down hard on her lip as tears spilled uncontrollably. They had been together for three years, and it was exactly three years ago that Jeremy had first asked her for a divorce.

Just then, a waiter carrying a bowl of boiling stew hurried toward her. His foot slipped, and his entire body pitched forward. Scalding liquid splashed all over her.

“Ah!”

Hailey screamed as pain exploded across her body. Her delicate skin instantly turned red and swollen.

“I’m so sorry! I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to!” the waiter apologized in a panic.

Hearing the commotion, Whitney poked her head out of the room.

“What happened?”

Jeremy followed her out. The moment he saw Hailey, his brows knitted slightly.

The waiter’s face went pale as he stammered, “I slipped by accident and burned this lady…”

Jeremy instinctively stepped forward and grabbed Hailey’s arm, his voice tense. “Are you hurt? Does it hurt badly? Let me see.”

His sudden concern made Whitney pause, confusion flickering across her face as she asked, “Jeremy… do you know her?”

The question made Jeremy freeze and come to his senses. He abruptly withdrew his hand and turned to Whitney with a relaxed smile.

“How could I know her? Seeing her badly hurt made me react. You know me. I can’t stand seeing people suffer.”

Hailey’s heart skipped a beat. To him, she was nothing more than a stranger worthy of his momentary kindness.

The waiter continued apologizing repeatedly. “Miss, I’ll take you to the hospital right away to get it treated.”

Hailey looked up and forced herself to appear calm.

“It’s fine,” she said. “It’s just a minor burn. I can handle it myself.”

After that, she fled the restaurant as if escaping. If she stayed a second longer, the fragile composure she had been clinging to would shatter.