Semua Bab Letting Him Go : Bab 1 - Bab 10

Chapter TwoYesterday(Ella’s POV)The crowd was still murmuring behind us when Hayes guided me down the steps of the church. His hand stayed lightly on my back. I could feel the hesitation, like he wasn’t sure if I’d break or shove him away.The town car pulled up. Hayes opened the door for me without a word. I slipped inside, my dress pooling around me. He got in after me, shutting the door.Silence wrapped around us.The car pulled away from the church, heading toward the reception venue that was supposed to be the start of my life with Lucas. My stomach twisted painfully. I didn’t know if I felt sick or empty.Hayes stared at his hands.I stared out the window.My reflection looked like a stranger. I married woman. I had said ‘I do’ to a man who wasn’t supposed to be there. A man who had always been a grumpy ass to me.My throat tightened. The world outside blurred as memories pushed in, uninvited and sharp.I’d been so excited last night. I’d finally managed to track down the limi

Chapter 4Marriage Pact(Hayes’s POV)Ella didn’t look at me once during the drive to my penthouse. She stared out the window like the city offended her. I couldn’t blame her. If I were her, I’d probably throw me out of the moving car.Instead, she sat perfectly still, hands folded in her lap, shoulders straight, every inch of her controlled. Ella Evans never let the world see her crack. Not even when the groom vanished.I watched her from the corner of my eye and felt my chest squeeze. I’d been in love with her for years. And now she was my wife.A wife who didn’t want to look at me.Fantastic.When we arrived, she stepped out of the car before I even rounded the trunk. Reese would punch me if he knew I wasn’t holding out my hand for her. Ruby might actually kill me.The lobby staff stared like we walked in dripping diamonds. I nodded to them and tried to keep up with Ella.She shot me a glance. “Do you always walk this slowly?”I blinked. “I’m letting you go first.”“Why?”“Because

Chapter 6Quiet War(Ella’s POV)After Reese left, the penthouse finally felt quiet. I walked toward my design space and sifted through fabric bolts just to keep my hands busy. The table was covered in sketches, pattern drafts, and fabric swatches from my latest collection under my pen name. Hayes had it set up just the way it was at my aprtment. Only a handful of people knew I was the designer behind the brand that had taken over fashion week conversations.Hayes watched me from the sofa. “You’re already working?”“I need a distraction.”He nodded slowly, eyes drifting to the sketches on the wall. “Your brand’s everywhere again. I saw a thread last night. People think the mystery designer might be from Europe.”“Good,” I said. “Let them guess.”His lips curved slightly. “Meanwhile, the actual designer is in my living room wearing my hoodie and pretending she didn’t sell out an entire collection in seven minutes.”I shot him a look. “I’m not running an empire.”“You are,” he said sim

Chapter Eight Ex Mother-in-law(Ella’s POV) I woke the next morning to sunlight filling the penthouse and absolute silence.There were no footsteps.Just quiet.I pushed the blanket off and sat up slowly, still adjusting to the fact that this wasn’t my apartment… and I wasn’t alone in my life anymore. When I walked into the main living space, something on the counter caught my eye.A note.In neat handwriting I didn’t expect from a man as large and grouchy as Hayes.Ella,Had an early meeting. Didn’t want to wake you.Driver is downstairs for you.Black card is on the counter.Turn the penthouse into your dream home.Spend my money, Wifey.— HI stared at the card.Then the word wifey.My stupid heart fluttered like it had absolutely no discipline at all.I pressed the note flat on the counter, trying not to smile. “Okay. That’s… inappropriate,” I muttered to myself. “Totally inappropriate.”I was not supposed to be feeling anything for him. I was supposed to be recovering from the f

Chapter TenUnapologetic(Hayes’s POV)Ella stepped into the penthouse, shoulders tight, cheeks flushed, hand still faintly red from where she hit Vanessa Moretti.I had already seen the video.Every angle.Every slow-motion replay.Every comment thread praising her or attacking her.I’d watched it all with a rage that had my jaw aching.She looked at me now like she expected me to start yelling.Instead, I took one step toward her.Before I could speak, she blurted, “I’m sorry.”I froze. “For what?”“For causing a scene,” she said quickly. “For embarrassing you. For putting you in the spotlight with something you didn’t ask for. I know Vanessa is—”“Ella.”She didn’t stop.“—and I’m sorry that I—”“Ella.”But she kept going, voice shaking but stubborn. “—and I swear I didn’t go there intending to hit her. I just… I snapped. I’ve put up with her for years, and I’m so tired of pretending she didn’t treat me like garbage. But I’m sorry. I know this affects you too and—”“Ella.”I steppe