Audrey unexpectedly lost her innocence to a bartender.

For a time, all fingers pointed at me. Whispers followed wherever I went—scheming, shameless, a woman who would do anything just to get what she wanted.

People said I had ruined Audrey's reputation while trapping Hayden in a marriage he never wanted. And no matter how much I denied it, no one believed me. Their judgment was set in stone.

The aftermath was even worse. Audrey attempted suicide multiple times. Each time, Hayden was the one by her side, never leaving her for a second. The once proud prince of Havenford humbled himself, kneeling before her again and again, pleading with her just to stay alive.

In the end, Audrey chose to live but refused to remain in Havenford, the place that had brought her nothing but heartbreak. With the Ross Family's support, she left for another country, far away from all the pain.

After Audrey was gone, Hayden changed. He no longer spoke of love, no longer smiled. He sank into silence, his grief turning to cold hatred. Then, in the cruelest way possible, he married me—not out of affection, but as an act of punishment, using every opportunity to make my life unbearable, as if avenging Audrey through my suffering.

I had once believed that time would change things. That one day, Hayden would finally see the truth—that I was not the villain he thought I was, that I would never sacrifice another woman's dignity for my own gain. But I had been naive. Terribly naive.

I placed my hand over my lower abdomen, feeling the faintest trace of warmth where life had begun to grow. Lifting my gaze, I met Hayden's eyes and spoke with unwavering clarity. "Hayden, I agree to the divorce. I won't continue down this path."

For the briefest moment, something flickered in his eyes—hesitation, uncertainty—but it was gone in an instant, replaced by the same cold indifference.

"The moment the court opens tomorrow morning, we're getting divorced," he declared, his voice sharp with finality. "If you dare go back on your word, I promise you'll pay a painful price."

A hollow laugh escaped me. "This time, even if you beg me, I won't change my mind. I'm determined to end this marriage."

"You'd better mean that," he scoffed before turning on his heel and walking out of the villa.

The sound of the door slamming shut echoed through the empty space and with it, the last of my strength drained away. My legs gave out and I collapsed onto the sofa.

The floor heating filled the room with warmth, but I still felt unbearably cold. Curling up, I shut my eyes, but the numbness only deepened.

Sometime into the night, soft footsteps approached, steady and unhurried. A faint scent of citrus and pine filled the air before something warm draped over my shoulders.

I opened my eyes and found Hunter, Hayden's uncle, crouching slightly beside me. His suit jacket now covered me, shielding me from the chill I hadn't even realized had seeped into my bones.

"Oh... I must have been a mess," I murmured, offering a bitter smile.

Hunter, ever composed, merely tilted his head.

"Hey, if you're not feeling it, don't force it. Divorce... it can be a fresh start. A chance to be free."

I hadn't realized he'd overheard my earlier conversation with Hayden. But his words settled over me like a quiet reassurance. I'd expected him to be angry, to defend Hayden, but instead, he offered something that felt dangerously close to kindness.

Hunter stood to leave, but on instinct, I reached out and caught his hand. The warmth of his palm was grounding, steady in a way that made me reluctant to let go. Before I could even process the action, his teasing voice broke the silence.

"What? Intrigued?" His tone was light, but amusement danced in his eyes. "Tomorrow, after the divorce, maybe we'll see where things go. But until then... you're still family. I'm not that kind of guy."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, embarrassment sparking like fire beneath my skin. I recoiled as if burned, jerking my hand back and lowering my gaze. "You're overthinking it," I muttered. "I just wanted to ask... Do you believe me? About Audrey? That I had nothing to do with what happened to her?"

Hunter's expression didn't change, but after a brief pause, he gave a small nod. "Yeah, you're not smart enough for that."

I blinked, momentarily stunned. That was unnecessary.

A dry laugh escaped me, half amused, half self-deprecating. "Even you believe me, yet Hayden doesn't. Just how much does he hate me?"

Hunter exhaled lightly, shaking his head. "Come on, stop brooding. It'll all be over tomorrow. I've got plans tonight, so I'm heading out. Call me if you need anything."

Then, he was gone, leaving me alone once more in the empty villa.

Outside, the snow fell heavier, blanketing the world in an endless sea of white. The night stretched on, silent and unyielding. I sat there, unmoving, unable to sleep. By dawn, everything would finally come to an end.

***

Early in the morning, I reached for my phone, typing out a message.

[Come pick me up. Let's get divorced.]

Hayden's reply came instantly.

[You're such a hassle. Can't you just take a taxi? Or have the driver take you?]

His words were colder than the winter outside. Normally, when Hayden called me troublesome, I would bite my tongue, suppress my emotions and do as he pleased.

This time, I refused to hold back. Every ounce of resentment bottled up inside me burst forth, unfiltered.

[Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a ride from this godforsaken villa? The driver took Grandpa and Grandma to the cemetery. And as for me–surprise, surprise–I haven't slept all night and I'm not about to drive like this. I wouldn't be groveling if I had a choice. But you're in such a damn hurry for this divorce, aren't you? So, it's your call. Come or don't. I don't care anymore.]

For a long while, there was no response. I stared at the screen, my grip tightening around the phone. Just as I was about to give up, his reply finally came.

[Wait there.]

It was the first time I had ever won an argument against him. And I had to admit—it felt pretty damn good.

Hayden arrived not long after, expression unreadable as he unlocked the car doors. Neither of us spoke as we pulled onto the road, the silence stretching thick between us. Outside, the world was blanketed in white, the falling snow blurring the view of the city.

Then, his phone rang.

The bright screen lit up with an incoming call and my gaze instinctively flickered to the caller ID.

[Little Darling.]

The affectionate nickname was almost nauseating. Probably one of his lovers, not that it mattered anymore. Whoever it was, they had nothing to do with me.

But Hayden reacted instantly—panicked, even. His hands tightened on the wheel before he abruptly slammed the brakes. The sudden stop jolted my body forward, a sharp pain tightening in my stomach.

Then, he picked up the call.

"Hello! Audrey?" His voice wavered with uncertainty.

The moment I heard that name, my breath caught in my throat. My chest tightened, as if an invisible hand had wrapped around my lungs, choking the air from me.

On the other end, a soft, familiar voice came through, distant yet painfully clear.

"Yes, Hayden. I'm back in Havenford today. It's snowing and I can't get a cab from the airport. Can you come pick me up? It's really cold here."

Hayden didn't even hesitate. His entire body shifted with renewed energy, his voice filled with an emotion I hadn't heard from him in years—genuine joy.

"Of course! I'm coming right now. Wait for me, Audrey."

The moment he hung up, his gaze snapped toward me and just like that, the warmth in his eyes disappeared. His expression hardened with irritation.

"Get out. I'm going to pick up Audrey."

I let out a sharp breath, my fingers curling into fists. "Hayden, are you even human? I'm pregnant and you want me to get out of the car in the freezing cold?"

"Yes! I never planned to pick you up in the first place. You've already taken enough advantage of this ride. Now, get out!"

The sheer heartlessness of his words sent a white-hot fury coursing through my veins. Without thinking, I raised my hand and slapped him across the face.

For a moment, Hayden didn't move, his cheek reddening from the impact. Then, his expression twisted into something dark, his jaw clenching.

"You think I won't hit you back?" he hissed.

"Go ahead," I shot back, my voice steady despite the tremor in my chest. "If you dare lay a hand on me, I won't divorce you. I'd love to see how you plan to marry your precious ‘Little Darling' if I refuse to step down!"

That struck a nerve.

His entire body tensed, fingers tightening around the steering wheel. He exhaled sharply through his nose, but in the end, he had no choice. With a bitter expression, he slammed his foot on the gas and drove toward the courthouse.

Even then, his focus wasn't on me. His phone buzzed again and again with messages from Audrey. Since he was driving and couldn't type, he sent a voice message instead.

[I'll be there soon. Wait for me. This time, I won't ever let you go again.]

His voice was low, filled with an aching tenderness. It made my stomach turn.

I scoffed, unable to hold back the disgust curling in my chest. "You really have no shame, do you? We're still married. This is blatant adultery."

He barely reacted, his expression cold as he threw my past back at me instead.

"Shameless?" His voice dripped with scorn. "Who's more shameless than you? You were the one who drugged Audrey that night."

The accusation sliced through me like a blade.

"Hayden!" My voice shook with frustration. "How many times do I have to tell you? I didn't spike her drink! There were so many people at that party—why do you insist on blaming me?"

He let out a cruel sneer, his grip tightening on the wheel. He still didn't believe me.

I had endured this for too long. The endless accusations, the baseless hatred. My fingers trembled as I pressed a hand against my stomach, where life had just begun to grow.

So, I made a vow no mother would ever make lightly.

"If I was the one who drugged Audrey, then may my baby die in my womb!"

The weight of those words filled the car with suffocating silence.

For the first time, Hayden's expression faltered. His brows furrowed and when he spoke again, his voice lacked its usual edge.

"Are you really telling the truth?"

I didn't answer. Right now, I was dizzy, nauseous and my stomach hurt. Even speaking another word felt unbearable.

Maybe it was because I had been up all night. That was what I told myself as I closed my eyes, hoping for just a moment of rest.

Then, Hayden's phone rang again.

The sharp noise grated on my already frayed nerves. My mind instantly conjured the image of the caller ID flashing [Little Darling,] and irritation flared in my chest. I frowned, voice laced with fatigue.

"If you want to flirt, do it outside. I don't want to hear it. I feel like throwing up."

"It's my uncle," Hayden said.

Hearing that, I exhaled, relaxing slightly.

He picked up the call. "Hello, Uncle!"

On the other end, Hunter's voice was tight with urgency.

"Bring Ariella to the hospital now! Your grandma fell—she hit her head! The doctor said it's not looking good!"

The tension in the car shifted instantly. Hayden's expression darkening as he spun the car around and sped toward the hospital.

When we arrived, the air was thick with anxiety. Outside the operating room, Elliot sat hunched over on a chair, hands covering his face, his entire frame radiating guilt. Hunter stood by the wall, arms crossed, expression grim.

Hayden crouched in front of his grandfather, voice low and urgent. "How is she?"

Elliot didn't respond, lost in his daze. Finally, Hunter spoke, his voice heavy.

"It's bad. Brain hemorrhage. The doctor said she might be paralyzed after."

At the word "paralyzed," Hayden went still, his body slumping into the chair like the strength had been drained from him.

I knew what that word meant to him. Years ago, his parents had been in a car accident. His father died on the spot and his mother—paralyzed—had wasted away until she finally passed. The trauma of it had never left him. Even now, his hands trembled slightly.

Something in me softened. Without thinking, I reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, offering the only comfort I could.

"It's just the worst-case scenario. Don't lose hope. Grandma is strong—she'll be okay."

For a moment, his eyes met mine, searching, holding onto that fragile thread of hope.

Then, his phone rang again.

I didn't have to look to know who it was this time. The name flashed across the screen. [Little Darling.]

The warmth in me vanished. My fingers curled back, withdrawing from his shoulder.

Hayden hesitated. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing. He got up, phone in hand and walked away to answer the call.

I turned my gaze elsewhere, unwilling to listen.

After a while, he returned. At least he had some humanity left—he didn't leave to pick up Audrey at a time like this.

The surgery was still ongoing. Exhaustion from the sleepless night made my legs heavy, but I couldn't bring myself to sit next to Hayden. Instead, I leaned against the wall beside Hunter.

His voice was low when he spoke. "Did you get divorced?"

I shook my head. "Didn't get the chance."

He studied me for a moment before asking, "Are you still going through with it?"

I nodded.

Even if I could endure for the sake of my child, Audrey was back now. There was no place left for me in Hayden's heart.

"Yes," I said, my voice steady. "Audrey broke off her engagement and came back. If I keep clinging on, I'll just be a joke."

As if summoned by her name, the elevator doors opened with a soft chime.

Audrey stepped out.

It had been years since I'd last seen her. She had changed—no longer the naive university student she once was. There was a quiet confidence in the way she carried herself now, her beauty sharpened with experience.

She dragged her suitcase behind her, scanning the room before heading straight to Hayden. Without hesitation, she crouched before him, reaching for his hand with natural familiarity.

"Hayden, I'm back," she said softly.