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.