It took Hailey a full five oversized trash bags to clear everything out.

Iris called soon after. “Hailey, I’ll be arriving in New Vegas the day after tomorrow. Don’t forget to pick me up at the airport.”

Hailey replied softly, “Okay, Aunt Iris. I’ll be there early.”

She had just hung up when Jeremy walked in.

“Who are you seeing?” he asked.

Hailey lowered her gaze. “No one. I’m just going to pick up a piece of clothing I ordered online.”

Jeremy stepped closer, guilt flickering across his face.

“I’m sorry. I’ve been tied up with the company audit for the past few days. The lead auditor from a third-party firm will arrive the day after tomorrow. It’s a critical step before the company goes public, so I can’t afford to be careless.”

“I see.” Hailey nodded perfunctorily. She no longer cared about his affairs.

For some reason, Jeremy felt a sudden pang of unease. The Hailey before him seemed like a different person. She was no longer clinging to him or asking about his whereabouts. However, when he reconsidered, he figured she probably understood that this was a crucial period for his career and did not want to add to his burden.

Relief washed over him. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his eyes.

“Hailey, you’re much more sensible now.”

Hailey smiled faintly and said nothing.

When she loved him to the point of madness, he labelled her willful and troublesome. Now that she no longer loved him and had chosen to let go, he said she was sensible. Men… really were boring creatures.

Jeremy glanced around the room and only then realized something was missing. The space felt emptier than before.

“Hailey, have you been doing a major cleanup lately? I think it looks great now. The space feels relaxing.”

Hailey’s expression remained calm as she spoke, “Yeah. I threw away a lot of trash.”

As it turned out, all those things had always been an eyesore to him.

The next day, Hailey received an anonymous text message claiming that there was something important to tell her. Confused, she decided to go and see what it was about.

She had just taken a seat in the café when a person with a slender figure sat down across from her. The woman removed her sunglasses, smiled, and extended her hand with composed elegance.

“Hello, Ms. Arnold.”

Hailey looked up and froze slightly when she saw it was Whitney. A trace of barely concealed pride flickered across Whitney’s face.

“Didn’t expect me to find you, did you?” She paused, her gaze slowly sweeping over Hailey’s face before continuing, “After we ran into each other at the restaurant that day, I had someone look into your background a little. It seems Jeremy has kept you hidden pretty well.”

Her voice lowered, carrying an unmistakable hint of sadness.

Looking at the beautiful yet dejected woman before her, Hailey felt an unexpected twinge of sympathy. Jeremy may have hurt her, but had he not also been deceiving Whitney all along?

Just as Hailey was about to speak, Whitney pulled out a check from her purse and gently pushed it across the table.

“Ms. Arnold, no matter the relationship you and Jeremy had in the past, I hope you’ll make a clean break from now on. As for compensation, you can fill in any amount you want. The Addams family can afford it.”

The corner of Hailey’s lips lifted slightly. She found it all so ironic. She had thought Whitney was a victim like herself, but instead, Whitney was the same kind of person as Jeremy—someone who believed money could solve everything. They were truly a match made in heaven.

Meeting Whitney’s gaze, Hailey spoke gently but clearly, “Miss Addams, no amount of money can buy the end of a genuine relationship. Don’t you agree?”

Whitney’s expression instantly sank.

“Ms. Arnold, I advise you not to refuse a kind offer,” she said in a hushed voice, yet each word cut like a knife. “No one has ever rejected my requests.”

Hailey replied indifferently, “In that case, let me offer you a piece of advice as well, Miss Addams. Money sure is good, but the things it can buy are often the least valuable.”

She had no intention of continuing the conversation, so she picked up her purse, stood, and turned to leave.

Just then, Whitney grabbed the glass on the table and smashed it hard against her own temple. A sharp cracking sound rang out. Blood immediately gushed out, dripping down her delicate face in a horrifying sight.

Almost at the same time, Jeremy pushed open the café door. At a glance, he saw Whitney covered in blood. His expression changed dramatically as he rushed forward and pulled her tightly into his arms.

“Whitney! What happened? Who hurt you?”

Whitney trembled as she raised her hand and pointed at the stunned Hailey. Tears mixed with blood streamed down her face as her voice broke. “It was her… She was the one who asked me out…”

Jeremy whipped his head around. That was when he noticed Hailey standing nearby, her face pale. Rage instantly overcame him.

He clenched his jaw as he growled, “Hailey, are you out of your mind? How dare you lay a hand on her?”

At that moment, Whitney struggled free from his arms and staggered to her feet, her eyes filled with heartbreak and despair. “Jeremy… why did you lie to me?”

With that, she turned and ran out of the café without looking back. Jeremy shot Hailey a vicious glare, then spun around and ran after her.

Hailey, on the other hand, stood frozen in place. Only then did she finally understand Whitney’s true purpose in asking her out. It was to stage this entire scene in front of Jeremy.

That very night, Jeremy tied Hailey up and threw her into the basement.

From outside the metal door, Jeremy’s voice was cold as ice. “Hailey, I told you not to tell Whitney. Why do you never listen?”

Hailey’s body began to shake violently. She gasped for air, her breathing rapid and uneven. Using what little strength she had left, she slammed her hands against the door.

“It wasn’t me. I didn’t ask her out… Let me out… I’ll die in here…”

Her strength faded with every word, but the man outside showed no reaction at all.

“Hailey, if you make a mistake, you deserve punishment. You shall stay in there tonight and reflect on it.”

With that, the last trace of light disappeared, and the basement was plunged into complete darkness. Hailey curled up in the corner, hugging herself tightly as she struggled to breathe. He knew she was claustrophobic, yet he chose the one method she feared most to punish her.

Before she lost consciousness, a blurred memory flashed through her mind. That year, she had been washing dishes alone in the back kitchen of a restaurant. After closing, the chef locked the doors, leaving her trapped inside. In despair, she called Jeremy for help. He made a ten-kilometer drive in just ten minutes and rescued her.

Later, she found out that in his rush to save her, he had run through more than a dozen red lights. She cried and scolded him for being stupid. What if he had gotten into an accident?

However, Jeremy had held her tightly and said, “Your life matters more than mine. Without you, what’s the point of me living?”

He had once loved her so passionately and sincerely. Yet now, for Whitney, he no longer cared whether she lived or died.

A tear slid down from the corner of her eye. Then, everything went black.

…

The next morning, she was dragged out of the basement. Sunlight hit her face, blindingly white.

Jeremy sat neatly dressed in a tailored suit in the courtyard, watching her miserable state with calm indifference.

“How did it feel, being locked up? If you cause trouble for Whitney again, it won’t be just one night next time.”

Hailey’s heart was in her throat. He knew her too well. He always knew exactly where to strike to hurt the most.

She looked up at him, a chill creeping up her spine. Her eyes were bloodshot as she struggled to stand.

Suddenly, she laughed and replied, “From now on, it’ll never happen again.”

Without sparing her another glance, Jeremy turned and left in a hurry.

Hailey dragged her heavy steps toward the hospital. She didn’t want her Aunt Iris to see her in such a sorry state. However, she had barely walked past the gate when her vision went dark. Several burly men then seized her and forced her into a car.

…

When she woke again, she found herself tied up in an abandoned factory, alongside Whitney. Two men stood behind them, knives pressed tightly against their necks.

Before long, Jeremy rushed in. The moment he saw the scene, panic filled his eyes.

“Who are you? Let them go! If you want something, come at me!”

“You sure are impressive, Mr. Fisher.” A thin man stepped out of the shadows, his voice cold as he asked, “Do you remember an old acquaintance like me?”

When Jeremy saw the man’s face, his expression changed instantly.

He yelled, “West Will, have you lost your mind? What happened back then had nothing to do with me. You were ill. That’s why headquarters gave the promotion to me.”

“Is that so? Everyone knows you’d stop at nothing to climb higher. I took you as my closest friend, yet you sold me out. Now your company is about to go public, while I have nothing,” West Will responded.

A smile stretched across West’s pale face, his gaze sweeping between Whitney and Hailey.

“Since you forced the company to choose between you and me back then, why don’t I let you choose once more, Jeremy? Choose between these two women, and the other one will be mine to deal with.”

By then, Whitney had broken down in tears. “Jeremy, save me! Please, you have to save me!”

Hailey held her breath, her heart pounding violently in her chest.

In utter panic, Jeremy said, “Let them go. You just want money, don’t you? Name your price. I’ll give you anything.”

West’s eyes suddenly turned vicious. “If you won’t choose, I won’t let either of them go.”

With a raise of his hand, the men beside him stabbed Whitney and Hailey both at the same time, blood splattering across the ground.

Whitney’s screams tore through the air, while Hailey clenched her fists tightly, her face deathly pale. Cold sweat rolled down her temples as her body trembled from the searing pain.

Jeremy could no longer stay calm. His eyes turned a terrifying shade of red as he roared, “Stop! I’ll choose!”

West’s lips curled into a knowing smile. He sneered, “So, Mr. Fisher, who will it be? The wife who’s stayed by your side for years, or the Addams family heiress who can help you reach the top of the world? I’m very curious.”

Jeremy’s gaze wavered between Whitney and Hailey. After a brief, suffocating silence, his eyes finally settled on Whitney.

He opened his mouth with great difficulty, his voice hoarse. “I choose… Whitney.”

The moment the words fell, Hailey collapsed limply to the ground, as if all the strength had been drained from her body.

“Hahaha!” West burst out laughing. “Jeremy, you haven’t changed at all. You’d sacrifice even your lawful wife’s life for your future.”

He then cut the ropes binding Whitney and shoved her toward Jeremy, who hurriedly bent down and caught her. Jeremy held her with extreme care, as if she might shatter at the slightest touch.

“Whitney, don’t be afraid. I’m taking you to the hospital right now.”

Without the slightest hesitation, he turned and rushed out, afraid that a second’s delay would worsen her injuries. He did not even spare Hailey a glance.

West picked up a whip and lashed it hard across Hailey’s body.

“Ms. Arnold, don’t blame me for being ruthless—blame your poor choice in men. Jeremy’s debts are now yours to pay.”

The whip came down again and again. Soon, her back was torn and bloody. The searing pain felt like it was carving into her heart, squeezing the air from her lungs until she could not even cry out for help.

In her haze, she remembered that year when Jeremy knelt on one knee, holding a plain band ring in his hand.

His eyes were burning with sincerity as he said, “Hailey, marry me. I’ll protect you for the rest of my life.”

However, the rest of his life turned out to be only a few short years.

When Hailey woke up again, she was lying in a hospital bed. Jeremy was leaning against the bedside, his tie crooked. There were dark shadows under his eyes, as if he had been keeping watch over her for a long time.

“You’re awake!”

Hailey turned her head away, avoiding the hand he reached out toward her.

Jeremy awkwardly withdrew his hand and explained, “The situation was urgent. I could only get Whitney out first, then figure out a way to save you. West is a madman. I couldn’t risk it.”

His voice softened suddenly. “I’m sorry that you had to go through that because of me, Hailey.”

“If I had died in West’s hands,” Hailey suddenly asked, her throat dry, “would you have regretted it?”

Jeremy froze. A tense silence filled the room. A few seconds later, he finally opened his mouth, but before he could say anything, a shrill phone ringtone broke the stillness.

“Jeremy, where are you? I’m in so much pain…”

Hearing Whitney’s weak voice coming through the line, Jeremy subconsciously glanced at Hailey. He mouthed for her to get some rest before he turned and left the room.

After he was gone, Hailey smiled. Those few seconds of hesitation were the answer itself. She was no longer Jeremy’s first choice, so naturally, he felt no regret for not saving her. Her question had been pointless.

After being discharged, Hailey did not even stop to pack. She went straight to the airport.

“Hailey, it’s been so long! I’ve missed you so much,” Iris said as she pulled Hailey into a tight embrace.

The moment their bodies touched, pain flared along Hailey’s wounds. She could not help letting out a soft gasp. Only then did Iris notice the injuries on Hailey’s body.

“Hailey, what happened to you?”

Hailey took a deep breath and said casually, “It’s nothing. I fell a few days ago.”

Iris was doubtful, but seeing that Hailey did not want to talk about it, she did not press further.

“Where’s your husband? Oh, I mean, your ex-husband now. Why didn’t he come with you? Even if you’re divorced, I’m your aunt. It’s common courtesy for him to meet me once at least.”

Hailey lowered her eyes. “He’s busy with the company’s IPO. He doesn’t have time.”

“IPO?” Iris repeated. “Which company?”

“Fisher Group.”

Iris froze for a moment. That was exactly the company she had returned to audit this time.

“Aunt Iris, don’t worry about him,” Hailey said. “I’ll take you to that restaurant you love.”

During the meal, Iris excused herself to go to the restroom and called her assistant.

“Investigate Jeremy Fisher, chairman of Fisher Group. I want everything about his private life.”

The assistant moved fast. By the time Iris stepped out of the restaurant, the information had been sent to her phone. As she read through it, her chest tightened, and her eyes misted over.

Noticing her expression, Hailey asked. “What’s wrong, Aunt Iris? Are you feeling unwell?”

Iris held Hailey’s hand tightly and sighed. “Silly child. You’ve suffered so much all these years. From now on, I will protect you.”

A wave of resentment welled up in Hailey’s heart, but she quickly suppressed it.

“I’m fine, Aunt Iris.”

Over the next few days, while Iris threw herself into the audit work, Hailey began preparing to migrate overseas. From applying for a visa to booking flights, packing her belongings, and buying supplies, her days were filled.

At the same time, Jeremy took Whitney to a seaside island to recover. Every day, his social media was updated with moments from their time together.

The first post was of the two of them walking hand in hand along the beach. The caption read, “Life is filled with uncertainty, and I’m grateful to have you by my side.”

The second post was of sunlight flooding the shore as they sat close together. The caption read, “The weather is perfect today. We collected stones by the sea.”

The third post was of stars glittering and fireworks blooming in the night sky. The caption read, “I offer you the stars as my pledge to provide you a life free of worry.”

Hailey laughed as she read them. He had once said all of those words to her. Now, the person listening with joy was no longer her. Sure enough, when love fades, the heart no longer aches.

Standing in the empty mansion, not a trace of herself left behind, a satisfied smile spread across Hailey’s face. She then went into the study, took off the plain band ring from her finger, and placed it on Jeremy’s desk along with the share transfer agreement. Since she was leaving, she would do it with a clean slate.

Three days later, Iris’s audit work was done.

After picking Iris up to go to the airport, Hailey casually asked, “Aunt Iris, did everything go smoothly this time?”

A glint flashed in Iris’s eyes as she replied calmly, “That company had quite a few issues, so it didn’t pass the audit. It probably won’t go public.”

“Oh. That’s a pity,” Hailey said as she turned to look out the window, failing to notice the words “Fisher Group” marked on the documents in Iris’s hand.

The city slowly receded from her view, growing distant and blurred. She was finally leaving the place where she had once depended on Jeremy for survival.

After completing the boarding procedures, Hailey took out her phone and deleted everything related to Jeremy.

Meanwhile, Jeremy received a call.

“Mr. Fisher, we didn’t pass the financial audit. You need to come back immediately.”

Jeremy’s heart sank. “What did you say?”