Trapped in a Fake Marriage, Freed by True Love

She stared at the lone birthday cake before her, the soft candlelight flickering against the room's emptiness. "Enzo, from this moment on, even after many years, we shall never meet again." By the time she finished the last bite of cake, the clock had already struck eight. Pushing aside the hollowness in her chest, she forced herself to clean up, tackling each task methodically. But just as she wiped the last dish, her fingers froze. His social media profile had changed. No longer the neutral, businesslike image he once kept, it was now a simple sketch of a puppy. Below his name was another girl’s profile, a matching picture of a puppy holding a heart. They were the perfect pair. A blatant declaration of love. Anyone who saw it would assume they were in the depths of a blissful honeymoon phase. Yet, she had once asked him to set a couple’s profile picture with her, too. His reply had been the same, over and over again: cutting, dismissive. "Are you a three-year-old child? What would my clients think? I’m a CEO, not a street vendor! How immature." And yet, here he was now, effortlessly giving someone else what she had once longed for. Her grip tightened around her phone as she inhaled deeply, steadying her voice. Then, she dialed. "Didn’t you want to take me back? I’ll go with you." Maddox Campbell’s voice came through the line, deep and slightly hoarse, laced with the lazy drawl of someone playing cards. The faint rustling of shuffling cards echoed in the background. "Alright. Half a month later, we’re going back to Belmond." His tone was relaxed, but his next words carried the familiar edge of reprimand. "These past years, you’ve been spoiled rotten. Bad temper, never listen. Say two words to you, and you bolt. Just like a little girl with too much attitude." Though he scolded, the faint smirk in his voice gave him away, he was amused. It seemed he had just won a round. His mood was good. "Hailey, in half a month, make sure to clean up all your mess here." She nodded silently and ended the call. For over a decade, she had been raised under Maddox’s roof, a foster child in name. To the world, he was her older brother. So, a few words of reprimand were nothing new. Her gaze flickered to the clock: eleven at night. She had planned to shower and head to bed. But before she could move, the sound of the door opening sliced through the silence. A delicate, lingering scent of perfume drifted in. And along with it, a pair of matching couple’s outfits. Enzo met Hailey’s gaze, his discomfort evident in the way his eyes flickered away. After a brief pause, he finally spoke. "This is Allison, my friend." Hailey let out a soft "Hmm," her reaction detached, almost absent. But the truth lay in the details, the overpowering scent of perfume clinging to his clothes, the matching cartoon couple’s outfits that practically screamed intimacy. The air between them was thick with something unspoken, something undeniable. Allison lifted her hand, a dazzling diamond ring catching the light. Her eyes twinkled with amusement, but there was something sharp beneath the surface. "Thank you so much for the ring, big brother! Do you think sister will be upset?" Her tone was light, almost playful. Yet the venom laced within was unmistakable. Hailey’s gaze dropped to her own hand, where a ring sat, a cheap imitation. She remembered the day Enzo had handed it to her, his words still painfully clear. "The wedding ring might fall off easily. Just wear a fake one." For half a month after their wedding, she had worn it without fail. She never imagined the real one had already been given away to Allison. Hailey swallowed the tightness in her throat, her voice quiet but steady. "Come in." Allison waltzed in as if she owned the place, settling onto the couch with practiced ease. Then, with a bright, saccharine smile, she turned to Hailey. "Sister, I was out with big brother today. You’re not mad, are you?" Hailey’s expression remained unreadable as she replied flatly, "No." What was there to be upset about? She would be leaving soon. None of this mattered anymore. Allison’s smile widened, her voice dripping with amusement. "That’s good. You probably don’t know, right? Mother-in-law never really liked you. That’s why she asked me to get closer to Big Brother." Then, as if remembering to play innocent, she added with a light laugh, "But don’t worry, I’d never break up a family." Her tone was sweet, almost playful. Yet every word was a carefully placed dagger.

Mockery, ridicule, and outright contempt. Hailey ignored it all. Her gaze drifted past Allison and settled on Enzo, who leaned back, cigarette in hand, exhaling smoke as if none of this concerned him. His voice was calm, indifferent. “Don’t worry, you’re still my legitimate wife. You know how my mother is; once she sets her mind on something, there’s no escaping it.” “It’s all just for show. Don’t overthink it.” Hailey’s fingers curled into her palm, her nails pressing into her skin. She lifted her chin, her voice steady. “If Auntie wants this marriage to be nothing more than an act, then so be it.” From the beginning, she had been unwanted. Enzo’s mother had made her disdain clear, treating her presence like an eyesore. Back in the bedroom, Hailey lay awake, staring at the dim glow of her phone screen. The chat with Enzo remained open. She had been the one who called him home tonight for his birthday. Before that, their conversations had been nothing but half-hearted excuses. He was always “busy.” She had once been thrilled when Enzo agreed to marry her, foolishly believing she had a place in his life. But outside this house, he was already surrounded by admirers. She took a breath, then dialed. The moment the call connected, an arrogant voice greeted her from the other end. Hailey didn’t hesitate. Her voice was clear, unwavering. “Didn’t you say you’d give me fifty million? Transfer the money. I’ll be gone by morning.” She once believed love could conquer all. But now, she had given up. Kaia Rainford, Enzo’s mother, set down her coffee cup with a satisfied smile, her tone unhurried. “I knew you’d be reasonable. Fifty million, leave my son.” “Fine. Give me half a month. I’ll return to Belmond.” Perhaps sensing her sincerity, Kaia transferred ten million on the spot, her laughter laced with amusement. “Once you’re gone, I’ll send the rest.” “Alright.” After ending the call, Hailey wasted no time. She began handing over her cases at the law firm, tying up every loose end. By the time everything was settled, the sun had already dipped low in the sky. As she stepped into the house, voices from the living room stopped her in her tracks. “Enzo, when are you going to give me a proper status? Didn’t you say you liked her? Why did you marry me?” “She proposed to you ninety-nine times; how could you be so cruel?” Enzo’s voice was as deep and lazy as ever, carrying a careless amusement. “Cruel? Not at all. I liked her from the start, and she liked me too. It was just a little game between lovers, making her propose ninety-nine times. Who wouldn’t enjoy that?” Hailey’s body trembled violently. So Enzo had liked her all along. Yet he had stood by and watched as she humiliated herself over and over again. “Are you talking about Hailey? Isn’t she just Enzo’s pathetic little shadow?” “What kind of woman clings like that? Even after he’s married, I bet she’d offer to care for his wife during postpartum recovery!” “Exactly! How much lower can she sink?” The sneers, the scornful stares, and the merciless ridicule from the past came rushing back, sharp, piercing, relentless. The taunting laughter echoed in her mind. So many had mocked Hailey like she was nothing more than a joke. Yet she had been foolish enough to believe she could thaw the iceberg that was Enzo. But he had never been cold. He had simply never cared. Her knees nearly buckled. Inside, the laughter continued, lighthearted and teasing, interwoven with the sweet, flirtatious tone of another woman. She had prepared herself for this moment. She had braced her heart. With quiet determination, she pushed the door open, only to be greeted by a sickly sweet voice. “Hailey, Enzo, and I are going on our honeymoon. Want to come along?” Enzo’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her with detached amusement. “Why do you always make a fuss over such trivial things? Like a little girl throwing a tantrum. Fine, we’ll bring you back something nice from our honeymoon. Don’t sulk, alright?”

Enzo was a master of deception, weaving lies as easily as breathing, luring her in with honeyed words. Hailey shook her head. “You two go ahead. I have work to do.” Enzo ruffled her hair lightly, his voice dripping with practiced affection. “I’m innocent, you know. My mom’s the one insisting I go on this honeymoon. Be good, okay?” She gave a small nod and turned toward the bedroom, only to be jolted by the sudden, feral barking of an Alaskan Malamute. The dog lunged, eyes burning with hostility, its bared fangs flashing as it sank its teeth into her neck! “Hailey!” “What the hell? How can you just let it bite someone? That’s disgusting!” At the sharp call of its owner, the Malamute immediately released her and padded over to Allison’s side, its gaze still fixed on Hailey with unhidden malice. A sharp sting seared through her skin. Blood trickled from the fresh scratches on her neck. She had always been terrified of dogs, yet Enzo had let Allison bring one into the house. And when she turned to him, hoping for even the slightest trace of concern, all she found was a flicker of reproach directed at her. His gaze barely lingered on her before shifting to the dog. “Hailey, listen to Allison . Go get a rabies shot yourself. I’ll take Hailey to the pet hospital.” That “Hailey,” was he talking about her or the dog? Hailey went alone to get her rabies shot. Meanwhile, her phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. [The weather is lovely today. After all the twists and turns, we’re finally back together.] She glanced at the screen. A photo of Enzo and Allison on a cruise glowed mockingly in the dim light. Under the golden hues, love bites trailed down Enzo’s neck and collarbone, bold, shameless. Below the post, his comment sat like a knife to the heart: [As long as you’re happy.] Enzo didn’t bother hiding his relationship with Allison. He never had. Hailey said nothing, but an inexplicable urge rose within her to call Maddox. The call barely rang before a lazy chuckle came from the other end, followed by the sound of ice clinking in a glass. "Babe, what now? You can’t be this clingy. I’m busy." Ignoring his teasing, she spoke softly. "I want to go home." Maddox stilled. The light clink of his glass being set down echoed through the line. Then, with a wave of his hand, he dismissed the people around him. A scoff followed. "Someone bullied you again? Didn’t I tell you if someone pushes you, push back? Do I really need to teach you that?" His tone carried a trace of reprimand. "Letting yourself get trampled on like this? Stay put. I’m coming to get you." "Okay." Maddox was Hailey’s stepbrother, always playful and never one to take things too seriously. But the faint tremor in her voice made his chest tighten for a split second. Not long after, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Jasmine, her voice practically glowing with excitement over the thumping bar music. "Babe, get out of there already! Why are you still wasting your time on that deadbeat husband?" The contempt in Jasmine’s tone was unmistakable. Hailey needed an escape, something to drown out the mess inside her head, so she agreed to meet up for drinks. When Jasmine spotted her downing bottle after bottle, she let out a low whistle. "Whoa, sis, what’s with you tonight? Did that sorry excuse for a husband finally decide to ignore you?" Hailey slumped against the sofa, her eyes glazed with unshed tears, her voice hoarse. "We’re getting divorced. And the marriage certificate he gave me? Fake. Turns out he already registered a real one with someone else." Jasmine stilled, her expression darkening before she suddenly exploded. "Holy shit! If that’s true, I swear I’ll kill him! Who the hell does he think he is? You liking him was his greatest privilege, and now he pulls this? Screw him!"

"Don’t be mad. Just dump him already. I’ll find you someone a hundred times better." Having Jasmine beside her was already a comfort. Maybe it was the alcohol, but Hailey simply waved a hand, her voice a little too carefree. "It’s fine. I’m heading back to Belmond anyway. You know my brother, Maddox? He’s so handsome. So, so handsome, way better than him." Jasmine scoffed, shaking her head. But when Hailey muttered that she wanted to break up, Jasmine stilled, disbelief flashing across her face. She had chased Enzo for three years. Back then, she only had eyes for him; her whole world revolved around him. Letting go now… how could that not hurt? By the time they stumbled out of the bar, the city was already cloaked in midnight haze. Jasmine got called away, leaving Hailey alone. She took a few unsteady steps, about to hail a taxi, when she suddenly froze. A familiar figure stood at the street corner. Allison. A group of thugs surrounded her, their sneers cutting through the night. She was crying, her red-rimmed eyes gleaming under the dim streetlight. The moment she spotted Hailey, she looked as if she had grabbed onto her last shred of hope. "Help me! Please, save me!" The thugs only laughed, reaching for her clothes. Just as Hailey turned her head, a voice sliced through the night, cold, furious, laced with unrelenting rage. "Get lost! All of you, get the hell out of here!" With a single, brutal kick, the man sent several thugs sprawling to the ground. Then, his entire demeanor shifted. He turned to Allison, his touch achingly gentle as he whispered, "Don’t be scared. I’m here." Something twisted deep in Hailey’s chest. A weight settled there, heavy and suffocating. Without another glance, she climbed into a taxi. Yet, just before the door shut, she caught his gaze, sharp, filled with blame and resentment. She forced herself to ignore it. It had nothing to do with her. Just then, a chat window, silent for half a year, suddenly flickered to life. "I won’t be coming home tonight. She’s not feeling well. Don’t scare her." "Tomorrow, bring me a birthday cake." That night, the house was unbearably quiet. So quiet that even the walls seemed to echo with loneliness. Hailey started packing. One by one, she burned the love letters she had written, each carrying his name. Meaningless. Every single one of them. The red scarf she had once knitted for him was thrown into the flames, unraveling into nothingness. The origami stars she had folded, each one hiding whispers of love, reduced to nothing but ashes. The diary where she had carefully recorded every moment of his proposal, crumbling, turning to dust. It was as if she were erasing three years of devotion, one burned memory at a time. By morning, Hailey had made a cake and prepared to take it to the hospital. In less than a week, she would be gone. A simple cake, just a final act before she left for good. But when she arrived at the hospital, an unexpected sound froze her steps. Soft, intimate. The unmistakable sound of a kiss. For a brief moment, she hesitated at the door before knocking. As soon as she stepped inside, she watched as Enzo took the cake from her hands, only to feed it straight to the Alaskan Malamute beside him. A slow, indulgent smile tugged at his lips. "Didn’t you love eating cake the most? Go on, enjoy." Hailey barely reacted. She only lifted her head, only to be met with a sharp accusation. "Was it you? Did you bribe those thugs to hurt Allison on purpose?" The words were so absurd, so ridiculous, that for a moment, she could only stare. Did he really think she was that cruel? That she would sink so low just to harm another woman? Did evidence mean nothing to him at all? She sat down in silence. And in that instant, Allison clung to Enzo, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist as she pouted up at him. "Enzo, it hurts."

Enzo’s gaze flickered toward Hailey as if caught in the act. He shoved Allison away too hastily, an overreaction that only made things more obvious. "We're just friends," he said stiffly. "Don't misunderstand." His words denied everything, but the guilt shadowing his face betrayed him. Hailey studied him with cool detachment, tilting her head slightly, a slow, knowing smile curving her lips. "Of course. You two are good friends, aren’t you? But if you’re going to say that, at least wipe off the kiss mark on your neck first. It’s really quite embarrassing." At that moment, she felt untouchable, unshaken, and invincible. Without hesitation, she reached into her bag, pulling out the marriage certificate. Then, right before his eyes, she began slicing it apart, shredding every last illusion. "Didn’t you say it was fake?" Her voice was light, almost amused. "Fine. Let it be fake. If you didn’t want to marry me, you could’ve just said so. I wouldn’t have forced you. Why put on such a ridiculous act?" A mocking smile played on Hailey’s lips. Enzo stood frozen as if struck by lightning. Without another glance, she turned on her heels, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor as she strode out. Behind her, the scene inside the hospital room remained frozen in time, the half-eaten cake discarded on the floor, Allison’s smug satisfaction, the flicker of panic in Enzo’s eyes. His face turned deathly pale. She knew. She had found out about the fake marriage certificate. Allison, however, clung to him, her voice syrupy sweet as she twisted the knife deeper. "Brother, don’t be angry. We’re the ones truly married. She’s just a homewrecker trying to ruin us. Just ignore her." She had always been the one his family had chosen for him. And yet, at this moment, Enzo felt like he had been thrown into an ice pit. His heart was hollowed out, an unbearable emptiness swallowing him whole. A sudden, desperate need clawed at him; he had to see Hailey. Without hesitation, he shoved Allison aside, ignoring her shrill protests as he stormed out. He never looked back. Outside the hospital, Hailey’s phone buzzed with a call. A friend was inviting her to a farewell gathering. She didn’t hesitate to accept. Just as she was about to hail a taxi to the restaurant, a firm hand suddenly grabbed her from behind. His voice softened, coaxing. "I was wrong about this. Please, don’t be mad, okay? My mom said that there are times I have to play along with Allison. It’s just an act, don’t take it to heart, alright?" Hailey almost laughed out loud. Even now, he was still trying to fool her. Did she look like an idiot? The taxi she had called pulled up. Just as she stepped forward to leave, Enzo’s anxious voice followed her. "Where are you going? I’ll go with you." She frowned. Unbelievable. The Enzo she once knew wouldn’t have bothered. He would have waved her off, impatient and dismissive. Coolly, she replied, "I’m going out for drinks and food with Jasmine. You want to come too?" "I do." Exhaustion pressed down on her. "You don’t need to." "We’ll take my car." Enzo was relentless. He dismissed the taxi and drove her himself. By the time they arrived, Jasmine had already ordered drinks. The moment she saw Enzo stride in, her lips curled into a scoff. "Oh, look who it is. President Rainford. Not busy keeping your little girlfriend company? What brings you here with our Hailey?" Enzo, ever the gentleman when it came to Hailey’s friends, silently pulled out a chair for her. Jasmine, unimpressed, decided it wasn’t worth the energy to argue any further. The meal, however, was anything but pleasant. Hailey exchanged a helpless glance with Jasmine, but neither said a word. Midway through dinner, Jasmine’s sharp gaze caught an incoming call: Allison. A frail, pitiful sob echoed through the phone. "Hailey ate the cake… and now she’s passed out. Please, come check on her." Right on cue. Hailey didn’t so much as blink. At the mention of the cake, she simply leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her expression indifferent.

She met his gaze with chilling indifference. "Hailey, if you put something in the cake, just admit it. I won’t blame you." Boom, her world shattered. Another baseless accusation. Another attempt to frame her. Rage surged through Hailey like a storm, her entire body trembling. Her gaze turned razor-sharp. "I didn’t bake that cake for an Alaskan Malamute. You were the one who insisted on feeding it. What was I supposed to do? If you hadn’t force-fed that dog, the one lying dead might’ve been you instead." She turned to Jasmine with a regretful look. "I’m sorry. I wanted to treat you to a good meal today." Jasmine, however, merely smirked, shooting Enzo a look of amusement. "Your wife doesn’t want you anymore." Enzo ignored her entirely. His focus remained locked on Hailey as he seized her wrist firmly. "You’re coming back with me. Hailey ate your cake, after all. You have to come with me." His grasp tightened, making Hailey wince. She glared at him coldly. "Let go." But Enzo didn’t care. Without another word, he pulled her toward the car and shoved her inside. The entire ride was steeped in suffocating silence as if he had already convicted her. Hailey suddenly remembered there was a time when, every time she was wronged, she would break down, desperately trying to defend herself. But ever since she chose to return to Belmond, no matter how unfairly she was treated, the urge to explain simply vanished. It wasn’t Allison’s mockery at the pet hospital she had to endure. No, it was far worse: her own parents, who didn’t even bother to ask for the truth before striking her across the face. Her father’s furious voice boomed through the room. "Unbelievable! How can you be so cruel?" "What did Allison ever do to you? How could you do something so vicious to her?" His contempt, her mother’s relentless scolding, and the judgmental murmurs of the onlookers all fused into a suffocating weight, crushing her beneath it. The man beside her didn’t spare her a second glance. He didn’t defend her. He didn’t even hesitate. Instead, he rushed toward the Alaskan Malamute, his voice thick with concern. "How is Hailey? Is she okay?" he asked urgently. Allison, eyes swollen from crying, collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "I don’t know what happened either! Come see her!" The two of them, plus a dog, are a perfect little family. And her? Just an outsider. She wasn’t only enduring the disgusted stares of the crowd and the humiliation of being scorned by her parents. She had been abandoned once, taken in by Maddox, and only reunited with her biological parents a decade later. Maddox had told her, "If you ever feel wronged over there, come back." But she had believed, foolishly, that her parents cared about her. That she belonged. Yet, in their hearts, Allison was always first. She had fought to carve out a place for herself, struggling to be seen and matter. But no matter how hard she tried, nothing changed. To them, she would always come second. Fine. She didn’t want it anymore. Her voice remained steady, indifferent. "That cake wasn’t meant for the dog. If you want someone to blame, find the real culprit." She gave them a cold glance before adding, "Keep your dog on a leash while you’re at it. Don’t let it run wild, biting people." Her father’s face twisted with fury. He let out a sharp snort and seized her arm. "Try walking out that door, and I’ll make sure you pay for what you did to Allison. I’m not your so-called foster father; let’s see what the police have to say about you!" Her mother’s glare burned with pure hatred. "Absolutely vile!" The police arrived swiftly. Two officers restrained her, gripping her arms so tightly she couldn’t move. A female officer turned to Allison and Enzo, her gaze sharp. "Did she deliberately poison the dog?" Allison didn’t speak. She merely turned to Enzo, her tear-filled eyes brimming with helplessness. Enzo hesitated, his gaze wavering as it landed on Hailey.

With a helpless sigh, he finally uttered, "Yes." At that moment, the last fragile thread in Hailey's heart snapped an invisible break that felt deafening in its finality. She bore the weight of scornful gazes and biting condemnation before being taken into custody, her dignity crushed beneath their judgment. Three days of detention. In the cold, suffocating jail cell, she shrank under the piercing stares of hardened criminals. Fear stole her voice, rendering her too afraid to utter even a whisper. But then, salvation came, Jasmine. This normally unshakable woman clutched her, tears streaming down her face like fragile petals battered by rain. "Why didn’t you call me? Do you have any idea how scared I was?" Her voice trembled with raw emotion. In this bleak world, Jasmine was the only one who cared. She was a small ray of light in an otherwise endless night. On the way home, Hailey noticed a lively commotion; the family celebrated Allison’s birthday. Just as she neared, she stumbled upon a few guests stepping outside for fresh air, their laughter starkly contrasting to the suffocating silence that had engulfed her for days. They were Allison’s friends. One of them curled her lips into a sneer, her voice laced with mockery. “Well, well! Look who decided to show her face, the murderer herself!” “You hurt our Hailey, yet you still have the audacity to show up here? Shameless!” Once again, insults rained down on Hailey; cruel words hurled like stones. The flashing cameras of eager reporters only fueled the spectacle. But she stood there, unmoved, indifferent to their judgment. Until a sound drifted from the bedroom. "Enzo, do you love me?" The man didn’t hesitate. "I do." Hailey’s hand, just inches from knocking, froze midair. A moment later, she withdrew it. Instead, she reached for her phone and dialed Kaia. In a quiet voice, she said, “Transfer the money. I’ll leave now.” On the other end, Kaia smiled as if she had anticipated this exact moment. Without missing a beat, she booked Hailey a flight to the capital. “Good. I knew you’d make the right choice. I’ll have the remaining forty million transferred to your account.” "Leave tonight." Meanwhile, in the bedroom next door, Enzo and Allison laughed together, lost in their own world. Hailey packed her bags alone. By the time the first light of dawn touched the sky, she lifted her suitcase and walked out without looking back. What she didn’t know was that the moment she left, her phone lit up with countless missed calls, each one from Enzo. As she boarded the plane, a wave of relief washed over her, light, unshackled, free. For the first time in forever, she was leaving behind that gloomy, paranoid, insecure version of herself. High above the endless stretch of clouds, Hailey slept soundly, her first real rest in what felt like an eternity. By the time she landed, two days had slipped by. That night, pulling her suitcase through the crisp autumn air, she muttered under her breath, "Why is the capital’s weather so damn cold?" And Maddox? Where was he? Had he really not bothered to come pick her up? How boring. Just as she was about to grumble again, a familiar figure appeared in front of her. Leaning lazily against a sleek red Ferrari, a smirk played on his lips. "Were you just cursing me in your head?" Hailey let out an amused scoff, feigning innocence. "I was not." He chuckled, tilting his head toward the car. "How about this? A Ferrari, grand enough for you?" It had been a long, long time since she had seen Maddox. She had been the orphan taken in by the Campbell family and raised by him for over a decade, only to later discover her real parents. She had once yearned for the warmth of a real family. But to her parents, she had never been more than an afterthought. Allison was their precious jewel, their pride, their priority. And her? Just an existence they barely acknowledged. But Maddox was the only one who had ever treated her like she was something precious. Three years had passed since she last saw him. Hailey studied the man beside her, taking in every detail. Now in his early thirties, he carried himself with quiet confidence, his scent subtle yet intoxicating. Sharp brows framed his face, his jawline strong and defined. And those fox-like eyes, mirth dancing in their depths, held a charm that had only deepened with time.

The Maddox before her was nothing like the one from three years ago. Back then, there had still been traces of youthful innocence in his features. Now, time had sculpted him into something sharper, more refined, yet it hadn’t left a single blemish on his face. If anything, he had only grown more striking. "You know I look good, but staring at me like that isn’t very polite," Maddox suddenly interrupted, amusement lacing his voice. Hailey instantly pouted, crossing her arms. "I wasn’t staring." A lazy hum escaped his lips, his smirk deepening. "Alright, alright, you weren’t staring. You just love pretending." His teasing was as effortless as ever, but this time, he let it go, perhaps out of consideration for her thin skin. By the time they arrived at the Fourfold Manor, the night had settled in completely. But to Hailey’s surprise, Maddox hadn’t taken her to the old mansion. Instead, he brought her here. Sensing her confusion, he spoke with casual ease. "Grandmother doesn’t like the villa. So, I transferred the Rosewood Estate to your name." Hailey scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I didn’t ask you to." Maddox was giving himself away with that unnecessary explanation. It wasn’t until Hailey saw Charlotte, Maddox’s grandma that she truly understood how ruthless time could be. In her memories, Charlotte had always been round and kind, a woman of simple habits despite coming from an aristocratic family. She never indulged in luxury, never sought extravagance. Now, she was still the same Charlotte. But when her gaze fell on Hailey, tears shimmered in her eyes. She hurried forward, her voice trembling with affection. "Hailey, Hailey!" Maddox quickly steadied her, his expression exasperated. "Grandma, Hailey just got back. She needs rest. You can see her properly tomorrow, alright?" But Charlotte huffed like a stubborn child, unwilling to listen. She clung to Hailey’s hand, her words spilling out in excitement, her tone almost smug, like a child showing off a treasured possession. Hailey humored her patiently, warmth filling her chest. Meanwhile, Maddox sat on the balcony, rocking slowly on the swing, eyes lifted toward the night sky. A man nearing thirty, stargazing, or at least pretending to. His fingers idly rolled a pocket watch, his gaze flicking to it more often than the stars. The cigarette between his fingers burned quietly, its ember glowing faintly before crumbling into ash. A stray spark kissed his skin, leaving a tiny burn on his long fingers, a fleeting burst of light, gone in an instant. When the clock struck nine, Maddox clicked his tongue and cast a knowing glance at the stubborn Charlotte. "Grandma, Hailey needs to sleep now." Only then did she finally let go, grumbling under her breath like a child reluctant to part with a favorite toy. Maddox wasted no time dragging Hailey upstairs. By the time she finished washing up, her voice had turned hoarse. "Hailey, go to sleep," he murmured, his voice low, steady. He never asked what had happened. Never pried. Instead, he quietly preserved the last shred of dignity she still held onto. "Hailey, stop tossing and turning. Do you want me to tell you a bedtime story again?" Her ears burned instantly. She pouted. "I never said that." When Maddox had first taken her in, thunderstorms would keep her awake at night. Back then, he would always come to her room and tell her stories until she drifted off to sleep. The sound of his voice had filled her childhood, weaving warmth into the coldest of nights. And now, as the memory surfaced, a quiet warmth bloomed in her chest. She suddenly felt lucky, so incredibly lucky, to have met Maddox. "Alright, don’t sulk anymore. Tonight, I’ll tell you the story of the Little Mermaid." "A long, long time ago, in the eastern seas, there was a mermaid…" That night, the Fourfold Manor glowed softly with warmth, and Hailey slept soundly, dreamless, wrapped in peace. Meanwhile, in Cortland, a chill crept into Enzo’s heart, cold and unshakable. His head felt heavy, clouded with a dull haze. He had never imagined Hailey would vanish so completely, so silently, without a trace, without even a moment for anyone to catch their breath. Allison had called him more times than he could count, but Enzo ignored every single one. Each ring only stoked the restless irritation clawing at his chest. “She just left like that? Do I even matter to her?”