Chapter 11

Feeling utterly ignored was a bitter pill to swallow. My eyes stung, and tears streamed down my face. Thinking of my mother always dredged up a tidal wave of regret and guilt, a feeling beyond words.

“Hayden, don’t you find this ridiculous?” I said with a sarcastic smile, quickly averting my gaze. The deep scars in my heart were usually manageable, but when they resurfaced, they felt agonizingly raw.

Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a hand reaching out, but it never made contact. I must have been imagining things. It was already unlikely Hayden wouldn't tell me to stop bothering him, let alone show any empathy.

Thankfully, he remained silent, and the car fell into a quiet stillness as we drove on. Reaching Rosy House, I went upstairs alone, ignoring him completely.

Hayden would never return to the master bedroom. Even after a year of marriage, we felt like strangers sharing a roof.

The next morning, I woke early. Having decided to work at Parker Group, I needed to take it seriously. I even changed into a light-colored professional outfit.

Rita was waiting. Seeing my new look, she smiled. “Have you changed your style? Those clothes look great on you. You look like a professional woman!”

Back then, pleasing Hayden was my sole focus. Now, his opinions held no weight with me, and I could finally dress as I pleased. “I feel the same way,” I said, catching my reflection and offering a genuine smile. For the first time, I felt truly liberated. Letting go of that emotional baggage was such a relief.

But just as I enjoyed this new mood, Rita chirped, “No wonder Mr. Hayden Parker specifically mentioned wanting breakfast with you. He must have noticed your changes, too.”

“Hayden? He’s still here?” My heart skipped a beat. Wasn’t he always elusive? Why had I been bumping into him so much since his return?

“Yes, Mrs. Parker. Please get ready and come downstairs soon,” Rita urged. Assigned by Xander to look after us, she clearly intended to play matchmaker.

Breakfast itself wasn't a problem, but my newfound good mood instantly vanished. Sighing, I dragged myself downstairs and found Hayden at the dining table.

He wore a dark black suit, which accentuated his tall, slender frame, giving him an air of noble elegance. I sat down without speaking.

The servant served our breakfast. I had vegetable soup; Hayden had toast and milk. He seemed to have adopted a new breakfast routine—he used to love soup or eggs.

In the spacious dining room, we ate in silence. The quiet was almost unnerving.

After breakfast, I went outside and found the car waiting. Hayden stood beside it, seemingly waiting for me. “You go first,” I said calmly.

He frowned and grumbled, “It’s what Grandpa wanted.”

“I promised Xander I’d work at Parker Group, but I didn’t intend to make a big deal of it, and I don’t want our relationship to be public knowledge,” I snapped, my tone frosty.

Over the past year, I hadn’t been to Parker Group, and only a few top executives knew we were married. Most of the staff probably had no idea. Besides, with only three months until I left, there was no point in revealing it.

Hayden’s expression darkened. “You don’t want everyone to know about our relationship! Have you forgotten how you used to cling to me?” A woman who once constantly sought him out was now distant. He was clearly struggling to adapt.

I was speechless.

In the ensuing silence, Hayden’s driver leaned in and whispered, “Mr. Parker, Ms. Charlotte has been hired, and they will go to the company first.”

I was close enough to hear clearly, and the surprise hit me like a ton of bricks. Joanna joining the company too?

Hayden glanced back. “The company recruits new people every year. What’s wrong with that?”

Hiring new people was normal, but Joanna’s arrival was different. It was obvious Hayden had orchestrated this—a favored woman needed to be kept close, right?

Realizing Hayden’s scheme, I felt frustrated. He openly welcomed his mistress, so why did I have to hide? Even with only three months left, I wanted to stir the pot.

Taking a deep breath, I got into Hayden’s car first. So what if we went to the company together? The more people who saw Hayden playing both sides, the better!

Hayden looked surprised, his charming eyes narrowing slightly. He got in after a moment, and the tension was palpable.

Fortunately, there was no traffic, and we arrived quickly. Before the car stopped, I saw Joanna in the lobby.

She was already there, wearing a white suit dress. The material wasn't luxurious, but it flattered her figure. The breeze lifted her light brown hair, giving her an unexpectedly delicate charm.

Suddenly, I remembered Lacy’s words, and they tumbled out. “Why do you like her?”

It was the burning question for anyone betrayed: What did she have that I didn’t? Hayden remained silent, the air growing heavy with his irritation.

“Love at first sight?” I smiled, pushing for an answer.

“Yvonne Jackson, you’d better act normal,” Hayden’s icy words cut through the air, carrying an unmistakable threat.

Thinking of how softly he’d spoken to Joanna, a sour feeling rose in my throat. The car door opened.

The moment Hayden stepped out, Joanna’s eyes lit up. She shifted, as if about to rush over. I noticed her stunning ten-inch heels—a nightmare to walk in, I thought. On her first day, she was already aiming for the top prize—Hayden’s heart.

I stepped out with a slight smile. As expected, Joanna froze when she saw me. The sparkle in her eyes turned to jealousy and resentment. She hadn’t expected me to appear, let alone stand beside Hayden.