Chapter 4

For the past ten years, I'd been madly in love with Hayden. I never imagined I would have to end this relationship.

When I got home, I saw Hayden's car parked in the driveway—he was back? It had been a whole year, and I'd hoped daily for his return, only to be disappointed time and again. But now that he was actually here, I didn't feel the joy I expected. Instead, a heavier weight settled on my shoulders.

As I walked into the living room, I found Hayden sitting on the sofa, his phone in his right hand, seemingly talking to someone. A half-smoked cigarette burned between his left index and middle fingers, the smoke curling around his strikingly handsome face. The rosary bracelet on his wrist stood out against the haze.

"Yeah, I see. You should get some rest, too. I'll pick you up in the morning," Hayden said gently. Instantly, it struck me that he was probably talking to Joanna. A sharp pain pierced my chest—he had never spoken to me with such tenderness.

Just then, Hayden ended the call and gave me a frosty stare. "If you have an issue, come to me. Don't bother Joanna."

For a moment, I was breathless, as if my heart were breaking. But instead of tears, a bitter laugh escaped me. "When have I ever given her any trouble?"

"She's had a hard life with her mother and brother. Just when things were finally looking up for her, you had to mock her?" Hayden glared at me as if I were the lowest of the low.

I choked back tears, tightening my grip on the divorce agreement. "You pity her hardships, but what does that have to do with me?" I shot back, my voice trembling. Who could comprehend the struggles my mother and I had endured? Thanks to Sophia, our picture-perfect home had been shattered. My mother jumped to her death on that cold, dark night, and I couldn't fathom the despair she must have felt. Now, my husband was about to be taken from me, too. Didn't our pain mean anything compared to Joanna's?

Without waiting for Hayden to respond, I stepped forward and placed the documents before him. "Sign it. From now on, you can care for her however you want."

Hayden's expression darkened, and the air thickened. It felt like a heavy weight pressing down, making it hard to breathe. "Yvonne Jackson, what exactly do you want?" His voice was low, laced with threat.

I took a breath and smiled, trying to remain calm. "Isn't this what you've always wanted? Hayden, let's get a divorce. I'll give you your freedom."

I thought he'd agree and sign immediately. But he didn't even look at it. Instead, he tore it into pieces. Suddenly, he stood and stepped toward me, his tall figure casting a dark shadow.

"This marriage isn't a playground where you can do as you please, Yvonne. What do you take me for?" Hayden's voice boomed with fury, his eyes boring into mine.

I wasn't scared. If anything, I felt like laughing. "And what do you take me for? You bolted overseas right after we got married, and now you come back with another woman. Are you even aware that you're cheating with Joanna?"

Mentioning Joanna seemed to strike a nerve. Hayden's gaze faltered before he replied, "Grandpa won't agree."

"I'll talk to him about it," I said coldly, addressing his concerns.

Hayden frowned.

"Probably," I murmured, offering a weak smile and lowering my gaze.

No one knew the hell I'd been through over the past year. I lost my cherished grandfather and my mother, one after the other. I used to be surrounded by so much love, but all of that vanished after I married Hayden. I lost my family, and even with a marriage certificate, I never truly felt I belonged in his life. I had even been the butt of jokes in Elysiumville.

On countless cold, dark nights, I'd asked myself why I loved Hayden so deeply. Now, I knew the truth—he wasn't worth my love, and I had to end this marriage.

Hayden stared at me, his deep eyes devoid of emotion. After a long, heavy silence, he turned and walked away without another word.

I looked down at the torn divorce agreement scattered on the floor. It wasn't until my legs ached that I sighed and made my way upstairs. In the mirror, I saw a woman with tear-streaked eyes and a pale face, looking hurt and sorrowful. Ten years of love, reduced to a few sheets of paper. How pathetic.

The next morning, I woke up with puffy eyes. I quickly iced them, applied light makeup, and headed to the Parker residence.

As soon as I saw Xander, I stated my intentions. His expression turned serious, his brows furrowing. After a long silence, he sighed, "Yvonne, I can see you're hurting. Hayden really messed up. But you've barely been married. Divorcing now would be such a pity."

"I made a mistake, and I don't want to keep repeating it," I said, my teeth clenched. Sometimes, it took courage to right past wrongs.

Xander remained quiet, his gaze distant, as if seeing someone else. "Phillip and I had a life-long friendship, and he entrusted you to me. I was supposed to take care of you. But now…"

He sighed deeply, his eyes glistening. In Elysiumville, everyone knew about the unbreakable bond between Xander and Phillip.

I lowered my gaze. "Xander, for my late grandfather's sake, please support my request."

Xander sighed, knowing he couldn't argue further. Wearily, he rubbed his eyes. "For what Hayden did, the Parker family owes you an apology. But divorcing like this is a pity."

"You and Hayden haven't spent much time together since the wedding, right? How about you join the company and work alongside Hayden for three months, and if you still want a divorce after that, I won't stand in your way."

"Work at the company?" I asked, surprised.

"Yes. Phillip left you some shares, so consider this carefully," Xander added.

Suddenly, it clicked. One reason Hayden had to marry me was because the Jackson family shared crucial technology with the Parkers' electronics business. If I divorced Hayden, the assets would definitely be at risk—Xander was trying to keep me involved. But I'd already waited a year, so what were three more months?

"Okay," I nodded. In three months, I'd be able to cut all ties with Hayden.

Before leaving, I returned to my room for clothes I'd worn two days prior. In the hallway, I bumped into a servant.

"Mrs. Parker, are you staying for lunch?" she asked.

"No," I shook my head. "I've misplaced one of my hairpins. Any idea where it might be?"

"It could be in the guest room," she replied, chuckling. "You dozed off there the other night, and then Mr. Hayden Parker carried you back to your room."

I froze—Hayden carried me!