Chapter 5

Hayden despised me. There was no way he would have carried me, and I had no recollection of even going to the guest room last night. I began to question the servant's claim, skeptically asking, “Are you sure? I remember falling asleep on the cou—" I abruptly stopped, aware that revealing Hayden and I slept separately would fuel gossip.

The servant, slightly confused but confident, replied, “I was on duty that night. I saw you go to the guest room at midnight, and later, Mr. Hayden Parker carried you back. Perhaps you should check the guest room for your hairpin.”

I immediately rushed to the guest room and found my hairpin on the nightstand. Had I sleepwalked? The idea seemed improbable.

My mind racing, I went downstairs and unexpectedly encountered Nevin.

“I heard you’re considering divorcing Hayden. That’s bold,” he sneered, his eyes filled with disdain.

“It’s none of your business,” I retorted, attempting to avoid him.

Nevin blocked my path. “Are you just playing hard to get? With your lack of life skills, do you think you can survive without Hayden’s money after a divorce?”

“Why wouldn't I be able to support myself?” I frowned, irritated. Did he think divorced women were helpless?

“Besides bothering Hayden,” Nevin drawled, resting his chin on his hand, “have you ever accomplished anything meaningful?” My heart clenched. For the past ten years, my life had revolved around Hayden and the Parker family. Now, it felt meaningless.

The humiliation he’d inflicted over the past year flooded my memory, igniting anger. “I haven’t divorced Hayden yet. Show me some respect,” I snapped.

Nevin froze, his disbelief turning to laughter. “Respect? Do you deserve it?”

“If you’re unsure, ask Xander,” I said, meeting his scorn with my own. “And you were hospitalized six months ago; I helped you. You haven’t even thanked me.”

“I never asked for your help!” Nevin gritted, his composure shattered by my unexpected reminder. “You just—”

“Really? I bet the man you assaulted still resents you. Should I talk to him?” I countered, my tone icy. Nevin’s expression shifted dramatically. “I don’t believe you would.”

Before he could finish, I turned and left.

“Yvonne, are you insane? How dare you talk to me like that?” Nevin’s furious shout echoed in the empty living room.

Seething, Nevin stormed to the company to confront Hayden. “Something’s up with Yvonne; she’s changed.”

Hayden, buried in paperwork, barely looked up. “Why did you go to her?”

“I ran into her at the Parker residence,” Nevin explained, his gaze fixed on Hayden. “I heard she went to see Grandpa, probably about the divorce.”

Hayden calmly asked, “What did Grandpa say?”

Nevin was about to answer when laughter echoed from the doorway. “Is Yvonne divorcing you, Hayden? Didn’t see that coming.”

Hayden looked up, a cold glint in his charming eyes. A man in a white suit strolled in, grinning slyly.

“Yasir! Long time no see!” Nevin exclaimed, jumping up.

Yasir Gibson, an old friend of Hayden’s, was the opposite of him—carefree and fun-loving.

“You little troublemaker,” Yasir said, “I heard you invited Yvonne to the welcome party! You knew Hayden brought back his…”

“Yasir,” Hayden interrupted sharply.

Yasir, flustered, apologized. “But what about Joanna? What’s your relationship with her?” He’d only recently learned of Hayden’s overseas business and the welcome party he’d missed.

“What do you think?” Hayden replied coldly.

Yasir shivered at Hayden’s tone, noticing his rosary bracelet. “You’ve always avoided women, even after marriage. A woman in your life now…it’s a fairy tale,” he said.

In high society, affairs were common, but Hayden’s asceticism made this surprising.

As Yasir waited, Hayden asked, “Who said I don’t even touch my wife?”

Yasir and Nevin stared at each other in disbelief.

Nevin stammered, “Everyone knows you kicked Yvonne out of your room on your wedding night. How could you be interested in her now?”

Hayden’s face darkened. “How would outsiders know my personal affairs? Did you spread it?”

Nevin froze, realizing Hayden’s fury. Hayden’s usually serene eyes blazed. “If I hear such rumors again, you’re out of the Parker family.”

Nevin trembled. “I understand.”

“Get out!” Hayden barked, his irritation evident. This was a family matter, not to be aired publicly. A terrified Nevin fled.

Yasir sighed dramatically. “Poor Yvonne. She’s been so devoted. Since you left a year ago, who knows how much she’s suffered?”

Hayden frowned, confused. “What do you mean?”