Chapter 74

His commanding tone irritated me. Home? How laughable. Is this even my home? Does he truly consider Rosy House his home? I wondered. If he meant the Parker residence, he would have been more direct. After a brief pause, I locked my phone and didn't reply.

In the study at Rosy House, Hayden's message remained unanswered, as if swallowed by the ether. His jaw tightened. He scrolled through the chat:

Hayden: Where are you? Hayden: Call me back. Hayden: Grandfather wants to see you.

Upon closer inspection, Hayden realized Yvonne hadn't replied in two weeks. His frustration mounted. Unconsciously, he continued scrolling, determined to find my last message. Over the years, he'd switched phones but never deleted his chat history. He eventually found them:

Yvonne: Goodnight. Yvonne: Got it. Yvonne: It’s over. Everything’s fine. Yvonne: Did you rest? I went to my parents today. Mom said she hadn’t seen you in a while. She asked when you’re coming back. Yvonne: I went shopping with Lucy this afternoon. We bought a few sets of baby clothes as gifts. Her baby was born not long ago. Lucy is already urging us to have one. Do you think she’s in a hurry?

At the time, my messages were long and frequent; Hayden rarely replied. He'd skimmed them, dismissing them as trivial details. Now, he realized I hadn't shared such thoughts with him in ages. It seemed she was slowly withdrawing. A flicker of emotion crossed Hayden's usually cold eyes. A faint discomfort settled in his chest, a feeling of unspoken frustration. Why has Yvonne changed so much? he wondered.

With a soft sigh, Hayden lowered his gaze to the computer screen. A photo of Yvonne and Dylan embracing met his eyes, a sharp pain piercing his heart. He unconsciously touched his chest, his deep eyes filled with confusion. What's going on? Why am I so reluctant to let go now that I realize Yvonne might really leave? he wondered.

7:50 PM

Chapter 74

A banner appeared on his phone screen—a message from Joanna:

Joanna: Hayden, I’ve met with Mr. Robinson. He’s not giving up. He says he’s determined to win.

When I returned to Rosy House, I had Rita arrange accommodations for Ethan. The yard was full of Parkers, and I had my bodyguard. “Mrs. Parker, Mr. Parker is still waiting for you in the study,” Rita reminded me. I went straight to the study without changing. The room, once perpetually dark, was now often lit, though I couldn't recall when that changed. I knocked politely. My feelings for Hayden had changed; our interactions were distant.

Hayden, hearing the knock, looked up. “Are you looking for me?” I asked, entering.

Hayden narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening. “Where have you been?”

“Just out for a walk,” I replied flatly, my words terse. In the past, I would have eagerly recounted my day, but now, I understood some things aren't meant to be shared, especially when unwanted.

Hayden sneered, tossing a photo onto the desk. “The paparazzi have tracked you down. They want 16 million dollars for your photos. Yvonne, do you think you’re worth 16 million dollars?” His voice was icy, as if I were the greatest embarrassment of his life.

I looked at the photo—Dylan shielding me from an attack, pulling me into his arms. I hadn’t realized paparazzi were present. This touching moment was twisted by them. I smirked. “Mr. Parker, it seems your reputation is only worth 16 million dollars. But perhaps those paparazzi don’t know that yours has long since vanished.”

“Yvonne!” Hayden’s voice was low and furious. But I remained calm, unafraid. “Your photos with Joanna have been everywhere. Do you really care about this?” I asked, as if amused. Is this how men are? They can carouse, but expect their wives to stay home and obey? I thought. “And in a little over a month, we’ll be divorced. You don’t need to worry about it, right?” I smiled brightly.

Hayden slammed his hands on the desk, leaping to his feet, his eyes blazing. “You’re messing around with Marlon, and now Dylan too. How many men are you seeing, Yvonne?”

Chapter 74

I noticed the bloodshot veins in his eyes, a strange disorientation creeping into me. Hayden, usually calm, seemed easily angered lately. Isn’t he supposed to be head over heels for Joanna? I wondered. They say people in love are always smiling, but why isn’t he like that? Oh, I guess it’s only when he’s around me that he’s this furious. I chuckled softly. I should have known better; Hayden hated me. Of course, he wouldn't show kindness.

Hayden grabbed my shoulders. “Tell me.”

I felt like a lifeless doll. “Do you care? Or is it just about your reputation as a man?”

Before he could answer, I continued, smiling coldly. “Why would you care about any of this? Didn’t you practically push me into another man's arms to be his date for Joanna? When the paparazzi get more photos of me with him, are you going to question me again?” When Zachary had used me as a bet, Hayden agreed instantly, showing how little I meant to him. I didn’t understand why he suddenly cared about his reputation. They say a woman's heart is like the ocean's depths, but I was starting to think a man's heart was just as deep and inscrutable.

Hayden calmed down. His gaze softened; a hint of reluctance appeared in his eyes. “If you win, then everything will be fine,” he said.

“If I win, then Joanna loses. Are you willing to accept that?” I asked, smiling. As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized Zachary had asked me something similar. I didn’t need further humiliation.