Adam typed a message: “Back on campus yet?” He was asking if Celine had returned to Yorhine University. After all, Randall had driven her back that night. The thought of her getting into another man's car made him clench his lips.
But then he froze. The WhatsApp message hadn't even sent. A red exclamation mark appeared next to it, followed by a cold system notification: “You are not friends with this person. Please add them as a friend to start chatting.”
Adam fell silent. His handsome face darkened as realization hit him: Celine had blocked him. He realized she had blocked him the day they divorced. The reality—they were divorced, it was over—finally sunk in. She had loved him once, passionately and fiercely, but that was in the past. She didn't love him anymore.
Her voice echoed in his mind: "Adam, I don't love you anymore." She had said those words the day their marriage ended.
Adam opened the chat with Celine's new WhatsApp account. Without hesitation, he sent a friend request. There was no response. Celine didn't add him back.
Just then, his phone rang. Carly's name lit up the screen. He didn't answer. A bitter smirk, dripping with self-mockery, curled at the corner of his mouth.
At Tate Manor, Adam still hadn't answered his phone. Carly let out a sharp scream and, in a fit of rage, began smashing the vases in the living room. Shards of glass flew everywhere, scattering across the floor like tiny, jagged stars.
Hearing the commotion, Hayden and Lucy rushed in. Lucy immediately tried to restrain Carly, her voice panicked. “Carly, what are you doing? The floor’s covered in broken glass! You’ll hurt yourself!”
But Carly shoved Lucy away violently, her fury exploding. “This is all your fault! Why did you have to give birth to Celine? Why does Celine have to be the genius girl? Look how Grandma’s attitude toward her has changed! Adam won’t even answer my calls because of her! I hate Celine so much!”
Lucy stumbled back, stung by her daughter’s words. No one loved Carly more than she did, but at that moment, Lucy felt utterly helpless.
Hayden quickly intervened, his tone firm yet soothing. “Carly, calm down. Your heart can’t take this.”
“Dad, I just can’t stand it! Celine’s just a girl from the countryside! She dropped out of school at sixteen! So why? Why is she suddenly this genius girl? I’m so scared, Dad! I’m scared Adam’s going to fall in love with her. Mrs. Alvarez Senior doesn’t like me. I’ve already offended Allie. Dad, when will I finally marry Adam?”
Carly was overwhelmed. Her beautiful face was contorted with anger and frustration, tears streaming down her cheeks. Hayden’s heart ached for her as he gently pulled her into his arms. “Carly, don’t worry. We’ll figure something out. You will marry Mr. Alvarez.”
After Carly went upstairs to her room and fell asleep, Hayden returned to the living room. The housekeepers had already cleaned up the broken glass. He sank into the couch, alone with his thoughts.
The television was on, tuned to a financial news program. The host switched between languages as he reported: “Sources confirm that Nigel Hampton, the legendary business mogul, returned to the Capitol yesterday and was spotted at the Royal Cemetery. Over the years, Mr. Hampton has been searching for his daughter, the cherished heiress to his vast fortune, who was lost to him as a child. To this day, her whereabouts remain unknown.”
The screen showed footage of the Royal Cemetery on a rainy day. A tall, imposing figure stood silently before a gravestone. Behind him, an assistant held a black umbrella, the rain dripping from its edge, obscuring the man’s face. The melancholic scene was profoundly mysterious.
Hayden leaned forward and turned off the television. At that moment, Lucy entered the room. He glanced up. “Is Carly asleep?” he asked.
Lucy nodded, her expression heavy with worry. “She cried herself to sleep. Honey, Carly’s whole heart is set on marrying Mr. Alvarez. Can’t you just help her?”