Chapter 2

"Continue?"

Ethan's casual expression froze, his smile flattening.

"Haley Grant, are you serious?"

My gaze moved past him to land on the large banner that read "Let's Get Divorced."

Seven years.

Countless moments I'd spent yearning for us to get married, to spend our lives together.

But in the end, what I'd been waiting for wasn't "Let's get married," but this absurd prank.

The first time I learned Ethan might propose to me, joy and excitement kept me awake all night.

When I arrived at the venue in my carefully prepared dress and the curtain was pulled back, my heart shattered along with my hopes.

That was the first time I'd ever lost my temper with Ethan like that.

He spent a long time trying to calm me down.

He promised he'd never pull that kind of joke again.

But only three months later, the same thing happened again. That was the second time.

The third time is now.

My chest felt tight and suffocating. The whole thing seemed pointless. I answered him.

"Yes, I'm serious. Let's finish the ceremony as you wished."

Ethan's expression darkened completely.

He stared at me without speaking.

Three seconds later, he suddenly smiled, though his eyes were empty, yet somehow filled with inexplicable anger.

"Fine. Then let's continue."

The crowd that had been mocking me and enjoying the spectacle fell completely silent, standing awkwardly in place.

"Did he really screw this up? That shouldn't happen. Nothing went wrong the first two times, right?"

Another girl sneered.

"How's that possible? Everyone knows Haley Grant worships the ground Ethan walks on."

"She was all over him when her family still had money. Now that they've fallen, there's no way she'll let go."

I looked up at her sharply, my gaze piercing.

She immediately fell silent, closing her mouth awkwardly.

At that moment, a woman in a red dress stepped forward.

"Haley, don't be angry. I apologize, I..."

"What are you apologizing for!"

Ethan's angry voice cut her off as he moved to shield her behind him.

I turned to look.

It was Vivian Song.

Ethan stood between her and me, his voice low and confrontational.

"What are you standing around for? Let's go through with the ceremony."

The guy in charge came up on stage with his script, so embarrassed his scalp was tingling.

"Miss Grant, do you willingly separate from Mr. Reed, whether he is rich or poor, with no regrets?"

An absurd location, absurd words.

And absurd vows that made my chest ache uncontrollably.

Ethan stared at me quietly, his thin lips pressed tight, his whole body radiating irritation.

"I do," I said.

The moment the words left my mouth, there was a loud bang.

Ethan hurled the microphone to the ground, his face dark as he glared at me. "Haley Grant, you've gone too far."

I felt drained.

An overwhelming bitterness washed over me.

"What's wrong? Isn't this what you all arranged? How am I going too far by just going along with it?"

He was momentarily speechless.

He took several deep breaths, then kicked over a flower arrangement at his feet.

He stormed off, pulling Vivian Song along with him.

The venue fell deathly silent.

The background music happened to switch to: "Happy Breakup, I wish you happiness, you'll find someone better."

Ethan's friend quickly turned it off, coughing awkwardly.

"Um... Haley, this is our fault. Don't be angry. Ethan didn't know about this either."

I ignored him.

Whether he knew or not didn't matter to me anymore.

I mumbled an acknowledgment and walked down the red carpet off the stage.

When I walked out of the hotel, the sky was gray and overcast, rain pouring down.

A black Maybach pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down to reveal Vivian Song's apologetic face.

"Haley, get in. We'll give you a ride."

My gaze moved past her to the man beside her who hadn't even looked up. I replied flatly.

"No need."

I heard the man snort coldly and give a curt order.

"Let's go."

The water splashed up by the car instantly soaked the hem of my dress.

I laughed bitterly and pulled out my phone to make a call.

"Attorney Chen, the trust fund my father left—the condition for me to inherit it is to go to America to find Grandfather and never return, correct?"

"Yes, Miss Grant. Once you land in America, you can apply for the inheritance."

Watching the taillights fade into the distance, I murmured.

"Alright. I accept."