Chapter 5

Hailey POV

Late that night after the Fashion Gala, New York was hit by a torrential downpour.

I dragged my exhausted body back to the penthouse I shared with Ethan. The place was pitch black, cold and silent without a trace of life.

Between continuous high-intensity work and catching a chill on the red carpet, my chronic stomach condition flared up without warning.

The stabbing pain felt like an invisible hand ruthlessly clutching my stomach. I broke out in cold sweat, my whole body curling up on the cold floor.

My trembling hands fumbled for my phone, and out of habit, I dialed Ethan's number.

Over these four years, no matter how independent I was, when sick I would instinctively depend on him. Even though he was always busy, even though he would only coldly have his assistant send medicine, I was still willing.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered.

"What is it?" Ethan's voice carried a trace of impatience.

"Ethan, my stomach hurts... could you... call a doctor for me..." My voice trembled with pain.

The other end went silent for a second, then Serena's sweet voice came through. "Ethan, it's thundering outside. I'm so scared. Can you please not leave..."

My breathing stopped instantly.

"It's just thunder. Don't be scared, I'm here with you." Ethan's voice held a tenderness I'd never heard before. Then he coldly said into the phone, "If your stomach hurts, take medicine yourself. I'm not a doctor. Hailey, stop using these pathetic tactics to compete for my attention and bother me."

The dial tone after he hung up sounded particularly harsh in the silent room.

I held the phone and suddenly let out a low laugh. As I laughed, tears uncontrollably fell onto the back of my hand.

Competing for attention? So when I was in unbearable pain, he only thought I was competing with Serena for his attention.

In that moment, I suddenly felt very tired. Eight years of pursuit, four years of humiliation. I'd lowered myself to the dirt, yet hadn't earned even a trace of his concern.

The stabbing pain in my stomach continued, but the pain in my heart had gone numb.

I forced myself to crawl up, not taking medicine or calling a doctor, but instead dragged a suitcase from the closet.

This penthouse was huge, filled everywhere with traces of my careful decorating. Matching mugs, matching slippers, curtains I'd personally selected... but now it all seemed like one enormous joke.

I didn't take a single thing Ethan had bought. I only packed a few of my old clothes and essential work items. Makeup brushes and my camera.

When I arrived, I was full of joy, thinking I'd finally entered his world.

When I left, I was utterly alone, not wanting to take even a trace of memory with me.

As the suitcase wheels rolled across the wooden floor with dull thuds, I took one last look at this place I'd lived for four years.

"Ethan Wyatt, we're even now."

I pushed open the door and walked into the raging storm outside. Ice-cold rain hit my face, yet it made me feel more clear-headed than ever before.

Later I learned that the next morning, Ethan received a call from his assistant.

The assistant told him I'd mailed back my studio keys and access cards to the company and unilaterally submitted a contract termination request to the company's legal department.

I heard that Ethan only gave a cold laugh at the time, thinking I was crazy and couldn't afford the penalty fee. He was certain I was just throwing a tantrum to make him give in, and even ordered all my resources cut off, wanting to see how long I could stay stubborn.