Chapter 2 · Love Comes Too Late

Snap!

The crisp sound echoed through the room.

I kicked the ring box aside and walked away without looking back.

I booked a flight overseas, set to leave in three days.

After pawning my dad's stuff, I still had a good chunk of cash left. I bought a decent cemetery plot for my mom, and the rest was enough for me to make it on my own abroad.

I pulled out my old study abroad plan from five years ago. It had just been collecting dust.

I brushed the dust off.

It was written in my mom's handwriting.

When my dad passed away, my mom always told me, "Life goes on."

And she was gone, too.

I tried to comfort myself the way my mom always did.

I stayed up all night, too afraid to sleep.

Sometimes, I worried I'd see my mom in my dreams, and she'd be furious, yelling at me.

Other times, I worried I wouldn't see her at all, that she was still upset and refusing to show up.

So I stayed up all night, packing up my things.

By nine in the morning, things were getting pretty loud downstairs. I didn't want to get involved.

It was Hayden's place, after all. Besides, I had a meeting with the cemetery agent later that morning.

I was almost done packing, just about to grab my suitcase and head downstairs.

Suddenly, a playful, charming voice called out from behind me. "Jane, you're packing up so fast!"

I turned around.

It was Mandy Norton.

She lifted her right hand, showing off the dazzling sparkle at the base of her finger. Her pretty face was practically glowing with pride as she flaunted it in front of me.

Mandy said, "Sorry, Jane, but Hayden popped the question last night.

"He wants the wedding soon, so I moved in right away. I mean, some people spent five years as his fiancée and still never made it into the Gray family.

"But Hayden and I? We've only known each other a few months, and he's ready to marry me. Guess I really lucked out, huh?

"So, Jane, thanks for making room for me."

I glanced at her, then looked away.

I kept my mouth shut. I really couldn't stand Mandy and didn't even feel like being civil. I just pulled my suitcase along, silent, ready to leave.

Young women just couldn't keep their cool.

My indifferent response didn't satisfy her need for attention.

She stepped right in front of me, blocking my way.

Mandy said, showing it off. "Jane, what do you think of this ring? Pretty stunning, right?

"It's worth seven million dollars. Even when Hayden's company was in deep trouble, he never thought about selling it. I never thought he'd go this far for me.

"When we get married, you have to come, Jane. I'll make sure you get a seat at the head table!"

I shot a look at the ring on Mandy's finger.

That was the exact ring I kicked aside last night.

I almost wanted to point out that Hayden didn't keep the ring because he loved her. It was just hard to sell diamonds for cash. That was all.

For guys like Hayden, love stopped mattering a long time ago.

Hayden said he loved me, but all I ever got was being called his girlfriend. He said he needed something new and exciting, so he hooked up with girls like Mandy, making out and sleeping with them.

He only ever loved himself.

"Alright. Send me an invitation when you get around to it," I said, keeping my tone flat and distant.

My cold attitude made Mandy look like a complete joke.

She was so pissed that she was practically jumping up and down.

She yanked the handle of my suitcase, blocking me.

She snapped, "Hold on! You think you can just walk out? How do I know you didn't swipe anything valuable from the Gray family?

"I'm about to be Mrs. Gray, you know. If you're up to something shady, I'm the one who'll get burned.

"Open your suitcase. I want to check it myself!"

I couldn't care less about her tantrum.

I shoved her hand aside and walked off, determined to leave.

In the middle of our scuffle, Hayden unexpectedly walked in.

Honestly, I was surprised. He was supposed to be at his morning meeting at the office.

He glanced at the commotion we were causing.

Instinctively, he put Mandy behind him, protecting her, and asked me impatiently, "What, are you picking on Mandy now?"

Seeing that suspicious, guarded look in his eyes, I just felt utterly exhausted.

"She demanded to search my suitcase," I replied, my voice flat.

Mandy tugged at Hayden's sleeve, trying to explain.

"Hayden, I just want to make sure Jane didn't sneak any keys out. This is going to be our place soon, and I don't want anyone barging in uninvited," Mandy said.

"Is that really too much to ask?" Her voice was sweet, as if she were trying to melt anyone who listened.

Hayden was totally helpless against her act.

So he turned on me instead.

"Jane, open your suitcase," Hayden said, his tone cold and commanding.

I frowned, shaking my head with a wry, almost mocking smile.

I shot back, "Hayden, this place has a fingerprint lock. You never even gave me a key. I know you want to play hero for your fiancée, but come on, at least be reasonable.

"At least let me walk away with a little dignity after everything."

Chapter 2

Snap!

The crisp sound echoed through the room.

I kicked the ring box aside and walked away without looking back.

I booked a flight overseas, set to leave in three days.

After pawning my dad's stuff, I still had a good chunk of cash left. I bought a decent cemetery plot for my mom, and the rest was enough for me to make it on my own abroad.

I pulled out my old study abroad plan from five years ago. It had just been collecting dust.

I brushed the dust off.

It was written in my mom's handwriting.

When my dad passed away, my mom always told me, "Life goes on."

And she was gone, too.

I tried to comfort myself the way my mom always did.

I stayed up all night, too afraid to sleep.

Sometimes, I worried I'd see my mom in my dreams, and she'd be furious, yelling at me.

Other times, I worried I wouldn't see her at all, that she was still upset and refusing to show up.

So I stayed up all night, packing up my things.

By nine in the morning, things were getting pretty loud downstairs. I didn't want to get involved.

It was Hayden's place, after all. Besides, I had a meeting with the cemetery agent later that morning.

I was almost done packing, just about to grab my suitcase and head downstairs.

Suddenly, a playful, charming voice called out from behind me. "Jane, you're packing up so fast!"

I turned around.

It was Mandy Norton.

She lifted her right hand, showing off the dazzling sparkle at the base of her finger. Her pretty face was practically glowing with pride as she flaunted it in front of me.

Mandy said, "Sorry, Jane, but Hayden popped the question last night.

"He wants the wedding soon, so I moved in right away. I mean, some people spent five years as his fiancée and still never made it into the Gray family.

"But Hayden and I? We've only known each other a few months, and he's ready to marry me. Guess I really lucked out, huh?

"So, Jane, thanks for making room for me."

I glanced at her, then looked away.

I kept my mouth shut. I really couldn't stand Mandy and didn't even feel like being civil. I just pulled my suitcase along, silent, ready to leave.

Young women just couldn't keep their cool.

My indifferent response didn't satisfy her need for attention.

She stepped right in front of me, blocking my way.

Mandy said, showing it off. "Jane, what do you think of this ring? Pretty stunning, right?

"It's worth seven million dollars. Even when Hayden's company was in deep trouble, he never thought about selling it. I never thought he'd go this far for me.

"When we get married, you have to come, Jane. I'll make sure you get a seat at the head table!"

I shot a look at the ring on Mandy's finger.

That was the exact ring I kicked aside last night.

I almost wanted to point out that Hayden didn't keep the ring because he loved her. It was just hard to sell diamonds for cash. That was all.

For guys like Hayden, love stopped mattering a long time ago.

Hayden said he loved me, but all I ever got was being called his girlfriend. He said he needed something new and exciting, so he hooked up with girls like Mandy, making out and sleeping with them.

He only ever loved himself.

"Alright. Send me an invitation when you get around to it," I said, keeping my tone flat and distant.

My cold attitude made Mandy look like a complete joke.

She was so pissed that she was practically jumping up and down.

She yanked the handle of my suitcase, blocking me.

She snapped, "Hold on! You think you can just walk out? How do I know you didn't swipe anything valuable from the Gray family?

"I'm about to be Mrs. Gray, you know. If you're up to something shady, I'm the one who'll get burned.

"Open your suitcase. I want to check it myself!"

I couldn't care less about her tantrum.

I shoved her hand aside and walked off, determined to leave.

In the middle of our scuffle, Hayden unexpectedly walked in.

Honestly, I was surprised. He was supposed to be at his morning meeting at the office.

He glanced at the commotion we were causing.

Instinctively, he put Mandy behind him, protecting her, and asked me impatiently, "What, are you picking on Mandy now?"

Seeing that suspicious, guarded look in his eyes, I just felt utterly exhausted.

"She demanded to search my suitcase," I replied, my voice flat.

Mandy tugged at Hayden's sleeve, trying to explain.

"Hayden, I just want to make sure Jane didn't sneak any keys out. This is going to be our place soon, and I don't want anyone barging in uninvited," Mandy said.

"Is that really too much to ask?" Her voice was sweet, as if she were trying to melt anyone who listened.

Hayden was totally helpless against her act.

So he turned on me instead.

"Jane, open your suitcase," Hayden said, his tone cold and commanding.

I frowned, shaking my head with a wry, almost mocking smile.

I shot back, "Hayden, this place has a fingerprint lock. You never even gave me a key. I know you want to play hero for your fiancée, but come on, at least be reasonable.

"At least let me walk away with a little dignity after everything."