Chapter 2

Chloe POV

The autumn night was cold.

I walked alone through the streets. As I passed the city center's largest plaza, my steps halted.

The plaza's massive LED screen was live-broadcasting the Holloway Corporation gala.

On screen, Hayden wore a bespoke suit, his posture straight, his features composed and noble.

Standing beside him in a pure white gown was Seraphina, their fingers intertwined.

Under countless flashing lights, Hayden took the microphone, his voice low and pleasant, carrying across the entire plaza.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. I'd like to take this opportunity to announce some good news. Next month, I will officially become engaged to Miss Seraphina Vale."

The venue erupted in applause.

Seraphina nestled in his arms, smiling shyly, tears of emotion glistening in her eyes.

I stood in the cold wind, quietly watching the couple on screen who looked like a perfect match.

I noticed the sapphire necklace around Seraphina's neck called "Tears of the Deep."

That was a piece I'd designed myself. Hayden had bought it at auction at a high price recently. I'd always thought it was the three-year anniversary gift he was preparing for me.

Turns out, it was to win another woman's favor.

My phone buzzed.

It was a message from Hayden.

"Saw the broadcast? Don't overthink it. Wait for me in the dressing room, I'll take you home later."

Looking at this brazenly confident message, I smiled bitterly and replied with one word.

"Okay."

Then I hailed a taxi back to Mountainview Villa.

This was the place where Hayden and I had lived together for three years.

Opening the door, the whole house was filled with traces of our life together.

The couple's slippers by the entrance, his favorite cushion on the sofa, and the roses I'd planted myself on the balcony.

I didn't turn on the main lights, leaving only a wall lamp on.

I dragged an old suitcase out from storage and started packing.

Actually, there wasn't much to pack.

The designer bags, haute couture clothes, and expensive jewelry Hayden had bought me. I didn't touch any of it.

I only took a few of my old clothes and the one photo my mother had left behind.

After packing, I threw away the couple's mugs we'd used, the Polaroid photos we'd taken together, and the rehabilitation diary I'd stayed up late organizing for him, all into the trash.

If I was going to leave, I should leave cleanly.

At 2 AM, my phone notification chimed.

The fifty million Hayden's grandfather had promised had arrived.

Immediately after, a new post appeared on social media. From Seraphina.

A grid of nine photos.

The center was a close-up of the "Tears of the Deep," surrounded by photos of them together at the gala, and a candid shot of Hayden lowering his head to kiss the back of her hand.

The caption read:

"After all this time, it's still you. He said the position of Mrs. Holloway will always be reserved for me alone."

This post was set to be visible only to me.

I liked it, then opened my conversation with the immigration consultant.

"For my Australia visa expedited processing, how many days at minimum?"

They replied quickly.

"Miss Blake, expedited would take about ten days."

"Good. As fast as possible."

I put down my phone and lay on the cold bed, closing my eyes.

Ten more days.

In ten days, Hayden and I would have nothing to do with each other.