Chapter 3

Chloe POV

The next morning, the sound of fingerprint unlocking came from the villa's front door.

Hayden walked in carrying a faint scent of alcohol and the morning chill.

I sat quietly in the dining room drinking milk, not even lifting an eyelid.

Hayden came over and sat across from me, his tone carrying a condescending gentleness.

"Why did you come back on your own last night?"

"I was tired."

My tone was flat.

Hayden looked at my calm face and nodded.

"You saw last night's news. Seraphina's health isn't good, and the Vale family needs this ceremony. But don't worry, the engagement is just for show. My life won't change. You'll still live here. That villa in the south district will be transferred to your name tomorrow."

Making infidelity sound so refreshingly innocent. Hayden was truly one of a kind.

I swallowed the tasteless milk in my mouth and didn't argue, just said "Mm" lightly.

Hayden looked around, suddenly frowning.

"Why does the house feel so empty? Where's that pair of mugs from the table?"

"I accidentally broke them and threw them out."

I didn't even lift my eyelids.

Hayden didn't press further. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke.

"Chloe, I need your help with something."

I put down my spoon and looked at him.

"Seraphina really likes your jewelry design style."

Hayden looked into my eyes, his tone carrying an undertone of non-refusal.

"She's having an engagement party next month. Design an engagement ring for us. You can decide on materials and budget."

The air seemed to freeze in that moment.

Having the current girlfriend design the engagement ring for his ex.

Hayden, how could you be this cruel?

My hands under the table clenched tight, nails digging deep into my palms, using pain to maintain surface calm.

I looked at this man I'd loved for three years, suddenly finding him terrifyingly unfamiliar.

"Sure."

I smiled.

"When Mr. Holloway asks, how could I refuse? But the design fee can't be skipped."

Hayden paused, then took out an unlimited black card and pushed it in front of me.

"Of course. The PIN is your birthday. Buy whatever you want. Don't shortchange yourself."

I took the black card without hesitation.

"Thank you, Mr. Holloway."

After breakfast, Hayden went to the office.

I took that black card and went straight to the city's largest stray animal shelter, donating every bit of the card's available limit.

Since it was compensation, he had no say in how I spent it.

Over the next few days, I went to the studio every day on time to "draw designs," but actually I was liquidating my domestic assets and canceling various memberships and bank accounts.

Seven days until departure.

That afternoon, I'd just finished confirming my visa progress at the immigration office when I got a call from Derek.

"Chloe, Hayden's got a gathering at 'Nightfall.' He wants you to come."

Derek's tone was somewhat stiff.

I wanted to refuse, but remembering that my current identity was still his obedient "canary," I took a cab to the club.

Pushing open the private room door, smoke filled the air inside, packed with the city's wealthy and socialites.

Hayden sat in the main seat with Seraphina leaning against him, the two chatting and laughing quietly.

Seeing me enter, the room instantly went quiet.

"Miss Blake is here."

Seraphina broke the silence first, standing up with a smile.

"Come sit quickly. Hayden said you brought the initial ring design today. I want to see it."

I walked over and took out a stack of random drafts from my bag, handing them to her.

Seraphina took the drawings and made a show of looking through them.

Suddenly, her hand slipped, and a cup of scalding hot coffee that had just been poured on the nearby table flew straight toward me.