"The court has finalized our divorce. I'm marrying Lin Xinyer next month. I came today just to let you know."
Through the cold, steel bars, Hailey Tang stared blankly at the man on the other side. Ethan Yu—C City's golden legend. The most powerful man in the city. A man born to rule.
He had it all—looks, wealth, influence. He was untouchable.
And once, he had been her husband.
But now, even the last thread that tied them together was gone. She had believed she would die as his wife. But standing here now, she realized how wrong she'd been.
Hailey's voice trembled, a bitter smile curling her lips. "You're right… I was never good enough to be your wife."
Once youthful and radiant, her beauty had long been eroded by jealousy, hatred, and pain. Now, she was nothing more than a prisoner on death row—filthy, broken, and discarded.
How could someone like her be worthy of someone like him?
Ethan's gaze remained cold, void of emotion. "This is the last time we'll see each other. Do you have anything else to say?"
Hailey opened her chapped lips slowly. "Just one thing… Did you ever love me? Even a little?"
He didn't speak.
He didn't have to.
His silence was louder than words. The answer was clear—never.
A wave of despair crushed her chest. She thought her heart couldn't break anymore. She was wrong.
"I was always just delusional…" she whispered with a hollow laugh. "From now on, I won't get in your way anymore."
Because soon, she would be dead.
Ethan checked his watch and stood. His voice was low and cold. "Hailey Tang, you made your bed. Now lie in it."
He didn't hate her. He didn't love her. At most, he pitied her for a brief second—and then turned to leave.
But then—
"Ethan…哥哥(brother)…"
Her voice was cracked and soft, like a girl calling for her first love.
He froze.
Just as he turned his head, he saw her slam herself into the wall—
Bang!
A sickening crack echoed in the room.
Her body collapsed like a rag doll, blood spreading beneath her head. Ethan's eyes widened in shock, horror flooding his face.
He hadn't expected her to be so cruel—to herself.
As she lay motionless on the cold floor, he swore he heard her whisper through bloodstained lips:
"If I'd known it would end like this… I would've never loved you…"
Hospital Room – Hours Later
The sterile smell of disinfectant filled her nose as Hailey's eyes fluttered open.
She was alive?
Why?
She had no desire to see him again. No desire to live in this cruel world.
And yet…
"You're awake."
That cold, familiar voice pierced her ears.
Turning her head, she saw Ethan sitting by her bed.
Her chest twisted with pain. So she had survived after all.
But what was the point? She was still a prisoner. The execution would come soon.
Her heart turned to ice.
Ethan leaned closer, his dark eyes filled with disdain. "So… you didn't die after all."
She smiled faintly. "I'm wondering the same thing."
He frowned. Her calmness was unexpected. He thought she'd scream and cry like before. But she didn't. And that unsettled him.
"Hmph." He scoffed and stood. "Just don't drag others down with you next time."
Hailey blinked. Drag others down? What was he talking about?
Just then, Nanny Zhang walked in—a kind old woman who had cared for Hailey since she was a child.
"My lady, are you alright? Do you feel any pain?" she asked, worried.
Warmth filled Hailey's chest. Even now, someone still cared.
"I'm okay…"
Just disappointed… that I'm still breathing.
Zhang sighed. "How could you be so reckless? Crashing your car into Miss Lin's… Even if you didn't hit her directly, it was still dangerous! Don't ever do something like that again."
Hailey froze.
What…?
Car crash? Lin Xinyer?
That happened two years ago.
Why was Zhang talking like it had just happened?
"Don't worry," Zhang continued. "Sir covered it up for you. Miss Lin only had a minor injury. You're lucky. If something had gone wrong, how would I explain it to the old master?"
Hailey's eyes widened.
Her mind spun. That accident was two years ago… What's going on?
She reached up and touched her forehead—smooth. No wound. No scar.
But she remembered it so clearly—the impact, the blood. She had slammed her head into a wall to kill herself.
She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be… fine.
"Miss, the doctor said you're stable. We can go home today," Zhang smiled. "I'll cook your favorite dinner tonight. Let's not think about unpleasant things anymore, alright? No matter how close Miss Lin is to the young master, she can never replace you. You are his wife."
Hailey's eyes flickered.
Wife?
She grabbed Zhang's wrist, startling her. "Give me your phone. Now."
Confused, Zhang handed it over.
Hailey unlocked it—her hands shaking.
The date.
She stared in disbelief.
Two years ago.
The accident hadn't happened yet. The divorce hadn't happened. The execution sentence hadn't come.
Everything… had reset.
Her hands trembled. She pinched her thigh—hard.
"Ow!"
It hurt.
This wasn't a dream.
"Miss? Are you alright?" Zhang asked, concerned.
"I… I can really go home today? Like nothing happened?"
Zhang nodded. "Yes, everything's fine. We'll go home and put all of this behind us."
Hailey's heart raced.
She had been given a second chance.
This time… she wouldn't beg, she wouldn't love, and she would never, ever fall for Ethan Yu again.