Chapter 3

I didn't know if Julian would regret it.

But he didn't come home that night either.

To drown out the scandal surrounding Lily from the day before, he hosted a charity racing event. All the proceeds were donated to charity under Lily’s name.

But for some reason, while he was racing, my completely indifferent face suddenly flashed across his mind.

*Hailey has been acting so strange these past two days...*

In that split second of distraction, his car slammed into a concrete barrier.

He was fine, but a photo of him instinctively shielding Lily during the crash quickly went viral.

The next morning, my phone buzzed. Julian had transferred three million dollars to my account.

Our unspoken agreement was always: three million dollars every time he made headlines with another woman.

I used to need that money desperately, and he seemed to enjoy this toxic transactional game.

I closed the news app, my mind drifting to the past.

Today was only the second time Julian had ever raced. The first time had been for me.

Years ago, I was kidnapped by his family's business enemies and taken into the mountains.

The Vance family had already arranged professional negotiators, but Julian couldn't wait. He insisted on coming himself.

The kidnappers blocked the mountain roads, intending to kill him.

But he drove like a madman, smashing through their barricades. By the time we got back to safety, his car was totaled and he was covered in blood, but I didn’t have a single scratch on me.

I stayed by his hospital bed for seven days and seven nights without sleeping.

The moment he woke up, he reached for me, pulling me into a tight, trembling embrace.

"Thank God my Hailey is safe. If anything had happened to you, I wouldn't have lived another day."

My heart had melted completely back then.

That was the exact moment I decided I would spend the rest of my life loving him.

But now, looking at the notification for the three million dollars, I tapped "Refuse."

My phone immediately started ringing. I turned it off and went to sleep.

Five days left. The second thing I needed to do was say goodbye to Maya.

She was a girl I had started sponsoring during my first year in New York. She had just gotten into college last month.

But the moment I walked through the doors of the youth shelter, I ran straight into Julian.

He was holding Lily’s hand, presenting the charity donation from the race to the shelter.

What a small world.

The gentle breeze blew through Lily’s hair as she stood there like an angel, encouraging the kids.

"I am happy to help you all today, but I hope you will learn from my example. Always rely on yourself to achieve your dreams."

The children cheered and clapped for her, while Julian watched her with absolute adoration.

My gaze fell on the black card in her hand. It was the same card Julian had tried to give me two days ago.

Maya’s eyes welled with tears when she saw me.

"Hailey, why are you suddenly leaving the city?"

"Back when you weren't even married, you worked two jobs just to pay for my tuition. I haven't even had the chance to repay you..."

I gently ruffled Maya's hair, but before I could reply, a sharp voice interrupted us.

"Julian, look! Isn't that your gold-digger wife? Ugh, she's stalking us again!"

Julian’s face darkened as he marched over, grabbing my arm and pulling me into a quiet corner.

"Go home, Hailey! Are you seriously bringing your jealousy to a charity event?"

"Today is incredibly important for Lily. Don't ruin it!"

Startled, Maya ran over and tried to pull his hand off me.

"Hailey is my sponsor! Please show some respect, sir!"

Julian froze.

"Since when do you sponsor kids? Why didn't I know about this?"

I replied calmly, "I started before we got married. I didn't see any reason to tell you."

Julian's expression grew even colder.

"You're surprisingly generous to strangers."

He paused, a mocking smirk slowly spreading across his lips.

"Actually, it makes sense. You've always been greedy. You want the glamorous status of being Mrs. Vance, but you also want the saintly image of a philanthropist."

"Did you pay off my secretary to get my schedule today, or did you guess I'd be here from the news? You really have an endless supply of tricks, Hailey."

Lily chimed in, looking thoroughly annoyed.

"She's right, Julian. True charity is done in secret, without seeking fame."

"You came all the way here just to show off in front of Julian, Hailey. It only makes him despise you more."

They went back and forth, but I had lost any desire to explain myself.

"Sure. Whatever you say."

I checked the time on my phone. It was getting late.

Julian grabbed Lily’s hand and brushed past me roughly, slamming his shoulder into mine.

"Let's see how long she can keep up this act."

As they walked away, Maya looked at me with confusion.

"Hailey, is that really your husband? Why would he say those things to you? Doesn't he know you're leaving?"

I smiled gently.

"Maya, I hope you grow up to have eyes that see through the noise of this world. Never let appearances blind you, and always protect your heart."

Julian didn't come home for the next three days. The day of my departure was drawing closer and closer.

During those days, his only communication was sending more money transfers.

And as usual, I didn't accept a single one.

At 2:00 AM on the second-to-last day, my bedroom door was violently kicked open.

Julian, smelling strongly of alcohol, pinned me onto the bed and tried to force a kiss on me.

*Slap!*

"Julian! Have you lost your mind?!"