A cologne, foreign yet familiar hit Haley's nose. The fragrance engulfed her senses, and her mind wired back to many years ago. Where had she smelled it before?When? “Wanna cry? You can pour it all out.” Instead of stepping out of the way, he hugged her and patted her back. That voice.D-Daryl. “Oh!” Haley jumped out of his embrace, flabbergasted and flushed. Her initial embarrassment returned multifold, and her eyes darted everywhere else but him. “Y-You- you're still here?”“When a pretty damsel is nearby, I must stay.” Daryl smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes. A look of embarrassment flickered in his eyes. Maybe he was embarrassed for her. Haley sighed. The deed was done. That scumbag had completely made her lose face. What's the point of wallowing in distress?Haley was in no mood to chat. So she murmured a silent goodbye to Daryl, walking past him. Daryl skipped up to her. “Want a free ride home?” Of course. Haley was so shaken to the core by Liam's sudden
Great!Just great!Could this day get any worse? A knock came from the door. Haley glanced away from the mirror, realizing she'd been standing there for minutes. “You're still in there? I brought you something.”Daryl. What did he bring?Haley opened the door. In Daryl's hands was a huge shopping bag. He bought her a new dress. “Can’t wait to see you in it.” He dropped the bag in her hand, smiling. Without another word, Daryl left. Did he order the dress just now? That was so thoughtful of him.What if…What if Liam had been a bit like his brother? Considerate but indifferent. Haley wouldn't mind. But- Scratch it!Haley needed to stop thinking about him. She changed into the dress. It fitted her perfectly, hugging her curves in the right places.Sigh! What curves?Haley was just skin and bones. The dress only fitted her because it was a few inches below her normal size. With it came a matching shoe, handbag, and even a make-up palette as a bonus. Those were too much. Bu
…Liam told her sorry.He promised he'd change. The words Haley had been longing to hear. Were they real?Was she dreaming? Haley's eyelids flickered, her mind wandering from consciousness to subconsciousness. She stared at the ceiling, her mind blank for some seconds. Where was she? How did she end up here?From the soft mattress beneath her, she must be lying on a bed. A wide one too.Haley's arms were spread yet they didn't fully occupy the vast space of the bed. She blinked as fragments of memories returned. Still, apart from recalling that she'd been drunk and those words she thought she'd heard from Liam must be a lie, Haley couldn't tell where she was.Groaning, she sat up on the bed, holding her aching forehead.Something didn't seem right.Why- Why was she wearing a bathrobe? Studying the cotton material on her, Haley patted her lips in shock and an unknown fear clutched her heart.She couldn't recall changing into them,She couldn't even recall leaving the restaura
Liam called her. This was the first time he called her several times in a row. Why?What did he want?Haley scrolled down the notification pop-ups and arrived at a single text message. From Liam. [You can't hide from me, Haley.]In her mind, the words sounded like a creepy whisper of his deep voice.Haley gulped. The memory of how he'd treated her at the hospital surfaced inside her mind. Sigh! What was she gonna do with that man?Clearly, Liam wanted to punish her for proposing the divorce first.Haley knew why her brother called. Wasn't it to ask if she'd gotten Liam's signatures as she promised him?Now that Liam had torn the divorce papers, what was she gonna tell her brother?Supporting her forehead with both hands, Haley wracked her brain.No. She mustn't give up.She couldn't remain married to Liam. She had to get that divorce.Wallowing in her thoughts, a plan suddenly popped up. Ha! Haley sat up straight, her mood lifting. She scrolled down the contacts list of he
…At DG Jewelry Corp, the next morning.Joye paced back and forth in front of Liam, chanting some words Liam didn't pay attention to. “With Crystal's involvement, Sir, you have nothing to worry about. She's the best in this field and has an outstanding reputation.”Liam's eyes were glued to his phone, staring at Haley's number. Why didn't she pick up his calls?Wasn't she angry for nothing?They were not getting a divorce whether she gave him the cold shoulder or not. “Sir, are you listening?” Joye stopped walking, panting to catch his breath. Liam heard everything. “Is Crystal that good?”“I've dug into the internet, Sir. Although mysterious, Crystal has a great reputation. Imagine the popularity he or she will bring to this company.”He or she? “Is it a man or a woman?”“Crystal's true gender is a topic of misconception on the internet.”Liam frowned. “Crystal.”Where had he heard that name before?“How did you know about him?” Liam asked. “Erm…” Joye scratched his head, aver
Liam froze for a minute. He hadn't seen wrong. On one of those papers, his vision had swept past something written as ‘Divorce Agreement'Or was he wrong? Would Haley be so smart?“Sir, you're spacing out.” Joye waved a hand in front of him, smiling. “Your eyes spell that you want to follow Madam.”Liam snapped to his senses. Of course, he wanted to follow Haley. But not because he missed her.He shot to his feet and stormed out of the office, loosening up his necktie as the anger suffocated him. She had the guts to trick him! Liam stepped out in time to find the elevator doors closing. There, Haley stood, hugging the documents to her chest. As he approached in large strides, her face paled with shock, her eyes bulging out. That was the look of someone guilty. Liam quickly stepped inside before the elevator doors fully closed. Luckily, there was no one else inside the elevator. “W- What do you want?” Backing away from him, Haley hid the papers behind her. Was that what sh
~Gazing deeply at her, his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.Liam was giving her the same look that always sent her knees weak. Instead of pushing her away, he drew her closer, pressing her against him. This was the perfect time to snatch the papers. Liam looked intoxicated.He looked as if he would swallow her whole. Breaking out of the effect of his magnetic gaze, Haley reached for the papers.Yet, Liam seemed to still be in his senses. He dropped the papers and stepped on them. Haley wanted to squat to pick them up, but then, he snaked one hand around her waist, giving her no room to move. Staring back into his eyes was her biggest mistake. They drew her into the pool of emotions swirling in them. Haley gulped. As he pressed her against the wall, ravaging her lips, his hands all over her body, her head became muddled for a split second.No! Wanting to protest, a slight moan escaped her lips instead, letting his tongue delve deeper. This was bad. He wasn't punishing her
Instantly, Liam dropped her. Haley landed on the floor butt-first, and she winced in pain. Holding her aching waist, she made to stand up, her gaze snapping to the person standing in front of them. No wonder Liam dropped her quickly. The person that appeared just now was none other than Leah.Their eyes met, before Leah's gaze strayed to Haley's blouse. In a split second, many emotions flashed in her eyes, then she quickly masked them with a gentle smile. Leah, acting as if she hadn't noticed Haley in the first place, turned to Liam. “Will, are you busy?” “No. Why did you come?” Liam adjusted his necktie, the subtle embarrassment on his face not missing Haley's scrutiny. “Uhm, I'm here to submit an important report from NK Enterprise,” Leah said softly. Lowering her head, she blushed and caressed her stomach. “I also have a feeling the baby misses you. My stomach keeps aching.”“Really?”As they conversed, Haley looked between them.What was she still doing here?Yuck! She c