Chapter 6
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Nicole sank into the softness of the bed, barely having a chance to push Hayden away before he pulled her into his arms. The familiar dry woody scent filled her nostrils.
It was his signature cologne, the one she had casually mentioned she liked once, seven years ago.
If it had been two days ago, she never would’ve believed their marriage was a hoax and that Hayden
didn’t love her. Now…
“Relax, good girl,” he murmured.
He laced their fingers together and leaned down, kissing her neck, leaving trails that once would’ve made her heart race. His hand, warm and almost scorching to her liking, moved down her back.
Nicole flinched. Snapping back to herself, she shoved Hayden away with all the strength she had left and
sat up.
“I’m not feeling well,” she said tightly, holding back the rushing ache in her chest. “I don’t want this.”
She climbed out of bed without waiting for a reply and walked straight out of the room, slamming the
door behind her.
He sat up slowly, brows furrowed, staring at the closed door in silence.
Nicole slipped into the next room without acknowledging Matthew in the living area, calling after her.
She cradled her phone, fingers trembling, and refreshed her social feed, only to collide with a vivid image that stabbed her heart–the photo of her and Hayden’s marriage certificate.
Just days ago, she had posted it to commemorate their upcoming wedding anniversary. The ninth of September was a date rich with meaning for them, or so she thought.
On that day seven years ago, Nicole and Hayden went to the city hall to register their marriage before going straight to the wedding venue.
Later, it was Caleb who personally delivered their certificates, showering them with warm congratulations. He had even liked that recent post and commented under it with a blessing for their
forever love.
Had Gloria returned to the country by then?
Caleb must’ve been quietly smirking behind his screen, laughing at how naive Nicole was to be deceived for seven whole years without knowing.
Her eyes stung with unshed tears, but she forced them back, swallowing the hurt.
Indeed, she had been blind and foolish to be deceived for seven years. After tonight, she would vanish
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completely and return home to be with Shawn for what time remained.
As for Hayden, he could marry whomever for all she cared.
Nicole dragged herself toward the bed, exhausted. At that moment, her phone rang with a call from
Jeremiah.
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“Mrs. Spencer, I’ve reviewed your test results. Your brain tumor was discovered too late, and you haven’t had any treatment up to this point. That means flying, or even traveling by sea, isn’t medically safe.”
Her heart sank. “Wait… I can’t even take the ship?”
“No. First, your body isn’t strong enough, considering you haven’t had any conservative treatment. Second, your route out of the country would still take you through high–altitude areas.
“That could trigger your symptoms, possibly very seriously,” Jeremiah said firmly.
Nicole clutched her phone tighter, disappointment welling in her chest. “So, if I can’t fly or sail, how am I
supposed to leave?”
Jeremiah hesitated. “Do you absolutely have to go?”
Nicole pressed her lips together. What reason did she have to stay?
Hayden’s one true love had returned. Was she supposed to just hang around, waiting to be abandoned by
her husband and son?
Her voice softened but remained determined. “I must leave. Please… Help me figure something out.
Money isn’t a problem.”
Jeremiah let out a quiet sigh. “Fine. I’ll put together a ten–day treatment plan. If you respond well, we
might be able to evaluate your travel options. Who knows, you might even be able to fly after that.”
Ten days?
Her expression darkened. Truth be told, she didn’t want to linger around that long. Who knew what would
happen in ten days?
Still, she had no choice but to take her doctor’s advice.
The next morning, Nicole came out of the room and caught a whiff of breakfast. She saw Hayden swat at Matthew’s hand and scold him, “Mommy’s not up yet. Wait for her before you eat.”
Matthew rubbed his hand and sat down with a pout.
Her hand tightened around the doorknob. Frankly, she hadn’t expected them to still be here.
“Can you two just… go home?”
Hayden paused, clearly caught off guard. He walked over and gently tried to coax her. “I know Matt
Chapter 6
crossed a line yesterday. You have every right to be upset.
“But you’ve been looking unwell lately, and I don’t feel right leaving you alone.”
Nicole stilled. She hadn’t expected him to be so persistent.
She turned to the side, her gaze lowered. “If you don’t leave, I might never go home again.”
He was stumped. “Why…”
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The softness in Hayden’s eyes disappeared, replaced by a hint of frustration. He didn’t understand why Nicole was being so stubborn this time, or why she insisted on holding a grudge against Matthew.
Nicole grabbed her jacket and muttered something about going for a morning run. “I expect all the leftovers and trash to be cleaned up and taken with you by the time I get back.”
Meanwhile, Matthew had been watching her the whole time. When he realized she hadn’t even spared him a glance, a heavy lump settled in his chest. “Mommy!”
She didn’t pay him any heed and shut the door behind her with a firm thud.
Left in the quiet of the hotel room, Hayden and Matthew exchanged awkward glances.
The former’s face darkened. “No snacks, just egg and milk. And finish fast–school’s waiting. If you don’t figure out a way to make it up to Mommy tonight, don’t even bother coming home!”
Matthew dared not say a word. His eyes brimmed with tears, and he nodded obediently.
The housekeeper came over, packed up his schoolbag, and took him to school. In the meantime, Hayden
headed off to the office.
Nicole wandered around for two hours and, sure enough, when she returned, the place was empty.
She immediately asked the front desk to switch her to a different room upstairs, then headed to the hospital to go over her treatment plan with Jeremiah.
In the evening, just as she was getting ready to head back to the hotel, she received a call from Taylor,
who sounded anxious on the line.
“Mrs. Spencer, could you come home right now? Mr. Matthew is sick, and we can’t reach Mr. Spencer!”
Nicole’s eyes flickered. Her tone was calm as she replied, “Call the family doctor. I’m not a physician.”
“B–But Mr. Matthew fainted! He’s sweating buckets and keeps calling out for his mommy!”
At that, she abruptly stopped in her tracks. A slow breath slipped from her lips. “Are you sure he’s calling for me? Not someone else?”
Taylor froze for a second, flustered. He glanced over at Matthew, standing nearby and whispering instructions like a director, and instantly panicked.
“I mean, of course, he’s calling for you, Mrs. Spencer. You’re his mother. Who else would he be calling-”
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The call ended.
Matthew, eyes wide like saucers, asked, “Is she coming back?”
Taylor nodded helplessly. Bright red filled Matthew’s flushed face as anger bubbled in him.
He clenched his fists and muttered, “Mommy’s changed! How can she not worry about me at all? I only said a few mean things at school. What a kidder!”
Taylor immediately tried to calm Matthew. “Enough, Mr. Matthew. Mr. Spencer will be upset if he hears you!”
The still–pissed Matthew huffed softly on the chair and grabbed a cellphone. “If she won’t come home, I’ll just call Ms. Ashford. She can do homework with me. It’s not like Mommy’s the only one who can help me!
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At the same time, Nicole was already downstairs at Spencer Group’s building. She found Hayden and handed him a resignation letter.
His finger hovered over the elegant, graceful signature reading her name. Puzzlement flickered in his eyes as he looked up.
“You only have a symbolic post here at the company. Why are you handing in your resignation out of the blue?”
Nicole’s nails bit into her palms, searching for a plausible excuse. Before she could speak, Hayden abruptly stood and approached her. Startled, she instinctively took a step back.
As he stood there pondering her resignation, footsteps in heels clicked powerfully down the hallway outside.
“Hayden, I just got a call from Matt. He said he’s home all by himself and wants someone with him. I guess I’ll drop by the house and…”
With that, Gloria pushed the office door, surprised to see Nicole standing there. The latter was as pale as a sheet.
In Hayden’s usually calm and unreadable gaze, Nicole spotted a flicker of guilt and nervousness.
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
