“Nicole, what’s wrong? Aren’t you angry?”
Hayden stared at Nicole intently, searching her face for any sign of emotion.
He had expected her to kick up a fuss, cry, and throw accusations at him. But for some reason or another, none of that happened. Instead, she stood there with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
She gently pushed him away and muttered, “I’m not angry. Go ahead and take care of the guests. I’m tired
and want to lie down for a bit.”
“But…” Hayden wanted to explain more but realized that now wasn’t the right time.
Thus, he nodded and said, “Wait for me, alright? When the banquet’s over, I’ll come and explain everything to you. I have so much to tell you, so please wait for me.”
Nicole smiled at his words. So he really did plan to come clean tonight.
She watched him leave, and her smile faded as soon as the door closed behind him.
She removed her exquisite dress and changed into plain black clothes that wouldn’t attract attention. Then, she headed downstairs with a tiny shovel in hand.
The guests were all gathered in the main hall and weren’t aware that she had slipped outside.
Nicole arrived at the back garden and kicked aside the scattered roses until she reached the ginkgo tree. She then crouched down and began digging until the buried time capsule came into view.
With a hard twist, she pried it open. Nestled inside was the agreement to sever ties with the Spencers, the very document she had arranged to have buried there days ago.
She grabbed the agreement, along with a breakup letter, and brought it upstairs, where she then kept it inside the drawer of Hayden’s study.
Then, without a sound, she turned and left the residence.
The hall downstairs was still bustling with laughter and chatter. Guests walked around with plates of food, sipping wine and exchanging pleasantries.
Oblivious, Hayden clinked glasses with the guests, but his mind was elsewhere. Meanwhile, Gloria stood nearby, chatting warmly with Olivia and Matthew.
The residence was lively, everyone merrily celebrating Nicole and Hayden’s wedding anniversary. But the hostess of the night was no longer Nicole.
Nicole remembered seeing the marriage record, which showed that Hayden and Gloria had registered their marriage before her wedding to Hayden. So technically, it was their seventh wedding anniversary,
not Nicole’s,
Chapter 85
2/2
At the thought of this, she slowly closed her eyes and whispered, “Goodbye, Hayden.”
Nicole would never return to this house.
After casting one final glance at the villa, Nicole disappeared into the darkness.
A black sedan waited at the intersection. The window rolled down, revealing Jeremiah’s worried gaze.
He stepped out and opened the door for her.
Neither of them spoke a word as Jeremiah drove them both into the distance.
When they reached the hospital, he arranged for her to stay upstairs in a secret VIP ward. Without her consent, the hospital wouldn’t disclose her information or allow anyone to visit.
“Are you sure about this? Once I register your admission, Hayden won’t be able to find you. Three days from now, I’ll get you on a ferry to leave the country.” Jeremiah tucked the blanket over her as he spoke.
Nicole slowly nodded, and her gaze was steady. “I’ve made up my mind.”
Jeremiah didn’t ask about what had happened during the banquet, but he was sure that Nicole had truly
given up this time.
He knew that once she made up her mind, nothing could stop her. Thus, he went and completed the
admission paperwork.
