Chapter 12: Sleeping in Separate Rooms

Hailey's vanity was empty. The closet—once shared—was cleared of her clothes.

Everything that belonged to her was gone.

Ethan instantly understood her intention.

She wanted to sleep in a separate room.

He didn't know what game she was trying to play this time.

But if she wanted to move out of the bedroom, so be it. Honestly, it was a relief. He had no desire to see her anyway.

In fact, he hoped she'd stay out—for good—until their divorce was finalized.

Just thinking about how much longer he'd have to put up with her made a flash of impatience flicker in his eyes.

No one knew how badly Ethan Yu wanted to be rid of Hailey Tang. He couldn't stand her—had never liked her. Everything about her irritated him.

At the same time, Hailey herself couldn't wait to get out of this marriage.

She'd tried to hold on, thinking she could endure it a bit longer.

But the way Ethan looked at her—like she was a pesky fly buzzing around—had finally made her realize: she had her pride now.

She wasn't going to tolerate his disgust any longer.

They needed to divorce. The sooner, the better. Only then would they both finally be free.

That night, Hailey printed out a divorce agreement.

At the crack of dawn, she got out of bed.

Ethan was a workaholic, always up early to head to the office.

If she wanted to hand him the divorce papers first thing in the morning, she had to be quicker than him. Otherwise, he'd be gone before she even opened her eyes—and who knew when she'd get another chance?

But she woke up too early.

When she went downstairs, Ethan wasn't up yet.

So she curled up on the couch and closed her eyes for a bit to rest.

She was used to sleeping in, and early mornings were torture. Her eyes drifted shut, and before she knew it… she fell asleep again.

Ethan came downstairs with his suit jacket in hand, only to find Hailey fast asleep on the couch.

She was small—barely 5'5", with a slim, delicate frame.

At only 19, she was undeniably beautiful, but still had a girlish innocence to her.

She wore a loose white lace nightgown, and as she slept, she looked peaceful… like a child. Pure and untouched by the world.

It was a side of her he never saw when she was awake.

Awake, she was loud, spoiled, and willful—nothing like the gentle, reserved girl she pretended to be in front of others. She was every inch the bratty heiress, and he couldn't stand her for it.

If she had just been a little more mature, a little gentler, a little more obedient—maybe he wouldn't have hated her so much.

But now, trying to change her image? Too late. It was useless.

His disgust for her ran deep. Unshakable.

When someone truly despises another person, they find everything about them unpleasant—and they stop paying attention altogether.

Ethan gave her one indifferent glance, then walked out without hesitation.

Just then, Zhang Ma came out of the kitchen. Seeing him about to leave, she quickly asked, "Young Master, aren't you staying for breakfast?"

"No," Ethan said coldly, not even turning his head.

The sound of their voices jolted Hailey awake.

She sat up abruptly—just in time to see Ethan's back disappear out the door.

"He left already?" she asked, startled.

"Yes, just a moment ago," Zhang Ma replied. "Didn't Miss have something urgent to talk to him about?" She had spoken loudly on purpose, trying to wake Hailey in time.

Hailey grabbed the document folder from the coffee table and bolted outside.

She rushed through the villa gates, only to stop in the garden, eyes locking on the open iron gate at the end of the drive.

The chauffeur was already waiting beside the sleek black Lincoln.

And standing next to the car… was a woman.

Lin Xinyer.

She was dressed in a perfectly tailored business suit that hugged every curve of her hourglass figure.