CHAPTER 5

At that moment, resting safely in his arms, Hailey felt her heart beating wildly. The world around her was a blur—just voices, flashing lights, gasps, and the rush of cold air brushing against her skin as they stepped outside the chaotic wedding hall.

She never imagined her wedding day would end like this.

She thought this was going to be her last day on earth.

Everything had fallen apart so fast, like a dream turned nightmare. One second she was standing on the altar, smiling. The next, she was being dragged, insulted, and humiliated in front of people she once respected. People she once called family.

Today, she realized something deeply painful.

She had nobody, not a single soul stood up for her. Not one guest, not one friend. She didn't even have a bridesmaid. No one came forward when they pushed her. No one helped when she fell. Not one voice rose to say she didn't deserve it.

If that man hadn't stepped in… she would've died at that altar.

She was sure of it.

Her head leaned softly against his chest as they moved through the courtyard, and her voice came out again, shaky, still unsure if this was all real.

"Have I… have I seen you before?" she asked.

Her eyes lifted slightly to look at his face. He was handsome. Unbelievably so. His jaw was firm, his lips even, his eyes sharp yet calm.

However there was something deeply familiar about him like a faded memory she couldn't fully reach.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pinpoint who he was.

However he didn't respond to her question, he simply held her gently and walked forward with purpose.

In a few moments, they reached the grand entrance of the wedding venue. Parked right in front, shining under the sunlight like a king's chariot, was a sleek black Rolls Royce.

The driver, already waiting, opened the door without a word.

At that moment Hailey's eyes widened. She had never been this close to such a luxury car, not even on her supposed wedding day.

The young man bent slightly and placed her into the back seat as if she were glass. He didn't say much but everything he did was careful. Gentle. Respectful. Like she wasn't broken. Like she still had worth.

As he slid into the seat beside her and the car pulled away from the building, he finally spoke.

"I had to get you out of there first," he said calmly, looking ahead through the tinted window. "That place was polluted already."

Then he turned his eyes to her briefly, voice softer now. "I'll take you somewhere peaceful… somewhere with fresh air. You need it."

Upon hearing what what the man just said, Hailey's heart fluttered with a strange mix of confusion and awe.

How? How did this happen?

How did someone like him, with this kind of power, step into her world like a storm and change everything?

She looked at him again, her voice low but sincere. "Who are you? Why are you doing this for me?"

Her chest rose and fell gently. She wasn't crying anymore. The pain was still somewhere deep, but for the first time today… she wasn't afraid.

Just as her words floated in the air, a familiar voice came from the front seat soft, aged, but strong.

"I asked him to come right away… and he did."

At that moment Hailey's heart skipped a beat.

That voice.It couldn't be—

Her lips parted slowly. "Granny Charl…?" she whispered without thinking, her voice breaking slightly from the shock.

She leaned forward, her eyes already wet again, but not from pain—this time from something else entirely.

Then Granny Charlotte turned from the front seat, her eyes kind and gentle as always. Her wrinkles danced slightly when she smiled. "Yes, dear. It's me."

Hailey stared, lost for a second.

Granny Charlotte nodded toward the man beside her. "This is my grandson, Simon. He's the one I've been trying to introduce you to all this time. You remember?"

Hailey blinked, Simon…?

m

Granny Charlotte chuckled softly. "And thankfully, your marriage didn't work out." She looked back ahead, her smile still present. "My prayers were answered."

Hailey sat there, speechless.

Granny Charlotte's words echoed in her head like a sudden drumbeat. "Now you can marry Simon."

Marry Simon? Hailey's eyes widened slightly as she turned her gaze to the young man seated beside her. He looked out the window calmly, unfazed, the light hitting his sharp jawline just right. He wasn't even reacting to what his grandmother had said, as if he'd heard it before—many times.

Hailey's heart kicked harder in her chest. She wasn't prepared for this. She always thought Granny Charlotte was just a kind old woman living quietly on her pension. Someone warm, loving, simple. She had never imagined her grandson would be the type to arrive in a Rolls Royce, command a hall full of people, and move like a man who owned the world.

Hailey looked at Granny Charlotte from the back seat with confusion written all over her face. "I… I didn't know your son was—like this."

Granny Charlotte turned in her seat slightly, her voice teasing but proud. "Of course, you didn't. You wouldn't listen. You kept saying you were already seeing someone." She gave a light shrug. "Now that it's over, you can marry Simon."

Hailey's cheeks flushed immediately. She covered her mouth gently, unsure if she should laugh or hide. "Granny… I don't even know him," she said, glancing shyly at Simon. "I mean, I have to get to know him… and see if he fits."

Granny Charlotte's eyes narrowed slightly. "Did Benjamin fit?"

The words hit Hailey like a stone.

She didn't expect that question. Her smile faded. She looked away, her gaze landing on the car floor. Her fingers played nervously with the fabric of her dress.

Because the truth was simple.

She thought Benjamin fit. She believed he was the perfect match. Kind. Handsome. Powerful.

But where did that get her? In a wedding dress, broken, alone, and nearly humiliated to death.

"No," Hailey finally whispered, her voice soft. "He didn't."

Granny Charlotte nodded quietly, then leaned back in her seat.

The silence in the car grew peaceful.

"I want to go home now," Hailey said gently. "But… thank you. Thank you for everything."

Granny Charlotte smiled, understanding the pain beneath her words. "We'll take you," she said. "Of course."

The car started moving again, smooth and quiet. Hailey leaned back, letting herself breathe.

A few minutes later, Simon finally spoke, his voice deep and even.

"You deserve better, Hailey. A tiny man like Benjamin was never enough for someone like you."

Hailey turned her head slowly, surprised by the words. She saw no arrogance on his face. Just honesty. Calm, quiet truth.

She gave a small nod, not saying much, but her eyes spoke enough. She understood what he meant.

When they arrived at Hailey's apartment, the car pulled up gently by the gate. The driver stepped out and opened the door for her. Hailey took a moment, then stepped out slowly, her legs still feeling a little weak.

As she reached the front of the building, the doors behind her opened again. Simon and Granny Charlotte stepped out together.

At that moment, Hailey turned to face both Simon and Granny Charlotte with a soft smile. Her eyes were tired, her body still aching from everything that had happened. But she kept herself composed.

"Thank you," she said quietly, her voice carrying genuine warmth. "For everything."

Granny Charlotte took a step closer, her eyes filled with concern. "Then come with us, dear. Let's take a little drive. Get some fresh air. Clear your head."

Hailey shook her head gently. "Granny, I really just want to rest. I haven't even been inside my apartment since yesterday. I arranged everything before the wedding. Now that the wedding is over, I need to unpack again and put everything back where they belong."

Granny Charlotte sighed, clearly not satisfied with the answer. "Then let us come in. We can help you rearrange—maybe keep you company a little."

Hailey smiled politely but remained firm. "No, Granny. I'll do it myself. I just want to be alone for a while. I promise I'm okay."

Granny Charlotte frowned but saw the determination in Hailey's eyes. There was no use in forcing her. The old woman folded her arms across her chest and muttered, "Fine. But don't do anything stupid. That's what I came to make sure of."

Hailey chuckled softly despite herself. "I won't. I just need a day… that's all."

Granny Charlotte stepped closer and touched her cheek gently. "You're going to be fine, my dear. You'll have more boyfriends than you can count very soon. Trust me."

Hailey gave a soft laugh, not because she believed it, but because she appreciated the attempt to make her smile. "Okay, Granny. Come tonight, if you want. I'll be fine by then."

Granny Charlotte nodded in satisfaction. "That's all I ask."

With that, Hailey turned, gave Simon one last thankful glance, and began walking up the stairs to her apartment on the upper floor.

Simon watched her go, quietly. His hands were in his pockets, his thoughts unreadable. But there was something in his eyes—something that lingered.

Then, he glanced at Granny Charlotte beside him and asked casually, "What did you mean by Hailey will have a lot of boyfriends?"

Granny Charlotte smiled slyly as she pulled out her phone.

"I meant exactly what I said," she replied, tapping on her screen. "You see, my love for that girl isn't a secret anymore. It's time I did something about it. I'm going to urge all my grandsons to step forward."

She turned her phone slightly so Simon could see her group message already half-typed.

"Whoever proposes to Hailey first—and she accepts him—will receive everything I own. All of it. My inheritance, my properties, and the key to the International World

Museum."

At that moment Simon's brow lifted slightly. "The museum…?"

Granny Charlotte smirked proudly. "That alone is worth over a trillion dollars."