Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Hayden drove Yvette back to the penthouse in downtown.

It was the luxury apartment he bought for her the moment she returned to the country.

It sat directly opposite our marital townhouse.

Whenever I pulled back my living room curtains, I could see everything they did through the glass.

Hayden had gone out of his way to torment me like that for years.

While Yvette was in the shower, Hayden stood on the balcony with a lit cigarette, staring intently across at our townhouse.

After a long silence, he dialed a number on his phone.

"Ethan, did Sienna come home today?"

He was calling Ethan Davis, the personal assistant he had assigned to me.

On paper, Ethan was my assistant, but in reality, he was Hayden's watchdog.

A heavy pause stretched across the line before Ethan's somber voice answered. "Mr. Cross... Ms. Hayes was in a severe car crash. She passed away this afternoon."

Hayden blew out a thin stream of smoke and let out a scoff. "Did Sienna pay you to join her little theater act? Tell her she already used the death threat card. Tell her to find something new."

Ethan sighed heavily, his tone deeply earnest. "Mr. Cross, I am not joking with you."

Hayden's patience snapped, and his voice turned sharp. "Ethan, you work for me. You'd better stop helping Sienna with these pathetic schemes!"

Silence fell over the other end.

Ethan clearly hadn't expected Hayden to be this delusional and dismissive.

Hayden snubbed his cigarette out on the railing and tore his gaze away from the townhouse. "Tell Sienna that even if we aren't husband and wife, we're still acquaintances. Remind her to attend my wedding with Yvette."

A bitter sneer formed on my spectral lips.

Hayden always knew exactly where to plunge the knife to hurt me the most.

He genuinely believed my accident was just another dramatic stunt to manipulate him.

Yet hearing his venomous words now, I felt nothing but a hollow numbness.

Hayden hung up abruptly and slammed his phone against the balcony tiles in fury.

The device shattered with a loud crack.

Startled by the noise, Yvette stepped out of the bathroom wrapped in a plush towel. "Hayden, who made you so angry?"

Hayden's jaw clenched tight. "Sienna is pulling her dirty tricks again. Does she really think I'll cave in like I did two years ago?"

Always bringing up two years ago.

I admit I used a desperate tactic to force his hand back then.

But after two years of daily emotional torture, I had repaid that debt in full.

Hearing my name, Yvette's face tightened, though she quickly masked it with a sweet pout. She stroked his hair gently. "Why do you care so much about her? You've mentioned her multiple times today. I'm starting to get jealous."

Hayden was usually domineering, but he softened slightly at her cooing. He pulled himself together and stood up. "I'm heading back. Get some rest."

Yvette stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Hayden, you're already divorced. Can't you stay the night with me?"

Hayden had never spent a single night under her roof.

I never understood why. Perhaps it was the last shred of his hypocritical moral compass.

Hayden's expression darkened, and he firmly pushed her arms away. "Yvette, you're crossing the line."

Yvette's sweet facade crumbled instantly.

She dropped onto a chair, her voice rising in frustration. "Hayden Cross! You're the one who said you hated Sienna and wanted only me! What kind of attitude is this?"

Realizing his tone had been too harsh, Hayden stepped closer and softened his voice. "Work at the firm has been overwhelming lately. I'm just exhausted."

Yvette buried her face into his chest. "Hayden, I love you with all my heart. I only want to marry you, no one else."

Hayden looked down at her without uttering a single promise.

Watching them cuddle made my stomach churn.

I had to endure this sickening sight while alive, and now I was forced to watch it after death.

Even in the afterlife, there was no peace.