Chapter 2

2.

He was always like this. Whenever Seraphina had a flare-up, he took his frustration out on me.

Maybe it wasn't even frustration. He just couldn't stand seeing me happy while Seraphina was suffering. But I didn't owe her anything.

When we first started dating, I knew he had a childhood friend he cared about. I even gave him a hug and promised I'd help him look after her.

But that girl became a permanent wall between us. Every time we got close, she pushed us apart.

I had asked Hayden once if he wanted to be with her. I told him if he couldn't let go, I would step aside. I had my pride; I wasn't going to be a third wheel in my own relationship.

Hayden had pointed a finger at me, screaming that I was insulting his character.

"What kind of man do you think I am? Sera and I are just friends! She's sick and has no one. Is it a crime to care?"

"Don't you have friends? Or is your mind just so dirty that you see something wrong in everything?"

"I can't believe how petty you are."

I had tried my best to be understanding. I never picked fights with Seraphina.

But in Hayden's eyes, I was always the villain.

I picked up my glass again and swallowed the liquor along with my tears.

Drink after drink, my brain finally went fuzzy. The memories started to fade, and for the first time in years, I felt like I belonged to myself.

That night, under the neon lights of the bar, I didn't go home. I stayed out with friends, danced, and eventually crashed in a hotel room.

Hayden didn't realize I was missing until the next afternoon. He started blowing up my phone like a maniac.

"Are you done with your little tantrum? Jade, so we didn't get the license yesterday. Is that really worth disappearing for a whole night?"

"I've told you a thousand times, Sera is just a friend. She's ill, and her family is halfway across the country. If I don't help her, who will? Can't you have a shred of compassion?"

My head was pounding from the hangover. Hayden's voice was like a buzzing mosquito that wouldn't stop. I was too tired to even argue, so I stayed silent.

Sensing that his aggression wasn't working, Hayden changed his tone. He started acting like a kicked puppy.

"Look, I'm sorry I left you yesterday. Stop being mad at me, okay? How about this―I'll take you out for a nice dinner and a movie tonight. My treat. We'll make up for it, okay?"

That was all I ever wanted. To be a normal couple having a normal, romantic night.

But with Hayden, these things were only ever "rewards" given when he had messed up.

I suppressed the feeling of suffocation and whispered a quiet "Okay." Hayden's voice instantly brightened.

"Great. I'll pick you up tonight."

I hung up, smoothed out my clothes, and headed to the office.

I had missed the morning shift, but I had to work the afternoon. That's the reality of being an adult. You have to kill your emotions during the day because bills don't pay themselves.

I walked into the office with a fake smile. My coworkers were kind enough not to ask questions.

However, my boss called me into his office.

"Jade, the company is looking for someone to lead our overseas branch in London. I've always believed in you. A woman shouldn't lose both her heart and her career."

He clearly knew about the drama from yesterday. He was giving me a way out.

In the past, I would have made an excuse. I would have said Hayden needs me, and I can't leave him.