Enzo’s gaze flickered toward Hailey as if caught in the act. He shoved Allison away too hastily, an overreaction that only made things more obvious.
"We're just friends," he said stiffly. "Don't misunderstand."
His words denied everything, but the guilt shadowing his face betrayed him.
Hailey studied him with cool detachment, tilting her head slightly, a slow, knowing smile curving her lips. "Of course. You two are good friends, aren’t you? But if you’re going to say that, at least wipe off the kiss mark on your neck first. It’s really quite embarrassing."
At that moment, she felt untouchable, unshaken, and invincible.
Without hesitation, she reached into her bag, pulling out the marriage certificate. Then, right before his eyes, she began slicing it apart, shredding every last illusion.
"Didn’t you say it was fake?" Her voice was light, almost amused. "Fine. Let it be fake. If you didn’t want to marry me, you could’ve just said so. I wouldn’t have forced you. Why put on such a ridiculous act?"
A mocking smile played on Hailey’s lips.
Enzo stood frozen as if struck by lightning.
Without another glance, she turned on her heels, her high heels clicking sharply against the floor as she strode out. Behind her, the scene inside the hospital room remained frozen in time, the half-eaten cake discarded on the floor, Allison’s smug satisfaction, the flicker of panic in Enzo’s eyes.
His face turned deathly pale. She knew.
She had found out about the fake marriage certificate.
Allison, however, clung to him, her voice syrupy sweet as she twisted the knife deeper. "Brother, don’t be angry. We’re the ones truly married. She’s just a homewrecker trying to ruin us. Just ignore her."
She had always been the one his family had chosen for him.
And yet, at this moment, Enzo felt like he had been thrown into an ice pit. His heart was hollowed out, an unbearable emptiness swallowing him whole.
A sudden, desperate need clawed at him; he had to see Hailey.
Without hesitation, he shoved Allison aside, ignoring her shrill protests as he stormed out. He never looked back.
Outside the hospital, Hailey’s phone buzzed with a call. A friend was inviting her to a farewell gathering.
She didn’t hesitate to accept.
Just as she was about to hail a taxi to the restaurant, a firm hand suddenly grabbed her from behind.
His voice softened, coaxing.
"I was wrong about this. Please, don’t be mad, okay? My mom said that there are times I have to play along with Allison. It’s just an act, don’t take it to heart, alright?"
Hailey almost laughed out loud.
Even now, he was still trying to fool her.
Did she look like an idiot?
The taxi she had called pulled up. Just as she stepped forward to leave, Enzo’s anxious voice followed her.
"Where are you going? I’ll go with you."
She frowned. Unbelievable.
The Enzo she once knew wouldn’t have bothered. He would have waved her off, impatient and dismissive.
Coolly, she replied, "I’m going out for drinks and food with Jasmine. You want to come too?"
"I do."
Exhaustion pressed down on her. "You don’t need to."
"We’ll take my car."
Enzo was relentless. He dismissed the taxi and drove her himself.
By the time they arrived, Jasmine had already ordered drinks. The moment she saw Enzo stride in, her lips curled into a scoff.
"Oh, look who it is. President Rainford. Not busy keeping your little girlfriend company? What brings you here with our Hailey?"
Enzo, ever the gentleman when it came to Hailey’s friends, silently pulled out a chair for her.
Jasmine, unimpressed, decided it wasn’t worth the energy to argue any further. The meal, however, was anything but pleasant.
Hailey exchanged a helpless glance with Jasmine, but neither said a word.
Midway through dinner, Jasmine’s sharp gaze caught an incoming call: Allison.
A frail, pitiful sob echoed through the phone.
"Hailey ate the cake… and now she’s passed out. Please, come check on her."
Right on cue.
Hailey didn’t so much as blink. At the mention of the cake, she simply leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her expression indifferent.
