chapter 4

The next morning, it snowed.

I didn't sleep all night. I stepped out to get some air and found the outdoor corridor of the hotel wrapped in perfect winter scenery.

I was still in pajamas when I pushed the door open, thinking I'd just take a look. Before I could take a full step out, someone draped a heavy coat over my shoulders.

It was Samuel.

"I'm sorry, baby. I should've been here sooner," he said, his voice low and shaky from running.

"It was my fault. I shouldn't have left you to come here alone just because of some project."

He looked me over, his expression tightening. "But you didn't have to punish yourself like this. Seeing you like this… it hurts."

Then he slipped off his own coat, stepped forward, and stood in the snow.

"If you're upset, let me take the punishment. I'll stay here until you tell me to get in."

It only took a minute for him to start trembling violently. His lips turned dark from the cold.

But he still looked up at me and said, "I'll get in when your anger's gone. Not before."

I looked at his pitiful face and sighed.

"I'm not angry," I finally said. "The snow just looked beautiful, and I wanted to see it."

Relief washed over him. Then he moved forward and led me back into the hotel.

"We can still make it to the hot spring," he said, sounding excited again.

"But… I might need to travel to Brynn in a few days. There's a big project I have to take care of."

He touched his nose without thinking, and I knew.

He was lying.

I took a small envelope from my pocket and handed it to him.

"It's a charm for prosperity. I asked for it for you. I hope everything in your career goes smoothly. Just don't open it until next month, or it won't work."

I hugged him, a final bow to our love.

"You should go," I said softly. "Work matters."

Samuel brightened instantly. "I'll call my assistant."

He turned away, but I could see he was clearly messaging Macy.

I stayed calm.

Whatever he did no longer had anything to do with me.

After I returned home, I sold everything he had ever given me for cheap. What couldn't be sold, I gave away. What couldn't be given away, I burned.

After that, I got a new identity and left this city I knew by heart.

Meanwhile, to make Macy's wish come true, Samuel was holding a wedding with her.

He did go to Brynn, but not for business. He took a vacation.

To avoid being disturbed, he used a newly registered foreign number.

Because of that, he missed every message meant to warn him.

Macy gazed at him shyly during the ceremony, but he felt nothing—no warmth, no spark.

Out of nowhere, Hayley crossed his mind.

He remembered their wedding day. She had looked at him the same way once.

When the pastor asked him to repeat his vows, something in him snapped awake.

How could he marry another woman behind Hayley's back? How could he tell Hayley he was on a business trip while standing here about to promise his life to someone else?

He threw everything aside and strode out, desperate to see Hayley.

It had only been a week, but the longing felt unbearable.

After flying overnight and staying awake for nearly twenty-four hours straight, he finally reached home, ready to surprise her. But the surprise was his. She was gone.

He searched the villa inside and out, but there was no sign of Hayley.

Panic hit him hard, deeper than anything he had ever felt. His hands shook as he finally opened the envelope she left behind.

Inside, instead of the prosperity charm, he found divorce papers.