The house corridor was too bright, too white, too quiet. Xiamen stood with her back against the wall, fingers trembling as she tried to steady her breath. Haoyu was playing in the room with a toy car a maid had given him, completely unaware of the storm behind his mother's eyes.
Hong Yi stepped forward.
"Xiamen, what you said just now… is that really true?"
She lifted her chin, forcing her voice to remain cold, distant.
"Yes. Haoyu's father left me. I told everyone he went abroad for work, but the truth…" Her throat tightened, but she refused to let it show. "He left me for another woman. Even before Haoyu was born."
Hong Yi's eyes darkened with shock and anger on her behalf.
"I didn't want anyone to know this. It doesn't matter anymore."i don't want people talking about me a woman abandom twice...
She swallowed, blinking back the tears that threatened to spill.
"I just want to leave here, Hong Yi. So please—please don't interfere in this matter anymore."
He stared at her, clearly stunned. It was not the truth he expected, and yet he could feel the layers of hurt she was trying to bury.
Xiamen avoided his gaze, clutching her bag tightly.
"How many more days do I have to stay to sign the papers?" she asked quietly. "If possible… please arrange it quickly."
For a moment, Hong Yi said nothing. His jaw tightened. His hands curled into fists.
"Xiamen," he finally said, his voice lower, unsteady, "you think I'm interfering… but I'm just trying to help you."
You knows your father want to trying to find out about haoyu.. i just want to help ..
Hong Yi now considered himself to be the one responsible for Xiamen's situation, and no one else.
He was cursing himself, I wish I had not left you, then you would not have had to suffer so much.
He is more hurt than Xiamen ....
"I don't need help," she said, each word sharp but fragile.
"I need freedom."
Hong Yi took a step closer, but she stepped back immediately, creating a distance that cut him deeper than any words.
"Fine," he said after a long breath. "Three more days. The company papers and the other documents will be ready by then."
She nodded, relieved yet painfully hollow.
"Thank you."
She turned to walk away, but Hong Yi's voice stopped her one last time.
"Xiamen… lies always protect you only for a moment. But they break you for a lifetime."
Her shoulders stiffened.
She didn't answer.
Didn't look back.
She just walked away—because facing him hurt more than facing the truth she had lived through.
Meanwhile, the hidden love in Hong Yi's heart had emerged, but he could not do anything even if he wanted to, now he only wanted to protect haoyu .
Now he wanted to give every happiness to the Xiamen, he loved her a lot but he did not know how much she loved him.
He misundustood about thier relationship without asking.