What did Hailey just say?


    Ewan''s expression darkened. "Hailey!"


    Hailey let out a sharp, mockingugh. "Ewan, are you actually upset? What right do you have to be? It''s perfectly fine for you to be with Melody-but if you keep pestering me like this, don''t me me for putting you in your ce."


    They had broken up. They should have moved on and gone their separate ways. Yet, Ewan kepting back, refusing to let her go.


    And now, with fresh hickeys still visible on his neck, he had the audacity to grab her wrist. The contact sent a wave of revulsion through Hailey, making her skin crawl.


    She yanked at her arm. "Ewan, let go of me."


    "You-" Ewan started, but before he could finish, Melody stormed out of the car, her face twisted with anger.


    "Hailey, what the hell do you think you''re doing? Ewan is my boyfriend now! And here you are, throwing yourself at him like some desperate ex. Have you no shame?"


    Hailey stared at Melody in disbelief. "Melody, if your eyesight is that bad, I''d rmend getting it checked. Take a good look-who''s grabbing who here?"


    She lifted her arm slightly, making it clear that Ewan was the one holding onto her.


    Melody''s face stiffened as the situation sank in. The realization hit her hard- Ewan had been distant with her in the car, yet here he was, wrapped up with Hailey.


    Hailey looked directly at Ewan and said, "Ewan, your girlfriend is here. Let go of me now. You wouldn''t want her to get the wrong impression, would you?"


    But Ewan didn''t even nce at Melody. His focus remained solely on Hailey. "Hailey, are you still with Den?"


    She met his gaze without hesitation. "That''s right. Den is my boyfriend now."


    Boyfriend?


    That single word was like a de to Ewan''s chest.


    A mocking smirk tugged at his lips. "Come on, Hailey. With Den''s background, what could you possibly see in him?"


    Hailey''s once bright, expressive eyes turned cold. "Ewan, don''t look down on people because of your own prejudices. What''s wrong with Den? I''ve never once been ashamed of his background. More importantly, he''s talented, hardworking, and capable-and I like him."


    She liked Den-this much was true.


    Ewan''s anger red like an uncontroble fire. "Capable? Do you even know what he''s up to now?"


    "Ewan, what exactly are you trying to prove this time? You already dragged me to Den''s


    construction site, thinking I''d change my mind. But all you did was make me respect him even more. He works tirelessly, earns an honest living, and never takes shortcuts. That''s what makes him truly admirable."


    Ewan clenched his jaw, his retort dying on his tongue.


    Just then, Melody stepped forward and clung to his arm. "Ewan, it''s obvious Hailey has moved on. You two broke up a long time ago why are you still clinging to her?"


    Without hesitation, Ewan shook her off, forcefully shoving her aside.


    "Get lost!" he snapped.


    Caught off guard, Melody stumbled backward. Her high heel twisted beneath her, and she crashed to the ground in an ungraceful heap.


    "Ahh!" she shrieked. "Ewan! I''m hurt!"


    But Ewan didn''t even nce at her. His piercing gaze remained locked on Hailey.


    "So, Den doesn''t steal or cheat, huh? Do you really think he''s some noble, hardworking man? Wake up, Hailey-you''ve idealized him. The man you think you know is nothing but an illusion."


    "Let go of me! I won''t stand here and let you insult him!" Hailey snapped, forcefully yanking her arm free.


    She had no interest in arguing with Ewan any further. Without hesitation, she turned and strode away.


    But Ewan wasn''t about to let her leave. In one swift motion, he grabbed her arm again, his grip unrelenting. "You''reing with me, Hailey."


    Before she could react, he was already dragging her toward his sports car.


    Hailey''s brows furrowed in frustration. "Ewan, what the hell is wrong with you? Why do you keep harassing me? Let me go!"


    "Shut up," Ewan growled, yanking open the passenger door before shoving her inside.


    Hailey immediately tried to scramble out, but Ewan mmed a hand against the roof, trapping her in ce.


    "I''m taking you to see Den. Don''t you want to see him?"


    Hailey''s breath caught in her throat.