Not far away, Tom emerged from his bedroom. “What are you two talking about so late at night?”
Just as Jane was about to explain, Hailey shot her a sly smile before immediately morphing her expression into one of terror.
“Ah—!”
Hailey tumbled down the stairs.
“Hailey!”
Tom put down the glass of milk he was holding and rushed over, scooping Hailey into his arms. “Are you okay?”
Hailey lay weakly in his embrace, speaking softly, “I’m fine. Don’t blame Jane. She didn’t mean to.”
Tom looked up at Jane, his gaze filled with disappointment.
“Jane, no matter how dissatisfied you are with Hailey, you shouldn’t have pushed her down the stairs! Do you know how dangerous that was?”
When he turned back to Hailey, his tone became one of tender concern.
He leaned down and gently picked her up. “Let’s go back to the room. I need to check if you’re hurt.”
Hailey blushed and said coquettishly, “In the future, let’s not be so affectionate in front of Jane. It’s normal for a younger sister to be possessive of her brother. You used to spoil only her, and now I’ve suddenly appeared—it’s hard for her to accept. We need to be more considerate of her feelings and give her time to get used to it.”
“She’ll have to get used to it sooner or later,” Tom said coldly.
He carried Hailey steadily back to their room, and as he did, Hailey turned her head and flashed Jane a victorious “V” sign.
Jane suddenly felt like the world had become unrecognizable.
Hailey’s arrival had shattered her world into pieces.
She couldn’t understand why Tom would fall for someone like Hailey.
Was it, as Hailey claimed, that in the choice between love and lust, men would always choose lust?
Jane didn’t know.
And now, she didn’t want to know.
The next morning, Jane went to the magazine office.
She had been a columnist photographer there for three years and had great relationships with her colleagues.
The editor-in-chief, Jordan Robinson, was surprised to receive her resignation letter. “Is this about your salary? If so, just say the word, and I’ll talk to the director.”
Jane smiled and shook her head. “Thank you, Mr. Robinson, but it’s not about the salary.”
“Then why are you leaving?”
“I have other plans.”
Jordan smiled knowingly. “Oh, I see. You’re planning to marry Tom and become Mrs. Howard, right? It makes sense. He’s been picking you up and dropping you off every day for years, rain or shine. He clearly cherishes you. If you’re marrying him, that’s a good thing—I won’t stand in your way.”
Hearing the first half of his comment, Jane wanted to explain.
Tom was indeed getting married, but the bride wasn’t her.
But by the time Jordan finished, she no longer felt like clarifying.
The entanglement between her, Tom, and Hailey was too complicated to explain in a few words.
All she wanted now was to complete her resignation process quickly and leave this sad place in two weeks.
“Oh, Jane, what date is the wedding? Be sure to send me an invitation so I can toast to your happiness!”
Jane gave an awkward smile.
At that moment, the receptionist, Wendy, excitedly knocked on the door and peeked her head in. “Jane, your boyfriend is here to pick you up again! And he’s brought a surprise this time!”
