Chapter 6

Chloe Evans POV

"What era are we living in? People still gift hand-stitched ties?" someone couldn't hold back a snicker.

"With that kind of synthetic fabric, Mr. Hayes might break out in hives if he ties it around his neck, don't you think?"

"Who even is this woman? How did someone dressed so shabbily sneak in?"

Rachel's face drained of color, and she took a half-step back.

Zachary's expression darkened instantly.

"I love this gift very much," he said. His voice wasn't loud, yet the room immediately fell quiet. "Things money can buy aren't rare. What truly matters is the thought put into it."

The moment the words left his mouth, he reached out, grabbed the box containing my bottle of whiskey, and, without even blinking, tossed the entire box into the trash can beside him.

The dull thud of the box hitting the bottom was painfully jarring in the quiet hall.

After two seconds of dead silence, the mood of the room shifted in an instant.

"Mr. Hayes is so right! Handcrafted gifts carry genuine warmth!"

"This tie is so unique, ten thousand times better than those mass-produced goods!"

"Ms. Vance is truly thoughtful!"

I stood rooted to the spot, my blood running cold all at once.

I had scoured auction house after auction house, comparing over twenty bottles before finally gritting my teeth to buy that whiskey.

And now, it was lying among trash, solely to elevate someone else.

To be honest, this wasn't the first time.

He could turn down multimillion-dollar contracts for Rachel, yet he couldn't remember what day my birthday was;

he could stay awake by Rachel's side all night while she had a fever,

yet he wouldn't even place a phone call when my fever raged at thirty-nine degrees.

If Rachel said she craved a dessert, he would fly halfway across the globe to buy it.

When I asked to have a simple meal with him, he always claimed he had no time.

Every single time, he chose Rachel Vance—just like how he had thrown away my gift today without the slightest hesitation.

I raised a hand to press against my chest.

Where my heart had once pounded wildly for him, it was now as still as stagnant water, unable to muster even a ripple.

It turned out that loving someone could truly be drained away, piece by piece.

All the fluttering beats and hopes had been worn away entirely by his endless stream of choices.

For the rest of the night, the room's entire spotlight remained on Rachel.

The very people who had mocked her for being cheap were now crowding around her, showering her with flattery.

Standing in the corner, I tugged my lips into a faint smirk.

This was the high-society circle: a single glance from Zachary Hayes could dictate everyone's adoration.

Once we divorced, Zachary would certainly bring Rachel into the Hayes family anyway; parading her tonight was nothing more than an early announcement.

The banquet ended, and the guests left one by one.

I stood by the entrance seeing them off, wearing a flawless, impeccable smile.

As though I were still that irreproachable Mrs. Hayes.

When the last guest departed, I had just exhaled a breath of relief.

I turned around, only to see Zachary and Rachel standing by the entrance.

Heavy rain had started pouring outside, and chilling gusts carrying the damp stench of rain rushed into the foyer.

Rachel shrank back, letting out a loud sneeze.

Zachary frowned, quickly shedding his suit jacket and draping it over her shoulders.

"Cold, aren't you?"

Rachel shivered visibly.

Zachary's gaze landed on me.

I was wearing a dark gray woolen coat, finely woven, shimmering softly under the chandeliers.

"Take off your coat and give it to Rachel." His tone brooked no argument.

My fingers clenched tightly, and my face went a shade paler.

"This belonged to my grandmother."

"Enough," Zachary cut me off. "Rachel's just going to wear it for a bit. Do you really have to be so stingy?"