The night after the charity gala, Hazel sat quietly in the large living room of Ryan Smith's mansion in the human world.
The house was peaceful, almost too peaceful.
Through the tall windows, the city lights shimmered in the distance. Everything around her was luxurious, elegant… yet Hazel's thoughts were restless.
The memory of seeing Kyle again at the gala kept replaying in her mind.
For a long time, she had believed she was finally free from that chapter of her life.
Yet seeing him again stirred emotions she didn't expect.
Not love.
Not longing.
Just… confusion.
Hazel exhaled slowly and leaned back against the sofa.
Just then, the door burst open.
Bella walked in first, followed by Sera and Klara.
The three women were laughing about something.
Bella stopped when she saw Hazel.
"Oh, you're still awake."
Hazel smiled faintly.
"I couldn't sleep."
Sera dropped onto the couch beside her.
"That gala was exhausting. Too many fake smiles."
Klara chuckled.
"And too many people staring at Ryan."
Bella smirked.
"Please. They weren't just staring at Ryan."
Her eyes shifted toward Hazel.
"They were staring at you too."
Hazel blinked.
"Me?"
"Of course," Bella said. "You looked stunning tonight."
Hazel lowered her gaze slightly, feeling embarrassed.
"I'm not used to things like that."
Sera leaned back lazily.
"Well, get used to it. If you stay around Ryan, attention comes automatically."
Hazel hesitated slightly.
"Why did Ryan help me?"
The question slipped out before she could stop herself.
The room suddenly became quiet.
Bella, Sera, and Klara exchanged quick glances.
Hazel noticed immediately.
Her heart skipped.
"What?" she asked softly.
Bella scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
"Uh…"
Sera muttered quietly.
"She doesn't know?"
Klara sighed.
"Oh no."
Hazel's chest tightened.
"Know what?"
Bella looked at her carefully.
"You really don't know?"
Hazel shook her head slowly.
"Know what?"
Bella hesitated for a moment.
Then she spoke.
"Kyle traded you."
Hazel blinked.
"…What?"
Sera crossed her arms.
"For a business contract with Ryan."
The words hit Hazel like a physical blow.
She stared at them, unable to process what she had just heard.
"i know that but it wasn't the way ,That's… not possible."
Bella's expression softened slightly.
"He went to Ryan begging for a contract. Ryan agreed… but Kyle offered you in exchange."
Hazel's breathing became uneven.
Her hands slowly tightened.
"No… Kyle wouldn't…"
But even as she said it, memories flashed in her mind.
The sudden way Kyle had sent her away.
The strange silence after.
The way Ryan had simply taken her in without explanation, making me hate him .
Everything suddenly began to make sense.
Her voice trembled.
"So… I was… traded?"
No one answered immediately.
That silence was enough.
Hazel felt her chest tighten painfully.
Her eyes began to sting.
All those years she had stayed beside Kyle.
Endured his mother's insults.
Ignored the humiliation.
Tried to be a good fiancée.
And in the end…
He had simply handed her to another man.
Like she meant nothing.
A single tear rolled down her cheek.
Bella looked guilty.
"I'm sorry… we thought you already knew."
Hazel quickly wiped her tears and stood up.
"i knew but I blamed Ryan for asking for me instead,I… need some air."
She walked toward the balcony before anyone could stop her.
Outside, the night wind brushed gently against her face.
But it didn't calm the storm inside her.
Behind her, the balcony door opened quietly.
Ryan stepped out.
He had clearly heard everything.
Hazel didn't turn around.
Her voice was soft but trembling.
"Is it true?"
Ryan didn't lie.
"Yes."
Hazel's shoulders shook slightly.
"So I was just… a deal?"
Ryan watched her quietly for a moment.
Then he said calmly,
"You were never just a deal."
Hazel finally turned to face him.
Her eyes were red.
"But he traded me."
Ryan's gaze darkened slightly.
"Yes."
The single word shattered the last bit of doubt in her heart.
Hazel looked down, tears falling silently.
Ryan stepped closer but stopped a short distance away.
His voice remained calm, but firm.
"Now you finally see what kind of man he is."
Hazel didn't respond.
She simply stood there, silently crying under the night sky.
And for the first time since coming to Ryan's world…
Her heart finally broke completely away from Kyle.