Chapter 8 Lennox sat hunched on the police station bench , wrapped in a jacket some female cop had given her , still shaking like a leaf . Across the room , the scumbags squatted in the corner getting their asses chewed out by officers . When Hayes burst through the doors , he immediately clocked her condition : Blood still seeping from her scraped palms , right ankle swollen like a balloon , dirt and grass stains all over her dress . He frowned and rushed over , crouching down . " Len , what the hell happened ? What kind of trouble did you get into now ? " When the station called , he'd barely listened to the details before racing over . Lennox looked up at him with dead eyes . If she hadn't grabbed her phone during the struggle , if that patrol car hadn't happened to drive by , she'd probably be roadkill by now . And his first instinct was to assume she'd caused trouble . She forced out a smile , tears streaming down her face . Something twisted in Hayes ' chest at that look . He was about to say something when an officer walked over , signaling they were free to go . Lennox didn't hesitate for a second - she stood up and headed for the exit . Hayes could only nod at the cop and hurry after her . He reached out to steady her wrist , then saw the raw scrape there , dried blood stark against pale skin . His breath caught . " Jesus , what happened to you ? " Lennox stayed silent , just kept walking . Hayes felt irritation bubbling up . He couldn't read whatever mood she was in , but this ice - cold treatment was getting under his skin . " Whatever . Let me just get you home . " His voice carried an edge of frustration . The entire ride back , Lennox didn't say a word . Hayes thought she was being way too quiet . Usually when she got in trouble , she'd be all over him to clean up her mess . Today she looked like someone had sucked the soul right out of her . The car felt suffocating . By the time they reached her building , they still hadn't exchanged a single word . " Len . " Hayes called after her .. Lennox glanced back once , then disappeared inside . Minutes later , she came out carrying an armload of stuff . All the gifts he'd given her over the years . Right in front of him , she dumped everything into the dumpster and flicked on a lighter . Flames licked at the wrapping paper with sharp crackling sounds . Hayes blinked , then stepped forward . " What are you doing ? " 15:17 A Billion - Dollar Goodbye : Too Late for Second Chances . Mr. Ex 5.6 % Chapter 8 " Where were you yesterday when you didn't show at the cemetery ? " Lennox stared him down , not missing a single micro - expression . Hayes ' eyes flickered . He sighed . " Work emergency came up last minute . " " You're pissed about that ? " Lennox went pale , the last spark in her eyes dying completely . She didn't look at him again , just watched the fire devour everything she'd once treasured until it all turned to ash . " Feel better now ? " Hayes studied her face , testing the waters . His phone rang before she could answer . After a brief conversation , his expression shifted to obvious impatience . He hung up and turned back to Lennox : " I'll have someone send over replacements for all this stuff . " " Don't bother . " Lennox finally spoke , her voice raw . " I don't need any of it . " Something clenched in Hayes ' chest , but he figured she was still throwing a tantrum . He rubbed his temples . " Fine . Once we're married , I'll get you whatever you want . " He glanced at his phone , already shifting toward the door : " I've got to bounce . You know how it is - bride and groom aren't supposed to see each other before the wedding . I won't be around until then . " " Len , " he looked back with barely concealed impatience , " you need to get over this attitude . I can't keep bailing you out every single time . " With that , he turned and walked away without looking back . Lennox stood there watching his retreating figure , a bitter smile pulling at her lips . " Goodbye , Hayes . " Her voice was barely a whisper , dissolving into the air the moment it left her mouth . Hayes seemed to pause at the exit- t - or maybe she imagined it . Either way , he kept walking . Lennox pulled out her phone . Her father's message sat on the screen : " Ten million transferred . Leave before the wedding . " IN She packed her things , left the apartment keys with Suri to handle , picked up her documents from immigration , then headed straight to the airport . FIL At the terminal trash can , she snapped her SIM card in half and tossed it in , then walked toward her gate without looking back . The plane taxied , lifted off , climbed through the clouds . Outside her window , the city shrank to a dot before disappearing completely . Distance and time between them now . No more ties binding them together . ( 0 ) 15:17 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!