Chapter 75: Broken Apologies

Jordan looked at Hailey, kneeling before him, and felt a surge of emotion.

She was the woman he had loved for three years.

She was also the woman who had hurt him the most.

Not long ago, Hailey had arrogantly claimed she would never apologize to him in her lifetime, that she would make him kneel and beg for her forgiveness.

But now, the tables had turned.

Jordan let out a cold laugh. “Hailey Camden, I’ve waited a long time to hear those words from you! Weren’t you the one who said you’d never apologize?”

He had won.

Tears streamed down Hailey’s face as she clutched the hem of his trousers. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Hubby. It’s all my fault. Please, will you forgive me?”

She sobbed miserably, her once-perfect image shattered. Once hailed as Orlando’s most beautiful woman, she was now groveling before the man she had thrown away.

Jordan remained unmoved. “You wronged me, and now you expect me to forgive you just because you said sorry?”

Hailey wiped her tears and shook her head desperately. “Hubby, you’ve misunderstood me. I never actually betrayed you.”

Jordan clenched his jaw. “I saw it with my own eyes, and you still want to deny it?”

“No! Listen to me!” Hailey cried. “I was tricked by Tyler. He lured me to the hotel, but we never did anything! You arrived before anything could happen. After you left, I felt so guilty that I went straight home and cooked for you.”

Jordan scoffed. “Cooked for me? You ordered takeout.”

Hailey nodded frantically. “Yes! Because I was scared I wouldn’t cook well enough, and I wanted to make sure you ate something you liked. You can check the surveillance footage at our house—I went straight home after the hotel.”

Jordan wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth, and honestly, he didn’t care anymore.

“Even if that’s true, you still had the intention of betraying me.”

Hailey wept harder. “I only did it for my family! My father and uncle were fighting over the inheritance, and without a brother, everything was going to go to Drew. I needed to win my grandmother’s favor… I had no choice.”

Jordan knew all about the Camdens’ power struggles, but it didn’t justify what she had done.

He sighed. “Even if I believe that you were pressured, don’t you find it ridiculous to claim you love me? If you did, would you have refused to consummate our marriage for three years?”

Hailey’s lips quivered. “That was my mother’s demand! I wanted to be with you, but she wouldn’t allow it.”

She reached for him again, her voice trembling. “I’m still a virgin, Jordan. We can finally be together. Tonight.”

Jordan recoiled, pushing her away. “Don’t touch me!”

He stared at her in disgust. “You know very well that if I were still the deliveryman you looked down on, you wouldn’t be kneeling here right now. You’re only doing this because I’m wealthy.”

“I don’t love money, I love you!” Hailey insisted.

Jordan scoffed. No matter how much she pleaded, his heart remained cold.

Desperation took over Hailey’s face. She lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him, trying to force a kiss.

Jordan dodged. “Let go of me.”

She held on tighter. “I refuse!”

Jordan gritted his teeth. He couldn’t bring himself to use force against her, but he had to make her stop.

“You bought that villa in Phuket for me, didn’t you?” she whispered. “You know it’s my favorite place. Let’s go there together. Just a few days… we can drink champagne and watch the sea.”

She caressed the luxurious bedding beneath her. “I love this villa too. Let me move in.”

She looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes. “I want to give you children. Can we do that?”

Jordan had longed for her love for years. But now, he could see the truth—this wasn’t love. It was desperation.

Without hesitation, he pushed her onto the bed.

The mattress was soft; she wasn’t hurt. But she was stunned.

Jordan towered over her. “If you had apologized before I revealed my identity, maybe we would’ve had a chance.”

He took a step back. “But now? Knowing who I am? Your apology disgusts me.”

With that, he turned and strode out of the bedroom before she could latch onto him again.

---

On the first floor, Rachel still pretended to be on the phone. She glanced up as Jordan descended the stairs.

“Rachel,” he said coldly. “Take Hailey with you. I’m going to bed.”

Seeing his fury, Rachel quickly ended her fake call. “Okay, I’ll go get her.”

When she reached the third floor, she found Hailey curled up under Jordan’s duvet, sobbing uncontrollably.

Rachel sighed, offering her a tissue. “What are you doing? You’re a mess. How do you expect Jordan to take you back if you look like this?”

Hailey clutched her friend tightly, crying into her shoulder. “What do I do? He won’t forgive me. I got on my knees and begged, Rachel. I’ve never done that before!”

Rachel stroked Hailey’s hair. “Calm down. This was only your first attempt. You think a single apology will fix everything? Keep trying. Eventually, he’ll give in.”

Hailey wiped her tears. “Then what do I do now?”

A sudden clap of thunder echoed outside.

Rachel’s lips curled into a smirk. “Go to the courtyard and kneel in the rain. Tell him you won’t get up until he forgives you.”

Hailey’s eyes widened. “Yes! That’s perfect!”

She was willing to do anything to reclaim her place as Mrs. Steele.

---

Minutes later, Rachel led Hailey downstairs, putting on an air of dignity. “Mr. Steele, I apologize for disturbing you tonight. We’ll take our leave now.”

Jordan barely glanced at them. “I’ll have the chauffeur take you home.”

As the chauffeur moved to escort them out, Hailey suddenly turned and dropped to her knees in the courtyard.

Rain began to drizzle.

Jordan narrowed his eyes as she shouted, “Jordan, I won’t get up until you forgive me!”