Chapter 76: Kneeling in the Rain

Rachel was Hailey’s “adviser,” and her main tactic was simple—persistence.

She understood men well and knew that most, even the strongest-willed, would eventually cave if a beautiful woman humbled herself before them enough times.

Feigning surprise, Rachel walked back toward the villa and called out to Jordan. “Jordan, look! Hailey is still kneeling outside, begging for your forgiveness. If you don’t accept her apology, she won’t get up.”

She let out a dramatic sigh. “I just checked the weather forecast—it’s going to rain heavily soon. What if she refuses to move even then? She’ll fall sick, and you’ve always taken care of her. Do you really want her to suffer?”

Rachel knew Jordan better than Hailey did in some ways. He wasn’t heartless. Seeing Hailey sick would undoubtedly affect him.

But Jordan was a man of principle. If he forgave her so easily, it would make her betrayal seem insignificant.

He glanced up at the sky. When he had returned home earlier, the stars had been bright. There had been no sign of rain.

“If she wants to kneel, let her kneel,” he said coldly.

Then, without another glance, he climbed the stairs to his bedroom, shutting the door behind him.

Rachel smirked as she turned back to Hailey. “You go, girl,” she whispered encouragingly before stepping inside.

---

About ten minutes later, thunder rumbled across the sky.

Jordan walked to his window, gazing out at the courtyard below. The starry sky had vanished, replaced by thick, dark clouds.

Raindrops pattered down, slowly at first, then steadily increasing in intensity.

Jordan frowned. “This weather is strange.”

The morning forecast hadn’t predicted rain at all.

He smirked bitterly. Maybe even the heavens are punishing her for what she did.

Below, Hailey sat frozen in the storm, the rain soaking her long, perfectly styled hair until it clung to her scalp. Her expensive dress, one she had so carefully chosen to impress Jordan, was now drenched, clinging to her shivering frame.

From the third floor, Jordan watched.

She was a mess. But even in her disheveled state, she was undeniably beautiful.

Jordan clenched his fists. This woman… even in misery, she’s stunning.

For years, he had adored her. For years, he had craved her love.

But now?

Now, he saw her for what she was—a woman who only wanted him because of his status.

Jordan muttered under his breath, “You reap what you sow.”

The rain intensified, wind howling through the courtyard. Hailey trembled, but she did not move.

Jordan turned away from the window, trying to rid himself of the nagging pull in his chest.

Yet, an hour passed, and when he returned to check, she was still there.

His jaw tightened. She’s stubborn.

Another ten minutes went by. He watched as her body began to sway, exhaustion evident.

Then, with a soft thud, she collapsed sideways onto the ground.

Jordan’s instincts kicked in before he could stop himself.

He dashed out of the room, down the stairs, and through the front door.

“Hailey!”

Kneeling beside her, he patted her cheek. “Hailey, wake up!”

She was unresponsive. Her skin was ice-cold.

Jordan had been on battlefields before. He could tell the difference between someone faking unconsciousness and someone truly weakened.

She had really fainted.

Without hesitation, he scooped her into his arms and carried her inside, laying her on the plush living room couch.

A maid emerged from the servants’ quarters, startled. “Mr. Jordan?”

Jordan took the towel she offered and gently dabbed Hailey’s face, wiping away the rainwater.

“Call an ambulance,” he ordered.

“Yes, Mr. Jordan.”

Minutes later, sirens wailed in the distance. Paramedics rushed in and carried Hailey to the waiting ambulance.

Before they left, Jordan turned to one of the female paramedics. “When she wakes up, don’t tell her I carried her inside. Just say you found her in the courtyard.”

The paramedic hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the request. Seeing Hailey in such a pitiful state, she couldn’t help but feel sympathy.

“Do rich people really have the right to treat others like this?” she muttered under her breath. “She knelt in the rain for two hours, and he couldn’t even acknowledge her?”

Jordan ignored her disapproval.

As the ambulance sped off, he turned back toward the villa, his expression unreadable.

---

Half an hour later, at Florida Hospital, Hailey lay in a private room, an IV drip in her arm.

She had woken up minutes ago, finding her parents and Rachel surrounding her bedside.

Sylvie gripped her hand. “Hailey, how did it go? Did Jordan take you back?”

Hailey’s lower lip quivered. “No,” she whispered. “I knelt for two hours, but he still refused to forgive me.”

Rachel, always quick to assess situations, turned to the nurse. “Where exactly was she when you picked her up? Inside or outside the villa?”

The nurse hesitated.

She thought about Jordan’s request.

Then, she decided she didn’t care.

“Outside,” she said bluntly. “We found her collapsed in the courtyard.”

Hailey’s eyes widened.

He really didn’t care.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned away, her heart shattering all over again.