When The Cherry Blossoms Fell

That very night, Jeremy tied Hailey up and threw her into the basement.

From outside the metal door, Jeremy’s voice was cold as ice. “Hailey, I told you not to tell Whitney. Why do you never listen?”

Hailey’s body began to shake violently. She gasped for air, her breathing rapid and uneven. Using what little strength she had left, she slammed her hands against the door.

“It wasn’t me. I didn’t ask her out… Let me out… I’ll die in here…”

Her strength faded with every word, but the man outside showed no reaction at all.

“Hailey, if you make a mistake, you deserve punishment. You shall stay in there tonight and reflect on it.”

With that, the last trace of light disappeared, and the basement was plunged into complete darkness. Hailey curled up in the corner, hugging herself tightly as she struggled to breathe. He knew she was claustrophobic, yet he chose the one method she feared most to punish her.

Before she lost consciousness, a blurred memory flashed through her mind. That year, she had been washing dishes alone in the back kitchen of a restaurant. After closing, the chef locked the doors, leaving her trapped inside. In despair, she called Jeremy for help. He made a ten-kilometer drive in just ten minutes and rescued her.

Later, she found out that in his rush to save her, he had run through more than a dozen red lights. She cried and scolded him for being stupid. What if he had gotten into an accident?

However, Jeremy had held her tightly and said, “Your life matters more than mine. Without you, what’s the point of me living?”

He had once loved her so passionately and sincerely. Yet now, for Whitney, he no longer cared whether she lived or died.

A tear slid down from the corner of her eye. Then, everything went black.

…

The next morning, she was dragged out of the basement. Sunlight hit her face, blindingly white.

Jeremy sat neatly dressed in a tailored suit in the courtyard, watching her miserable state with calm indifference.

“How did it feel, being locked up? If you cause trouble for Whitney again, it won’t be just one night next time.”

Hailey’s heart was in her throat. He knew her too well. He always knew exactly where to strike to hurt the most.

She looked up at him, a chill creeping up her spine. Her eyes were bloodshot as she struggled to stand.

Suddenly, she laughed and replied, “From now on, it’ll never happen again.”

Without sparing her another glance, Jeremy turned and left in a hurry.

Hailey dragged her heavy steps toward the hospital. She didn’t want her Aunt Iris to see her in such a sorry state. However, she had barely walked past the gate when her vision went dark. Several burly men then seized her and forced her into a car.

…

When she woke again, she found herself tied up in an abandoned factory, alongside Whitney. Two men stood behind them, knives pressed tightly against their necks.

Before long, Jeremy rushed in. The moment he saw the scene, panic filled his eyes.

“Who are you? Let them go! If you want something, come at me!”

“You sure are impressive, Mr. Fisher.” A thin man stepped out of the shadows, his voice cold as he asked, “Do you remember an old acquaintance like me?”

When Jeremy saw the man’s face, his expression changed instantly.

He yelled, “West Will, have you lost your mind? What happened back then had nothing to do with me. You were ill. That’s why headquarters gave the promotion to me.”

“Is that so? Everyone knows you’d stop at nothing to climb higher. I took you as my closest friend, yet you sold me out. Now your company is about to go public, while I have nothing,” West Will responded.

A smile stretched across West’s pale face, his gaze sweeping between Whitney and Hailey.

“Since you forced the company to choose between you and me back then, why don’t I let you choose once more, Jeremy? Choose between these two women, and the other one will be mine to deal with.”

By then, Whitney had broken down in tears. “Jeremy, save me! Please, you have to save me!”

Hailey held her breath, her heart pounding violently in her chest.

In utter panic, Jeremy said, “Let them go. You just want money, don’t you? Name your price. I’ll give you anything.”

West’s eyes suddenly turned vicious. “If you won’t choose, I won’t let either of them go.”

With a raise of his hand, the men beside him stabbed Whitney and Hailey both at the same time, blood splattering across the ground.

Whitney’s screams tore through the air, while Hailey clenched her fists tightly, her face deathly pale. Cold sweat rolled down her temples as her body trembled from the searing pain.

Jeremy could no longer stay calm. His eyes turned a terrifying shade of red as he roared, “Stop! I’ll choose!”

West’s lips curled into a knowing smile. He sneered, “So, Mr. Fisher, who will it be? The wife who’s stayed by your side for years, or the Addams family heiress who can help you reach the top of the world? I’m very curious.”