Flash Marriage To The Dangerous Billionaire - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

"Yes, I'm absolutely certain." Regina nodded without the slightest hesitation.
Before Nelson could respond, she stepped forward eagerly to be closer to him, her eyes gleaming with hope.
"It wasn't your fault. My fear and cowardice caused our separation back then. It's natural for your feelings to change, but I promise, from now on, I'll never leave you, no matter what. I'll make up for what I owe."
Her gaze locked onto his, every word dripping with apparent sincerity.
"All right. We'll get married in six months." Nelson nodded, unsure why these words left his mouth, but it was too late to regret.
Though his tone was indifferent, Regina knew his promises were ironclad.
Recalling Nelson's lingering look at Hallie, Regina felt a sense of crisis.
A cruel thought flickered through her, 'His promise is hard-won. I must get rid of that bitch Hallie, by any means.'
"Go rest." Nelson reached out to ruffle Regina's hair, his voice softening.
Regina nodded obediently. "Sure, I'll come to wake you tomorrow morning."
Then she nodded and skipped off like a kitten, but as she turned the corner, her eyes hardened. The sweet demeanor returned as she pranced toward the guest room.
Alone in the room, Nelson's gentle facade vanished. He strode to the wine cabinet, poured a half-glass of his preferred scotch, and took a long sip. His features clouded, veiled by unreadable emotions.
After a rare weekend break, Hallie wearily shut off her alarm and slept until noon.
Stretching languidly, she wandered downstairs. The moment she entered the dining room, an unwelcome voice pierced the air.
"As a member of the Blair family, you actually slept till this hour? Typical of a nouveau riche's daughter—no manners befitting an aristocratic lady at all." The speaker was Regina.
Regina had risen early, wearing exquisite makeup and designer attire. She stared at Hallie arrogantly, her tone and expressions dripping with smugness.
Hallie guessed Nelson must have spent the night with Regina, given their closeness yesterday, and Regina's smugness confirmed it.
"You bark at everyone you see. The outsiders may regard you as the Blair family's watchdog." Hallie regarded Regina from a condescending height, her frigid voice measured and laced with biting irony.
"Don't you dare say that again! Nel will never forgive you if he knows how you insulted me." Regina's glare turned her perfectly painted face ugly with rage.
Hallie crossed her arms, pity creeping into her gaze. "Tell me, if Nelson saw your true colors, would he still dote on you?"
Striking a nerve, Regina stiffened. "If you dare to badmouth me to Nel, I'll make your life a living hell."
Hallie shrugged off her threat. "Save your breath. Even if I told him, he'd think I was lying to smear you.
"But you're too afraid to show him your true self, because you know he'd never love the real you. Do you honestly believe his affection is genuine, or will you keep up the charade forever?"
Hallie's voice cut through the air. She couldn't understand Regina's behavior.
Regina's face flushed as she roared, "What does this have anything to do with you? Nel loves me. Otherwise, he wouldn't have forgiven me so smoothly. Stop trying to sown discord between us!"
Her outburst sounded like a decisive rebuttal, yet Regina seemed to be reassuring herself. In the end, she was almost convinced even of herself.
"I'm telling you," Regina pressed, triumph glinting in her eyes, "Nel promised me last night: once your divorce is final in six months, he'll marry me. Be smart and leave now. Know your place. You never belong to the Blair family."
Her words struck a chord.
Nelson had claimed Regina would stay only one night, but would he refuse if she asked to remain? Hallie doubted it.
She had no interest in playing third wheel. She'd be glad to move to a place near the hospital, which would cut her commute by an hour.
In fact, she'd packed her things the night before, working until midnight before going to bed. That was why she'd slept in. And the weekend would be perfect for moving.
Too annoyed to linger over breakfast in the dining room, Hallie gulped down a glass of hot milk, snatched a bread roll, and marched upstairs to continue packing.
At the sight, Regina's smile widened, convinced she'd won.
"What are you doing?" Nelson had just returned when he saw Hallie hauling boxes downstairs.
Large moving cartons were stacked by the door, a three-foot-tall doll perched on top, grinning vacantly at him.
Hallie dragged her last suitcase down the stairs. Her movements held an odd lightness as though she were off to a vacation.
At the sight of Nelson, she offered a rare smile laced with coolness. As she passed by, she pressed the room and door keys into his palm.
"There you go. All the keys. Don't say I held onto them."
"You're moving?" Nelson's eyes sharpened as he realized what she was doing.
Regina interjected quickly, "Nel, I didn't force Dr. Levine out. I tried to persuade her to stay, but she... I know she's blaming me for stealing you away. Maybe I should leave instead..."
She feigned hurt and made to step outside with her head lowered.
"Stay out of this." Nelson caught Regina's arm, frowning at Hallie. "Hallie, can you stop being so irrational? You're moving out just because you have an issue with Regina?"
"Mr. Blair, why assume I have an issue with Ms. Dyer?" Hallie's newly lifted mood plummeted by his words instantly. "I'm leaving to give you two space."
Nelson's jaw tensed, his gaze darkening with oppression as he stared at Hallie.
He balled his fists. "What about Grandpa? Do you want him to find out we've separated, fly into a rage, and risk worsening his condition?"
Hallie met his stare unflinching, spreading her hands helplessly. "Mr. Blair, our marriage is a farce. It's time to end it. Our grandfathers brought us together in the hope we'd find happiness, but we know it's impossible. There's nothing but revulsion and obligation between us."