Hailey’s POV I swear, I wasn’t even expecting that. When he said it, I thought I misheard him at first. "I want you to be my personal assistant," Paxton said, his voice cool, almost casual, as if it was the simplest request in the world. But when I turned to look at Audrey, the shock on her face was unmistakable. The look of pure disappointment and embarrassment that spread across her features made me feel sick to my stomach. She looked... disgusted. Disgusted that he’d choose me over her. And it wasn’t just the shock of being chosen; it was the unspoken message that whatever she thought she had with him, it meant nothing. I couldn’t look at her face any longer without feeling like I might vomit right there in front of them.But the worst part of all of this, the part that made my chest tighten and my throat close, was the fact that I couldn't say yes. Not because I didn’t want to. God knows I still loved him. The attraction was undeniable, a force that tugged at my heart every time
Hailey’s POV I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It felt like my life was spiraling into chaos, a never-ending drama I couldn't escape. One minute, I was absorbing the shock of the century, and the next, I heard the unexpected news: Boston was coming to the hospital. What was happening? Why was everything so unpredictable? I had no time to process it. And then I saw him again, but this time, he was standing next to Audrey, proposing to my boss.As if that wasn’t enough, the next thing I saw was Boston wearing a wedding ring around his neck. It seemed like some kind of remembrance, a keepsake. My heart pounded in my chest, struggling to keep up with the madness around me. What did it all mean? Why was he doing this? I could feel the panic creeping in, making my breathing shallow.But then, everything seemed to take a horrifying turn when I saw my daughter in the hospital. The world around me slowed down, like I was submerged in thick fog. I couldn't comprehend what was happening. An
**Hailey’s POV**I couldn’t help but feel a knot tighten in my stomach as I watched my friend, Jenny, drink from my wine glass. Her boldness, her determination to make me see things differently, was something I’d always admired—and yet, tonight, it felt as though she were digging into wounds I wasn’t ready to open.“Sweetie,” Jenny said, her voice soft but laced with concern. “Why are you trying to punish yourself like this? You don’t have to keep drowning your sorrows in that glass.”I looked at her, my mind foggy from the wine and from everything that had happened earlier. My heart felt like it was in a constant state of turmoil, and Jenny’s voice felt like the only thread connecting me to the present. But the truth was, I didn’t know what I was doing anymore."I can't forget him, Jenny," I murmured, almost in disbelief. The words tasted bitter, but they were real. “I can’t forget Paxton. Every time I close my eyes, I see him, I hear his name, and my heart starts beating faster.” I
**Hailey’s POV** After Audrey’s call, I felt a heavy weight pressing on my chest. The thought of stepping foot in the hospital filled me with dread, but I had no choice. I needed my belongings. I prayed silently, hoping I wouldn’t run into Paxton. The last thing I needed was another confrontation or, worse, awkward small talk. When I arrived at the hospital, I slipped through the back door and entered the kitchen. The staff were busy, thankfully too occupied to notice me. My heart pounded as I stuffed my belongings into a small bag, my hands trembling. I needed to get out of here fast. As I exited through the back door, I decided to take the corridor by the Vipers’ basketball court. It seemed quieter, safer. But just as I was about to leave, my gaze unintentionally landed on the court. There he was—Paxton. He was playing basketball, his movements fluid and confident. His jersey clung to his body, damp with sweat, and his sharp features were illuminated by the overhead lights
**Audrey’s POV** When I saw Hailey in the hospital today, my heart filled with a mix of satisfaction and regret. I had been the one to insist she come to collect her things. If I had known Paxton would be here today for his training, I would never have done it. Paxton was preparing for a major competition, and while I always imagined he played with me in mind, today it was different. His focus wasn’t on me. It was on her. The way his eyes lit up when she entered, how his movements on the field became sharper, more precise—it was as if her presence inspired him. My chest tightened, a bitter jealousy clawing at me. Who was she to him? A nobody. A poor, insignificant girl who had no right to steal his attention from me. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I wouldn’t let her win. When she was about to leave, I cornered her. My voice was icy, laced with a venom I didn’t bother to conceal. “Don’t you dare step foot in this hospital again. You’re not welcome here.”
**Hailey’s POV** I couldn’t believe this was happening. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it, but I stayed perfectly still, frozen against the cold tiles of the wall as Paxton’s broad frame shielded me from view. The sharp sound of Audrey’s laughter grated on my nerves, and I bit my lip, fighting the urge to cry out in frustration. It was all her doing. Of course, it was Audrey. I should’ve known. The way she always found little ways to make my life miserable had become her twisted hobby. The orange juice "accident," the conveniently swapped bathroom signs—it all made sense now. Paxton shifted slightly, his muscles tense as he peered through the small crack in the door. His jaw was set, his expression unreadable, but the way his hand hovered protectively near me spoke volumes. "Do you need something?" he asked coolly, opening the door just enough to face them. His voice was steady, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. Audrey’s voice came
**Hailey’s POV** I stood there, rooted to the bathroom tiles, my heart hammering so loud I was sure Paxton could hear it. His piercing gaze burned into me, a mixture of frustration and something else I couldn’t quite name—pain, maybe? His words echoed in my head, bouncing off the walls of my uncertainty. Why didn’t I tell him about my daughter? The question lingered in the air, suffocating me. I wanted to run. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to turn and bolt, but my feet refused to cooperate. My hands trembled as I clutched my dress, the fabric bunched in my fingers like a lifeline. What could I say? The truth? That the little girl he had no idea existed was his? Or should I lie? Tell him some fabricated story about a nonexistent relationship to push him away? But then he asked again, his voice softer this time but no less intense. "Hailey, why didn’t you tell me? Are you trying to hide her from me?" I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. My lips parted, but no so
**Hailey's POV** The sun streamed into my bedroom, casting a golden glow across the room as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My mind wandered to eight years ago—a day filled with both excruciating pain and immense joy. I had fought tooth and nail to bring my daughter into this world. I smiled at the memory, my eyes misting slightly as pride swelled in my chest. My baby girl wasn’t a baby anymore. She was growing into a smart, curious, and wonderful young lady. Today, she turned eight—a milestone that felt like it came too fast. I turned away from the mirror, wiping a tear that escaped, and walked over to wake her up. She was still bundled under the covers, her small face peeking out as she slept soundly. " Emily, my love, wake up," I said softly, brushing a few strands of hair from her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked sleepily at me. "Mom?" she mumbled, her voice laced with drowsiness. "Happy birthday, sweetheart!" I said, grinning wi
**Hailey's POV** The sun streamed into my bedroom, casting a golden glow across the room as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My mind wandered to eight years ago—a day filled with both excruciating pain and immense joy. I had fought tooth and nail to bring my daughter into this world. I smiled at the memory, my eyes misting slightly as pride swelled in my chest. My baby girl wasn’t a baby anymore. She was growing into a smart, curious, and wonderful young lady. Today, she turned eight—a milestone that felt like it came too fast. I turned away from the mirror, wiping a tear that escaped, and walked over to wake her up. She was still bundled under the covers, her small face peeking out as she slept soundly. " Emily, my love, wake up," I said softly, brushing a few strands of hair from her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked sleepily at me. "Mom?" she mumbled, her voice laced with drowsiness. "Happy birthday, sweetheart!" I said, grinning wi
**Hailey’s POV** I stood there, rooted to the bathroom tiles, my heart hammering so loud I was sure Paxton could hear it. His piercing gaze burned into me, a mixture of frustration and something else I couldn’t quite name—pain, maybe? His words echoed in my head, bouncing off the walls of my uncertainty. Why didn’t I tell him about my daughter? The question lingered in the air, suffocating me. I wanted to run. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to turn and bolt, but my feet refused to cooperate. My hands trembled as I clutched my dress, the fabric bunched in my fingers like a lifeline. What could I say? The truth? That the little girl he had no idea existed was his? Or should I lie? Tell him some fabricated story about a nonexistent relationship to push him away? But then he asked again, his voice softer this time but no less intense. "Hailey, why didn’t you tell me? Are you trying to hide her from me?" I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. My lips parted, but no so
**Hailey’s POV** I couldn’t believe this was happening. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it, but I stayed perfectly still, frozen against the cold tiles of the wall as Paxton’s broad frame shielded me from view. The sharp sound of Audrey’s laughter grated on my nerves, and I bit my lip, fighting the urge to cry out in frustration. It was all her doing. Of course, it was Audrey. I should’ve known. The way she always found little ways to make my life miserable had become her twisted hobby. The orange juice "accident," the conveniently swapped bathroom signs—it all made sense now. Paxton shifted slightly, his muscles tense as he peered through the small crack in the door. His jaw was set, his expression unreadable, but the way his hand hovered protectively near me spoke volumes. "Do you need something?" he asked coolly, opening the door just enough to face them. His voice was steady, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. Audrey’s voice came
**Audrey’s POV** When I saw Hailey in the hospital today, my heart filled with a mix of satisfaction and regret. I had been the one to insist she come to collect her things. If I had known Paxton would be here today for his training, I would never have done it. Paxton was preparing for a major competition, and while I always imagined he played with me in mind, today it was different. His focus wasn’t on me. It was on her. The way his eyes lit up when she entered, how his movements on the field became sharper, more precise—it was as if her presence inspired him. My chest tightened, a bitter jealousy clawing at me. Who was she to him? A nobody. A poor, insignificant girl who had no right to steal his attention from me. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I wouldn’t let her win. When she was about to leave, I cornered her. My voice was icy, laced with a venom I didn’t bother to conceal. “Don’t you dare step foot in this hospital again. You’re not welcome here.”
**Hailey’s POV** After Audrey’s call, I felt a heavy weight pressing on my chest. The thought of stepping foot in the hospital filled me with dread, but I had no choice. I needed my belongings. I prayed silently, hoping I wouldn’t run into Paxton. The last thing I needed was another confrontation or, worse, awkward small talk. When I arrived at the hospital, I slipped through the back door and entered the kitchen. The staff were busy, thankfully too occupied to notice me. My heart pounded as I stuffed my belongings into a small bag, my hands trembling. I needed to get out of here fast. As I exited through the back door, I decided to take the corridor by the Vipers’ basketball court. It seemed quieter, safer. But just as I was about to leave, my gaze unintentionally landed on the court. There he was—Paxton. He was playing basketball, his movements fluid and confident. His jersey clung to his body, damp with sweat, and his sharp features were illuminated by the overhead lights
**Hailey’s POV**I couldn’t help but feel a knot tighten in my stomach as I watched my friend, Jenny, drink from my wine glass. Her boldness, her determination to make me see things differently, was something I’d always admired—and yet, tonight, it felt as though she were digging into wounds I wasn’t ready to open.“Sweetie,” Jenny said, her voice soft but laced with concern. “Why are you trying to punish yourself like this? You don’t have to keep drowning your sorrows in that glass.”I looked at her, my mind foggy from the wine and from everything that had happened earlier. My heart felt like it was in a constant state of turmoil, and Jenny’s voice felt like the only thread connecting me to the present. But the truth was, I didn’t know what I was doing anymore."I can't forget him, Jenny," I murmured, almost in disbelief. The words tasted bitter, but they were real. “I can’t forget Paxton. Every time I close my eyes, I see him, I hear his name, and my heart starts beating faster.” I
Hailey’s POV I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It felt like my life was spiraling into chaos, a never-ending drama I couldn't escape. One minute, I was absorbing the shock of the century, and the next, I heard the unexpected news: Boston was coming to the hospital. What was happening? Why was everything so unpredictable? I had no time to process it. And then I saw him again, but this time, he was standing next to Audrey, proposing to my boss.As if that wasn’t enough, the next thing I saw was Boston wearing a wedding ring around his neck. It seemed like some kind of remembrance, a keepsake. My heart pounded in my chest, struggling to keep up with the madness around me. What did it all mean? Why was he doing this? I could feel the panic creeping in, making my breathing shallow.But then, everything seemed to take a horrifying turn when I saw my daughter in the hospital. The world around me slowed down, like I was submerged in thick fog. I couldn't comprehend what was happening. An
Hailey’s POV I swear, I wasn’t even expecting that. When he said it, I thought I misheard him at first. "I want you to be my personal assistant," Paxton said, his voice cool, almost casual, as if it was the simplest request in the world. But when I turned to look at Audrey, the shock on her face was unmistakable. The look of pure disappointment and embarrassment that spread across her features made me feel sick to my stomach. She looked... disgusted. Disgusted that he’d choose me over her. And it wasn’t just the shock of being chosen; it was the unspoken message that whatever she thought she had with him, it meant nothing. I couldn’t look at her face any longer without feeling like I might vomit right there in front of them.But the worst part of all of this, the part that made my chest tighten and my throat close, was the fact that I couldn't say yes. Not because I didn’t want to. God knows I still loved him. The attraction was undeniable, a force that tugged at my heart every time
Hailey’s POV The tension in the air was thick, like the calm before a storm. I could feel my heart hammering against my ribcage, threatening to break free with every beat. Paxton was standing just a few feet away, his intense blue eyes locked on mine, his gaze both familiar and foreign. It was as if nothing had changed, yet everything had. He was standing there, asking me—no, offering me—a job as his personal assistant. The man I once knew, the one I shared more than just a fleeting moment with, was now offering me a chance to work beside him. And I couldn’t understand why. My palms were clammy, and my mind was a mess of confusion. My breath hitched in my chest, but I refused to let it show. I had to remain composed, especially in front of Audrey, who was glaring at me like I was nothing more than a piece of dirt on the floor. Her eyes burned with jealousy, and I could see her hands clenched at her sides, fighting the urge to lash out. I looked down at my uniform, the one I had jus