1 New Chapter

“How much more do I have to suffer?” I cried alone in the airport bathroom as tears started streaming from my eyes.

In just a week, my life took a drastic turn. I don’t know if I’m the same person that I was a week ago.

How much worse have things gotten in my life? As an orphan, I only ever wished for one thing: a family of my own, but now that one wish seems impossible to fulfill.

I had always believed that life couldn't possibly get any harder, but recent events shattered that belief. But my bad decisions had led me to this point, and now I had to face the consequences. I knew deep down that I had to find the strength within myself to overcome this adversity and rebuild my life, even if it meant starting from scratch.

From today, everything will be different—a new start. That is all I want in my life. A fresh start in a new place, a new me.

My phone rings in my pocket, distracting me from my thoughts. I looked at the caller ID and wanted to crash my head on the wall.

‘Him... again, why can’t he just leave me alone? This bastard, why does he always disturb me?’ I sighed.

If there was anything I wanted more of in my life, then it might be an escape from the person who keeps disrupting my life.

Ben is the guy whom I once thought of as my true love, but he turns out to be a sadist psycho, whose one pleasure in life is to see in my pain and make my life as miserable as he can. I had tried blocking his number, changing my own, and even moving to a different city, but he always found a way to reach me. It felt like I was trapped in a never-ending nightmare, constantly looking over my shoulder and living in fear of his next move.

God, I sighed as my phone rang again. I don’t know why, but for once I want to press on call and curse the bastard for each and every pain in my life. I longed for a moment of respite, a break from the torment that seemed to follow me wherever I went. It was exhausting to constantly battle against his relentless pursuit, and I yearned for the strength to confront him and reclaim my peace of mind.

For just once, I want to call that bastard and show him his place. Insult him, as he insulted me in the past.

But do I have the strength to do so?

I pressed the call button, putting the phone in my ear. As the phone rang, my heart raced with anticipation and a mix of fear and determination.

And before I could even say ‘Hello,’ Ben started shouting at me.

“How dare you ignore my call all this time?” His voice boomed through the receiver, filled with anger and venom. It was a familiar feeling—the rush of adrenaline and the sinking pit in my stomach. But this time, something inside me shifted. I refused to let his words pierce through my armor anymore.

“Where the hell are you now?” He shouted again, his voice growing louder and more aggressive.

I took a deep breath. “It’s none of your business. I can be anywhere I like,” I shouted back, my voice steady and defiant.

“Bitch…. How dare you raise your voice to me?” He seethed, his words dripping with disdain. But this time, I stood my ground, refusing to let his toxic presence overpower me any longer. "I won't tolerate your disrespect any longer," I declared, my voice unwavering and resolute. “Shut up, your ugly fucking bastard, and don’t you dare to call me again."

"Hailey," he said with a mix of anger and desperation in his voice, but I cut him off before he could say anything more. “Shut up, and don’t forget, I know all your secrets. If you try to disrupt my life again, I will share all your secrets with the authorities.” I said. “Even the one where you nearly drugged and raped a minor.”

“Everything.....” I said firmly, my words hanging in the air as a chilling reminder of the power I held over him.

"Hailey, don't you dare...”

“Oh, I do dare,” I said, smiling at my courage and the control I had regained. “Now, fuck off, and don’t forget my warning.”

“Bye, and see you. Never”

"Hailey!" Ben shouted from the other side of the call, but without caring about listening to any of his words, I ended the call, sighing happily at my courage.

‘For the first time in my life, I stood up for myself.’ This seemed like a good start for a new chapter of my life.

I shook my head with a smile on my face, continuing to make my way toward the airport. But even before I could make my way toward the check-in counter, I felt something or someone tugging on my dress.

"Ahhh..." I squealed. Looking down at me, it was shocking to find a child all alone.

‘Who is the child, and why is he all alone?’ I turned my head, staring around my surroundings, but couldn’t find anyone who knew the child.

I kneeled down to the child's level, my heart racing with concern. “Who are you, and what are you doing here alone?” I said, picking up the child in my arms.

Why the hell am I talking to a child?

I said this even when I knew that the child was not old enough to understand any of my words.

“He is Max,” I heard someone say as I turned my head towards the source of the voice. “And I’m Summer.”

"Okay," I said, turning my focus to Summer. “So, what are you guys doing here all alone?”

I questioned. “Where are your parents?” I turned my head, looking around for Summer, but she was also all alone. I felt a pang of concern as I realized that both Max and Summer were unaccompanied. Worried, I wondered if they had wandered off or if something had happened to their parents.

“We are alone,” she said, taking her brother from my arms.

"Alone..." I said, but before I could ask any more questions, Max started crying loudly in Summer’s arms. I could see the worry in Summer's eyes as she tried to soothe her brother. It was clear that something was wrong, and I knew I had to find out what had happened to their parents as soon as possible.

"Max, why are you crying?” Summer said. She was trying to coo Max and calm him down, but he continued to cry uncontrollably.

"Mama..." Max cried, trying to jump into my arms. I could feel my heart sink as Max's words echoed in my ears.

I stood still at the sudden act of Max. Why the hell is he calling me Mama, and where are this kid’s parents? I felt a mix of confusion and concern, unsure of how to comfort him or what to do next.

"Why, kind of mother, your kid wants to snuggle you, and you’re ignoring him?” An unknown, random old woman scolded me. I turned to the old woman, taken aback by her sudden outburst. "I'm sorry, but I'm not his mother," I explained, my voice tinged with unease. Max continued to cry, clinging to my dress as if searching for comfort. I glanced around anxiously, hoping to spot someone who could help us in this bewildering situation.

“Please…” Begged Summer as Max looked at me with tears in his eyes. I could see the desperation in Summer's eyes as she pleaded with me. Max's tears only intensified my desire to help.

"Here… Let me handle it.” I said, snuggling Max into my arms. But he was still crying. Does he need a diaper change? I thought I would check his diaper because it seemed dry. Then what does he need? Maybe he is hungry.

"Summer..." I called. “Do you have a milk bottle? Max might be hungry.”

Summer nodded at my words, taking out a bottle of milk from the large bag she carried.

I watched carefully as she handed me the bottle.

I took the bottle in her hand, walking towards the nearest bench to sit on as I started feeding Max. As I fed him, I wondered if he was just seeking comfort and reassurance. Maybe he needed some cuddling and soothing before he could settle down.

“Thank you," Summer said, sitting beside me and gently patting Max's back. I smiled at her, grateful for her understanding and support in taking care of Max's needs.

I smiled at her, moving my hand to ruffle her hair. “You’re welcome. Now, can you tell me why you’re here all alone? And where are your parents?”

“Mom died in a car accident.” She said this, hiding her glance from me as she spoke. I could sense the sadness in her voice and the pain in her eyes. My heart ached for her loss, and I knew that comforting Max was not the only reassurance she needed in that moment.

“I’m sorry… but you do have a dad,” I asked, watching Max’s face as he happily sucked on his milk bottle.

Summer nodded at my words. "Yes, but I don’t like Daddy.” She said sadly. “Daddy is bad.” I could see the weight of her words, and it was clear that Summer had experienced something troubling with her father. The atmosphere grew heavy with unspoken pain as we both sat in silence, contemplating the difficult situation she found herself in.

"Summer," I said, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Don’t cry, baby." I tried to coo her tears as she snuggled in my arms for comfort.

“I hate Daddy. I don’t want to go home.” She said, with my head buried in my chest.

I don’t know what to do with the two kids snuggling in my arms.

“Is that why you are here alone at the airport?” I asked, softly caressing her hair.

Summer looked at me with teary eyes as she nodded her head. “I want to go see Grandpa. I don’t want to live with Daddy.”

“But you can’t go there alone. Do you, Daddy, know you’re here?” I asked, adjusting Max in my arms as he finished his meal, and now he was staring at us silently.

Summer shook her head. “He doesn’t love me or Max,” she said as new tears started streaming from her eyes.

“Summer, Mom and Dad always love their children.”

"No… Daddy hates us; that’s why he wants to separate me and Max.” Summer cried, staring at Max.

“Maybe we will talk to your dad and tell him you don’t want to live with Max. Or call him here.” I said, smiling.

Summer attempted to say, "But..." before she could speak. Two arms were interrupted by picking her up from the bench and taking Max away from my arms. Summer's eyes widened in shock as she was abruptly lifted off the bench, her voice caught in her throat. She could only watch in disbelief as Max was carried away.

“Who the hell are you?” The man shouted, holding Max in his arms and pulling Summer away from me. Staring at me in anger. “And how dare you brainwash my kids against me?”