Miscarriage was the only thing I heard before everything went blank and my world shattered into a million pieces. I couldn’t believe it was happening to me.I didn’t want this baby; I never wanted the seed of Ben to grow inside of me. His presence makes me sick, but then why does it matter so much to me? I shouldn’t care, then why do you want to keep it so badly?I can’t lose it. It’s confusing and overwhelming, but I can’t imagine life without it now.Everything went dark in front of my eyes as the words miscarriage through my mind. The thought of losing the baby I never wanted is now unbearable, and I find myself clinging to the idea of its existence. The conflicting emotions are tearing me apart, but deep down, I know I want to keep it.“Stay with me; I will make everything right.” I heard Hollis’s voice echo in my head, filled with both desperation and determination. I knew then that I couldn’t let go of this unexpected but precious life growing inside me.I felt his hand hold min
“But what, Hollis? I stare at Hollis for a moment, waiting for his reply, my heart pounding in my chest. Finally, he took a deep breath, taking my hand in his. “Maybe you should terminate the pregnancy.” His words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I felt a wave of emotions wash over me.“Terminate...” I passed as the words sank in, making my head dizzy by overweighting the realization of what he was suggesting.Tears welled up in my eyes as I struggled to process his words, feeling a mix of shock and devastation.“Hailey…. shhhh… If you cry like that, I can’t handle it,” Hollis whispered, pulling me into a tight hug.“I don’t want to lose my baby, Hollis,” I whispered, my voice breaking with emotion. “I will marry; I will be a slave... I will take care of your kids for free all my life, but please, I don’t want to lose my baby.” Hollis held me even closer, his voice barely above a whisper. “Do you think so low of me that I will make you my slave or force you into anything you don’t wan
“You don’t have to say anything. Just know that I am here for you,” he said, his eyes filled with sincerity. “And from today, you are no longer the nanny for my kids; you are family.”My lashes fluttered with surprise upon hearing his words. “Family,” I repeated, not trusting my ears. It was a title I never expected to have; no one had ever made me feel like I belonged before.“Yes, family,” he confirmed, gently reaching out to squeeze my hand. “We care for you just as much as you care for us.”I stare at the way our hands are intertwined, feeling a warmth spreading through my chest. It was a feeling of acceptance and belonging that I had longed for my entire life. My heart starts to beat loudly, shaking with emotion. I thought I loved Ben, but he never once showed this kind of care, nor have I ever felt so safe and loved in someone’s presence before.“Are you okay?” he asked, concern evident in his eyes.I nodded my head, feeling tears welling up in my eyes as I whispered, “Thank you
I shook my head, holding tight on his shirt, not wanting to let go. “You don’t know... Ben will do anything to get what he wants,” I sobbed, feeling a sense of dread wash over me. “He will stop at nothing to get to me.”“Hailey,” Hollis said softly, pulling me closer for a hug, his arms wrapped tightly around me, “we will figure this out together.”I shook my head, my body shaking with fear. “You don’t know, he is dangerous,” I said, tears running down my face as Hollis broke the hug and wiped my tears away. “Look at me, Hailey,” Hollis said firmly, his eyes locking with mine. “I will protect you, no matter what it takes. You are not alone in this.” I took a deep breath, feeling a glimmer of hope amidst the fear that consumed me.I stare into his eyes, finding comfort in his unwavering determination to stand by my side. “What if he hurt Summer and Max or you?” I said because the thought of someone getting hurt because of men was unbearable.Hollis squeezed my hand reassuringly. “I hir
“Will you...” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I looked up at him with hope in my eyes. “Anything for you,” he replied softly, his eyes full of compassion making my heart pound with emotions that I couldn’t quite identify. Hollis leaned in and kissed my forehead before pulling me close, enveloping me in his warmth and love. With him by my side, I felt safe and at peace, ready to drift off into a peaceful slumber.Seeing him act like this makes my heart swell with gratitude and love, knowing that I had found someone who truly cared for me. The weight of the world seemed to lift off my shoulders in that moment, replaced by a sense of comfort and contentment.I slide a little on the bed, trying to make whatever little space in this tiny hospital bed for him to join me. “You can lie down next to me,” I whispered, feeling his presence soothing my worries and fears.Hollis stared at my face rather than at the space beside me, a small smile playing on his lips. “Won’t that be unc
It’s the nurse, holding a tray of medications and a knowing smile on her face. “Time for your morning meds,” she says with a wink, breaking the tension in the room.I turn my head to Hollis, who is still with me on my bed, and we share a knowing look before Hollis gets up from the bed and walks over to the nurse to take the medication, handing it to me.“You both are so in love,” the nurse chuckles as she hands the water to Hollis. “It’s nice to see such a strong bond, but the bed is too small for both of you,” she adds, glancing around the cramped hospital room.“It is not like that.” I interrupted with my face red from embarrassment. “He is not my partner.” I quickly clarified, feeling flustered by the nurse’s assumption. Hollis gripped my hand, squeezing it. “Yes, I am her fiancé; we are getting married soon,” he interjected, looking at me with a warning glance. “Congratulations on your marriage and the baby,” the nurse smiles warmly before excusing herself to give the couple some
I watch Hailey leave, and the car disappears around the corner, feeling a sense of emptiness wash over me. The sound of the engine fades into the distance, leaving me alone with my thoughts.I sighed as I made my way to my car, with my mind running through all the memories of our time together. I knew deep down that things would never be the same.I stare at the road ahead of me, with only one thought running through my mind: Why do I feel so much for her when I know deep down it can never work out?Why do you care about her when she is not one to me? Why do her tears and her pain affect me so deeply? It’s a question I can’t seem to shake as I drive away, the weight of unspoken words heavy on my heart.“Hailey…” I mumbled her name as my tongue rolled over the familiar syllables. The memories of our time together flood my mind, leaving me with a sense of longing and regret. Why did I allow myself to hug to comfort her and even sleep with her in the same bed? This is not like me. I can’
The car came to a halt, and before I knew it, I was standing in front of Hollis Mansion, feeling a mix of anger and betrayal. Why? I don’t know, but I knew that I needed to protect my heart to fall for his kindness and charm again, knowing that it was all just a facade for his own benefit.“Miss Hailey…,” The driver walked me to the front door, his expression sympathetic but his eyes revealing a knowing look. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever awaited me inside.As soon as I stepped in, the two arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm embrace that I couldn’t resist.I look down, a big smile plastered on my face upon seeing Summer, who has her head burrowing her head into my stomach, her presence instantly melting away the tension and uncertainty I had been feeling. “I missed you so much,” she whispered, her voice filled with genuine affection.“I missed you too...” I replied, ruffling her hair affectionately. Summer’s embrace was exactly after such emotional turm
Hollis***The drive to the warehouse felt like a lifetime, every second stretching into eternity. The engine’s roar drowned out everything else—except the pounding of my heart, which seemed to reverberate in my chest with each beat. My mind was split, torn between the thought of Summer, trapped and terrified, and the dangerous man who had done this to her. Kevin sat silently beside me, his eyes sharp, calculating, but I could feel the weight of his gaze on me. His silence spoke volumes—he was watching, waiting, and judging every move I made.As we neared the outskirts of town, the city lights dimmed, replaced by a cold, sterile glow that cast long, stretching shadows. The warehouse loomed ahead, its rusted metal and broken windows seeming more sinister than ever. Tonight, it wasn’t just a building—it was a tomb.The first thing that hit me was the smell of gasoline, sharp and acrid, coating the air like a toxic fog. It burned my nostrils, thick enough to taste, like metal scraping aga
Hailey***The night air was sharp against my skin as I stepped out of the hospital’s back entrance, Kevin following closely behind me. The city felt oppressive, its streetlights casting long, distorted shadows that seemed to mirror the darkness creeping into my soul.Everything felt wrong. The security footage had left me with a sinking suspicion, a feeling that gnawed at my insides. The figure who took Summer—whoever it was—knew me. They knew my weaknesses, my family, and they used it against me."You think it’s him, don’t you?" Kevin’s voice cut through my thoughts, low and tense.I didn’t answer right away. The weight of the truth pressed on my chest, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. “I don’t know,” I muttered. “But I’m going to find out.”We reached the car, and I slammed the door with a force that matched the storm raging inside me. Kevin slid into the passenger seat, and without another word, I floored the gas pedal. The streets blurred in my peripheral vision, but my mind
Hollis***The weight of Hailey's words, the tenderness in her touch, lingered in the air long after she whispered her love. I held her tight, my arms wrapped around her like a lifeline, the steady beat of her heart against mine grounding me. In that moment, I almost felt like I could make everything right, as if we could finally face everything and start over.But I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.Her trust was fragile, shattered by lies and half-truths. I could feel her fear, and I knew I had to earn it back before we could move forward.I pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. There was so much I wanted to say, so many apologies that felt inadequate, but I knew there was only one thing I could do right now."I'll take care of it," I said softly, my voice hoarse, the weight of my promise pressing heavily on me. "I'll fix this, Hailey. I'll get the answers we need. I'll make sure Max and Summer are safe."She nodded, her eyes filled with pain and doubt, but there was
Hollis***The weight of Hailey's words, the tenderness in her touch, lingered in the air long after she whispered her love. I held her tight, my arms wrapped around her like a lifeline, the steady beat of her heart against mine grounding me. In that moment, I almost felt like I could make everything right, as if we could finally face everything and start over.But I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.Her trust was fragile, shattered by lies and half-truths. I could feel her fear, and I knew I had to earn it back before we could move forward.I pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. There was so much I wanted to say, so many apologies that felt inadequate, but I knew there was only one thing I could do right now."I'll take care of it," I said softly, my voice hoarse, the weight of my promise pressing heavily on me. "I'll fix this, Hailey. I'll get the answers we need. I'll make sure Max and Summer are safe."She nodded, her eyes filled with pain and doubt, but there was s
Hailey***"Kevin…" we both said at the same time, seeing Kevin standing by the door. God’s expression twisted in anger. I could feel the tension in Hollis's body as he braced himself for what was to come next."What are you doing here?" Hollis demanded, his voice low, but Kevin ignored the question. His eyes locked onto mine with a look of pure malice."I'm here to expose the truth about what really happened that night," he said, his voice dripping with venom. I could feel the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air, the silence stretching as the reality of what he was about to reveal seemed to settle over the room like a storm cloud. Whatever he was about to say would change everything."Tell me if you know anything," I urged, my heart pounding in anticipation, barely able to stand the suffocating tension that filled the space between us.Kevin’s eyes met Max’s, who was lying motionless on the bed with tubes protruding from his arms, and I saw a flicker of guilt flash across Kevi
Hailey*****The sterile hospital walls felt suffocating, their coldness pressing against me as my thoughts swirled in a haze. The pounding of my heart was the only sound I could focus on, as though it was the only thing keeping me tethered to reality. But everything around me seemed so distant, so blurry. Was this real? Or was I trapped in a nightmare?"Hailey…" Hollis’s voice sliced through the fog, trembling as it reached me. His hands, shaking, gripped my shoulders, pulling me back from the abyss. "Wake up… wake up," he begged, desperation lacing his words. I wanted to respond, to assure him I was still here, but my throat felt constricted, and I couldn’t seem to find the words.Max’s lifeless body. The flatline. The images, so vivid, played on an endless loop in my mind, searing themselves into my soul. How could I keep going when I had lost him?“Max’s death, I lost him...” The words barely escaped, raw and broken. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. My heart was shattered, the w
Hailey**** The sterile hospital walls closed in. Hollis’s words repeated: "I’ll always fight for us." But how? How could we survive in this chaos? Max—he’s barely hanging on. And me? I’m just... waiting. Waiting for the bottom to fall out. Max’s condition had stabilized, but the doctors warned us it wouldn’t be easy. He had barely clung to life after the first round of shock, and even though he was breathing on his own again, there was a chilling uncertainty about his recovery. The small victory of his heart beating once more felt fleeting—just a glimmer of hope in an ocean of dread. I stood by the window, staring out at the night, trying to find some solace in the vast, empty sky. The stars above were distant, indifferent, just like the world outside this hospital—cold, uncaring, and relentless. My fingers gripped the sill tightly, a feeble attempt to steady myself. Each breath felt like it carried the unbearable weight of what was happening. Behind me, Hollis’s footsteps echoed
Hailey***The doctors moved with precision, shouting orders as they surrounded Max's bed. "Get the paddles! Charge it to 200!" one of the doctors called out.I felt frozen, trapped in the nightmare I’d always feared. Max, my little boy, was slipping away right before my eyes, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.Hollis’s hands were on my shoulders, trying to hold me together, but even his grip felt like a distant echo of the strength I once found in him. The room spun, the chaos around us nothing but a blur as I focused solely on the lifeless figure of Max."Come on, Max," I whispered through the tears, my voice barely audible above the frantic noises of the ER. "Fight, baby, fight. Please don't leave me."The shock paddles were placed against Max’s chest, and I flinched, my heart sinking as the charge buzzed through the air. The doctors worked quickly, their faces set with determination, but I could feel the heavy weight of hopelessness sinking deep within me.I couldn’t lose
Hailey****The emergency room was a blur of activity, the beeping of machines and the hurried footsteps of medical staff echoing in my ears. My heart raced in time with the chaotic rhythm of the hospital, thoughts scattered and tangled in my head. Every part of me wanted to break down, but I couldn’t. Max needed me.I followed the nurse through the double doors, the sterile smell of antiseptic hitting me like a slap. Hollis was right behind me, his hand gripping mine like a lifeline. The sight of Max lying in a bed, wires and tubes attached to his small body, sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over me. His little face was pale, his body twitching with the involuntary fits the nurse had mentioned.I rushed to his side, my breath catching in my throat as I tried to steady myself. "Max," I whispered, bending over him, my fingers brushing his damp forehead. "Max, baby, can you hear me?"His eyelids fluttered, and for a brief moment, I thought he might wake up. But then, his body jerked a