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
“Oh my, what do I see?” I heard a similar but annoying voice interrupting our moment of bliss.I sifted my position, making myself sit straight, staring at the woman who had just walked into the room. “What are you doing here?” I asked, my tone slightly defensive. The woman simply smirked and replied, “Just checking in on my favorite little ones. Don’t mind me.” She leaned in to touch Maax, but I quickly reached out to block her, my protective instincts kicking in. “Please don’t touch them without permission,” I said firmly.The woman’s smirk faded slightly, but she nodded and backed away, still watching us with a knowing glint in her eyes. “Acting like a mother when you’re not even their real parent,” she muttered under her breath before turning and walking out of the room, leaving me feeling uneasy and on edge.I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to her presence than she was letting on. “What are you doing, Casandra?” I asked as Summer and Max hid behind me, sensing the
I stare at Hailey as she walks inside the room before I turn my head back to the bunch of hyenas, my so-called family, who are ready to pounce on me with their sharp words and judgmental stares.“What are you guys doing here, and who allowed you to come in?” I demand, my voice filled with a mix of annoyance and frustration. The tension in the room is palpable as they exchange glances, clearly not expecting my sudden outburst.The old man slammed his walking stick on the ground, causing a loud echo to fill the room. “You don’t tell where I can and cannot go in my own estate,” he growls, his eyes narrowing at me.I step in, staring at the old man, not giving in to his intimidating demeanor. “This is the house that I brought from my own money, not a part of your so-called estate,” I assert firmly, refusing to back down in the face of his aggression.The room falls silent as we lock eyes, both refusing to concede.“You can’t talk to Dad like this?” my so-called uncle interjects, his face
“Summer!” I shouted, seeing her running inside her room and locking the door behind her.I blame myself for not being able to protect her from this painful truth.I turn my head towards the group of people who are the reason for the rift between us, feeling a mix of anger and regret.“Are you guys happy now?” The room fell silent as guilt washed over them, realizing the damage they had caused. I knew then that repairing the relationship with my daughter would be a long and difficult journey.“This is the reason I don’t like you guys in my life,” I said firmly, feeling a sense of determination to make things right with my daughter. “You people only know how to cause chaos and hurt those you claim to care about.”“Hollis,” the old man interrupted, anger flashing in his eyes. “Is that how you treat those who have raised you and cared for you all these years?”“You didn’t raise me nor care for me; I was left to fend for myself while you were off causing trouble,” I retorted, feeling the w
“Summer.” I gasped, seeing her lying motionless on the floor. The room was in disarray, with broken glass scattered around her still form. Panic gripped me as I rushed to her side, praying that she was still alive.“Summer…” I carried her in my arms, not caring about the glass that pricked in my hand. As I held her close, I felt a faint pulse, and relief flooded through me.“What happened?” Hailey asked, her voice filled with concern as she surveyed the room. “Oh my God… Summer,” she stared at the scene in shock, her eyes wide with fear. I shook my head, unable to find the words to explain what had happened.“I will call the doctor immediately,” Hailey said, rushing to grab her phone. Summer’s condition was critical, and we needed help fast.I carried Summer to my bedroom and put her on the bed, trying to make her as comfortable as possible while we waited for the doctor to arrive. Summer’s pale face and shallow breathing were a stark reminder of how fragile life could be.“What happe
I stare at Hollis, his eyes glittering with unshed tears, his vulnerability tugging at my heartstrings. “You don’t have to pity me, Hailey.” His words made my heart ache with the pain he was clearly trying to hide. I reached out and gently touched his hand, but I stooped when I heard him say, “No one wants me for my own sake, not even my wife.” I could see the weight of his words settling heavily on his shoulders, the loneliness in his voice echoing in the empty room. Despite his brave front, I could sense the deep-seated hurt that he carried with him.And without even thinking, my mouth slipped open. “I want you.” I saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes before a small one, but how could I say something like this without knowing the full extent of his pain and struggles?Hollis went silent, his face not leaving mine, staring at me with a mix of confusion and vulnerability. It was clear that my words had struck a chord within him, but I knew that I needed to tread carefully in order to
“Do I pity you, Hollis? No. I have been with men who beat me, tortured me, and degraded me. For him, my pain was his pleasure. Five long years. I hope for that one day that he will change and treat me with kindness, but it never came.” I bared my heart to Hollis, sharing my own experiences of abuse and betrayal. “I know how it feels to be trapped in a cycle of hope and disappointment, too long for love and kindness that never comes. I don’t pity you, Hollis, but I pity myself for not having the strength to leave sooner.”“Why are you saying that?” Hollis asked, looking puzzled. “Because even if your wife dies, her betrayal has still left a lasting mark on you, and until you confront that pain and heal from it. You are trapped in the toxic cycle of not trusting yourself or others.” Hollis nodded slowly, his eyes filled with tears as he realized the truth in my words. “You think in the end everyone will let you down, but that’s not true. You have the power to break free from this cycle a
Hailey***The night sky stretched out above us like a blanket of stars, the villa bathed in golden light, as though the universe itself was celebrating this moment with us. It was a night of endings and beginnings—a night where we would seal our future with the promise of love, joy, and family.We all returned to the old house, the villa where we had shared so many memories. It was filled with a sense of nostalgia, yet excitement for what was to come, as if everything we’d fought for was now within our reach.I stood in front of the grand fireplace, the flames casting a warm, flickering glow across the room. The villa, with its rustic charm and luxurious touches, felt like home—not just a house, but the foundation of the life we were building together.Summer and Max were tucked into bed, their soft breaths filling the quiet house. The stillness was peaceful, broken only by the occasional hum of the night air and the distant call of crickets. The world outside was calm, but inside, my
Hailey***The evening air was cool yet soothing, wrapping the farmhouse in a stillness that only the countryside could offer. As the first stars began to sprinkle the deepening indigo sky, the farmhouse seemed to glow with a warmth that hadn’t been there before. It wasn’t just a hiding place anymore—it was a sanctuary, a space where love and healing had begun to take root.I stood at the edge of the garden, watching Hollis and Summer as they worked side by side. Their laughter blended with the soft rustle of leaves, a melody of simple joy. Little Max toddled after them, his chubby hands grasping at flowers with an earnestness that only a one-year-old could muster. My hand instinctively rested on the curve of my belly, a habit that had become second nature. The new life growing inside me was a quiet reminder of hope and resilience.The sight before me filled my heart with peace, fragile yet overwhelming. After everything we’d endured, it was hard to believe we were here—together. The w
Hailey***The farmhouse had always been both a haven and a cage—a place far removed from the chaos that had consumed our lives. It was where I could pretend, even for a moment, that the world beyond its weathered walls didn’t exist. The isolation was a strange kind of comfort, one that held both solace and loneliness. The days passed quietly, the rhythm of the countryside punctuated only by the laughter of my children or the occasional rustle of wind through the trees.Summer, who had always been shy and reserved, had shown a bright curiosity these past few days. The seven-year-old had taken to exploring the nearby fields, dragging her little brother Max behind her like a loyal shadow. At just over a year old, Max was the perfect mimic, his chubby hands reaching for flowers or clapping at birds that flitted overhead. Watching them filled my heart with a fragile kind of peace. Here, they were safe. Here, they were untouched by the dangers that lurked outside.That morning, I busied mys
Hollis***The world I had once known—the world that had held me captive for so long—had finally crumbled. It wasn't just what my grandfather had done to me. It was everything he had done to the people who couldn’t protect themselves. The families he destroyed in his pursuit of power, the lives he crushed beneath his heel. I had suffered, but the worst part was always what he did to them, to those who trusted him. Now, finally, the time had come to make him pay. Slowly, methodically, piece by piece, I would tear him apart. Years of planning and waiting had led to this moment, and I was ready to exact my revenge with a cold determination that matched his own cruelty. He would regret ever crossing me.But even now, sitting in his seat, there’s a moment of hesitation. A part of me wonders—what if this isn’t enough? What if revenge won’t fix what was broken? I’d spent months walking a tightrope, pretending, smiling, nodding, showing the world I was the weak, compliant heir he wanted me to
Hailey***A few months have passed. I can still feel the ache in my chest, like a constant companion. It’s become a part of me now, something I carry with every breath. The farmhouse is quiet. Too quiet. Every creak of the floorboards, every gust of wind that rattles the windows, feels like a reminder of what’s missing. Him.In this foreign country, with only the sprawling fields and endless sky for company, silence is suffocating. The outside world feels like it’s moving—always in motion—while I’m trapped in this stillness. I long for the noise, the chaos, the comfort of someone else’s voice. But here, with only my own thoughts echoing in the empty rooms, I’ve become too aware of every passing second.I walk into the kitchen, my bare feet silent against the cool floor, my movements automatic. Max is sitting on the floor with his blocks, his laughter a bright, shining contrast to the dark cloud hanging over me. His joy is innocent, pure—but it only deepens the hollow inside me. It rem
Hailey***I never imagined this would be how it ends—this final moment between us, the last time I hold her, touch her, feel her warmth. But here we are. Time has been slipping through my fingers like sand, and I can’t stop it. The reality of what I’m doing weighs on me. I know what it means for Hailey, for me, and for all of us. But this is the only way to protect her. To protect them.I watch her in the soft light, the way her eyes search mine as though trying to find an answer, some reassurance. But I don’t have one to give her. Not anymore. There’s nothing left except this moment, and I want to give it to her fully. To make it count.Her hands tremble slightly as she reaches for me, her touch tentative but longing. I step into her embrace, feeling the heat of her body against mine, and the moment she wraps her arms around me, pulling me close, I feel my heart crack a little more. I don’t want to let go either. Not now. Not ever.Her lips find mine, soft but urgent, as though they’
Hailey***A month has passed, but it feels like years. Hollis's wounds have finally healed, but the ache in my heart still remains. The memories of that day haunt me, replaying in my mind, a constant reminder of the pain and loss I endured. I fear that the scars will never fully fade, no matter how much time passes. But now there’s a new pain, different from the physical and emotional wounds I’ve known before. It’s the pain of separation, the feeling of being lost without someone who once meant everything to me. The emptiness inside grows deeper with each passing day, leaving me longing for a sense of wholeness that may never return.The house is so quiet now—too quiet. Without Summer’s laughter echoing through the halls or Max’s tiny giggles filling the air, it feels hollow. Every room reminds me of them. Every corner holds the weight of what’s been lost.I sit on the couch, cradling a photo frame in my trembling hands. The smiles staring back at me feel like a lifetime ago. A fragme
Hailey***The silence between us was suffocating, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest as I tried to steady my breath. My fingers gripped Hollis tightly, as though by holding him in my arms, I could shield him from the pain that clung to him like a shadow. His past, the betrayal of his father, the haunting loss of his mother—each memory swirled around us, invisible but all-encompassing. I could feel the rawness of it in his every breath, and it broke my heart to know how deep the wounds ran.For a moment, I closed my eyes, allowing the rhythmic thrum of his heartbeat to ground me. I let the sound wash over me, offering a moment of peace amid the storm that raged inside him. But as I exhaled, a harsh truth settled in my chest. He didn’t want history to repeat itself. He didn’t want to become like his father—the man who had been torn apart by forces beyond his control, the man who had lost everything in his desperate attempts to hold onto something that could never be his.It was a
Hailey***"If you want to see me alive again, you have to leave now," Hollis said firmly. "Or do you want to see my dead body lying in front of you?"The words hung in the air, suffocating, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. My heart raced, each beat louder than the last, my body trembling as I struggled to grasp what he was asking. I stared at him, searching his face for any sign of doubt, some indication that this was just another cruel game, another way to push me away. But there was nothing. His expression was cold, almost empty, and yet in his eyes, I could see the pain—the broken pieces of the man I once knew.I took a shaky breath, feeling as though the world were closing in on me. How could he ask me to leave him? How could he force me to leave him with the children?But deep down, I knew—he wasn’t asking; he was pleading. This wasn’t a choice anymore; it was a sacrifice, one I had to make to keep us all safe. The weight of it crushed me, but I knew there was no other wa