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
“Summer...” I called, sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at my little angel’s crying face. “Summer, please don’t cry. Daddy is here, and everything will be okay. Let’s dry those tears together and find a way to make you smile again.” I tried to move my hand to touch her face, but she turned away, burying her face in her hands.I sighed, feeling a pang of helplessness as I wished I could take away her pain with just a simple touch. Summer’s tears were like tiny drops of rain on my heart, making me ache for her even more.“Summer….” I called out softly, my voice filled with love and concern. I knew that no matter what the truth was, Summer was my daughter, and nothing could change the unconditional love I have for her.“You hate me right,” Summer said after a while, her voice barely above a whisper. “No, Summer,” I replied, my heart breaking at the thought of her feeling that way. “I could never hate you.”“But I am not your daughter by blood,” she whispered, tears streaming down h
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