He took Hailey's hand and lowered his voice. "You will go back to your husband and have a talk with him. You will tell him to invest a large sum in my company. Quit being stubborn. I don't want you to fail me again." Hailey swallowed as she watched her father's greedy expression. Was this even her father? Was he willing to forsake her happiness no matter what? She pushed down the emotions threatening to erupt and pulled her hands from his hold. "I'm afraid I'm going to let you down, Dad. I can't speak with Kendrick no matter how many times you ask. Please don't bring this up again. I'm begging you.""You." Her father pointed a trembling finger at her. "I don't want to squabble with you, Hailey. Go back there and lay my requests!""No, I won't—"Before Hailey could finish her words, a hard slap echoed inside the room, and the next thing she felt was the burning pain on her cheek.Her eyes watered instantly and her head pounded with pain. "You ungrateful child." Her father's voice w
She thanked the bodyguard, and immediately left the car. The cold breeze hit her skin, slightly chilly but still so soothing. Her eyes wandered around the house as she stood in the open space.The atmosphere was humid. The smell of nature hung in the air. Leaves fell from the trees, swaying with the air. And the lush grasses felt mushy under her feet. Hailey's eyes went to the gigantic trees and a smile blossomed on her lips. She grew up playing among them. Sometimes with the servants, and sometimes— alone. Her legs took her to where the security men stood. And each wrapped her in a tight hug. "Look who we have here." The older man beamed. "It felt like ages since you last visited," said the younger man."I missed you guys too." Hailey hugged each of them back with a cheeky smile. Then they started telling her stories. It had always been like that. They told her about their latest adventures. They were both father and son. And even though Hailey couldn't understand their love for
"I saw the news, baby. That boy is a genius. He has single-handedly doubled the company's net worth. The profit margin is double the price of the previous years." He went on talking to her about the conference and how it was the talk of the town. Hailey was forced to be reminded of her father."Grandpa." She tugged at his arm as they walked toward the garden. "Do you think I look like her?"Her grandfather stopped and his brows knitted. "I only see physical comparisons, Child." He faced her and touched her cheek dotingly. That made Hailey wince. It was the place her father had slapped her. She couldn't believe it still ached."What is wrong?" Her grandfather deepened his frown. He took away his hand and narrowed his eyes at her face. "Who did this, child?" He asked, his eyes turning cold. "It's nothing, Grandpa. I'm fine." Hailey pulled away and went ahead to touch a large orange hanging from a tree. She should have looked into the mirror. The slap must have left some bruises. Thi
Hailey rubbed her shoulders with both hands around herself and thanked the bodyguard while she walked away from the parking lot. The Butler came to receive her at the door and helped her inside the living room.What was wrong with him? Hailey couldn't help but laugh at his worried expression. "You're freezing, Madam," he said after exchanging pleasantries. "You should have worn bigger clothes. It is colder in the evenings nowadays." "Thank you, Collins." Hailey shook her head at the overacting man. She would be fine with a warm bath.She was already feeling warm anyways. The house's temperature was unusually high today. "Is Kendrick back?" She looked around the living room, then her eyes went to the empty dining table. "Yes, Madam. Master is upstairs. He is in his study." "Oh." Hailey nodded. She stopped at the dining area because the dinner was ready. Kendrick did not come down even after she finished eating, Hailey couldn't help but furrow her brows. And that Sharon. Only Go
A vibration sound reached her ears from the living room and her thoughts were dragged to the calls from earlier. 'Urgh,' she had even forgotten about it. All thanks to Kendrick and his stupid secret. Hailey grabbed a random nightgown and slipped it on. Her phone kept on ringing and she hurried to the bedroom where she had dropped her pouch on the couch.She picked it up and then brought out her phone which was still ringing. Walking back to the closet, she dropped the pouch on its stand while her eyes were on the phone's screen as several missed call notifications popped up.And all were from her sister. It had stopped ringing again and when she was about to dial the call button, the phone went off once more. So she answered it and decided to sit on the only sofa in the closet. Her thoughts were back again on the drama at her father's place that morning and she breathed out a sigh. She didn't even get to see her sister. Maybe she wasn't at home. Because if she was, her father's sh
She would jump and call out his name. In the end, her hands would get tired of hanging mid-air. He would walk away after picking up her sister. He wouldn't even glance at her as he drove away from the school. Her nanny would come to carry her instead. Murmuring words to her that he loved her. Well– she had grown up hearing those same words from her nanny. Still, nothing changed. And until she was wiser enough that he would never carry her, she kept on running to him whenever he came to pick her sister from school. Hailey didn't know the phone was still on her ear, as those memories returned. And with them came the grief and anxieties she had held in for a long time."Please think about it, Sis. Things will turn back to normal if you apologize and give him what he wants," Chloe whispered from the other end.After hanging up, Hailey tossed the phone beside her on the sofa, unable to keep it in anymore.Things would not turn back to normal. Things were never normal. Her father would ke
"Do you want me to deal with him?"He shouldn't be asking. He should be giving orders to the guards to seize the greedy man. No one had the right to hurt her. No one had the right to touch his wife. Even if it was her own father. Was he insane to look past her condition? His gaze landed on her stomach and he placed his palm on it. He wouldn't tolerate this. And he knew exactly what to do."No." Her stunned voice made him lift his head and he found her staring at him, wide-eyed. "D-Don't do anything, Kendrick. It doesn't even hurt."That did nothing to douse Kendrick's rage, it only fanned it more. Was she stupid? What maniac would think of hitting a pregnant lady? Being her father didn't give him the right. He would put him in his place. Hailey shook her head again, her eyes widening more. The look on his face must have scared her, as she cowered back.That was the last thing Kendrick wanted. He didn't intend to scare her. But he couldn't also control the burning rage inside him. H
However, despite the shame and annoyance, Hailey woke up light-hearted. Her heart was light as a bird's feather. After letting it all out last night, she woke up energized and feeling better. Another additional luck, Kendrick did not linger. The moment she woke up, he left the bed and entered the bathroom, and shortly after, he got prepared and left the room, all while she was still in bed and praying to disappear under the mattress. The shower stopped and she stepped out, drying her hair and searching for the cream. She picked up the body spray container, then paused— Urgh! But she couldn't put it back. That cunning Kendrick. Dared he say she looked haggard again. Wait— did he even say that?It was all in her head, yet those words had stuck to her mind. He had only said that to distract her from...Hailey instantly put a halt to her thoughts as her mind went back to last night. Kendrick had distracted her from the white bag, and she was going to find out whatever it was. Thankf