Hailey lowered her head and gave them a slow nod. She would call the Butler. She was even ashamed of facing the man. What would he think of her? Would he be mad at her? He had also done his best to hide it from her. He must see her as a nag. But she had to know how Kendrick was doing. She had to be reassured he was alright.He should be taken to the best hospital in the city. The doctors were professionals. Their skills were also top-notch. So Kendrick would be alright. He should have woken up since last night. He should be awake right now at the hospital and eating breakfast just like her. "Girls, get me the telephone please," she lifted her head and said in a hoarse voice. The maids nodded at the same time and one of them was about to walk off. But the sound of a car made her stop. And Hailey sprang up. Her heart was pounding again as she ran for the large door. The maids were all behind her and when they got to the parking lot, the Butler emerged from the car with one of the bo
And if not for the Butler holding her in place, preventing her from moving, Hailey would have been wandering inside the hospital. She wouldn't get lost. This hospital was familiar. It was the same hospital he was brought to last time. He should be on the top floor in the VIP area. She would locate the ward he was admitted to if her memory didn't fail her. "Let's go." The Butler kept holding her hand even when they entered inside past the securities. As they took the elevator, he didn't release her, until they reached the large area. Some of the bodyguards were pacing back and forth in front of a ward and when the Butler finally let go of her hand, Hailey didn't waste time to sprint forward, his words of protest falling behind her ears. One bodyguard held the door open for her and she entered the ward. It was the same ward. When she barged inside, there was pin-drop silence in the room. "I told you to be careful, Madam," The Butler caught up with her and berated. Hailey's atten
"You." Sharon pointed a finger at her and Hailey grabbed that hand."I said get out," she whispered and when Sharon wanted to protest, Hailey dragged her to the door and she opened it, then threw the girl out while the Butler watched them in astonishment.After closing the door and locking it, Hailey breathed out again and returned to sit down beside Kendrick.His frown had disappeared and his expression was calm once more. Sharon's screams in the hallway were muffled behind the door and a few seconds later, everything became silent again.The guards must have taken her away.Hailey placed both palms on Kendrick's hand. His fingers were curled into a fist, and she started straightening them one by one and carefully. The Butler cleared his throat from behind and after some minutes, she could hear him unlocking the door. Sharon, however, did not come back. Good, she was gone. Silence descended once more and she found herself drifting off. A long time passed, and slight taps on her s
Hailey pulled back her hand that instant as if she had touched a hot object. Shit! What was she thinking? She patted her cheek and dropped her head, avoiding the Butler's gaze and also dreading to take another look at the sleeping man's face. "I'll– I'll be outside with the guards." The Butler stood up and scratched his head. "Please l-let me know, Madam. When he's awake."Hailey still avoided the Butler's eyes as she nodded. And when he closed the door behind him, she let out a groan and covered her face.'Urgh!' this was embarrassing. Even when asleep, Kendrick still had the ability to draw people like a magnet. And she was the only one immune to his charms. Urgh! She couldn't let her immunity waver. She had to build more defenses around herself. Her head lifted up and she sneak a peek at his face. Luckily, she didn't make a fool of herself when he was awake. Otherwise, Kendrick would keep taunting her until she drowned in shame. Some minutes later, the Butler came inside. And
Hailey let out a sigh and put the phone to her ear. "Kara," she mumbled to the phone."Hailey, what were you doing since yesterday? Where were you? I called you several times you didn't pick up my calls! I was so worried, are you alright?— wait, Hailey. Why is your voice hoarse? What happened to your voice? Did someone bully you? Are you alright?"Hailey distanced the phone from her ear and grimaced. She pressed a palm to her forehead as it started throbbing immediately. "I'm fine, Kara," she replied some seconds later after Kara was done with her barrage of questions."But your voice." Kara's confused tone came. "You don't sound alright, Hailey. Tell me who the hell bullied you. Oh, God. Are you sick? Shit! I should have thought of that. No one could bully you, your husband wouldn't allow that. Tell me, Hailey. Is it the headaches that have returned?"Hailey was surely having a headache right at the moment and she kept on pressing a hand to her forehead. Before Kara could continue
Because right now, it wasn't the worry that he was in danger that drove her forward, but the worry of what would happen when he was finally awake. Kendrick was safe, he was out of danger already. The only thing that remained was the impending danger looming over her head like dark clouds. She stepped out of the elevator and her footsteps got slower as she neared the door where the bodyguards were still patrolling. As she got closer, she couldn't help but pause for a few seconds. Then she continued walking and her ears caught noises.Hailey's heart did a leap as several voices came from the room. Was Kendrick awake? She gasped and pushed past the bodyguard who was about to open the door for her.She didn't even wait to respond to their greetings. She didn't have the time to notice them. Her apprehension and gloom were long forgotten. Even her guilt, as she barged inside the room. And her eyes were met with Kendrick's face. She almost tripped, her knees immediately went weak while h
"Hailey." Kendrick's palm was still on her face, his other hand still holding her waist. He went ahead to brush her hair aside. Her messed up hair. She didn't even get to brush it properly—'Urgh! Get a hold of yourself, Hailey.'Kendrick let out a soft laugh and went on. "Are you scared that you'll lose me?" His eyes flashed with amusement. "Have you been crying because you're afraid I wouldn't wake up?" Hailey's lips parted. And she blinked, before shaking her head quickly. This shameless man. W-Was she afraid because of that? Of course not. She was just scared that her baby would come out and find her father gone— yes, it was because of her baby. Otherwise, why the hell would she be afraid? Kendrick studied her face, his smile widening. Then he leaned downward, his hand still on her cheek.Hailey's heart was about to rip out of her ribcage. What in the world was happening? What the hell was Kendrick about to do? She struggled again, but heck! He was too strong. How could he be
And without a second thought, Hailey quickly let go of his shirt and stumbled backward. She didn't want to witness this. She didn't want to look at his face. 'Urgh,' she even wanted them to go back to moments ago when she was feeling all embarrassed and agitated. She didn't even know what to say. She didn't know how to start speaking or where to start. Sharon had made it seem like she was a shameless person. That stupid girl had weaved her into a perfect trap. If she started apologizing now, it would only prove her words right. The silence was so suffocating, Hailey couldn't breathe. She kept her head down for God knew how long. But she knew sooner or later, she had to face the music.It was either she spoke first or Kendrick erupted first. Her hands fisted the sides of her dress and she bit her lips hard. Gathering every courage she could, Hailey lifted her head to meet Kendrick's face and his anger. And true to her thoughts, when she looked up, his eyes were dark. And anger wa
Sharelene stood in a corner, watching everything unfold. The family was in a frenzy. She could only see fear in their eyes and hear the fright in their voices.As the staff wheeled Hailey out of the emergency room, a deafening silence fell upon the hallway. And Ken...He hadn't been himself since they came here. He hadn't been himself since a few days back when he learned Hailey was kidnapped. Neither would he speak to anyone, nor listen to those that tried to talk reason into him and advise him to take it rationally. Since a few days back, he was the complete opposite of the man she had met many years ago and had a second chance of getting close to again. The man that would always keep calm no matter the circumstances...He was nowhere to be found. Ken was completely different from that man she knew. In her mind, she'd almost gotten what she wanted... Or more specifically, what her family wanted. But now, staring down at the ring on her finger, it was as if the engagement neve
```````And every day, Kendrick lived in guilt. For the next several months, every minute of his life was consumed by guilt. It took him weeks to gain her mother's favor, and even months to regain her grandfather's. He would come back every day, hoping that her eyes would at least flutter. Her bump kept increasing at an alarming rate. His every day was filled with fear and trepidation. And one day, her eyes did flutter. He was supposed to feel joy, but not at a chance that more trouble loomed ahead. Her pregnancy was due and not a week after that, the babies arrived. His real fear resurfaced at that moment. The fear that they would never be able to hold their bundles of joy together. The fear that he would never get the chance to tell her that he loved her. However, she proved the doctors wrong, chasing away his fears. Now, staring down at the babies, her utmost gifts to him, Kendrick had never felt so much contented in his life. He'd never been able to wipe off his smile sin
***Kendrick paced in front of the Emergency Room. His heart was in his stomach and his hand never left his hair. It was as if she'd been inside there for hours now despite being wheeled in just now.No amount of self-reassurance could calm him. No one attempted to offer him reassuring words even. They've all been in the same dilemma.Her mother wouldn't stop crying and he couldn't find the heart to offer her those words he'd yearned so much to hear. Hadn't it all been his fault? Hailey was pregnant. How was that possible? When they arrived here, it was the first thing the nurses said after taking her vitals. But Kendrick still found it hard to digest.And the fact that the child would definitely turn out to be his only made him more confused. It made him angrier with himself. "Ken, what is going on here?" Rushed footsteps sounded in the hallway and he glanced sideways to find his parents as well as Sharelene. "What are you doing in this place? Is someone wounded?" Asked his f
~~~'Hailey.'Kendrick's hands trembled and his grip on the gun threatened to loosen. Staring up at the balcony where she was being held captive, he fought not to let the rage take over. The rage that became multifold the moment he sighted them dragging her here. Her body was limped. She looked worse than how she'd looked in the video. And an almost similar-looking lady, whose face was cascaded with tears, was being held at gunpoint beside her. Was that her mother? "Don't worry, Mr. Reid." Standing with them were the three shareholders. "She isn't dead yet. But she'll soon be, if you don't follow our commands."Mr. Weimar and the rest. Kendrick's assumption hadn't been wrong. They had a hand in this. "Already, you've broken one of our rules," scoffed one of them. "We thought we told you to come alone. Coming here with your friend is like seeking more trouble. Will Mr. Carter be competent enough to fend for himself?""Shit! Buddy, these stupid old fools are underestimating me," De
***"Hailey, listen to me!" Rob grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look up. "This is important, you have to take it."Nothing was more important to Hailey right now than getting away from him. Not only did she fear these drugs he had brought her, but she also feared the way his demeanor had changed ever since he returned with them.Of course, even if Rob was really trying to save her, there was no way she was going to cooperate with him.Yesterday, he'd secretly taken her blood, waking her up. And he returned this morning, looking agitated and somehow angry at her. "Hailey!" Rob's hold became tighter. "You must take these drugs immediately. I can't get you out here if you don't. Please, Hailey." He softened his voice. "Just take the damned drugs, you'll feel better. We both will feel better.""What exactly is wrong with you?" Her mother's voice faded in the background. "Leave her alone, she doesn't want to take them. Please I'm begging you, don't torment her any further."While he
Maniac.Hailey lifted her hand weakly to send a slap across his face, but her hand went limp and fell mid-way."M–Murderer." She pushed his chest. "Just go, leave me alone.""Hailey." Footsteps approached the room and Rob said frantically, "Please hold on." He touched her forehead. "You're sick. I'll get someone to treat you. I'll get you out, I promise."Then he sprang to his feet and left, closing the door behind him. Hailey was left wondering how such lunatics could be left wandering among normal people. She sniffed and waddled back into her mother's embrace. How blind had she been to associate with these kinds of people in the past?And how could she put a stop to these endless noises and intense headaches? She didn't want to remember? She didn't want to recall whatever they had shared in the past. ***'Ken, you have to save me. These strange men have captured me and they won't release me until you come. If you don't come alone, Ken, they're going to kill me and my Mum.'Kendric
...The hours dragged on, and from the tiny cracks in the wall, it seemed night had come. Still in her mother's embrace, Hailey shut her eyes to keep up with that pain.Both hands were wrapped around her stomach and she'd shiver now and then. As much as she'd like sleep to overtake her, it didn't. The exhaustion weighing her down didn't let her achieve that. The exhaustion caused by the aches all over her body. Her head pounded constantly, the voices also became louder each time she was left to her thoughts. Those hallucinations were neverending, and very soon she was afraid that they'd burst out, damaging more parts of her brain.The darkness slowly disappeared and the creaking sound of the door made her aware that morning had come. Another day of torture and pain."Hey, wake up!"Before cold water or anything worse could be splashed on her, Hailey leaned away from her mother's embrace who was also awake."Take your food!" The man burly man threw a food box and a water bottle at them
***"Ken, you have to save me. These strange men have captured me and they won't release me until you come. If you don't come alone, Ken, they're going to kill me and my Mum. They have laid traps for you, Ken—"Hailey was cut shut by a hard slap across her face. Bound to a chair with ropes, cold water was splashed on her face. She licked the side of her lips, tasting the metallic liquid; the only thing that kept her from fainting."Damnit! Woman. I told you to leave the trap part out! Are you deaf or what!?" The man holding a camera in front of her shouted. "Now, let's take another video. You will say everything you were asked to.""Stop wasting your time, Man," the portly man said and walked forward. "I don't think this lady is willing to cooperate.""I told you she's a stubborn one," Chloe scoffed from a corner."Now listen to me, Young lady." The portly man approached her and lifted her chin. "If you keep acting this way, we can't fulfill our promise to you. Give us your cooperation
***"Buddy, this is serious. How could she just disappear into thin air? Is there a chance that they're hidden somewhere in this city?"This city? Probably not. Kendrick had turned the whole city upside down. He'd deployed every force he could think of. They'd searched everywhere; every warehouse, every dilapidated building. There was no sign of them. It had been three days and there wasn't any traces of them. He'd driven to the cemetery that day, hoping more than anything that she hadn't spent the night there. And his prayers turned out to work. Only that, what actually happened was worse than spending a night in the cemetery. The sight of her phone by the cemetery gates was all he needed to know that something bad had happened. She was abducted. And there was still no traces of the suspects. Her sister and that guy. "Damnit! This is all screwed up." Devon paced for a while before sitting on the couch. "You didn't tell me you've taken her back. You never should have allowed her