Hailey never forgot it. It was always at the back of her mind. And now with his parents' sudden decision, it was now very clear. It was prominent in her mind. It was in fact the only thing she could think of. Her eyes remained on the window concealed by the curtains. The silhouette of the blue moon was out in the sky. Kendrick was right. It was too late into the night. But she wondered if he was also sleeping. Several minutes passed and she was still deep in her thoughts. Was he also asleep? She didn't wonder long because she felt his movements. Moments later, his arm was around her, his palm settling on her stomach. And she could feel his breath on her back. He wasn't sleeping. However, he didn't say a word. He didn't say anything and kept on hugging her. Did he think she was asleep? Hailey bit her lips and let out a sigh. This was strange. If he had the power to stop his parents, why was he giving her a choice now? Did he not want to argue with them? Or did he just want her to
None of the staff said a word, however, Hailey wouldn't be surprised if they broke down. It was obvious that didn't want to help her anymore. They were afraid she was going to burn another dish."Ma'am, maybe you should take some rest.""We'll help with the dishes, you don't have to worry about it." "Would you like to sit down for a while?""No, she doesn't need any rest." Kara strode toward them with both hands on her waist and she gave Hailey a pointed look. "She needs to go back home.""Kara?" Hailey exclaimed and her eyes swept past the four people. Even the staff seemed to agree with her words as they all nodded at the same time. "What is it, Hailey?" Kara looked annoyed. "Do you want to burn down the whole kitchen?" Hailey's eyes darted between them and she lowered her head. She didn't want to burn down the kitchen. She only wanted some distraction.Before she could form a reply, Kara grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the kitchen, toward the storeroom."You look so miser
"It was more than bad, Kara." Hailey stopped her in her words and buried her face in her hands. "It was something horrible. I am a bad person, It was not a mistake." She had been in her right senses when she did that. It wasn't a mistake. It was her foolishness."You're not bad, Hailey," Kara whispered. "Don't say things like that. You nice and you're—""No, I'm not." Hailey shook her head rapidly. At least she wasn't. She wasn't kind when she did that. "I wasn't kind when I poisoned him. I was the most selfish and evil—""Hailey." Kara pulled her back by holding her shoulders. "What are you talking about? Did you poison someone? When and where?" Her jaw dropped and she looked flabbergasted as if she had just been hit by a ton of bricks.Hailey sniffled and kept covering her face. "I poisoned Kendrick, okay? ... I know it was so wrong of me. But I did poison him and he was sent to the hospital twice." She sobbed out and dropped her hands to take in Kara's expression. And it was exact
Hailey had to clear her head and weigh the pros and cons. She couldn't just jump into a choice that would leave her in regret in the future. It was great that her sister was here. Both girls could brainstorm and come up with the best solution."Whatever you say, Hailey." Kara stared at her helplessly and she sauntered forward to join Chloe at her table. Hailey also walked forward and hugged her sister who was already on her feet and had walked toward her. "It's so good to see you, Sis." Chloe smiled. "I guess I'm lucky today. Didn't expect to meet you here."They both went to the chair and sat down. Chloe's eyes were fixed on her face. Hailey could read all the questions in her eyes. "You don't look great, Sister," Chloe said with a frown and her eyes darted to Kara. "Did anything happen? Did you just cry?" "Of course she did," Kara answered her question and rolled her eyes. Then she went on to narrate what she had told her in the storeroom while pinning her with a hard glare."K
Maybe and probably, everything was filled with what-ifs. Both options might just lead to a dead end for her.His parents' intentions were clear and easy to see. But she didn't understand Kendrick. She never understood him. What if he ended up snatching her baby from her? Would that be any different from his parents' plan?He would have his parents backing him up at that time and she would have no one. Even he was powerful enough to overthrow her. If his parents joined him then, she'd only be like a mouse in front of three giant lions. "You see why you need to be free as soon as possible." Chloe held her shoulder and said softly, "No matter what decision you make, Sis, you'll part with your baby in the end. It's better you warm up to that idea early, so you won't feel much pain when the time comes." Hailey's shoulders dropped and she cradled her stomach. None of them spoke anything after Chloe's last words. And she turned to Kara to see if she would say anything. Anything to contradi
This was like a life and death situation for her. Her baby was her priority and she felt weak and useless that she didn't have any power over this situation."Would you like to speak with Rob?" Chloe asked and she opened her bag and brought out her phone. "We'll ask for his advice and see what he has to say. He'll have the right words to make you calm down."Hailey's eyes fell on her sister's hand which held the phone. Speak with Rob? Now? Did she have to?She wasn't sure if that was going to calm her down. Hearing Rob's voice at this moment would only increase her anxiety. And that sense of guilt would return. She was already dealing with a lot of emotions. She was even ashamed of speaking with him. The last time he was here, she hadn't given an answer to his question. She had left him hanging. It had been hard to watch his expression as he left. "Thanks, Chloe." She smiled at her sister. "Maybe next time." "Oh." Chloe gave a disappointed sound and she dropped the phone back inside
Hailey was also startled but she quickly collected herself. "Is she gone already?" Kara dropped her hands and picked up the tray she had just dropped.Hailey gave her a nod before stepping in front of her. "Don't give me that look, Hailey," Kara murmured. "I'm not mad at you, it's your sister. You know I can't stand her." "She only means well, Kara," Hailey explained softly."But she has the guts to call your baby a mistake." Kara dropped the tray on the counter and turned around to face her with folded hands."She didn't mean that," Hailey said in a tired voice and walked to the stove. It was futile explaining it to her. Maybe she should be offended by Chloe's words. But she only meant the marriage. She was talking about her marriage and not her baby."What did you decide, Hailey." Kara came to her side and faced her. "Are you going to follow your sister's advice?" "Kara—"Kara held up her hand, stopping her in her words. "Chloe has credible points, Hailey." She said in a disappo
"This is the only thing I can think of, Hailey. It is the only reasonable thing. We don't want you to be trapped by his parents. We don't also want you to end up at the receiving end. You love your baby so much. You should try working on this marriage instead of breaking it. His parents might not have any say in whatever you decide to do with your marriage. Hell! You can even start by pretending. Pretend that you're happy and you love him, things will fall into place eventually." Hailey wrapped both hands around herself, digesting each of Kara's words. Pretend. Pretend. Could pretending ever turn into reality? Was there any difference? How was she going to pretend? And how were things ever going to fall into place? Her thoughts were bombarded with so many questions and the dizziness returned. Hailey held her head to get a grip on even one thought. But there were so many. Too many. This new option even had a heavier weight than the previous two. Maybe she should find somewhere quie
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