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
"M–Madam?" The maids dispersed immediately and they gave her frightful looks. "Y–You're back already?""Would you l–like anything, Madam?" They all looked frantic as they hurried toward her. Each of them avoided her gaze and they all fixed their eyes on the floor. Hailey's lips twitched at the sides and she controlled the urge to chuckle at their awkwardness. How could she even think of laughing at them? They thought they were in trouble because she had caught them red-handed. But she was in bigger trouble right now. She could happily trade places with them.She told them to bring her food and left the kitchen to wait for them at the dining table. She brought out her phone from her bag and stared at the time. Kendrick would not return soon. She still had more time to focus on her neverending thoughts. Maybe she should tell him to give her more time. Maybe she would reach a decision after a few days. Footsteps came from the stairs all of a sudden and she held her breath. Was Ken
"No, you're going to reveal that yourself." Hailey tilted her head. "You're so desperate and pathetic, why don't you leave the servants and pick on someone your size?"Without waiting for her answer, Hailey turned around and headed for the stairs. It was exhausting to squabble with the girl all the time. And watching her pick at the servants, it just rubbed her in the wrong way. Hailey pressed her temples with her index finger and the other hand gripped the railing as she strolled up the stairs. Maybe she should tell Kendrick that it was Sharon. But 'Urgh' what would be the use in that. She couldn't waste her time telling on Sharon when it was too late. And worse, Kendrick might not believe her. And even if he did, what was he possibly going to do to his oh-so-precious cousin? "M–Madam." The maid bumped into her as she walked through the hallway. She still appeared frightened and was literally shaken. Hailey stopped in her footsteps and waited for her to go on. However, even thoug
Why was it that in each one of those two choices, she would be the one with the most disadvantage? The sound of rapid knocks came from the living room, breaking Hailey out of her train of thought. Was Kendrick back? She frowned. But Kendrick would never knock at the door. Was it one of the maids? She got up from the couch and left the closet. And why was she knocking so frantically? Hailey's frown deepened as she walked toward the door. Whoever was standing outside must have sensed her approach because the knock stopped instantly.She held the doorknob and pull the door open to be met by a frantic maid. It was the maid from a while ago."M–Madam," the maid stuttered. "It— It's Master. Master is back and he wants to see you downstairs." Huh? Kendrick was back? He was finally back. Why did he return late? And why did he want her to come downstairs? And why was the maid this anxious? Was she still shaken by Sharon's bullying? "Madam, he said now," the maid added. "Th–They're waiti
Had he made a mistake by giving her the liberty to choose? He had promised himself not to force her. He had given her the power to make her choice. Was he right by doing that? Was that a good idea? He never expected his parents to act so fast. They had set everything in place. They had arranged where she would live as well as the securities she would need. And all that was left for her was to go with them. They had thought it dangerous to let her stay with him. But that wasn't their choice to make. It was his and he had given her the power to make that decision. Was he wrong in doing that? "Collins!?" His mother yelled at the Butler again. The man was looking to him for instructions. The instructions he couldn't give unless she spoke. But she wasn't speaking. "I said you should get her things down here!" Now it was his father that spoke. The Butler gave him another glance. Then he glanced at the still-shocked Hailey. Before his shoulders dropped and he gave a slow nod. "No," Hai
The Butler nodded frantically and dashed out of the place before his parents could say anything. And the look of shock in his parents' eyes increased. "Are you defying us?" His father glared at him."I'm not," Kendrick replied calmly. "I won't let you bully my wife.""Ken." His mother's jaw dropped and she stammered, "H–How dare you speak to us like that?"Sounds of hurried footsteps came from the stairs and Sharon appeared all of a sudden. She took in the scene with furrowed brows before her eyes fell on Hailey. And her lips parted."What is going on, Aunty." She walked to his mother and asked in confusion. "Uncle, why are you here?""It is this evil woman." His mother pointed at Hailey. "Can you believe she put poison in his food? She poisoned Ken and she's keen on doing more than that. She wants to stay with him.""Th–That." Sharon put on a shocked expression. "How could she do that? That is unacceptable." Her eyes came to Hailey. "Y–You can't let her stay here, Ken. She doesn't d
Hailey didn't protest. She only gave him a helpless look before leaning further into his arms to make herself comfortable. Her cheek was pressed on his chest and she let her eyelids close. Was she sleeping? Kendrick couldn't help but ask. He kept his eyes on her face as he strolled up the stairs, relishing the moment and relishing the silence.But the silence was in no time disrupted. A shocked sound came from ahead and he lifted his head to find Sharon standing in the middle of the staircase and looking astonished. Sharon's lips parted as if she wanted to say something and Kendrick frowned. Why hadn't she gone to her room?"What is it?" She was blocking his path and he could sense Hailey's uncomfortable movements. She was probably not asleep yet. Sharon didn't seem to hear him as her eyes darted between him and Hailey in shock.Then she finally opened her mouth."Ken, Aunty and Uncle are mad—""So what?" Kendrick glared at her. He wasn't blind not to notice.Sharon gave him an
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