Chloe remained standing, her eyes going from Hailey to Kara. And after a few seconds, she seemed to have realized her actions. She plopped down on the stool and held her forehead. "Forgive me, Sis, I– I didn't mean to yell." She gave Hailey an apologetic look. "But why?" Her look changed to that of worry. "Do you really want to stay with him forever? What about Rob? What are you going to do with the promise you made him?" "Rob or whatsoever be blasted!" Kara flared up. "What non-existent relationship are you talking about? Isn't it Hailey's decision and her life? What if she wants to stay with her husband forever? Is that a crime?" "But she's not happy!" Chloe's temper was no less. She was now far from the docile girl she'd been moments ago. "Sister's never been happy since they got married. She doesn't want to be with him, and she doesn't love him also. She only loves one person and that's—""Rob, I know." Kara glared at her and said in a mocking tone. "Why would she keep loving R
She didn't want to sink into sadness. She'd had enough of that. If only she could stop thinking and become numb to every kind of negative emotion. A swooshing movement in her abdomen jolted her back to reality, making her snap her eyes open. Hailey's eyes wandered to her bump and an unprecedented smile bloomed on her face.She caressed it for a while and shut her eyes again until they arrived at the mansion. "Madam, we are here." Rick stopped the car in the parking lot and said. Hailey's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the house. She didn't want to admit that she was afraid, but she really was. What if she bumped into the crazy girl before she even reached her room? And what if she was holding a bigger weapon? A sharper one?"Madam?" Rick called her out and Hailey snapped back to her senses. She didn't make any attempt to leave the car and the guy must have sensed her fear. He didn't show any confusion on his face, however. He had been at the scene yesterday and had witnesse
"Lizzy!" One of the maids yelped. "H–How are you sure of that? You'll get fired. What if the Butler catches you and your words reach Master's ears?" Hailey was as shocked and confused as the last maid that spoke. Those words weren't foreign to her, but hearing them from the maid's perspective, it sounded different."The Butler won't know if you girls keep your mouth shut." Lizzy's tone was sharp. "And I'm not making things up, Ma'am Sharon really confessed her feelings to Master. She even offered to..." She trailed off and lowered her voice to the point that Hailey didn't hear her words. But she'd guessed her words and her body shuddered at that. "What!?""Are you serious!?"The two other maids exclamations just confirmed Hailey's thoughts."Yes. That's exactly what she wanted.""But Master would never do that. He would never cheat on Madam. Isn't he head over heels for her lately?" "Of course, he wouldn't." The first maid sighed. "He had rejected her and even threatened to send he
Hailey moved away from the wall with a hand still on her chest. She had really misjudged Kendrick. Things were not entirely the way she had suspected. And Sharon's weird behavior... No wonder she had found her actions weird in the kitchen. And she even cut herself without blinking. Her instincts hadn't been wrong. Sharon wasn't normal, because she was on drugs. So all those things she'd mentioned about her and Kendrick were all made up. There wasn't anything going on between them and Kendrick didn't reciprocate her feelings. Then what was Kendrick doing in her room constantly? Hailey took a step forward then paused. If she went inside now, wouldn't it be like she'd walked on the maids? Although they'd already switched to another conversation, it wasn't for long and it would be like she'd been eavesdropping. Would that even be a crime? Wasn't it inappropriate for them to gossip this much? But then if it wasn't for their words, Hailey would still be doubting Kendrick. She would sti
A new door was installed in the kitchen and the inside was spotlessly clean. Hailey touched the new door and examined it from the top to bottom. It was similar to the old one Kendrick had broken. And she marveled at his strength. A mere hitting the door with her bare hand would probably break her wrist. How could he be so strong? And another thought came to her mind. Was Kendrick alright? Hailey left the door alone and walked inside the kitchen. Even the broken appliances were replaced. Did they make all these repairs yesterday? She headed to the fridge and brought out some vegetables. After arranging the ingredients, she took her time to cook a light brunch. Maybe she should add some side dishes. With that in mind, she took more time in the kitchen than expected. And when she was finally done cooking, an enticing aroma of a variety of dishes hung in the atmosphere. Hailey smiled down at her work and took off her apron. Would this be enough? If it wouldn't, she'd come back to ma
"Hehe, Madam. Don't misunderstand, Master and I are only discussing—""I know what you're discussing, Collins." Hailey fought her anger from flaring up, then she put on an offended look. "I worked so hard to prepare these dishes and Kendrick is obviously hungry. Apart from overlooking his health, how could you say I want to poison Kendrick? Didn't he save my life just yesterday? Do you think it is the best way to repay my savior?" "Erhm..." The Butler scratched the back of his neck and his face flushed with embarrassment.Then Hailey glanced toward Kendrick. "If you still think I poisoned this food, then I'll prove to you that I did not." And she scooped a large portion of the food from Kendrick's plate then put it all in her mouth. "Madam, no. The baby." Hailey glared at the Butler as she slowly chewed the food. But he and Kendrick stared at her in shock and when she finally picked up a glass of water and pushed it down, their expressions instantly ebbed with relief."Hehe, Madam.
Just because she'd put it that way even though she hadn't really meant it, Kendrick was willing to fulfill her wish. Her lips tugged at the corners and her eyes tinged. How could he be this considerate even though all she'd done was scream and yell when a slight matter arose? "A–Are you alright?" She lifted her head and asked softly. "Yes, I'm fine," Kendrick replied and there was a subtle smile on his face. He stood up from his chair and Hailey instantly took the jacket from his hand. "Are you off to work?" She asked as he walked past her. His footsteps were slowed, he must still be feeling uncomfortable. Kendrick nodded to her question and rearranged his necktie. Hailey could see him struggling with it. Even his inner white shirt was damp at the back with perspiration. He had eaten too much, added to the fact that the food was hot. Would be able to go to work? Besides, the sun was high up in the sky. And wasn't he tired from the trip?"But Ken— Kendrick." Hailey picked up her
When they reached the bedroom, Hailey placed his suit jacket, which was still in her arms, on the couch. Kendrick was now sitting on the bed and tugging at his necktie, and she sauntered forward and sat beside him. "Let me help." Hailey took the necktie from his hands and carefully undid it. She didn't even look up at his shocked expression right now.After loosening the necktie, she placed it beside her on the bed and brought her hands back to his shirt. Slowly, she undid the first button, the second one, and then the third one. And as his bare chest came into view, Hailey knew she should look away. She had to look away. But she didn't know where the sudden curiosity came from and possessed her. "Hailey." Kendrick held her hands as she was fiddling with the fourth button. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?" His voice was darker than normal. And she couldn't make out the expression in his eyes with the tiny light streaming inside the room.Hailey blinked and swallowed down a
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