"Hailey..."But the reality wouldn't leave her alone. There was also a hand gripping hers."Hailey, gosh you almost scared me." Kara's tone was anxious. "Are you alright?" She tugged at Hailey's hand. "Where do you feel pain, Hailey? Let me know."Pain?Tears rolled down Hailey's eyes.She opened them once more to be met with the blurry figure of Kara hovering over her. And not only was Kara in the room, there was also the figure of an older woman. "It's alright, Hailey. Crying is bad for your health." Kara wiped her tears and coaxed. Hailey bit her lips hard and squeezed her eyes shut for some seconds. Loud sobs threatened to escape her lips, however, she suppressed them.When her vision was once again clearer, she stared at Kara whose expression was ebbed with a huge concern, then her eyes strayed to the woman who was standing behind Kara. They both stared at Hailey as if she was the most pitiful being right now on the earth. The look of pity in their eyes made Hailey starkly aw
"I know this is too sudden and may be hard to digest, but you can't do anything right now, you can't go anywhere.""Baby." Her mother also returned to the present. "It's alright if you don't want to go to your Grandpa first, I'm so sorry for suggesting that. You can come with me until you calm down. Then we'll proceed with everything after that.""The hell I'm coming with you." Hailey's annoyance grew with every second. Proceed with things? Proceed with the divorce? That was never going to happen. She was never going to allow that. And what use was it to go with her? Were they actually convinced that Kendrick intended to divorce her?Hailey chuckled sadly and shook her head."Please don't misunderstand, Baby." Her mother's voice reflected worry and she tried to hold her hand. "I was just trying to—""Just leave me alone." Hailey yanked her hands off. "And don't ever call me that," she added and swallowed the lump past her throat.Baby. That word brought a lot of memories to her he
Shocked? Hailey chuckled at her friend's words. "I'm not shocked, Kara." She shook her head and laughed. "It's just– It's just that I'm a bit surprised." She paused and gently wriggle her hands off Kara's hold. "But don't worry, Kendrick and I will clear things out. I'm sure he doesn't mean it."She explained, hoping the look of worry in her friend's eyes would dissipate. And she also hoped that Kara would leave her alone already. Her mother stood by a wall, watching them and giving Hailey a sad look. She also looked helpless. "Hailey, you don't get it." Kara sighed heavily. "It would be great to clear things with him." Even as she said that there was no hope in her eyes. "But first, let's get you home. Let's get you somewhere safe where you can think about it rationally. You don't have to go to him this early.""I can't do that." Hailey didn't know why her resolve was about to waver. Maybe it was because of the kind of look Kara was giving her at the moment. The kind of look bot
Moments later, a taxi stopped in front of her. And she didn't think twice before jumping inside. "Where would you like to go, Miss?" The taxi driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror.Where she would like to go?Hailey frowned at that. What time was it? Would she find Kendrick at home? She contemplated for a second. But if Kendrick was in the condition she believed he was, he wouldn't leave the mansion, he couldn't. He wouldn't also resume work yet, he might not be able to. Hailey returned her attention to the driver and gave him the mansion's address. And the taxi driver didn't stare at her through the mirror this time. He turned his head and looked at her directly."Are you sure that is where you want to go, Miss?" He asked with slight confusion edging his voice. "Yes, please," Hailey answered. "Have you been there before?" The man asked.What kind of a question was that? Hailey's frown deepened. But she gave him a nod in reply, then glanced out the window to make su
~~~But the kind of help Hailey got wasn't the one she had been expecting. She opened her eyes again to the beeping sounds of machines. The white ceiling was what first came into her view, followed by the smell of disinfectants that hit her nose. Hailey's heart sank. She was back on the hospital bed. "Hailey," a familiar voice sounded in the room and Hailey looked sideways. "How could you be so stubborn, Hailey." Kara gave her a helpless look. "Y–You scared the shit out of everyone. What would have happened if we hadn't found you early? That was a dangerous thing to do, Hailey." Amidst Kara's scolding, Hailey's gaze traveled to the woman who was sitting on the couch. Her eyes were puffy-red, there was no doubt she had died. Did they follow her to that area? Were they the ones that found her?But Hailey hadn't made it to the mansion yet. She hadn't made her way to Kendrick yet. She had to see Kendrick soon. She needed to see him. Her eyes squeezed tight as she struggled to put
Hailey's brows furrowed. Kara's action made her feel like they knew something she didn't. But that wasn't her concern right now. She must leave this place and go back to Kendrick. "Let me have the keys." She extended her hands and stood up. Kara shook her head. "We have to wait for your car, Hailey.""Shit! I can't wait for any car!" Hailey flared up and angry tears streamed down her face. Even if she wanted her car, she must go to where it was kept by the police. And she couldn't do that if she stayed in this apartment. "Relax, Hailey—" "No, I won't."Kara tried to calm her down but Hailey cut her off. And the argument went on until Kara finally conceded. Hailey grabbed her bag and shoved the papers inside it. Kara proposed to go with her but Hailey turned her down. She couldn't speak with Kendrick while someone else was present. This was an important issue and they had to resolve it alone. While leaving Kara's apartment, Hailey wished she had a phone with her at the moment
She hadn't taken this route on the day she found herself in the middle of the road going nowhere. The day Rob had made that strange phone call to her. She had taken the route not far ahead from here. The route she could see right now. Hailey's hand was still on her stomach. She sniffed and glanced away from the window. It would do her no good to think about it right now. Therefore, she focused on the man's confusing words instead."Back in our days–" the man was still grumbling. "Women see it as a shameful thing to do to approach men first. Even these days, such women exist. But they're rare. They're so rare that it would be a miracle to find ten among a hundred list." Hailey couldn't agree more with his words. However, she didn't see how the topic had anything to do with her. If she hadn't perceived it wrong, he appeared to be talking about ladies who chase after and throw themselves at men. "Tell me, Young lady." He darted her a sideways glance. "What knowledge do you have abo
He hadn't been speaking gibberish. "I don't work here, I'm not here to look for work." She stared at him desperately. "Tell me where Kendrick is. I'm the mistress of this home, I'm his wife.""His wife!?" One man from the crowd exclaimed in astonishment and the others burst into laughter. "This lady is surely taking it far. How come Mr. Reid has a wife we're not aware of?""I think she's one of those that live in their fantasy.""Don't blame the girl, Mate. Every girl has the right to dream.""Who wouldn't want to be the mistress of this home?""You're right. Mr. Reid will surely be pleased to have such a pretty wife.""Aha, you're joking, right?"Hailey's anxiety was replaced by anger at the men's words. Anger and helplessness. She didn't like their tone. She didn't like the way they were staring at her as if she had lost her mind. And she didn't like those words they were saying. "Listen to me, pretty girl." One man ogled at her. "You see those ladies there?" He pointed at the
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