“How may I help you, Miss?” He asked. Hailey stepped closer for him to have a proper look at her face. “I’m here for-” she didn’t get to finish her words because the security man’s eyes widened instantly and he opened the door wide. He must have recognized her.“Please come in, Madam.” He gestured with his hands and gave her a friendly smile.Hailey nodded and smiled back.And she contemplated if to ask the security man about Kendrick’s presence in the house. But her thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of footsteps that approached her. Hailey looked in that direction and saw a man dressed in a white uniform.He was the same man that had ushered her in with Kendrick the previous times they were both here.He stopped in front of Hailey while the security man went back to his spot. “You’re welcome, Madam.” He gave her a gentle smile. “To what do we owe this surprise visit? Mr. Reid didn’t inform his parents that you’re on the way.”Seeing the man treat her so nicely, Hailey’s a
Kendrick’s parents looked forward to her delivery. Their thoughts had always been about the baby. Even when they were angry at her, their love for her baby did not reduce a bit. They even wanted to take her baby away. Telling them that she had lost her baby, how were they going to react to the news?Would she be able to leave the house without telling them? Wasn’t Kendrick supposed to have told them already? What was going on?“Why are you quiet?” Kendrick’s mother demanded with a bit of a frown on her face. Her excitement didn’t cease anyways. “Tell us where the baby is. Is Ken with the baby? Is he outside?”Hailey shook her head and the rate of her heartbeat picked up. “I… I…” She couldn’t even find her voice. “You what?” Kendrick’s father asked, his frown getting bigger. “Quit hesitating, are you not here to show us the child? Where is he?”Shit! This was bad. And Hailey knew she was in soup. How she wished she could flee from here immediately.“I’m actually here to look for Ke
Before she knew it, Kendrick’s mother lifted her shirt in a swift motion, and her surgery scar was revealed to them. Sharon shot to her feet and her mouth hung open. While the man’s eyes only widened further. And Kendrick’s mother, she simply staggered back and fell into her husband’s arms.“H-Honey.” She held her chest, looking breathless. “She- She isn’t lying.”Hailey walked away from the couple, tugging her shirt back to rest below her stomach.“Hailey!?” Sharon screeched. “What did you do to the baby? How could you kill Ken’s baby?”“K-Killed?” Kendrick’s mother looked as if she would faint. “D-Did you kill the baby, Hailey?”Killed?The word stung Hailey’s heart.Her strength left her and she dropped to her knees and sobbed.Did she kill her baby? How could that be? Accidents were inevitable.“What exactly is going on here?” Kendrick’s father’s hands were trembling. Veins popped up on his neck. He looked furious. “Did you do something to the baby, Hailey?” He asked. “Of cours
The taxi dropped her off at the diner and she walked out to be suddenly embraced by Kara. Hailey hadn’t seen Kara coming, and she was shocked for a few seconds.“Oh, my God, Hailey,” Kara examined her body and said anxiously. “What took you so long? How did things go? And why are you looking like this?”Kara bombarded her with a lot of questions and Hailey was lost at which to answer first. The only thing she knew was that Kara’s embrace seemed to be calming her nerves. The sight of the diner, for the first time after countless weeks, also had some of her spirits coming back.“Hailey.” Kara pulled her out of her thoughts. “Talk to me. Why did you look as if you have cried?”Hailey stepped out of the embrace and her hold tightened around her bag. “Forget it, let’s go inside.” Kara grabbed her hand and led her into the diner. “You don’t look alright, Hailey. I wonder what has occurred between you and your husband. Whatever it is, don’t think too much. You must have some rest and rela
“They don’t know.” Hailey held her forehead with both hands and shook her head. And it was all because of her. She had caused a fudge between Kendrick and his parents.“I’m afraid, Kara.” She looked up and sniffed. “I’m afraid that they’re going to come for me.” She couldn’t stop thinking about the retribution that Kendrick’s father had mentioned. The look in his eyes came back to her memory and the fears returned.Also, Hailey was afraid of what the retribution might be. The couple might try to separate Kendrick from her for real.Since it turned out that they didn’t even know anything about the divorce, once they knew about it, they might try to make it happen whether she liked it or not. Whether Kendrick liked it or not.Hailey was now sure that the divorce was all Kendrick’s idea. Her initial thoughts were right. He must be disillusioned by grief, he probably wasn’t in his right sense. And all she needed to do was talk him out of it. But now, she had to act fast. She needed to
“If your grandfather was here, he would tell you the same thing. It would break his heart to see you like this. All this suffering is not worth it. You can give the lawyer what he wants and-”“I can do it myself.” Hailey didn’t let her finish her words and she grabbed the hairdryer.And her mother stared at her through the mirror in shock.“Dear…”“I don’t need your help.” Hailey’s hand fisted the fabric of the bathrobe, and she struggled to keep the sudden anger in her in check.How could she tell her to quit already? How could she not go out? Did she even care? And did she know the pain that she was going through at the moment?“I want to be left alone,” Hailey muttered in a low tone.She didn’t want the woman’s company. She didn’t need her company. She never needed that in the past. Even now, she wasn’t going to.The woman stared at Hailey, her expression changing to a sad one. She dropped her hands by her side and breathed out a heavy sigh.“It’s alright, Dear.” She patted Hailey
Hailey’s eyes instantly clouded. She hadn’t just guessed the meaning behind Kara’s hesitant look yesterday. It was the actual truth.How could she tell her not to go after Kendrick?What did she mean by that?Did she also want her to sign the divorce papers just like her mother?“This is worth everything I’ve ever had, Kara.” Hailey was heartbroken but she didn’t show it. “Kendrick is the only person I have right now. I can’t just let him go just because of these stupid papers. I will talk with him and we’ll get back together.”And Hailey was confident that once she talked to him, he would return to his senses and take back his decision.“But, Hailey.” Kara looked agitated. “You’re not well, and if you keep doing this, I’m afraid that you’ll end up again at the hospital. Sit down and think about it. At least, take things slowly.”Hailey was done trying to make her friend understand. She didn’t need anyone’s understanding anyways.Only she knew what was good for her, and Kendrick was t
"How bold of her.""She didn't even blink while stating this blatant lie.""Everyone knows that Mr. Reid's relatives don't come here.""And if they do, they'll use his private elevator from the parking lot.""Besides, I can't remember seeing her photo on the internet.""Everyone can detect Mr. Reid's relative at a glance.""And didn't he have only one cousin?""I know, right? He doesn't even have a sister for her to claim that she was one."While the loud gossip continued, the receptionist didn't try to force her smile anymore. "Ridiculous." She chuckled and shook her head. "Look here, Miss." She stared down at Hailey. "At least, two to three ladies appear often, claiming that they have a relationship with Mr. Reid. A majority of them claim to be his wife, while others claim to have intimate relationships with him. The bottom line is, everyone is vying to get his attention.""Yeah, the drama is neverending." One receptionist snickered."Now, I'll advice you to kindly leave quietly w
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