"Where did you see this wristwatch? I've searched for it everywhere." Rob took the wristwatch from her hand and stared at it. "I found it in Chloe's room," Hailey replied as she resumed walking."You found it there?" Rob gave her a confused look then he clicked his tongue. "Chloe." He shook his head and sighed. "I bet she hid it to spite me."But the wristwatch wasn't hidden. Hailey found it sitting on Chloe's bedside table. She gave him a sideways glance before entering their bedroom. And Rob followed her inside and dropped his wristwatch on the vanity table."Hailey." He held her shoulders when she came out of the closet. "Remember what I told you," he said in a soft tone. "You must be obedient.""Alright." Hailey stared up at him. "I won't disappoint you, Rob?"Staring at his expression, a bad feeling crept into Hailey's heart. What were Rob's parents like? And why did he look so serious when he asked her to be obedient?They left the bedroom and Hailey trailed after him as they
"You see what I was talking about!?" His mother pointed a finger at her. "She didn't even care to receive us despite knowing that we were coming. She doesn't have an ounce of respect for us anyways. Rob, is this the way you'll allow your wife to treat us?""I– I'm so sorry for my carelessness." Taking Rob's silent command, Hailey stepped forward and apologized, "Please have some rest, Mum and Dad, while I prepare the food.""This is disrespectful.""She doesn't have the right to treat us like this.""And don't you dare call us that. Look at me, do I resemble your mother?"Hailey shook her head and lowered it. She thought that was the best thing to call them since Rob had used the same term to address them. "Ahh, enough with the drama, Mum." Cassie stood up from the couch and helped the woman up. "Dad, why don't we follow brother and have a tour of the house? Then we can choose any room we want.""You're right, Cassie," the man replied. "Sitting here with hunger and lashing at this u
Rob told her to be obedient. He asked her to do her best to make them happy. This way, he would also be happy. Had he ever asked any favor from her before?Hailey couldn't recall that. All she knew was that Rob treated her well. He always tried to make her happy. And she had to return the treatment.Cassie didn't stop throwing bad remarks at Hailey now and then, about how stupid she was or how pitiful she looked in this state. And when they were finally done in the kitchen, Hailey sighed in relief. "I did my best." Cassie shrugged as they both set the dining table. "But in case my parents don't like the food, well, that's not my fault." Then she looked up and gave Hailey a stern look. "And don't you dare say that it wasn't you that cooked. Otherwise, you'll be seeking trouble for yourself.""Oh, Okay." Hailey didn't know if she should be grateful or not, but she smiled at her anyways. "Thank you, Cassie.""Oh, don't thank me." Cassie waved a dismissive hand. "I'm doing this because
It was as if the pills kept increasing. Why did it look like she would just begin taking the pills? They were filled up to the edge of the bottle.Hailey brought the bottle close to her eyes and read the writing on it. It said that she must strictly abide by taking two pills. She picked out two pills and swallowed them before taking a water bottle from the bedside table and emptying its content. And the next thing she knew was the darkness that overtook her. Her head felt heavy and her pulse was frantic. In this darkness, the voice of an older woman and man echoed in her senses. They were mad at her. They were berating her about something she'd done. The woman called her evil and accused her of wanting to destroy her son's life, and the man insisted on taking her away. Hailey could feel her fears in this dream. She could feel herself clinging to someone. A man. His arms were wrapped around her protectively, and he murmured soft reassuring words in her ears. That deep voice. Who d
***Compared to the chaos and disturbances, this was the most peaceful place. This was where he found his solitude. Not a night went by without him finding himself here. No matter how long the day had been; no matter how long the evening was, he'd always end up here. And in the wee hours of the morning, he'd had to bid it goodbye with a heavy heart. His little one. How he wished it was curdling in his arms instead of the cold confines of the ground. The leaves rustled and fluttered with the wind. The moon beamed on the sky, a mocking image of the unparalleled ache in his heart. If only it could be dark all night. If only he'd experience the same kind of darkness that resided deep in the ground. If only the biting wind didn't feel more like a caress, Kendrick would be happy to live with this decision. He'd bask in the regret.Deep in his heart, the feeling was always awakening. He was given two choices and he'd chosen the hardest of all.Not only did his decision lead to more c
***Hailey was awoken the next morning by the blaring sound of her phone's ring tone. The voice from the other end was harsh. Kara sounded very agitated. She reminded her about some arrangements. She told her that they had a deadline to meet. Hailey still couldn't pinpoint what Kara's call was about. But Kara threatened her to barge into the house. She said she would come and drag her out. She would wage a war and Hailey was going to get into trouble."Rob." Hailey hurried behind Rob when he came out of the closet. "Are you off to work? Could you take me to the diner? I want to go and meet Kara.""You want to go to the diner?" Rob asked. He looked slightly confused. "Yeah, I have to go." Hailey nodded eagerly. And she didn't have time to explain to him about Kara's plan to raid the house.It was already morning. Kara must be on her way now. The sun was about to come out. "Hailey." Rob took her hand. "You haven't even taken breakfast yet, why do you want to be at the diner? Are y
"If you want to get better, go to your parents and collect money from them." The woman continued. "Because I'm seizing these drugs. I won't let you waste my son's money when there's no chance that you'll get well.""Also." She walked closer to Hailey and scrutinized her from head to toe. "I'm still waiting for you to tell me that secret you're hiding. If you let me find out by myself, believe me, you're going to regret it."And she turned around and walked out of the room, slamming the door shut.Hailey stood in one spot, baffled and yet confused. Why was Rob's mother treating her like this? Did she hate her this much?And why would she seize her drugs? Rob said that she must take her drugs no matter what.The woman also mentioned her parents. Where were her parents? Hailey stood in the middle of the room for a while before picking up her bag from where the woman had left it on the floor.Rob's mother had also taken the wad of money, so Hailey was only left with an empty bag.No, pr
She hoped not. Hailey had no idea about what to cook.Who was that lady that gave her this job?Did she really eat the food prepared by her? Wasn't she mistaken?"Of course, we have to start practicing, Hailey." Kara sprang to her feet and held Hailey up. "That's why I put the closed sign outside. We won't receive any customers today, we'll only focus on improving our skills.""Okay."Hailey looked around the empty place. So that was why there weren't people here."How about we try out a new cuisine, Hailey?" Kara was literally jumping as she pulled Hailey into the kitchen. "Don't worry, we'll also try out the old ones. But who knows, we might invent a new meal.""Good idea." Hailey nodded. Although oblivious to everything that was going on, since Hailey stepped foot here, she felt at ease.Since she received that scolding from Rob's Mum this morning, her mind hadn't been at ease. She felt as if she'd done something wrong to deserve it. They entered the kitchen and her eyes wandered