...Hailey wished the peaceful ride could go on. She wished that they would remain on the road for a few long while.But the chaos was inevitable. The moment they arrived home, Hailey was plunged into war. Rob's mother was waiting outside with both hands on her waist and an angry expression. Her father was standing beside him and his sister was also with them.Hailey knew she was in trouble.The couple's glare was directed at her and not Rob or both of them. There was no doubt she might have done something wrong already. But what was it?"Rob." She looked sideways at Rob and she could hear the fear in her own voice. "Is anything wrong? Why are they standing outside in the rain?""Nothing is wrong," Rob replied and rubbed her shoulder. "Maybe they need something, let's go and see."But Hailey didn't want to go, she was apprehensive. Rob's parents didn't need anything. Maybe what they needed was her head."You are finally back!" Rob's mother was the first that spoke. She was yelling
"Mum." Rob held the woman gently. "I'm not trying to say that." Then he paused and glanced in Hailey's direction. "Actually, there's something I have to tell you." As he said that, he gave the woman a helpless look. "Something you want to tell me?" The woman raised a skeptical brow. "Yeah," Rob answered. "It's cold here. How about we discuss inside?"Hailey stared between Rob and his mother. She couldn't understand what was going on. What did he want to discuss with his mother? And wasn't he going to deny that she didn't do any of those horrible things his mother accused her of, or accept it? "I hope it's not anything to defend this girl." His mother pointed at Hailey. "And you'd better make it fast, Son. Because I can't wait to punish her. I gave her a chance to tell me the secret she's been hiding, but she didn't. She will know not to disrespect me again.""It's alright," Rob coaxed. "I'll only take some minutes."His sister was the first one that turned around and went back into
"Hailey." Rob sighed and made her look up. "Don't worry, Mum and Dad won't stay here for long. They're going to depart soon.""Oh." Hailey nodded and buried herself deeper into the blanket. And she had the urge to ask him what he discussed with his mother. Why was the house suddenly quiet? Why wasn't the woman coming for her head? But Hailey waited first. She waited to see if he would bring it up."Rob," she called out his name. "Could you ask your Mum to stop saying mean words?" She said softly. Even though Hailey tried to reason with the woman, she could feel inside her heart that she didn't have any bad intentions toward anyone. Rob was sitting beside her on the bed. And he narrowed his eyes at her request. "I only want her to stop labeling me as a bad person," Hailey explained. She always felt some discomfort whenever his mother said those words. "Hailey." Rob shifted and he held her hand through the blanket. "I told you they will be gone soon," he said softly. "Don't worry
"Your mother-in-law?" Kara frowned, then her expression turned to an agitated one. "Urgh, don't tell me that his parents still bully you, Hailey. Why can't they leave you alone already?"Hailey pressed her lips together to suppress another sigh. Kara seemed to know about Rob's parents too. Maybe the couple had also bullied her in the past."Why don't you tell your husband," Kara suggested. "I'm sure he'll do something about it."Hailey wiped her hands clean and leaned against the counter. "He doesn't want to talk about it." Hailey shook her head slowly. "He only said that they'll be gone soon.""Really? Did they move to your house?" Kara asked and Hailey nodded. "That's bad." Kara shook her head. Then she placed a hand on Hailey's shoulder. "Since your husband said that they'll be gone soon, just exercise a little more patience. Also, understand why they're probably mad at you. Didn't you say that they prioritize the baby— I mean, they should be heartbroken about what happened, rig
***Hailey returned home from the diner, hoping she could speak with Rob about it. If she waited for the event to be close, he might not be pleased that she was telling him too late. Too bad, Rob didn't pick her up today. He had phoned her while she was still at the diner. He told her that he had to go somewhere important. And for the first time, Hailey had to take a taxi home, alone. Rob had texted her the house's address, but she didn't need that. She could tell the driver the direction of the house off head. And she did that successfully.Hailey had been proud of herself all the way. But her happiness was short-lived. Her heartbeat became faster as the car neared the house. For the first time, she was going to be in the house alone with Rob's parents. And Rob wouldn't be around. Although he hadn't been of much help in evading his parents' attack on her, she at least felt more secure in his presence. "What are you doing standing there?" Rob's mother's yell was the first thin
But before Hailey could pick up the card, the woman reached for it first."This looks expensive." She scrunched up her nose. "Tell me, you brat. Who gave it to you? Why does it have a phone number on it?"Due to the woman's commotion, Rob's sister and father had already appeared at the scene. And they watched without any care in the world as the woman berated Hailey non-stop."Is this what you use to communicate with that man? Is this his number?""No." Hailey shook her head quickly and got up from the floor. She didn't even know the man Rob's mother was talking about. And afraid that she would seize the card just like the money, she hurried toward her and held the card. "Please give it back," Hailey pleaded. "This isn't from a man, it's from a friend of mine and I need it."But Hailey's plea only seemed to enrage the woman further. She held on tight to the card and pulled at it. "Let go of it this instant!" The woman yelled. "Are you afraid that this is going to expose you? I'll
"I would have simply gone to a mental facility for the holiday. It might be more fun. Can't believe I have to be caught up in the middle of all this. I hate being dragged into matters that have nothing to do with me."Cassie did not allow Hailey to voice out her confusion. She looked annoyed as she muttered those words under her breath. And Hailey followed her in silence. When they got down the stairs and reached the living room, Cassie turned back with a roll of her eyes and simply walked back to the stairs. And Hailey watched the scene in front of her, her heart thumping again. Rob's parents were sitting on a couch and Rob stood in front of them. They seemed to be scolding him. The only thing that brought ease to Hailey's heart was that Rob was present. His parents' glare just awakened the fear inside of her."And she didn't bat an eye before cutting me," Rob's mother was complaining. She sobbed and showed her finger to Rob. The finger which was now wrapped in a thick cloth. "S
And all of a sudden, Hailey didn't know what happened next. One moment, she was standing beside Rob, and the next moment, she was on the floor with both palms on her cheeks. She couldn't register anything for a few seconds. Her cheeks burned and her eyes hurt with hot tears. There were also voices in her head, indistinct voices. "R–Rob." Hailey lifted her head, hoping that it wasn't he that slapped her, it must be his father.But Rob's father never left the couch, and Rob towered over her, staring down at her with rage in his eyes. "I warned you not to talk back."Hailey hadn't come to terms with her shock yet. She stared at him in a daze, but he pulled her off the ground and shook her. "I have warned you several times, Hailey. How dare you speak to them like that?"Instantly, her vision became blurry. A sob left her lips and her tears fell rapidly. She never saw this coming. She never thought that Rob would believe his parents. Helplessness and grief compounded in her heart.