Thank you all, my dear readers, for reading this story till the end. It has been a long journey, and words alone won't be enough to express my appreciation. Thank you for your love and support, and thank you for rooting for these dear characters. Your kind comments fueled my passion for this story. If you enjoyed it, kindly leave your reviews. I'll really appreciate it. You can also check out my other novels in my profile. Xoxo( ◜‿◝ )♡
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
Hailey wiped her hands with a towel and flicked away the sweats on her forehead. Her eyes roamed over her masterpiece on the huge table inside the kitchen. Plates of various cuisines were spread on the enormous table. And they were all cooked by her. She hadn't worked this hard for a long time. But this was a special occasion. Kendrick would return tonight. It had been three months since she saw him last. And three months since her marriage to him. When he had walked out on her on their wedding night, nothing could amount to the joy she felt. A month before that, she never knew she would end up being his wife. It was the most tragic thing that ever happened to her. Just one mistake, from a night of painful pleasure, and the next thing she knew was being forced into an arranged marriage. But all would end tonight."Hailey, are you done?" Chloe entered the kitchen. Her eyes surveyed the table and having confirmed for herself, she locked the door and walked forward. "Here, make sure yo
"Brother-in-law, Hailey has spent several hours in the kitchen preparing these foods, she wouldn't even allow me to help her. I hope you enjoy it," Chloe said in a timid voice. "Really?" His deep voice made Hailey look up and she found his gaze still on her. His eyes softened and she could even notice a hint of smile on his face."Yes." Chloe nodded. "Hailey is so good at cooking, her skill surpasses everyone else's in the family.""Is that true?" He looked at the plates of food, before giving her his full attention, probably demanding an answer from her.Hailey frowned and glanced away. Of course, she wasn't the only one that could cook in the family. There was no need for her sister to help her enter into his good books."Oh, sister caught a cold last week and has been dealing with a sore throat since then. She can't speak properly." Chloe butted in then stood up. She served him the food and said, "The food will turn cold, Brother-in-law. Hailey has put a lot of effort into it."
When the doctor left, the butler made a call, then stood up. Shortly after, one of the guards who had been standing outside the door came inside. He exchanged glances with the butler, before standing at the edge of the bed. The butler let out a sigh and walked out, after glancing at her. Hailey returned her attention to the bed. She wanted to hold his hand again but the guard stopped her. "Sorry, Ma'am. You can't touch Master," he said flatly. Hailey withdrew her hands with a sigh. She kept her eyes glued to the floor and her head will jerk up anytime she sensed him move under the sheet. Several minutes passed by and she was dozing off when the door opened again and the butler walked in, now dressed in a new set of clothes and holding a large bag. He went to the couch and the bodyguard helped him take out boxes of food from the bag. Then he returned with two boxes on a tray and gave her. "I heard from the servants that you didn't eat since last night," said the butler. It was
Hailey stepped forward and tried to hold him. If her grandfather got wind of it, she would be done for."Can you defend yourself that you didn't do it?" Her father demanded and she kept quiet as tears streamed down her face."No. We can't keep you here. You can't stay in this house." The man shook his head rapidly. As she didn't deny, he was now a hundred percent certain. "This is a great crime, and the lawyers might arrive anytime. Leave here immediately."Her stepmother nodded and scoffed. "You are truly heartless, Hailey. You brewed this trouble for yourself and you will face it alone.""N– No, father, please." Hailey shook her head rapidly. How did it come to this? She stepped forward again to hold her father, but was sent down with a hard slap. Her stepmother smirked and also raised her hand to hit her when the door opened and Chloe came running out. "Father, Mother, please don't hit sister, you might hurt her," she pleaded while trying to shield Hailey. "Get away from her, C
His gaze wandered to her stomach and she sighed. Rob still blamed himself for taking her to the bar that night. Who knew she would have wandered off while drunk, and ended up in another man's arms. "I took some medications, I'll be fine." She had gone down to the pharmacy on the lowest floor of the hotel and got herself some drugs. She couldn't afford to go to the hospital as someone familiar might spot her. She would only be safe at this moment with her family. Unfortunately, she hadn't gotten any good news from Chloe yet. Her parents were still mad at her. "Okay, if you say so." Rob stroked her hair and smiled. "Have you gotten the divorce papers?" He asked after some time. Hailey bit her lips and slowly shook her head. If Kendrick got better, he would send her the divorce papers without her even asking. She was sure of that. "I'll get it in a few days," she replied softly. "Until then..." She took his hand and continued."We can't see each other, Rob. I don't want to cause you
Her breathing quickened and she gripped the door for support. He looked so handsome in his black tuxedo, his narrowed eyes fixing her in a heated gaze. Was she hallucinating? There wasn't any sign of the weak guy she left lying on the hospital bed. Every of his being was radiating a formidable aura. And his expression was dark as the night. With both hands in his pants pockets, he stepped forward and Hailey took a step back, her heart drumming heavily against her chest. "Nice house you've got here," he murmured, as his eyes left her and he surveyed the room "W–What are you doing here?" Hailey took another step back, trying to mask her fear. If he had recovered from the poison, wouldn't his next step be to send her the divorce papers through his lawyers? Unless if he was here to seek revenge. 'Oh no.' She gulped. "I could ask you the same question." Kendrick reached forward and caressed her cheek gently with his hand. It sent shivers up her spine and she instinctively move her
Kendrick chuckled and continued. "Our baby is going to look just like you." His finger traced over the tiny outline and his expression softened. "Your eyes, my nose. Our skin color—""No!" Hailey cut him off. Her chest heaving up and down. She didn't want her baby to inherit any of his traits. It would only remind her of him. "That won't happen.""Oh, it will," Kendrick smirked again. "My little one is going to have a lot of our characteristics. And we're going to raise him well, together." Hailey felt like her heart was about to rip through her ribcage. She was so afraid Kendrick was right. How she wished this to be a nightmare. "Please, K–Kendrick," she stuttered and sniffled. "We don't belong together.""Ah, but we do.""No, we don't!" Hailey exclaimed desperately. "I don't care whether or not this child belongs to you! I was forced into marrying you!" "But I do," He whispered, and cupped her cheeks in his palm. "And I don't give a damn about anything else other than this child.