All Chapters of His Hidden Heart: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Hayden-It has been four years since I received the most devastating news of my life. Four years of living with the most profound regret of my life. In less than a month, I would graduate from college, and I was already dreading the day.I was tempted not to graduate at all. Knowing my family died at the same time I was on stage receiving my high school diploma, I didn’t feel like I deserved to graduate. If it weren’t for my best friend, Lillian Conner, whom I call Lily, I would have considered ending my life on the day that I was supposed to graduate.It would be a bittersweet way to die. I had gone as far as writing a suicide note, but Lily had found it and convinced me not to. I met Lily on my first day of freshman year, and we have been friends and roommates ever since. At first, I hadn’t wanted to be her friend, but she pestered me endlessly until I gave in.Her life was almost as tragic as mine. When she was a senior in high school, her family had been killed in a car accident.

Hayden-“Daddy!” The female cried.Looking up, I saw the unknown female crawl over to the dead man, leaning over his body and shaking him. The more she shook him, the more he bled. As the pool of blood increased, so did the bile in my stomach.I felt the urge to vomit again, but I couldn’t move. With wide eyes, I watched as the female cried over her father’s body. I should have listened to Dominic when he told me to leave. If I had, I wouldn’t have been responsible for killing someone.Despite the female’s protest, she was hauled to her feet and dragged to the door. One of the men who came with them picked up the man I shot and carried him away on his back. The female’s red and swollen eyes met mine when they were at the door with a deadly glare.“You will regret this day.” The female screamed as she was pulled out of the room.Once they were gone, I looked down at my trembling hands, still clutching the gun. Although I knew I didn’t touch any blood, my eyes played tricks on me. Dropp

Hayden-“Please don’t tell me you hired her to spy on me.” I groaned.“I didn’t. I found out about it after the two of you met. I did ask her to keep an eye on you, but only for your safety. As far as you two being friends, I never intervened. I never had her report anything to me.”This was a bit too much for me to digest. Finding out that Dominic was alive was one thing, but I couldn’t wrap my head around everything else that followed. Without saying anything, I stood up and slowly returned to the room.“Hayden?” Dominic called after me, but I ignored him.Shutting the door behind me, I leaned against it and slowly slid to the floor. With my knees against my chest, I wrapped my arms around my legs. Tears slowly fell down my cheeks, and my breath stalled.“I need to go to work, but I will be back at noon to check on you.” The door muffled Dominic's voice.It wasn’t until I heard the sound of the front door opening and closing that I could finally take in a breath of air. My lungs rap

Hayden-“I took the day off to take you shopping.” Dominic said as he cleared the table after we finished eating.I was tempted to refuse to go anywhere with him. Did I like the idea of leaving the house and shopping? Most definitely. I just didn’t want to feel like I was attached to his hip.Wringing my hands together on my lap, I chewed on the inside of my cheek. I haven’t been here long, and he was determined to keep me as a prisoner, but maybe I could bide my time. I doubt I could escape any time soon since he would likely expect it.It was probably best to go along with what he wanted for now. Maybe after some time, he will drop his guard, and I will be able to escape. In the meantime, I could gain some experience in Fox Ink.“Okay.” I stopped fidgeting and looked up at him.His brows quirked as he leaned against the counter, arms folded over his chest. “You aren’t going to argue with me?”“I thought it over, and maybe you are right. I don’t know much about your life in the mafia

Hayden-The following morning, I rode in the elevator with Dominic and Tristan. Everything had already been explained to me after I went through the hiring process, but one thing still concerned me. Glancing at Dominic’s back, I wondered if I should say what was on my mind.“Talk.” Dominic demanded, and I wondered if he could read my mind or had eyes on the back of his head to notice something was going on in my head.“I…” I twisted my clasped hands a few times. “I was wondering if we could keep it a secret about knowing each other outside of the office.” I mumbled.“Why?” Dominic and Tristan asked.“I haven’t finished college and don’t want others to get the wrong idea. I want to prove myself independently without everyone thinking I have a backer.”“We can keep it quiet for now, but your safety is my main priority. In the office, I will allow a bit of freedom for you to handle matters on your own, but if anyone tries to jeopardize your safety, I will step in.” Dominic tone was sligh