All Chapters of Falling For My Basketball Alpha!: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

**Hailey’s POV** I couldn’t believe this was happening. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it, but I stayed perfectly still, frozen against the cold tiles of the wall as Paxton’s broad frame shielded me from view. The sharp sound of Audrey’s laughter grated on my nerves, and I bit my lip, fighting the urge to cry out in frustration. It was all her doing. Of course, it was Audrey. I should’ve known. The way she always found little ways to make my life miserable had become her twisted hobby. The orange juice "accident," the conveniently swapped bathroom signs—it all made sense now. Paxton shifted slightly, his muscles tense as he peered through the small crack in the door. His jaw was set, his expression unreadable, but the way his hand hovered protectively near me spoke volumes. "Do you need something?" he asked coolly, opening the door just enough to face them. His voice was steady, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. Audrey’s voice came

**Hailey's POV** The sun streamed into my bedroom, casting a golden glow across the room as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My mind wandered to eight years ago—a day filled with both excruciating pain and immense joy. I had fought tooth and nail to bring my daughter into this world. I smiled at the memory, my eyes misting slightly as pride swelled in my chest. My baby girl wasn’t a baby anymore. She was growing into a smart, curious, and wonderful young lady. Today, she turned eight—a milestone that felt like it came too fast. I turned away from the mirror, wiping a tear that escaped, and walked over to wake her up. She was still bundled under the covers, her small face peeking out as she slept soundly. " Emily, my love, wake up," I said softly, brushing a few strands of hair from her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked sleepily at me. "Mom?" she mumbled, her voice laced with drowsiness. "Happy birthday, sweetheart!" I said, grinning wi

**Hailey’s POV** When the jewelry was found in Emily’s possession, my heart froze. It felt as though the ground beneath me had opened up, threatening to swallow us whole. Emily? My sweet little Emily, the child who could barely keep her room tidy, now being accused of stealing something so precious? I wanted to believe this was all a mistake, a cruel misunderstanding that would soon be resolved. But as the store attendant held up the gleaming necklace, its brilliance mocking my disbelief, the reality of the situation hit me like a sledgehammer. The murmurs from onlookers grew louder, each whisper slicing through my fragile composure. “Why?” I muttered under my breath, staring at Emily as though searching for answers in her wide, tear-filled eyes. “Why would you do this, Emily?” “I didn’t, Mommy!” she cried, her voice trembling with fear. “I just wanted to look at it, I swear! I didn’t mean to—” “Enough!” the attendant snapped, her voice sharp and unforgiving. She snatched th

Hailey’s POV As I fingered the necklace Paxton had given me, a flood of emotions swept through me. The delicate pendant sparkled faintly under the mall’s fluorescent lights, but its significance weighed heavily on my chest. When he told me not to get myself into trouble again, his tone was teasing, but there was something else there—concern, maybe? I couldn’t help but smile at him, a soft, genuine curve of my lips, as though for a fleeting moment, we were something akin to a family. But deep down, I knew better. This fragile sense of togetherness was as fleeting as a shooting star, especially with his mother in the picture. That woman had the power to shatter any semblance of peace in our lives. I tightened my grip on the necklace and made a silent vow to keep Emily away from Paxton and his world. He couldn’t know she was his daughter. If he found out, everything I’d worked to protect would come crashing down. My thoughts spiraled as I glanced at Emily. Did he even remember today

Hailey's POVI never planned on attending this party tonight. In fact, I had outright refused when Jesse first suggested it. But she had a way of convincing me, and truthfully, I needed the distraction. My mind had been a chaotic mess lately, tangled up in endless thoughts—especially about Paxton. It wasn’t that I wanted to think about him, but no matter how much I tried to push him out, he always found a way to creep back in.After making sure my daughter was sound asleep in her room, I took a deep breath and dressed up. Nothing too fancy—just a simple but elegant dress that hugged my curves in the right places, though I couldn't help but feel a little self-conscious. Jesse was already waiting for me outside the party hall, excitement practically radiating off her.The moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere hit me like a wave. The bass from the music thumped against my chest, the air thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and expensive colognes. Laughter and chatter filled the spa