Chapter 025

~~Aiden~~ As I sat beside my mom's hospital bed, the weight of our indefinite stay in Germany hung heavy in the air. Two days had passed since the accident, and my mom's persistent coma had left me feeling helpless and consumed by worry. My gaze drifted to my mom's pale face, her fragile body connected to a tangle of pipes and machines. A pang of guilt and regret pierced my heart, and I couldn't help but wonder if she wished I had been there to protect her. My eyes stung with unshed tears, but I had cried myself dry over the past three days. I slumped onto the couch, my mind racing with thoughts of terminating the contract with Hailey. The recent events had left me questioning everything. Perhaps it would be best to pay her off and part ways. But the consequences of such an action loomed large, threatening to expose the lie and put Hailey's life in danger. My thoughts swirled with anxiety as I raked my hair backward, frustration and despair etched on my face. I had never intended to put Hailey at risk by involving her in my family's affairs. Now, both she and her unborn child were in danger, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had made a terrible mistake. A wave of guilt washed over me as I thought about the silent treatment I had been giving Hailey. I hated being this way towards her, but my mind was a jumble of emotions, and I didn't know how to process everything. Confusion and uncertainty gripped me, making it hard to know what to do next or what lay ahead. As I sat lost in thought, a familiar presence filled the room, accompanied by a scent that was etched in my memory forever. I lifted my head, and my eyes locked onto Sandra's expressionless face. My body turned numb, and I stared at her in a mix of shock and disgust. "What are you doing here?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice low to avoid disturbing my mom's fragile state. "And who let you in?" Sandra's smile seemed forced, and her eyes lacked the warmth I once knew. "Hey, Aiden," she said, her voice dripping with insincerity. "I came as soon as I heard about your mom's accident." My anger flared, and I spat out the words, "Don't call her that! She stopped being a mother to you the day you cheated on me!" Sandra's eyes dropped, and her face flushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Aiden," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I never meant to hurt you. I still don't know what came over me." My rage boiled over, and I shot back, "You're sorry? You're sorry? You think a simple apology can erase the pain you caused me? You think it can undo the damage you did to my reputation, to my company?" "You shattered me, Sandra," I said, my voice trembling with anger. "I became a shadow of myself, drowning in whiskey and self-pity. You nearly destroyed me." Sandra's eyes welled up with tears as she pleaded, "Aiden, it was just one mistake. I was weak, and I made a terrible error in judgment." I laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "One mistake? You call betraying my trust, cheating on me with that worthless director, just one mistake? You knew how I felt about cheating, Sandra. You knew it was a deal-breaker for me." Sandra's face contorted in anguish as she begged, "Aiden, please, can't you just forgive me? It's been three months already." My expression turned glacial. "Three months? You think three months is enough time for me to forgive you? Maybe in three years, Sandra. Maybe then I'll be able to look at you without feeling sick to my stomach." Sandra's voice cracked as she whispered, "Aiden, please, let's just forget it all happened and move on." I sneered, my lip curling in disgust. "Oh, I'm sure you'd love to forget it all, wouldn't you, Sandra? But I'm not so quick to forget. You see, I've moved on, but not with you. I've found someone who actually deserves my love and trust." 'What?" she said in a low voice, Tears welled up in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around me, but I clenched my fists, repulsed by her touch. "I'm sorry, Aiden," she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion. Just then, the sound of a flask hitting the floor broke the tension. I turned to see Hailey standing in the doorway, a look of shock and confusion etched on her face. Sandra's eyes narrowed, her expression twisted in disdain. "Who is this, Aiden?" she spat, her voice dripping with malice. Before Hailey could respond, I intervened, my voice firm and commanding. "She's my wife." I shot Sandra a stern glance, my eyes warning her to back off. I stole a glance at Hailey, and a spark of amusement ignited within me. Her triumphant smile and pouted lips made me want to laugh, but I suppressed the urge, knowing it would only exacerbate the awkwardness. Hailey's gaze fell upon the food bag on the bedside table, and she handed it to Sandra, assuming she had brought it for me. "Uhm... Hailey, I actually bought it myself," I corrected. Hailey's face flushed with embarrassment, but she quickly recovered, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. "Okay, then she can have it." Sandra's eyes flashed with anger, and she shot Hailey a venomous glare before storming out of the room. As Hailey attempted to confront me about the situation, I dismissed her, unwilling to engage in another heated argument with a woman. I turned to leave, but my departure was halted by the sound of doctors and nurses rushing into my mom's ward. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered what had happened. I hastily followed the medical team back into the room, and my eyes widened in shock. My mom's eyes were open, her gaze fixed on Hailey, her hands still clasped around Hailey's. "Mom?" I called out, my voice shaking with a mix of emotions.