Chapter 029

~~Hailey~~ The past week had been a whirlwind of emotions, a rollercoaster ride that had left me breathless and bewildered. Our trip back from Germany had been a success, but it was the drama that had unfolded in our household that had really shaken things up. Aiden's mom presence had brought a new level of energy to our home, and her meddling had somehow managed to bring Aiden and me closer together. But despite the growing bond between us, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was in way over my head. Aiden's life had been perfect before I came along, and I couldn't help but feel that I was somehow ruining it for him. He deserved so much better than someone like me, someone with a past as complicated as mine. And then there were the mysterious notes. I had received another one just a few days ago, and the message had left me feeling chilled to the bone. "Remember Kilman, you're so close," it read. Aiden had promised to look into it, to find out who was behind these sinister messages, but so far, we had gotten nowhere. As I made my way to the supermarket, I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched. Aiden had insisted on sending guards to follow me everywhere I went, and while I had initially protested, I had to admit that it made me feel a little safer. But as I stepped out of the car and onto the sidewalk, I felt a surge of frustration. The five guards who had been following me all morning were now standing behind me, their eyes scanning the surrounding area with an intensity that made me feel like a prisoner. "Do you also want to follow me inside to get the groceries?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm. "If possible, yes Ma'am," one of the guards replied, his voice deep and gravelly. I let out a frustrated sigh. "Argh, well, listen, you don't have to, alright? You can stay outside here and wait for me while I get whatever I want inside, alright?" But the guards just stood there, their faces impassive. "But we're just following strict orders from our boss, Ma'am," one of them explained. I felt my anger boil over. "I know, but right now, your boss isn't here, so you're going to be following my orders, understand?" I snapped. But just as it seemed like the guards were about to disobey me, their leader stepped forward. "It's fine, Ma'am," he said, his voice calm and soothing. "Even while obeying Sir Aiden's orders, he also said we shouldn't stress you, and I think that's what my boys are doing right now. I apologize on their behalf." I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "Thank you," I said, my voice a little softer now. "At least not everyone of you lacks understanding." I gave the guards a stern look before turning and heading into the supermarket. As I walked away, I could feel their eyes on me, but I didn't look back. I was determined to do my shopping in peace, without the added stress of having five burly guards breathing down my neck. As I wandered through the supermarket aisles, I felt a sudden presence behind me. My heart skipped a beat as I instinctively grabbed a pack of baby diapers, ready to defend myself. But as I turned around, my eyes widened in shock. "Evans?" I called out, my voice trembling with a mix of emotions. It was my ex-husband, standing right in front of me with a smile plastered on his face. "So you remember me now, don't you?" he said, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm. A surge of anger coursed through my veins as memories of our tumultuous past came flooding back. "Of course I remembered you," I spat, my voice rising. "And guess what? I also remembered how you shattered my life, or was it how you banged Charlotte, my step-sister, in our matrimonial bed?" I yelled, my words echoing through the supermarket. Evans' smile faltered, and he took a step back, his eyes darting around the surrounding area. "Calm down, Hailey, you're screaming," he said, his voice laced with concern. I scoffed, my anger boiling over. "Calm down? Really, Evans? I should calm down? How pathetic." I sneered, my eyes blazing with fury. Evans took a step closer, his eyes pleading. "Look, Hailey, what happened between us was in the past, alright? I want you back in my life, I need you." His words were laced with desperation, but I wasn't buying it. "You need me?" I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "What about Charlotte? What would you do with her?" I asked, my eyes narrowing. Evans' face contorted in frustration. "Charlotte is gone, Hailey, she cheated on me," he said, his voice laced with anger. I burst out laughing, my body shaking with mirth. "Oh really? And you were angry about it?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm. Evans' face fell, and he looked away, his embarrassment palpable. I wiped tears from my eyes, still chuckling. "Oh, you shouldn't have been darling, how does it feel now to get a taste of your own medicine, huh?" I asked, my voice dripping with satisfaction. Evans' eyes snapped back to mine, his face twisted in anger. "I'm really sorry, Hailey," he said, his voice laced with desperation. I scoffed, my anger still simmering. "Tell that to yourself," I spat, turning to leave. Just then, one of the guards, the leader, appeared by my side. "Ma'am, is everything okay here? I heard your voice from outside." he asked, his eyes scanning the area. I nodded, still fuming. "Yes, I'm fine. I was just about to leave," I replied, giving Evans a death glare. But Evans wasn't done yet. "I see you still haven't remembered what happened to your parents because of your accident, huh?" he said, his voice laced with malice. I stopped in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Evans' smile was sinister. "I think you should embark on that journey, maybe then you'll trust me again," he said, turning his back on me and walking away. I stood there, frozen, my mind reeling with questions. What did Evans mean? What journey was he talking about? And what did it have to do with my parents? I felt a shiver run down my spine as I watched Evans disappear into the crowd.