Chapter 049

~~~Hailey~~~ I woke up to scorching sunlight, my eyes shutting reflexively as a wave of nausea washed over me. A sharp pain pierced my head, and I groaned, realizing I had a hangover from the numerous tequila shots. My mouth felt dry, my body aching with a dull throb. As I sat up, naked, panic set in. "Oh no, no, no, no, Hailey, how could you?" I exclaimed, mortified. My face burned with shame, my mind reeling with the memories of the previous night. I'd slept with a stranger, someone I didn't even know. A voice in my head taunted me, and I tried to recall his name, but it eluded me. "Fuck, I just slept with someone whose name I don't even know. How stupid can I be?" I thought, my self-loathing growing with each passing moment. I sluggishly got dressed, still staggering from the hangover. My hands trembled as I buttoned my shirt, my eyes scanning the room for any sign of my mysterious stranger. But he was gone, leaving behind only a bundle of $100 bills on the bedside table. "Of course, he thinks I'm a whore," I said, rolling my eyes in frustration. My blood boiled at the thought, but then looking at the bright side, I knew that it wasn't his fault; I'd made the first move, which landed me in this mess. I took the money, staring at it intensely. Should I use it to get back on my feet or leave it to prove a point? A voice in my head whispered, "You should probably take it, because you're literally very broke right now," I pocketed the cash, feeling a mix of guilt and desperation. As I headed out of the hotel, the bright sunlight hit me like a slap in the face. I squinted, my eyes watering from the pain. My life had imploded, and I had nowhere to go. A sense of desperation washed over me, followed by a wave of fear. What should I do now? Where would I go? But then, a thought struck me: "Dad, I could go to my dad." Although we'd been estranged since my marriage to Evans, whom he'd never supported, I hoped he'd take me in. The voice in my head struck a chord, and I felt a spark of determination ignite within me. "Well, it's not like he listened to you when you protested about him marrying that witch of a stepmom," the voice echoed, giving me something to hold onto. A mix of emotions swirled within me - anger, resentment, and a hint of vindication. I remembered the countless times I'd pleaded with Dad not to marry Charlotte's mom, but he hadn't listened. He'd ignored my concerns, and now I was paying the price. The memory of my stepmom's manipulative ways and Charlotte's envy-filled gaze flashed before my eyes. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized I'd been right all along. Dad's decision to marry her had been a mistake, and now I was reaping the consequences. With newfound resolve, I stood up straight, my shoulders squaring. I wouldn't let my past define me. I'd rise above it, and I'd make sure to take care of myself, no matter what. I took a taxi to my childhood home, a mix of emotions swirling within me. The old, rough house stirred memories, both happy and painful. I felt a lump form in my throat as I rang the doorbell repeatedly, but no one answered. I opened the door, calling out, "Hello? Dad?" The silence was deafening, and I felt a pang of fear. What if he didn't want me back? As I walked through the living room, memories flooded my mind. I recalled my mom's argument with Dad after the visit of a mysterious man before she stormed out and went missing. Her dead body was found later, leaving me with unanswered questions. A wave of grief washed over me, and I felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes. After her death, Dad became distant, and I sought refuge in Evans. But now, Evans has betrayed me. I remembered how Dad had married Charlotte's mom, thinking he'd found happiness, but I always sensed something off about her. A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled her fake smile and overly sweet demeanor. My instincts had screamed at me to beware, but Dad hadn't listened. Charlotte's envy-filled gaze flashed before my eyes, and I felt a wave of anger wash over me. She'd always wanted everything I had - my attention, my possessions, my life. And now, she'd taken Evans too. A bitter taste filled my mouth as I thought, "Which shouldn't be a surprise, right?" The pain of Evans' betrayal still lingered, but I knew I shouldn't be shocked. Charlotte had always been manipulative, and Evans had always been weak. I felt a sting of regret for not seeing the signs earlier, for not protecting myself from their toxic influence. But as I stood there, surrounded by the echoes of my past, I knew I couldn't change what had happened. All I could do was move forward, wiser and more cautious. A surge of anger and resentment coursed through my veins, followed by a deep sadness. I felt lost, alone, and scared, unsure of what the future held. I moved upstairs to my old room, but it was empty, a hollow reminder of my complicated past. The memories lingered, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be again. I searched the entire house, but there was no sign of Dad. Desperation creeping in, I decided to ask the neighbors if they knew where he was. I approached Mrs. Montana, a familiar face from my childhood. "Hey, please excuse me, ma'am," I called out, trying to sound calm. Mrs. Montana's face lit up with a warm smile. "Hailey, you're back!" She beamed, her eyes sparkling with recognition. I forced a smile, feeling a mix of emotions: relief that she remembered me, but also anxiety about what I might learn. "Yes, Ma'am Montana, I was wondering if you knew where my dad went?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Mrs. Montana's expression turned somber, her eyes clouding with concern. "You don't know?" she asked, her voice laced with empathy. I shook my head, confusion etched on my face. "Know what?" I replied, my heart racing with anticipation. Mrs. Montana's words dropped like a bombshell: "Your dad died in a car accident about a year ago." Her face was etched with remorse, her eyes filled with pity. My world came crashing down around me. This couldn't be true. Why didn't anyone tell me? I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. Mrs. Montana's apology was barely audible as she turned to leave. "I thought you knew." I stood there, frozen in shock, my mind reeling with questions. How was this possible? Why didn't Charlotte or her mom tell me? I felt like I'd failed both my parents, never getting to say goodbye to either of them. My legs felt weak, my body trembling with grief. Everything was adding up in my head: Charlotte and her mom's betrayal, Evans' infidelity. It all made sense now. They'd known Dad was gone, and they'd moved on to their next target. I felt a wave of anger and sadness wash over me, threatening to consume me. I stumbled backward, my eyes blinded by tears. I wiped away my tears, determination burning within me. I took a deep breath and headed to the police station, requesting my dad's accident file. I needed to know where he was buried, to pay my last respects. At the station, I introduced myself as his daughter, and they granted me access to the file. As I studied it, I found the cemetery where he was buried, but something else caught my eye. The manner in which his case file was closed seemed odd – it stated he'd burned to death beyond recognition, but didn't mention a body being found. A spark of suspicion ignited within me. I pulled an officer aside, discreetly offering a bribe from the $100 bills in my purse. "What really happened to my dad?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The officer hesitated before speaking in a hushed tone, "It was more like a murder case, but since no prints were found, they closed it." My heart sank, tears welling up in my eyes. Who would want to kill my dad? Memories flooded my mind – the mystery man my dad spoke with years ago, my mom's disappearance, and now my dad's death. A shiver ran down my spine as I realized the connections. I thanked the officer, my determination solidifying. I would find out who was behind these tragedies and ensure they faced justice. For the first time, my heartbreak over Evans faded into the background, replaced by a burning desire for truth and justice. With a newfound sense of purpose, I left the police station, ready to embark on a journey to uncover the truth about my family's past.