Chapter 073

Hailey I slumped in the corner, the police officer's vacant stare piercing through me as he stood guard. My mind reeled, struggling to process the bombshell my father had just dropped. His parting words echoed in my head like a warning: "Don't trust anyone, Chickadee…" I glanced over my shoulder, eyeing the guards who had accompanied me. Were they truly loyal to me, or were they just spies for the Brooklyns? The thought sent a shiver down my spine. "Madam, are you ready to leave?" one of the guards asked, breaking the silence. I nodded hastily, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere. "Yeah, let's just go." I stood up, my movements abrupt, and headed outside, the guards falling into step behind me. As I sat in the car, parked in the lot, I felt overwhelmed by the weight of my father's words. My mind was a jumble of emotions, and I couldn't help but wonder what my next step should be. The thought of fleeing, of escaping the chaos that had become my life, was tempting. "Just go far away from here and never return," a voice whispered in my head. But another voice, one that spoke of responsibility and love, interrupted my thoughts. "What about your baby?" it asked. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I thought of my child, alone and vulnerable in the mansion. I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me, and I let my head fall into my hands. Why did my life have to be so complicated? Every time I thought I was close to uncovering the truth, I was hit with more secrets, more lies, and more mistrust. My mind wandered back to my father's words, and I couldn't help but think of Evans. Had he really been forced to be with Charlotte? Did he still love me? I thought of the way I had treated him, the way I had slammed the door in his face. Guilt washed over me, and I felt a pang of regret. Aiden, on the other hand, seemed willing to let me go. My life was a tangled web of relationships and secrets, and I didn't know which way to turn. A voice in my head spoke up once more, urging me to take control of my life. "Forget about the men, Hailey. Be your own independent woman. Use the money Aiden is going to give you to start fresh. Haven't you seen enough?" The voice was right. It was time for me to take charge of my life, to make my own decisions and forge my own path. But was I brave enough to do it? I wondered. As we drove back to the mansion, the silence was palpable. I closed my eyes, absorbing the scenery outside, and prayed for the chaos to end soon. James, Aiden's trusted guard and now my driver, kept stealing glances at me through the rearview mirror. "Is there something you want to say?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. James's eyes darted back to the road before responding hastily, "No, ma'am." But I wasn't buying it. "What's the matter, James? You can tell me anything," I pressed, my tone gentle. James hesitated before speaking in a calculated tone, "Uhm... ma'am, I know this is your private life, but if you wouldn't mind... I'd like to say that you shouldn't give up on the young master yet." I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Aiden never liked being called ‘young master,' but his dad made all his guards never call him by his name. "And why did you say that, James? It's not like he wants me anyway." James's eyes locked onto mine through the mirror, his expression serious. "Ma'am, is it okay if I give you some advice?" I shrugged, feeling desperate for any guidance. "At this point, James, advice from literally anyone would do. I'm so confused about my life right now." James took a deep breath before speaking. "Ma'am, please don't give up on the young master yet. I've worked with him for many years, and I know he still loves you." I snorted, skeptical. "Well, maybe you're right, but he certainly doesn't look the part." James's expression turned thoughtful. "I know, ma'am, but that's because of the recent happenings. He's just overwhelmed, I'm sure he'll come around." "And why are you telling me this, James?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. James's expression turned sincere. "Well, you're a good person, ma'am. I've never seen my boss act with any lady the way he does with you, it's almost like you make him complete, especially after the birth of his son. He's never acted the way he does with you, not even with the late Ms. Sandra." My eyes widened in shock, and I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Every other thing he said didn't register In my head apart from what he said about Sandra. "Sorry, what did you say?" I asked, unsure if I'd heard him correctly. James hesitated before repeating, "That you're a good person, and—" But I cut him off, my mind racing with the implications. "No, I mean, what did you say about Sandra?" James's expression turned somber. "That she's late, ma'am." My heart sank, and I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. "When did that happen?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. James's voice was laced with sympathy. "The same day we came to rescue you, ma'am. She asked that the young master be with her on her deathbed. That was her last wish." I felt like I'd been living in a bubble, oblivious to the pain and suffering around me. Aiden's distant behavior suddenly made sense. His sister, Sandra, had passed away, and he'd been carrying the burden alone. The voice in my head whispered again, "Maybe you're still the cause, Hailey." But I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the present moment. James's voice broke the silence. "Ma'am, are you okay?" I stuttered, trying to compose myself. "Y-yes...I'm fine." James looked concerned. "I'm very sorry for speaking out of turn. I thought you knew about it." I shook my head, trying to reassure him. "No, it's fine. It's a good thing you told me." The drive back to the mansion was silent, with only the sound of the engine breaking the stillness. As we approached the gate, James slowed down, and I wondered why we weren't entering. "What's the delay, James?" I asked, confusion etched on my face. "Ma'am, it seems like someone is blocking the way," James replied, his eyes fixed on the gate. I stepped out of the car, curiosity getting the better of me, and that's when I saw him - again. Evans. He stood in front of the mansion, a bouquet of flowers in his hands, his eyes locked onto mine. This time, my gaze was gentle, and I didn't feel the usual wave of disgust wash over me. Instead, a new flow of emotions emerged, and I felt a pang of sadness. "What do you want, Evans?" I asked, my voice calm and gentle. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop coming here?" Evans took a step forward, his eyes pleading. "Hailey, I just want to talk." I shook my head, still unsure if I was ready to forgive him. "There's nothing to talk about, Evans." Evans's face fell, but he didn't give up. "Hailey, please—" I interrupted him, my voice firm but gentle. "Please leave, Evans. I'm not ready to talk to you yet." Despite what I now knew about his situation, I couldn't shake off the feeling that he hadn't fought hard enough for us when he had the chance. Evans's voice trailed off as he tried to plead with me, but I turned my gaze away, unwilling to meet his eyes. He took a step closer, holding out the bouquet of flowers, but a low, commanding voice stopped him in his tracks. "She asked you to leave," the voice said. I turned to see Aiden standing behind Evans, a bouquet of flowers in his own hands. My eyes widened in surprise as I took in the scene before me. Evans's eyes flashed with anger as he turned to face Aiden, the air between them crackling with tension. The two men exchanged deadly glares, their faces set in fierce lines. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I darted my gaze back and forth between them, unsure of what to do next. The silence was oppressive, heavy with unspoken threats and unresolved emotions.