Chapter 071

~~~Hailey~~~ The loud cry of Damien jolted me awake, and I rubbed my eyes, which felt gritty and sore from the tears I'd shed the night before. The past two days had been marked by an oppressive silence, as if the entire household was holding its collective breath. Everyone had retreated into their own little worlds, leaving me feeling isolated and alone. Aiden, in particular, had grown cold and distant, his eyes avoiding mine as if I was a stranger. The tension between us was palpable, a heavy weight that pressed down on my chest. Mr. Brooklyn's suggestion that we all stay together to avoid any more incidents had fallen flat. Staying in the mansion with everyone, where the tension was still fresh, was unbearable. Mrs. Alora, once vibrant and cheerful, now picked at her food and barely ate. Aiden had buried himself in work, while I was busy with Damien and too exhausted to push the issue further. I wondered if this was how it was going to be. The year I'd spent with Aiden was almost over, but I didn't want everything to end like this. We still hadn't heard about Sandra's condition, but the news of my dad's arrest and charges for kidnapping and attempted murder had left me reeling. The twists and turns of recent events had piqued my curiosity, and I was determined to get answers. I'd arranged a meeting to visit my dad in prison, hoping to finally uncover the truth. I still felt the need to make things right between everyone in this family. A multitude of questions swirled in my mind, refusing to let me be. How did my father survive? What was his connection to Mr. Brooklyn? Who was the mastermind behind the chaos? Was it my father-in-law or my own father? And what really happened to my mom? But for now, I had to prioritize. Damien, my precious one-month-old son, needed my care. Thankfully, despite everything, the doctor said he was developing perfectly. In the midst of all this turmoil, that was a blessing. I tended to Damien's needs, getting him ready for the day. After laying him down, I quickly got dressed. As I handed Damien over to his maid, I felt a pang of guilt for leaving him, even if it was temporary. As I made my way out, I caught sight of Aiden walking down the hallway. Our eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a hint of a smile. I smiled back, but his expression swiftly turned cold. He walked past me without a word, leaving me feeling bewildered and hurt. The ache in my heart felt like a heavy burden. Technically, I had no claim to Aiden's affection or attention anymore. We'd reverted to being strangers under the same roof. He was no longer my contract husband, just a billionaire who'd briefly intersected my life when I was at my lowest. My heart yearned for the familiarity of his voice, his touch – just one last time before I left with Damien. But that was a luxury I couldn't afford. Aiden had made it clear: we'd sign a co-parenting contract, ensuring we both had equal rights to our son. The thought of it felt like a cold, harsh reality. I had to admit, Damien's birth had been an unexpected twist. If he hadn't come along, I would've left when the contract expired anyway. So, I reluctantly agreed to Aiden's proposal, trying to convince myself it was the practical thing to do. But deep down, my heart mourned the loss of what we once had. I watched Aiden disappear into his bedroom, a pang of guilt settling in my chest. Something was clearly troubling him, but I felt powerless to help. "Maybe it's just the shock of everything," a voice in my head reasoned. But two days had passed, and everyone seemed to be coping, or at least putting on a brave face. I was determined to make things right, to restore our once-happy family. I headed downstairs, finding Mrs. Alora in the living room, her gaze fixed on the TV screen. She barely acknowledged my presence. I assumed Mr. Brooklyn was in his home office and made my way to the garage. I took one of Aiden's cars, accompanied by two guards in the front seat and five more in a trailing SUV. The newfound security measures were a reminder of my changed circumstances. We arrived at the prison quickly, and I was promptly attended to, my status as Aiden's wife garnering respect and attention. I couldn't help but think I'd miss this privileged treatment once I was no longer tied to the Brooklyn name. I sat patiently in the visiting room, choosing a quiet spot at the end with two guards stationed behind me. We awaited my father's arrival, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was relieved to discover I wasn't entirely an orphan. On the other, the thought of my father being a killer, entangled in a web of secrets, filled me with anger and betrayal. "How could he do this to me?" I thought, but a voice in my head cautioned, "You aren't entirely sure about that, Hailey. Keep an open mind; you still don't know who's on your side." Minutes passed before my father arrived, flanked by two police officers and clad in an orange jumpsuit. His hands were cuffed, but his demeanor remained eerily calm. A cold, calculating glint lingered in his eyes. "I thought you'd never come see me, chickadee," he said with a forced grin. I maintained a firm, stern expression, unwilling to let him manipulate me. "Come on, are you seriously not going to hug your father?" he asked, taking a step closer. My expression didn't waver. "Fine then, at least let me give you a peck. It's been years, Hailey," he said, attempting to kiss my cheek. However, my guard swiftly intervened, blocking his gesture with a stern warning. "That's not why I'm here, Dad," I stated firmly, devoid of remorse or pity. To uncover the truth, I needed to shed my vulnerable persona and confront him head-on. "I know why you're here, Hailey," my father said, a sly glint in his eye, "but I'm not saying a word unless you do as I say." I locked gazes with him, my expression unyielding. After a tense moment, I stood up and gave him a perfunctory hug before retaking my seat. His cuffed hands prevented him from reciprocating. We sat in silence, our eyes locked in a wordless standoff. Finally, he spoke, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "So, where do you want me to start?" I fired back, my voice firm. "How about we start with how you survived the accident that was supposed to have killed you?" My father's grin widened, and he let out a low chuckle. "Oh, chickadee, there's so much more you don't know. Grab a popcorn, because this is going to be a long ride, full of surprises." His eyes sparkled with amusement, and I felt my gaze narrow, my mind racing with anticipation. The air was thick with unspoken words, and I sensed that I was on the cusp of uncovering secrets that would change everything.