Chapter 9

Iris laughed awkwardly, her fingers curling tightly around her drink. “Carter was just telling me some things that happened to him recently,” she said, forcing a soft laugh that didn’t quite hide the tension that was already there.

“ Relax…I was only pulling your leg,” Hailey murmured with an eye roll and a light smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Before either of them could respond, she stood up, gathering her tray. “I have tons of work to do,” she said quickly, anything to escape the suffocating energy between them.

The cafeteria buzzed with laughter and clinking dishes, but everything felt muted to her ears. She was lost in her thoughts, replaying the scene of Carter’s easy smile and Iris’s soft laugh over and over again when it happened quickly.

First it was a sudden jolt, followed by the loud crash of trays and then a hissing sound….

“Oh my God…!” Hailey gasped as the lady she had just bumped into, a young colleague from the marketing section, stumbled back, her white blouse darkening with steaming soup. Without thinking, she reached for her, panic spread through her.

“I’m so, so sorry! I wasn’t looking, I…oh my God, your arm…,” she trembled.

“It’s fine,” the lady gritted out, trying to smile through the pain. “It's just a little burn…”

“No, it’s not fine,” Hailey said firmly, her hands shaking as she helped steady her. “Come on, let’s get you to the infirmary.”

She walked beside her, guilt tightening in her chest as they walked. Inside the company infirmary, she hovered anxiously while the nurse treated her arm, wrapping it carefully. The faint scent of antiseptic filled the room brought back memories of her being in the hospital.

She closed her eyes for a second, trying to get the thought away from her head. Everything just reminds her of the future.

“I can’t believe this,” Hailey whispered with a trembling voice. “It should’ve been me. I’m so sorry…really, I should’ve been more careful.”

The lady gave a soft chuckle despite her discomfort. “Accidents happen, Hailey. Don’t beat yourself up.”

“You know my name?”Hailey asked in surprise.

“Who won't know the famous crime investigator, bringing out all the juicy reports?” she said with a smile.

But Hailey’s focus was on the bandaged arm ... the same side she remembered burning back then. The same place, the same pain… Only this time, it wasn't her.

Her heart sank.

Because deep down, she knew it wasn't just a coincidence. What’s bound to happen will always find a way to.

Hailey sat on the small bench in the infirmary, still fidgeting with her fingers, waiting for the nurse to finish dressing the wound.

The girl who had been hurt, cheerful with a little bit of softness, probably in her early twenties, winced as the bandage was secured around her forearm.

Hailey exhaled shakily. “I’m really sorry again,” she said, her voice quiet but sincere. “I swear I wasn’t watching where I was going. I didn’t even realize anyone was behind me.”

The girl gave her a faint smile. “It’s alright. I should’ve moved faster too.”

Hailey tilted her head slightly. “I haven’t seen you around before… Are you new to the marketing team?”

“Yes,” the girl nodded, her smile brightening a little. “I just started last week. I’m—”

But before she could finish, the infirmary door burst open abruptly.

Hailey flinched slightly at the sudden sound.

It was Trevor Ashborne…the CEO of the company.

Even in his tailored navy suit, there was an edge of panic in his movements; his usual calm was replaced by something almost… desperate. His eyes went straight to the girl, scanning her quickly like he was making sure she was still breathing.

“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice was low but urgent.

The nurse blinked. “Sir, she’s fine; it was just a mild burn…”

“I’m fine,” the girl said softly, smiling up at him as though to calm him down. “Really, it’s nothing serious.”

Trevor didn’t seem convinced. He exhaled deeply, rubbing the back of his neck before looking down at her again. “You should’ve called me,” he muttered softly.

“I didn’t want to worry you,” she replied quietly.

Hailey stood there awkwardly, watching the exchange between them. Something about it didn’t fit. Trevor Ashborne, the cold, untouchable kind of boss who rarely even showed up to team meetings, was suddenly looking at this new girl like she was the only person in the room.

The air shifted.

He finally looked up, his gaze meeting Hailey’s for the first time.

There was no warmth, no recognition in it, just a fleeting glance that carried something unreadable before he turned away.

Hailey swallowed hard. “I….I’m the one who bumped into her,” she said softly, her voice laced with guilt. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Trevor didn’t respond. He simply placed a steadying hand on the girl’s shoulder and said, “Let’s go.”

And just like that, they were gone.

Hailey stood frozen in the quiet that followed, the faint smell of antiseptic lingering in the air.

The CEO never visited the infirmary, and he most definitely never cared about anyone.

“Was that Mr. Trevor?” Carter’s voice came from behind her, laced with surprise and curiosity.

Hailey froze mid-step, her mind still replaying the moment, the panic in Trevor’s eyes, and the gentle way he had spoken to the girl.

She didn’t turn around. Not even when Carter’s footsteps drew closer towards her.

“Hailey?” He called again, softer this time.

She exhaled, steadying her voice before replying flatly, “Yeah..It's the CEO.”

And then she walked past him, her shoulder barely grazing his as she made her way down the hall, her heels clicking against the tiled floor.

Carter turned, his brows furrowing slightly as he watched her retreating figure. “What’s going on with you lately?” he murmured under his breath.

Hailey didn’t answer; her mind drifted back to the bandage on the girl’s arm.

Her breath hitched. That was her old injury. The exact same one she’d gotten before everything, years before her marriage to Carter.

It was like looking at a replay of fate. Only this time, someone else had taken her place.

Hailey’s stomach churned. She pressed a hand against her chest, forcing down the wave of nausea that rose with the realization.

“This is it…” she muttered under her breath. “It’s starting.”

The universe hadn’t changed anything; it was only shifting the pieces just like chess.

Her gaze drifted across the office until it landed on Iris, who stood a few feet away, laughing softly with a colleague, her perfect hair glinting under the lights.

Hailey’s lips curved into a faint, calculating smile.

“If fate wants someone to take the fall…” she whispered only to her own hearing. “Then I’ll make sure it’s her.”

Her eyes lingered on Iris a moment longer before she turned away, her expression turning cold, composed, and just a little more dangerous than before.