Chapter 3

Hailey walked out of the house with shaky footsteps, her mind racing as she tried to come up with excuses for Carter.

Maybe it was just her imagination.

Maybe she was overthinking things.

After all, they had all been friends in college…she, Carter, and Iris. They even worked at the same broadcasting company before Carter decided to quit.

Still, the faint trace of Iris’s perfume on Carter’s jacket refused to leave her thoughts.

When Hailey arrived at her workplace, she spotted Iris standing in front of the elevator. Without hesitation, she walked up to her.

Iris’s expression immediately lit up the moment she noticed Hailey a few feet away. She hadn’t expected to see her at work anytime soon.

The genuine smile on Iris’s face twisted something in Hailey’s chest, guilt creeping in for even allowing herself to think that her friend could betray her in such a way.

“I’m sorry for leaving you behind yesterday,” Iris said warmly, her voice carrying no hint of malice.

“It’s fine, Iris. You’ve been very helpful,” Hailey responded with a faint smile.

She forced herself to believe everything was fine. After all, Iris had been her friend since childhood, the kind of bond people often described as sisterhood.

But Iris only pouted, unconvinced by Hailey’s response. Without a word, she looped her hand through Hailey’s arm and gently tugged her into the elevator.

After pressing the button, Iris turned to her with a worried look.

“You don’t look fine, though… Why don’t you take a few more days off? I’m sure Mr. Hart would understand.”

Hailey shook her head firmly. They both knew how Mr. Hart was. The man barely tolerated excuses from anyone, and the only person he ever favored or listened to was Iris.

But even at that, for some reasons Hailey couldn’t understand, he had refused to bend to Iris’s pleas on her behalf.

“It’s of no use,” Hailey muttered under her breath, her shoulders sagging as she nervously adjusted her glasses.

“This should cheer you up,” Iris said with a bright smile, pulling out two bottles of smoothies from her bag. She handed one to Hailey and kept the other for herself.

Hailey’s lips curved into a small grin as she accepted it.

“Aww, you always have a way of lifting my spirit,” she said softly, twisting the cap open.

For a moment, the heaviness weighing on her chest eased.

The familiar gesture reminded her of college days when Iris always found a way to brighten her mood during stressful times.

And how she had never failed to make it for her every single day

Still, as Hailey took her first sip, the faint memory of Carter’s jacket and that lingering perfume brushed against her thoughts, she had to mentally shake it off.

The elevator clicked open, and the familiar sound of the broadcasting company greeted them.

Cameras rolled in the distance, staff shuffled about with papers in hand, and the usual tension of deadlines hung thick in the air.

Hailey adjusted her bag on her shoulder, trying to steady herself.

Working here had always been demanding, but lately, it felt more like walking into a battlefield with each passing moment.

Iris, with her new promotion, naturally walked ahead with an air of quiet authority.

Iris’s rank was now slightly higher than Hailey’s, a shift that Hailey was still getting used to.

Yet Iris had never tried to make her feel inferior, if anything, she tried to shield her from unnecessary stress, especially from Mr. Hart, who wouldn't hesitate to make her life miserable.

Unfortunately, not everyone in the office shared that kindness, especially not Mr Hart.

The moment Hailey stepped into the newsroom, the chief editor’s sharp voice cut through the air like a blade.

“If everybody decides to stay at home because of some illness, do you think there would be any development!?”

Hailey froze. He didn't even let her come in before he attacked her.

Her stomach twisted.

The man had never made it a secret that he hated her for reasons she could never understand no matter how much she tried.

He always found something to criticize about her dress sense, her dedication, and even the way she phrased her reports.

And when she did manage to produce good work, he took the credit without hesitation.

Now, after missing days because of her health, she knew she had become an even bigger target.

She was about to respond when Iris cut in, “Mr. Hart, you haven't looked into the news report I sent for today,” she said gently, and Mr. Hart’s voice instantly cooled down.

“Oh, Ms. Iris, please come to my office,” he said apologetically.

Iris walked towards him, her black heels clicking softly against the polished floor. She turned slightly towards Hailey, giving her a wink before trailing behind Mr. Hart.

Hailey took in a deep sigh of relief, Iris had rescued her for now at least.

Hailey went back to her seat, her focus now completely on the report she was working on. She tried working, but her mind kept flashing on this morning, the jacket…

“Mrs. Hailey,” a voice cut in. She lifted her head, batting her lashes at Mark, an intern who had just started working in her department.

“Are you sure you are okay? You look really pale and weak…”

“I'm fine.” Hailey snapped, her voice coming out sharper than she intended. She was tired of people giving her pity looks.

“Okay…” Mark responded, his brows knitted together, he wasn't satisfied with her response but decided not to push it further.

Mark gently placed a folder on her desk before going back to his position.

After sorting out most of the reports, it was already lunch, and she had no idea where Iris was. After Iris had saved her that morning, she hadn't seen her since then.

A buzzing sound from her phone interrupted her, she picked up the phone, and it was a text message from Iris.

Iris: Come to the cafeteria.

Hailey picked up just her phone as she started heading towards the cafeteria her eyes landed on Iris who was at the far end of the cafeteria.

Iris waved her hand, mouthing for Hailey to quickly come over.

Hailey walked over to her, her eyes darting towards the snack on the table Iris was sitting on.

“Come on,” Iris said, pointing at the empty chair in front of her. “I bought you lunch, I know you haven't eaten anything,” Iris said, unwrapping a hamburger for her as she gently placed it in Hailey's hand.

Hailey sat, tears already threatening to spill from her eyes; Iris was just the best thing that had happened to her.

She had thought of asking her about Carter, but she didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable.

Iris sighs, noticing the hesitation in Hailey's face. “Is there something bothering you?” She asked.

Hailey took a deep breath; here goes nothing.

“By chance did you see…” A buzzing sound from her phone interrupted her. She quickly picked it up from the table.

“Mrs. Hailey…” the voice called out, and she immediately recognized it to be the doctor's voice.

“Dr…”

“Your biopsy results are out, it's an emergency… Come to the hospital right now!”