Hailey
Carter probably followed us out and I saw cops entering the building a few seconds later. I didn't realize what Damien told them because I still hadn't lifted my head but when Damien was about to get me and him inside the car, Carter stepped in.
"Let me drive," He spoke up, and this was when I looked up at him and our eyes met for a brief moment. And without saying anything, he caressed my cheek before he let out, "You are safe, little one. No will ever hurt you, ever again."
What did he mean by that?
I was bound to live with the pain.
Carter probably followed us out—I saw cops entering the building a few seconds later. I didn’t realize what Damien had told them; my head was still down. When Damien tried to get us into the car, Carter stepped in.
“Let me drive,” he s
HaileyMy hands shook. My legs shook. My heart felt like it was about to fucking burst. I hated myself for reaching out to the one who had pushed me here, but what choice did I have? Carter had bailed. I couldn’t even blame him—he probably thought he was sparing me, keeping from fucking me in this miserable state. And maybe he was right; I might have ended up regretting it.Was Jenna in the house?Her car wasn’t outside. She didn’t usually bother parking in the garage.Just one night. Then we could go our separate ways.Yeah. I could live with that.When I reached his door, I realized it was unlocked. I didn’t know which part of me dared it, but I pushed it open.He was there. Just his nightstand on. He sat on the bed, head hanging low, a shattered alcohol bott
HaileyCarter probably followed us out and I saw cops entering the building a few seconds later. I didn't realize what Damien told them because I still hadn't lifted my head but when Damien was about to get me and him inside the car, Carter stepped in."Let me drive," He spoke up, and this was when I looked up at him and our eyes met for a brief moment. And without saying anything, he caressed my cheek before he let out, "You are safe, little one. No will ever hurt you, ever again."What did he mean by that?I was bound to live with the pain.Carter probably followed us out—I saw cops entering the building a few seconds later. I didn’t realize what Damien had told them; my head was still down. When Damien tried to get us into the car, Carter stepped in.“Let me drive,” he s
Hailey“Thanks for joining, Hailey,” Ricky said, smiling warmly. “You don’t know—you just made my day ten times better.”“You’re too sweet, Ricky,” I forced a smile, trying to blend in as I always did. Truthfully, I didn’t want to be here. Or anywhere. Life itself felt heavy. “But I’m glad I could make your special day…a little more special.”He handed me another shot. “Let’s toast to that. To beautiful Hailey.”“I…thanks, but I’ve already had two drinks. I don’t think I can handle a third,” I said, hesitating. “I probably shouldn’t—”“Oh, come on, Hailey.” He chuckled, leaning closer to my ear. Just closer enough—or maybe too close. “Let loose a little. How long will you keep playing the good girl?”His words hit me like ice. I froze. The look in his eyes…like he could see everything I tried to hide, every scar I carried inside.“What do you mean?” I forced a laugh, trying to cover my unease.He pulled back slightly, his gaze shifting to something more casual. “I mean…how long will y
HaileyNo matter how many times I tried in a day, when I stared into the mirror, a girl stared back—broken, bruised, and barely holding it together. The scars weren't visible, but I felt them etched under my skin, throbbing for the touch of the very monster who created them. I was a wreck... with or without him.Still, in the middle of my misery, one less-awful thing happened today—I got an invitation to Ricky's birthday party. And that was distraction enough. With Mom and Coby off on yet another nauseatingly romantic dinner—probably not coming home until late—and Jenna here to spend the day (and a very steamy night) with Damien, the party felt like a temporary escape. A free pass out of hell.I was putting gloss on my lips when the door creaked open, and in walked the last person I wanted to see.Jenna. The fucking bitch."What do you want, Jenna?" I sighed, not bothering to look at her as I sharpened the line of my lips."Just checking on Damien's little sister." She spit the word
HaileyI found myself swallowing before letting out a nervous chuckle. "I mean, why not?" I shrugged. "At least it's not something humiliating like, I don't know, passing out drunk in front of every guest and blurting some Shakespearean-level cringe."Carter raised an eyebrow, lips twitching. "Oh my," he drawled dramatically, "So Maddison did tell you that you passed out in front of everyone? Damn. I specifically told her not to." He shook his head with a disappointed sigh. "Moms. Can't keep anything from their daughters."My eyes widened in horror."What?! I actually passed out in front of everyone?!"He paused—too long—and then bit his lip, trying to choke back a laugh.I squinted at him.This motherfucker."You're messing with me, aren't you?" I scowled.Carter lost it, bursting int
Damien"Fuck this!"I stood there like a goddamn ghost, watching from afar as she left with Carter. My girl. My fucking everything—ripping away in the passenger seat of a man I despised. No—not despised. Hated. And not just because he existed, but because she chose him. And the fucked-up part?I made her.I pushed her straight into his arms.Carter Hayes. The world thought he’d turned into some reborn saint—washed clean by regret and redemption—maybe he himself did think as well. But I knew better. That fucker had more blood on his hands than I ever did. And somehow… somehow, that still didn’t make him the monster.No. I was the monster.Because my hands weren’t stained with strangers. They were drenched in Hailey—her trust, her tears, her broken fucking heart.An