Chapter Two

"Brother-in-law, Hailey has spent several hours in the kitchen preparing these foods, she wouldn't even allow me to help her. I hope you enjoy it," Chloe said in a timid voice. 

"Really?" 

His deep voice made Hailey look up and she found his gaze still on her. His eyes softened and she could even notice a hint of smile on his face.

"Yes." Chloe nodded. "Hailey is so good at cooking, her skill surpasses everyone else's in the family."

"Is that true?" 

He looked at the plates of food, before giving her his full attention, probably demanding an answer from her.

Hailey frowned and glanced away. Of course, she wasn't the only one that could cook in the family. There was no need for her sister to help her enter into his good books.

"Oh, sister caught a cold last week and has been dealing with a sore throat since then. She can't speak properly." Chloe butted in then stood up. 

She served him the food and said, "The food will turn cold, Brother-in-law. Hailey has put a lot of effort into it."

Hailey gripped her dress as Kendrick checked her out with furrowed brows. She avoided his eyes again, and he didn't say anything then started eating. 

He glanced up after two spoonfuls and spoke, "Why aren't you eating?" 

Hailey scoured for an answer but her sister beat her to it. 

"Hailey is on medications. She throws up everything she eats. The doctor has asked her to only eat light foods." 

Did that even make sense? Hailey wanted her sister to stop already. She knew that her sister was only trying to cover for her, but it wasn't even needed. And she was feeling anxious already. He had started eating but nothing had happened yet. 

Then suddenly, Chloe's phone started ringing. 

"Sister, Brother-in-law, I need to go. It's my manager. I almost forgot I have something urgent to take care of in the industry."

With that said, she sprang up and left. 

Hailey wanted to stop her, she wasn't sure if she could handle this alone, but it was too late. Her sister was already out of the door. 

She turned her attention back to Kendrick who had his head down and eating silently. And her heartbeat accelerated. 

A few seconds later, he paused and a frown marred his face. He gave her a fleeting glance then turned back to his food. 

However, before the next spoonful could reach his mouth, he started coughing erratically as his hand reached for the water. 

But the glass cup fell mid-way to his lips, and shattered on the floor. 

And what Hailey saw next made her gasp and her hand flew to her mouth. Kendrick was spurting out blood. He wasn't supposed to vomit blood. What was happening? 

She sat glued to the chair, stunned and confused. More blood gushed out of his mouth, staining his clothes and the table. His eyes filled with rage and his face was changing color.

Fear slowly clawed at Hailey's heart and she spaced out. Was he going to die? She sprang to her feet and rushed to his side, however, he shoved her away and she staggered back. 

The butler appeared and looked at the scene with horror-filled eyes. 

"Master– Master!" He held Kendrick but he had already passed out. 

The servants watched the scene in shock, and Hailey supported herself against the wall, her fingers digging into the fabric of her dress. 

"Someone, call the doctor— get the car ready!" The middle-aged butler yelled and the servants scampered away in frenzy. 

Seconds later, the guards and driver rushed Kendrick out of the house and all was silence. 

Hailey remained standing by the wall, unable to move her limbs. The drug wasn't potent. She was absolutely certain. It wasn't going to kill him right? 

Her vision blurred and her hand wandered to her stomach. 

*****

The next day

Before the break of dawn, Hailey found herself hurrying down the stairs and heading straight to the parking lot. 

On her way to the hospital, her head was only occupied with every confusing thought and she almost ran into a car. 

When she got out of the car, the driver who had accompanied her, had a hard time catching up with her. 

They entered the enormous building and took the elevator upstairs to the VIP ward where Kendrick was admitted. 

When she barged inside the ward, the first thing that met her sight was the man on the bed. He was on life support, with an IV attached to his hand. 

A lump formed in her throat, and she covered her mouth. Was this her doing?

A figure sitting in a corner caught her eye and her head whipped to the butler who sat on a couch. His white shirt was smeared with blood and he was staring back at her with a blank look. 

Hailey lowered her head and made her way to the chair beside the bed. She sat on it, then took Kendrick's hand, and silently muttered every prayer she could think of. She didn't want to be labeled as a murderer. Hopefully, he would be fine. Even though they hadn't interacted much and she kept giving him the cold shoulder, he never treated her badly. 

She just didn't love him and wished she could break free of this marriage. 

The door opened and the doctor came inside. 

Hailey sprang to her feet and stuttered, "H–How is he?" 

"We spent the whole night trying to stabilize his condition as he kept slipping in and out of consciousness," the doctor said with a frown. Then he shook his head and sighed. "The concentration of the potion in his body is very lethal." He emphasized the word lethal then went on. "Luckily, he survived it. But some of his organs were affected, he might come up with relapses in the future and will take some time to fully recover."

Hailey slumped on the chair as the doctor's words sank in. He wasn't going to die but it had affected him a great deal. What was she supposed to feel? Why was the guilt still eating at her?

The doctor shook his head again and took his eyes off her. He walked to the butler who had been watching them silently and they started conversing in whispers.