LOGINFeeling the tightness in her son's little frame, Haley placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, my love. I believe you. Perhaps it was simply a passing person, tho. or a lost person. Nothing is here.” Karl nodded, but his terrified expression persisted. "Can you stay with me for a little while? Please?" "Of course," Haley replied as he took a seat on the edge of his bed. "I'll stay as long as you need me." As she told him a tale from a straightforward children's book about friendship and animals, she saw his eyes grow heavy and then close. She sang a lullaby while caressing his hair for a considerable amount of time. She slipped out of the room and went downstairs after she was certain he was asleep. "We need to increase security," Rhett said as he stood in the living room with his phone to his ear and a concerned countenance. "The price is irrelevant to me. I want the residence to be monitored around-the-clock. Everyone who works on this facility should have their backgrou
"One of the many benefits of being married to you," Rhett replied. "I am aware of all your peculiarities.” "Which ones drive you crazy?" Haley asked. "The good ones and the ones that drive me crazy…Leaving your shoes in the middle of the corridor. Every Sunday night, you insist on watching romantic comedies. "You think my singing is terrible?" "The way you sing in the shower even though you know it's terrible—" With a smooth correction, Rhett said, "I think your singing is enchanting. And I wouldn't change a single thing about you." There was a lull during which they said everything they didn't need to say out loud. Then, in a lower voice, Rhett said, "I love you, Haley." "Rhett, I also adore you. In an hour, I'll see you.” Haley's chest began to warm up as she hung up the phone. Happiness felt like this. For all those years, she had been striving for this. It was sturdy, authentic, and exquisitely commonplace. --- Nestled on a peaceful side street, the small French eate
"Vance," Haley exhaled. "I know," Vance remarked in an uncharacteristically quiet voice. "It's breathtaking. I've spent months working on it. All of the beads and stitches were made with love. And it will be completed on schedule." Haley turned to face her friend and saw the emotion in his eyes. "It's for both you and Andrei," she said. "You're making your own wedding suits." Vance nodded, and his poise faltered for a second. His smile grew a bit too brilliant as he blinked quickly. "Is it unbelievable? Of all people, I'm getting married at last. Of all people, to Andrei. We're genuinely doing it after all the suffering and foolishness we've endured. In fact, we're going to declare, "Forever," in front of everyone we care about.” Haley extended her arm and grasped his hands. "I never questioned it. Andrei and you were destined to be together. All you needed was some time to discover what everyone else already knew.” Vance let out a shaky laugh that contained years' worth of ang
The kitchen's glossy hardwood flooring was covered in warm golden rectangles as the morning sun filtered thru the home's floor-to-ceiling windows. With her fingers encircling a warm coffee mug, Haley stood at the island and observed how the light caused the dust particles to dance in the air. It was one of those flawless mornings that caused her to temporarily forget the darkness that had once threatened to overwhelm her. The most significant person of the day was approaching behind her, as evidenced by the soft padding of tiny feet on the steps. Six-year-old Karl, her son, with Rhett’s obstinate jaw and her perceptive blue eyes, emerged at the kitchen doorway, his brown hair standing up in wild tufts that seemed to resist combing. "Mom, did you know that black holes aren't actually holes?" he said, holding a battered copy of "A Brief History of Time" in his tiny hands, which had been his constant companion for the previous three months. Karl continued, his mind already racing
Two days later, Kieran was called by the hospital that Lydia was in while he was drinking and watching TV. “Good day Mr. Colin. We are sorry to tell you this but Miss Lydia has passed away. She died this morning. Since you were the only one she listed as a family member, we wanted to let you know this. If it is possible, can you come to the hospital.” “No. I’m not her family. We don’t know each other. Just bury the body or something I don’t know.” Kieran yelled. “But—“ “Don’t ever call me again. Let me block you now.” As he ended the call, Kieran blocked the number. He threw the bottle of alcohol he was drinking on the floor in anger. She was the cause of all that happened to him, death was too easy for her. Now he’d lost Haley forever to that Rhett. Just then his phone rang again. He thought it was the hospital using another number to call him since it was an unknown number, so when he picked the call he yelled at the caller, “What is it again?”
Eleanor was being tied to a chair and all her struggle to free herself was in vain. Haley and Rhett came in, Eleanor was shocked to see them. “Please let me go, I beg you. This is the last time, I won’t do it again.” Eleanor wept while begging. Haley moved forward and slapped her. “You bitch. Confusing everyone that I kidnapped you, just to ruin the launch of G&R isn’t it? Well, you won’t succeed. I will only let you leave here alive if you do as I say.” “Which is?” Eleanor yelled. “Confess. You’ll tell me who you’re working with and you better not lie because I will know. I will then spare you if only you cooperate.” “No. Never! I’ll never do that. You deserve everything that has happened to you and more. You bitch!” Eleanor yelled. “If you say so, then we’ll do it the hard way.” Haley turned and gestured for someone to come in. Three huge men with muscles evident from their daily gym visits came inside. Eleanor was shocked to see them, before she could s
Haley’s smile froze as she brought out a full pink princess dress. This outfit was obviously appropriate for Riley in terms of color, size, and style. Haley felt as though someone had squeezed her heart hard. Her heart began to race to its highest point as she locked her gaze on the outfit. "
Kieran took a long breath, suppressing the guilt that was eating away at him, and lay down next Haley."With the company expanding so quickly, work has been hectic. I haven't spent much time here, have I?” He spoke in a soft, quiet voice that sounded almost practiced. "How about we make that right?
Kieran came back by dusk with a dish of plain meals. "Haley," he asked placing it on the bedside table and standing with his back to her for a little before turning around, "did you really push Riley?" His voice was clearly irritated. Haley lowered her gaze. "Yes." His voice became harsher. "
Haley grinned bitterly. With her nails digging into her palms, her speech was hardly audible. "All right. Whatever you say.One thought crystallized in her thoughts with a terrifying clarity. Just few days.Few days. That's all that remains.You want the house? The man? The business? It'll be all y







