Hailey's POV
I paced back and forth across the hospital lobby, my bare feet slapping against the cold floor. The wind from my movements sent the hospital gown fluttering around my legs, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability. What if Aiden didn't show up? What if he'd changed his mind about the proposal after I rejected him yesterday?
A wave of uncertainty washed over me, and I felt my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Had Aiden found someone else to take my place? Was this all just a game to him?
Just as I was starting to lose hope, I spotted a familiar figure walking out of the hospital. His broad shoulders and chiseled profile were unmistakable, and my heart skipped a beat as I quickened my pace.
"Aiden?" I called out, my voice barely above a whisper. I tapped him on the shoulder, and he turned around, a look of surprise on his face.
But it wasn't Aiden. The man's features were similar, but his eyes were a different shade of blue, and his hair was darker.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," I apologized, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. "I thought you were someone else."
The man smiled kindly and nodded before turning to leave. I watched him go, feeling a pang of disappointment. Where was Aiden? Had he stood me up?
Just as I was starting to worry, I heard the sound of footsteps echoing across the lobby. I turned to see Aiden striding towards me, his eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
"Hailey?" His deep but calm voice echoed.
As Aiden approached, a mix of emotions swirled inside me. I felt a sense of relief, hope, and uncertainty all at once.
"Aiden," I called out, my voice trembling.
He quickened his pace, his eyes locked on mine with a deep intensity. As he reached me, I threw my arms around him, tears streaming down my face. My little bump created a slight distance between us, but Aiden's warm embrace made me feel safe and protected.
"I'm sorry, Aiden," I sobbed, my words muffled against his chest. "I'm sorry for everything."
Aiden's calm, soothing voice whispered in my ear, "Shhhh... it's alright, it's okay. You don't have to apologize, Hailey."
I pulled back, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. "It's all my fault," I said, my voice shaking.
"It's not your fault, Hailey; I was the one who stepped over the boundaries." "I shouldn't have asked you for such a huge favor. It was foolish of me."
Aiden's expression softened, and he gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
"It's okay," I said, trying to reassure him.
I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "I'm ready to sign the contract," I said, my voice firm. "I have nothing to lose, and right now, I have nowhere to go. You're my only family now."
Aiden's eyes searched mine, as if looking for any sign of hesitation. "Are you sure about this, Hailey? I don't want you to do this because you're desperate or weak."
I met his gaze, trying to convey my determination. "It's not that, Aiden. I really want this. After all, you're my husband, aren't you?" I said, recalling the words he'd spoken to the doctor.
Aiden's smile was gentle, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well... technically..." he began, but I didn't let him finish.
I placed my fingers on his lips, feeling a spark of electricity at the touch. "Shhhh... that's enough talking already," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Let me have the papers so I can sign them."
Aiden's eyes locked on mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. The air was charged with tension, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Slowly, Aiden nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.
As we left the hospital, Aiden gestured to his car. "We can't sign the papers like this," he said, nodding towards the hospital gown that hung loosely on my body.
I laughed, feeling a little self-conscious. "Right," I agreed.
"Let's go shopping," Aiden suggested, opening the car door for me. We drove to a luxurious boutique, where Aiden picked out several outfits for me. I changed into one of them, feeling like a new person in the elegant dress.
Next, we visited an automobile shop, where Aiden surprised me by buying me a new phone. "You need a way to reach me," he explained, "especially now that we'll be living together." I was hesitant at first, but Aiden insisted.
After finishing our shopping, Aiden glanced at his watch. "I'm running late for a meeting," he said. "We'll have to sign the papers another time." He drove me to his mansion, a stunning estate that left me breathless.
As we stepped inside, I couldn't help but gasp in awe. The interior was just as impressive as the exterior, with gold antiques and a beautiful staircase that curved up to the bedrooms. Aiden showed me to my room, a beautiful space with a plush bed and a large window that overlooked the gardens.
After Aiden left for his meeting, I took some time to freshen up and change into one of the outfits he'd bought me. As I was admiring myself in the mirror, the doorbell rang. I wondered who it could be, since Aiden had just left.
Curious, I made my way to the front door and opened it. But to my surprise, there was no one there. Instead, I found a small envelope lying on the doormat. I picked it up, feeling a sense of unease. Who could have left this?
I opened the envelope and found a small card inside. My heart skipped a beat as I read the message scrawled on the card:
"Be careful whom you trust." Fear gripped me, and I looked around frantically, wondering who could have left this ominous warning.