Hailey's POV
I stepped away from the dinner table, the weight of Aiden's parents' words settling heavy on my chest. The mention of my parents had unleashed a torrent of emotions, and I struggled to contain them. I wandered through the sprawling mansion, my feet carrying me on autopilot as I searched for refuge – the restroom.
As I walked, the silence was filled with the echoes of my past. Why did the mere mention of my parents affect me so profoundly? I had no memories of them, no recollection of our life together or the circumstances of their death. Yet, the pain was palpable, a dull ache that refused to subside.
I finally found a bathroom tucked away in a quiet corner of the house. I slipped inside, closing the door behind me, and leaned against the cool surface. My eyes met their reflection in the mirror, and I took a deep breath, willing myself to compose.
Just as I was starting to calm down, a gentle voice interrupted my solitude. "Hailey?" Aiden's voice was low and soothing, a comforting presence on the other side of the door.
Aiden's voice was laced with concern as he spoke through the door. "Hailey, I'm so sorry for what my dad said back there. He had no idea... Please, open the door." The doorknob rattled as he tried to enter, but I had locked it.
I stood frozen, my eyes fixed on the door as Aiden's words washed over me. His apology was genuine, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease.
"Hailey, if you're no longer comfortable, we could go home," Aiden suggested, his voice softening. "I just wanted to show them I wasn't lying in the first place."
The idea of escaping the tense atmosphere was tempting. I slowly made my way to the door and unlocked it, allowing Aiden to enter.
Our eyes met, and Aiden's gaze searched mine, as if trying to read my expression. "Are you okay?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
"I'm fine, Aiden. Could we just go home?" I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
Aiden nodded. "Sure, I'll go tell them we're leaving. You can wait here for me."
But I shook my head. "No, I want to come with you."
Aiden's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Okay, let's go."
We walked back to the dining table, where the tension had escalated in our absence. Aiden's father sat stoically, while his mother's eyes seemed to hold a deep sadness.
"Mom, Dad, we're going to take our leave now," Aiden announced, his voice firm but polite.
His mother's face fell. "But son, you just got here."
Aiden's expression remained resolute. "Mom, please... the atmosphere here is becoming overwhelming. We should go."
I intervened, trying to soften the mood. "Mrs. Alora, it's okay. It's not about you or anyone here. The baby just seems to be giving me some trouble today." I lied.
Aiden's mother looked at me skeptically, but I maintained a reassuring smile.
"Are you sure, dear?" she asked.
I nodded. "Very sure. Besides, it's not like I'm going forever. I can always come visit you."
A hint of a smile returned to Mrs. Alora's face. "Is that a promise?"
I nodded again. "Yes, it is."
Mrs. Alora's eyes sparkled. "Okay then, fine. You owe me a mother-daughter date."
I smiled, trying to match her enthusiasm. "Deal."
Throughout the exchange, Aiden's father remained silent, his eyes fixed on his breakfast plate.
As we drove home, the silence between us was palpable. I stared blankly ahead, lost in thought, while Aiden cast occasional glances my way. His concern was evident, but I didn't feel like talking.
"Hey, do you want some ice cream?" Aiden asked, breaking the silence. "You didn't eat much."
I nodded, still not speaking. Aiden seemed to understand, and we soon arrived at a popular ice cream parlor. He got out to buy us some, insisting I stay in the car to avoid exerting myself.
As I waited, I rolled down the window, taking in the fresh air. The peaceful atmosphere began to calm my nerves. Suddenly, a stranger appeared in front of me.
"Oh, darling, I've missed you," he said, his voice dripping with familiarity.
I was taken aback. "Who are you?" I asked, confusion etched on my face.
The stranger's eyes locked onto mine, and he took a step closer. "Don't you remember me, baby?" he asked, his hand reaching out to touch my face.
I recoiled, alarm bells ringing in my head. I quickly rolled up the window and locked the doors, but the stranger's words sent a shiver down my spine.
Just as the stranger was about to say something else, Aiden appeared out of nowhere, his fist connecting with the stranger's face. The man stumbled backward, caught off guard.
"Aiden, please leave him alone!" I yelled, rolling down the window. "He didn't hurt me!"
But Aiden's anger had taken over. He pinned the stranger against the car, his fists flying. The stranger struggled to break free, his eyes fixed on me with unnerving intensity.
"Hailey, stay in the car!" Aiden shouted, his voice firm.
"Aiden please, let him go, he's probably a madman," I added.
The stranger managed to wriggle free, his face twisted in a snarl. "I'm not a madman, I'm your hus...." he began, but his words were cut off as I rolled up the windows again, making his voice go out, Aiden's fist connected with his jaw once more.
I flinched at the sound of the impact, my heart racing. The stranger's eyes never left mine, filled with a desperate plea. But before he could say another word, Aiden subdued him, holding him in a tight grip.
The sound of sirens echoed through the air, growing louder with each passing second. Aiden swiftly got into the car, his eyes blazing with anger. He floored the accelerator, and the vehicle sped away from the scene.
I stole glances at Aiden, unsure of how to broach the subject weighing on my mind. My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that the stranger's words were significant.
"Aiden, what was that man yelling about?" I asked, my voice tentative. "It seemed like he was trying to tell me something before I rolled up the window."
Aiden's expression turned granite-hard, his voice devoid of emotion. "It's nothing, Hailey. Not important."
I opened my mouth to press the issue, but Aiden's stern tone made me hesitate. "But it really seemed—"
Aiden's anger boiled over, and he slammed his hand on the steering wheel. "I said it's not important!!" he thundered, his eyes flashing with fierce intensity.
I recoiled, shocked by Aiden's outburst. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I stared at him, awestruck. This was the first time Aiden had yelled at me, and the force of his anger left me breathless.
Aiden's gaze locked onto mine, and his expression softened as he took in my tears. He looked away, his jaw clenched, and his eyes fixed on the road ahead. The silence between us was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tension.