Aiden's POV
I glared at my dad, fury burning within me. How could he be so insensitive? "Dad?" I called out, my voice low and even, as soon as Hailey was out of sight.
"What?" he retorted, his tone dismissive.
"How could you bring up Hailey's parents like that?" I demanded, anger simmering just below the surface. "Haven't you done enough already?"
My dad's expression turned defensive. "How was I supposed to know her parents were deceased?" he asked, his voice dripping with innocence.
I seethed, hating the fact that he was denying his actions. My mom intervened, her voice firm.
"Enough!" she exclaimed. "What's gotten into you, Aiden? Why this sudden hatred for your dad?"
I turned to her, my eyes blazing. "You tell me, Mom," I said, my voice stern.
The tension in the room was palpable. I took one last look at my parents before turning to follow Hailey.
I found her in one of the guest bathrooms, the door locked from the inside. I tried the handle, but it wouldn't budge.
"Hailey, I'm so sorry for what my dad said," I said, my voice softening. "He had no idea... Please, open the door."
The silence that followed was oppressive. I suggested we leave, trying to coax her out.
"Hailey, if you're no longer comfortable, we could go home," I said gently. "I just wanted to show them I wasn't lying in the first place."
Finally, the door creaked open, and Hailey's blank face stared back at me. I searched her eyes, trying to read her expression, but it was like looking at a mask.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my brow furrowed with concern.
Hailey's voice was barely above a whisper. "I'm fine, Aiden. Could we just go home?"
I nodded, trying to reassure her. "Sure, I'll go tell them we're leaving. You can wait here for me."
But Hailey shook her head. "No, I want to come with you."
I nodded, my eyes narrowing slightly. "Okay, let's go."
As we approached my parents, the tension was palpable. They stopped talking, their faces stony.
"Mom, Dad, we're going to take our leave now," I announced, my voice firm but polite.
My mom's face fell, but Hailey 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."
My mom looked skeptical, but Hailey maintained a reassuring smile.
"Are you sure, dear?" my mom asked.
Hailey nodded. "Very sure. Besides, it's not like I'm going forever. I can always come visit you."
My mom's face brightened. "Is that a promise?"
Hailey nodded again. "Yes, it is."
My mom's eyes sparkled. "Okay then, fine. You owe me a mother-daughter date."
Hailey smiled, trying to match my mom's enthusiasm. "Deal." I admired the way she was so good at easing someone whenever tension was evident.
Throughout the exchange, my dad remained silent, his eyes fixed on his breakfast plate. I didn't utter a word to him, just picked up my stuff and escorted Hailey out.
As we drove away from my parents' house, Hailey's awkward silence was palpable. I tried to break the ice, asking, "Do you want some ice cream? You didn't eat much back there, and it might help calm your nerves."
Hailey nodded, her eyes fixed on some point outside the window. I couldn't help but feel a pang of concern.
We arrived at my favorite ice cream shop, and I told Hailey to wait in the car while I grabbed our treats. Minutes later, I returned to find a stranger lurking by the car, his hands reaching for Hailey's face.
My instincts kicked in, and I dropped the ice cream, rushing to Hailey's aid. My fist connected with the stranger's face, and I pummeled him, fueled by a primal urge to protect Hailey.
Hailey pleaded with me to stop, suggesting the stranger might be a madman, but I was resolute. No one threatened Hailey on my watch.
The stranger managed to break free and rushed back to Hailey's window. "I'm not a madman, I'm your husband!" he yelled, but Hailey had already rolled up the window, silencing him.
I pounced on the stranger again, pinning him down until the sound of sirens echoed through the air. Someone had called the police.
As I stood up, I glared at the stranger. "You owe your stars you have a savior today, husband," I spat, before turning to Hailey.
The ride back home was tense, with Hailey stealing glances at me. I was lost in thought, my mind racing with questions.
Who was this stranger? How could he claim to be Hailey's husband? What did he want? Why show up out of nowhere after three whole months? Was the baby his? Is that why he was here? The mystery note, was he the one who placed it there? How did he find her? There were so many things I still couldn't wrap my head around.
As we drove, Hailey asked, "Aiden, what was that man yelling about? It seemed like he was trying to tell me something before I rolled up the window."
My expression turned glacial, my voice flat and emotionless. I couldn't bring myself to repeat the stranger's words, unsure of how Hailey would react. What if it puts her in danger? What if it triggered a memory, and the stranger's claim proved true? A part of me dreaded the possibility of her regaining her memories, though I couldn't quite explain why.
"It's nothing, Hailey. Not important," I said, attempting to brush off her question. My eyes avoided hers, fearful of revealing the turmoil brewing inside me.
Hailey pressed on, her curiosity getting the better of her. "But it really seemed—"
My anger boiled over, and I slammed my hand on the steering wheel. "I said it's not important!!" I thundered, my eyes flashing with intensity.
Hailey recoiled, shocked by my outburst. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she stared at me, awestruck.
I looked away, my jaw clenched, and my eyes fixed on the road ahead. The silence between us was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words and unresolved tension.
As we arrived home, Hailey rushed out of the car, tears streaming down her face. I felt a pang of guilt, but I couldn't bring myself to comfort her. Not yet.