threads of deception

chapter four~ The Escape Plan 1

Elena whispered, her voice barely audible over the crackle of the quiet room.

Amy froze, her hands tightening around her mug. She stared at Elena, her eyes widening as the weight of that statement sank in. "Elena, what are you saying? Go back to "him"?"

"Seeing that post this morning... maybe it’s a sign," Elena said, a desperate, intense light flickering in her eyes. "Maybe it’s a sign that I need to go back and get him back.

I’ve tried, Amy. I’ve tried for a year with Westley, but I don't love him. I've never loved him. I am only in love with one person. I am obsessed with Jaiden, and it’s killing me."

Amy let out a heavy, stressed breath, rubbing her temples. "Elena, you are romanticizing the past because you're drowning in guilt. You did a terrible thing to him—that's why you two broke up. That guilt is what's driving you crazy, not a sign from the universe."

"I know what I did was awful!" Elena cried out, tears finally spilling over her cheeks as she gripped her knees. "That’s exactly why the guilt is eating me alive! I made a horrible mistake, and I need to fix it. I need him".

Amy looked at her best friend, a deep, protective worry settling into her chest. She remembered all too well how volatile Elena's obsession could get. She remembered the absolute chaos of the last time Elena had managed to find out something about Jaiden's life the day she discovered Jaiden had a new girlfriend. Elena had completely gone berserk, spiraling into a terrifying rage that nearly destroyed her image.

Back then, Amy had to step in with full force to stop her from ruining her own life. To protect Elena's modeling career and save her sanity, Amy had strictly cut off all flow of information. She had made sure Elena never found out a single piece of news about Jaiden, his new girl, or the Lancaster family. For months, the strategy had worked. Elena’s career skyrocketed, she met Westley, and the illusion of moving on was perfect.

But the wall Amy had carefully built had just crumbled because of one viral business post.

"Elena, listen to me," Amy said, her tone fiercely grounded as she reached across the space to grab Elena's shaking hands. "You are thinking about the Jaiden from a year ago. You have been completely blocked from his world. You don't know anything about who he is today, or what his life looks like now.

You've been in a bubble."

"I don't care," Elena rocked back and forth, entirely deaf to the warning. "He loved me. If I go back, if I beg for his forgiveness, I can make him remember us. I'm going back, Amy. I have to."

[ The Ashford]

"Oh, sorry Mama," Hailey stammered quickly, snapping out of her thoughts and offering a small, apologetic smile. "Yeah, I'm listening."

Her mother’s sharp Italian instincts flared instantly. She softened, leaning closer across the table with deep concern etched on her elegant face.

"Baby, what's up? Are you okay? Is there something wrong, tell Mama. You need a new bag? Or a dress?"

Devana groaned loudly, dropping her fork onto her plate with a dramatic sigh. "Oh, Mom, don't start with the pampering now! She is already a grown-up. This is always so annoying."

"Oh, shut up, Devana," their mother snapped over her shoulder without breaking eye contact with her youngest. She turned back to Hailey, her voice pure velvet. "Talk to me, baby."

"No, Mom, I'm fine," Hailey lied smoothly, offering a reassuring wave of her hand. "I was only thinking about the big presentation we have tomorrow. Sorry, I just zoomed out."

Sitting quietly across from them, Kai hadn't said a word. His sharp eyes had been studying Hailey’s tense posture the entire time, reading the subtle anxiety she was trying so hard to hide. Deciding to break the tension, he chipped in with a casual tone.

"Barbie, Kai called.

Shantel asked me to remind you of your shopping and spa day on Saturday.

Hailey’s face genuinely brightened for a second. "Oh, bro, I wouldn't miss it for the world! I still remember. Tell her I won't miss it."

"Hmm," Kai replied, his voice low as he kept his gaze locked on her, completely unconvinced. "Sure you are fine?"

"Yeah, bro," Hailey insisted, giving him a firm nod. She then turned her attention back to her mother, taking a deep breath. "Mama, I need to go out tonight. Please, Mama, don't say no."

Her mother blinked in surprise, instantly glancing at the elegant grandfather clock ticking in the corner. Where, Hailey? It’s seven already.

"Yes, I know, but I left some of my books with Lyric today, and one of them is an absolute necessity for the presentation tomorrow," Hailey explained, her voice tinged with a careful touch of urgency.

"Why would you forget such an important thing, baby?" her mother scolded gently, shaking her head.

"I don't know, it just skipped my mind," Hailey said softly.

Her mother sighed, her maternal warmth taking over as she waved a hand dismissively. "But since it’s Lyric, and it is getting late... just pack all the clothes and things you need. Study over there tonight and leave for school straight from her place tomorrow. It’s too late to be driving back and forth."

A wave of relief washed over Hailey. "Okay, Mama. Love you," she said calmly. She stood up from the table, walked around to her mother's chair, and bent down to press a sweet kiss against her cheek. "Mom, can you help me call Mr. Steve to drive me?"

Before her mother could reach for her phone, Kai chipped in, tossing his napkin onto the table. "No need.

I'm also leaving. I will drop you off."

Their mother turned on him instantly, her brow furrowing in deep disappointment. "Kai! You just got here, and you said you were spending the night here!"

"Yes, Mom, sorry. Change of plans," Kai said smoothly, standing up and smoothing down his jacket. "I will come back tomorrow for dinner and I'm definitely spending the night then. Besides, Kelvin and Dean are coming back tomorrow too. It would be nice to see us all together with you, right?"

His mother’s expression softened at the mention of her other boys, a reluctant smile returning to her face. Well... you're right. Just make sure you keep your promise.

"I will, Mom," Kai smiled. He then turned his sharp gaze toward the staircase where Hailey was already moving. "Barbie!" Kai called out loudly as she headed up the stairs.

"Please be quick!"

Hailey was absolutely furious as she stomped up the stairs. She clenched her fists, her heart hammering against her ribs. Kai offering to drop her off was a total nightmare. She wasn’t actually going to Lyric’s house, she was heading straight to Jaiden’s apartment.

The burning curiosity from earlier had completely consumed her. There was no way she could wait until tomorrow to ask him about what happened at the courtyard. She needed to clear the air today Besides, she and Lyric didn't even have lectures tomorrow, while Jaiden only had them in the afternoon. Her plan had been perfect: spend a few secret, precious hours with him tonight, and then have him drop her off at Lyric’s place in the morning before his classes.

But now, with Kai inserting himself into the equation, everything was completely compromised. How on earth was she going to pull this off?

Her brothers had absolutely no idea she even had a boyfriend. To call them protective was a massive understatement they were a hypervigilant security detail.

Back in high school, their overprotective streaks were so intense that their mother and Devana had constantly argued with the boys about chasing away every single guy who even dared to breathe in their direction. It got so bad that their mom had to report the boys to their father, threatening him to reign his sons in because they were terrifying Devana's potential boyfriends. Only after that massive family blowout did the brothers finally back off enough to let Devana bring guys home or be seen with them—and even then, every poor guy had to survive a brutal gauntlet of warnings and threats from each brother about what would happen if he dared to hurt her.

But Hailey? Hailey was completely off-limits. The boys had strictly told their mother she should be happy they even allowed Devana to date since she was of age. To them, Hailey was still their little girl, practically a minor. Especially Dean. Dean was downright scary when it came to Hailey and guys; he would absolutely lose his mind if he found out.

In reality, only her mom, Devana, and her father actually knew she was dating.

Jaiden was only the second guy she had ever been with.

Her first had been Xavier, but that had ended in utter disaster when she caught him cheating.

Hailey had been completely heartbroken, crying in her room for an entire week. Her mom and Devana were the ones who had tightly held her together and helped her overcome the pain. None of her brothers ever found out.

Even her dad didn't know Xavier had broken her heart, Hailey had lied straight to his face when he asked, claiming she was just tired of him,

just to protect Xavier from her father's wrath.