Chapter 3
404 Words
Hailey knew that if she cried in front of James, he would lie awake for nights again.
She dried her tears, steadied herself, and turned to leave the police station.
To her surprise, a throng of reporters crowded the entrance, with Jane and Susan at the center.
"How did today's interrogation go?"
"We heard the alleged molester has connections. Is that why he hasn't been detained?"
Jane drew Susan closer and addressed the press with a faint smile. "I understand everyone's concern. But let me be clear: wrong is wrong. Those who do evil will face justice."
The pointed remark made Hailey charge forward immediately.
"What are you insinuating? There's no evidence against my father! How dare you spread lies?"
"Hailey," Jane said, her tone almost pitying, "I know you want to protect your father, but what you've studied shouldn't be used to defend evil. You—"
"Shut your mouth!"
Hailey couldn't fathom such audacity.
As she grabbed the microphone to speak to the cameras, someone shoved her violently. A voice in the crowd shouted, "She's attacking someone!"
In the chaos, Hailey staggered, dropping the microphone.
She bent to pick it up when the crowd parted, and Kevin strode through.
He first helped Jane to her feet before turning toward Hailey.
His sudden appearance froze her. "Kevin…"
The slap came without warning, snapping her head sideways.
The crowd gasped, some trying to muffle their shock.
"Is this how I taught you? To use violence to make someone submit?"
Hailey tasted blood. "I didn't—"
"Apologize." Kevin's command cut like ice.
The cold word gripped Hailey's heart like an iron fist, pain radiating from her chest.
She violently pushed Kevin away and fled outside.
After wandering for hours, she trudged home.
But upon opening the door, she froze again.
Kevin sat in the living room, applying medicine to Jane. Hailey lowered her head, pretending not to see them, but Kevin called out again.
"Don't you have anything to say after pushing someone and scraping her knees?"
Hailey clenched her hands and met Kevin's disapproving stare. "I didn't do it. What should I say?"
She turned to go upstairs.
"Stop!" Kevin's voice, laced with anger, rang out.
Her fear of Kevin was ingrained in her bones. She froze, neither moving nor turning.
His warning followed immediately. "Are you sure you won't apologize?"
Hailey remained silent.
In the next instant, two men dragged her over.
- Writer
