Turning Back to Emptiness

Chapter 9

Hailey rushed out and ran into Kevin, who had just returned, with Jane trailing behind him.

At the sight of Hailey, Kevin's face paled slightly. "Hailey, why are you…"

"Give me my phone. Now!"

Kevin handed it to her, and the moment she unlocked it, she saw the missed call. Sure enough, James had called her the night before.

Despair washed over Hailey. If only she had answered, she might have realized something was wrong. Then her father wouldn't have died.

Hailey collapsed to her knees, her face contorted with pain as tears dripped onto the screen.

Unable to bear the sight, Kevin reached out to pull her up. But Hailey suddenly looked up at him and noticed the red mark on his neck.

"What were you doing last night? You promised me you wouldn't let anything happen to him! You promised!"

Kevin pressed his lips together, silent. Beside him, Jane spoke apologetically, "Hailey, Kevin was with me last night, so he couldn't respond…"

"Shut up!"

"Hailey, I admit it was my negligence, but don't blame Jane."

Watching them defend each other, Hailey shook her head and murmured as she stood, "Not your fault. Mine… all my fault…"

Clutching her phone, Hailey walked upstairs, her eyes empty and lifeless. Between her injured knee and distracted state, she missed a step and tumbled down.

When she woke, Kevin and Jane were at her bedside. Seeing her awake, Kevin brightened. "How do you feel? Does anything hurt?"

But Hailey only stared coldly at Jane. "Get out."

Jane's face turned deathly pale, and she quickly lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Hailey. I didn't expect…"

"Get out!" Hailey shouted, her patience snapping.

"That's enough, Hailey." Without another word, Kevin stood and led Jane out.

Watching them leave, Hailey felt as if a boulder weighed on her chest, suffocating her.

When Kevin returned, Hailey tried to get out of bed. He hurried over to help, but she dodged his touch.

Kevin studied her pale face, unease flickering. "We never meant for things to turn out this way."

"Are you and Jane satisfied with the outcome, then?"

Kevin's brow twitched. "Do you always have to be so cutting?"

Hailey let out a hollow laugh, her eyes cold and unfeeling. "How exactly would you prefer I speak? Should I pretend none of this happened? Convince myself my father killed himself and none of you had anything to do with it?"

Kevin's face froze for a moment before he stiffened. "I am responsible for your father's death. But there's no need to treat Jane like that. She was just trying to protect her sister."

Hailey turned to the window. "Right, she just wanted to protect her sister. She's innocent. I tried to protect my father, so I'm the guilty one."

"You know… that's not what I meant."

Kevin seemed to want to say more, but Hailey turned over and pulled the blanket over her head. "Get out! I don't want to see you!"

The next day, Kevin entered holding a brochure and handed it to Hailey.

"Take a look. Pick a place you like."

Though confused, Hailey flipped through the pages showing various locations and their photos.

"Choose your favorite spot. That's where we'll get married."

Hailey's expression froze. "What do you mean?"

"What else? I'm marrying you, of course!" Kevin offered a small smile, stroking her hair. "Haven't you always wanted this? I'm responsible for your father's death, so I should look after you for life. That's why…"

"So, making me your wife is your compensation?"

In the past, "I'll marry you" would have thrilled Hailey, who had loved Kevin for so long. Now, it seemed completely ridiculous.

Choking back her bitterness, she forced out, "Kevin, do you even have a heart? What is this supposed to be—bought with my father's life?"