He let out a cruel sneer, his grip tightening on the wheel. He still didn't believe me.
I had endured this for too long. The endless accusations, the baseless hatred. My fingers trembled as I pressed a hand against my stomach, where life had just begun to grow.
So, I made a vow no mother would ever make lightly.
"If I was the one who drugged Audrey, then may my baby die in my womb!"
The weight of those words filled the car with suffocating silence.
For the first time, Hayden's expression faltered. His brows furrowed and when he spoke again, his voice lacked its usual edge.
"Are you really telling the truth?"
I didn't answer. Right now, I was dizzy, nauseous and my stomach hurt. Even speaking another word felt unbearable.
Maybe it was because I had been up all night. That was what I told myself as I closed my eyes, hoping for just a moment of rest.
Then, Hayden's phone rang again.
The sharp noise grated on my already frayed nerves. My mind instantly conjured the image of the caller ID flashing [Little Darling,] and irritation flared in my chest. I frowned, voice laced with fatigue.
"If you want to flirt, do it outside. I don't want to hear it. I feel like throwing up."
"It's my uncle," Hayden said.
Hearing that, I exhaled, relaxing slightly.
He picked up the call. "Hello, Uncle!"
On the other end, Hunter's voice was tight with urgency.
"Bring Ariella to the hospital now! Your grandma fell—she hit her head! The doctor said it's not looking good!"
The tension in the car shifted instantly. Hayden's expression darkening as he spun the car around and sped toward the hospital.
When we arrived, the air was thick with anxiety. Outside the operating room, Elliot sat hunched over on a chair, hands covering his face, his entire frame radiating guilt. Hunter stood by the wall, arms crossed, expression grim.
Hayden crouched in front of his grandfather, voice low and urgent. "How is she?"
Elliot didn't respond, lost in his daze. Finally, Hunter spoke, his voice heavy.
"It's bad. Brain hemorrhage. The doctor said she might be paralyzed after."
At the word "paralyzed," Hayden went still, his body slumping into the chair like the strength had been drained from him.