Chapter 16
706words
Since she got back to Northwick, people acted like Nolan was some tragic love-struck hero.
He'd locked down the mountain, hired top-tier rescue teams, nearly died in a hospital bed, and beat a business partner within an inch of his life—all for love?
Yeah, right.
If Hailey hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she'd have laughed in their faces. Not until she tailed him to the psych ward and heard everything he told Claudia did it finally click.
Her dad never touched that woman.
It was all a lie.
She shook, fists clenched, heart pounding with rage.
Because of that lie, Nolan ruined her family, caged her for eight years, tore her apart day after day—and dragged every other Hart woman down with her.
He'd let his girlfriend's dog tear her up. Dug up her dad's grave. Fed his bones to that same dog. And right in front of her mom's hospital bed, he—
She still saw the look in Amelia's eyes.
Disgust. Grief. Hate.
How could her mom bear knowing her daughter was with the man who shattered them?
She couldn't.
And neither could Hailey.
Tears hit her hands, sharp and hot.
Serena pulled her into a hug. "Don't cry, Hailey. You've got me and Kayden. We're not going anywhere."
Hailey blinked, pulling herself together. Then wrapped her arms around Serena, holding tight.
The worst of it was over.
Now it was his turn.
She dropped her gaze.
"Whether he still feels anything... we'll find out soon enough."
***
The second time Nolan saw her, it was at the psych hospital.
Hailey was in scrubs, cool and calm, sliding IVs into patients like she'd done it a million times.
Claudia was one of them.
Nolan hadn't visited since the day the truth came out. He was pissed—beyond pissed—that the woman he'd looked up to had fed him lies his whole life.
But under all that rage? Fear.
He couldn't stop thinking about what he'd done to Hailey.
The guilt had wrecked him so bad once, he'd smashed his head into a wall until he blacked out.
Maybe if he hurt enough, she'd show up in a dream. Just for a second.
"Hey, it's you again."
Her voice snapped him out of it.
Nolan stared like he was seeing someone else through her.
She knew exactly who.
Then she smiled—soft, warm, gorgeous.
And when that smile hit his eyes, it sliced straight through him.
Without a word, Nolan grabbed Hailey's hand and yanked her outside.
He didn't stop until they hit the rooftop.
Finally let go.
Lit a cigarette, flicked the ash with steady fingers.
His eyes were hollow—like he'd already lost everything worth hoping for.
After a long beat, he spoke.
"You got a boyfriend?"
Hailey tilted her head, watching him.
Before she could answer, he cut in.
"Doesn't matter. If you do, dump him. Be with me. I'll wire you fifty grand a month."
She said nothing. Just looked at him.
He dropped his gaze, brow tightening.
"Too little? I'll double it—"
"Sure."
His head snapped up.
She was still smiling.
That blinding smile—same one he saw the first time they met, one summer long ago...
"What's your name?"
"Laurel Quinn."
And just like that, Hailey became Nolan's kept woman again.
Northwick lit up with gossip.
"Guess Nolan's finally over that old flame?"
"Duh. Did you see that girl glued to his side?"
"Classic. Guys don't grieve—they replace."
Nolan acted like he didn't care.
But Hailey clocked every word.
They weren't wrong.
Except... Nolan clearly didn't agree.
That same night, he swung back around and beat the whole group bloody.
Had a new girl, yeah. But he couldn't stand anyone talking trash about the one he lost.
Hailey thought it was hilarious.
Still, she played along—blew gently on his bruised knuckles, wrapped them slow and careful.
"That girl they mentioned..." she said. "Was she really that important to you?"
His throat tightened. Eyes turned glassy.
Weirdly, it felt like he could finally talk to someone.
"She was the love of my life. The one who loved me most."
Silence.
Hailey kept her lashes low, smile curving with quiet scorn.
'Wrong. Nolan, you never deserved anyone's love.'
She buried it deep.
