Hailey paced the hospital corridor, arms folded tightly across her chest like she was holding herself together with sheer force. Her heart pounded painfully, every beat amplifying the dread chewing away at her insides. She tried to stay strong, to prepare herself for whatever news the doctor would deliver—but deep down, she already feared the worst.
Still, she clung to hope. Maybe it's just a fever. Maybe something mild. Maybe…
"You need to calm down," Julia said gently beside her, though the worry in her eyes betrayed her own fear.
"How can I calm down when I don't even know what's wrong with my son?" Hailey snapped, voice cracking under the pressure. Her eyes, red-rimmed and glassy, refused to shed another tear. Not yet.
The door creaked open and Doctor Phil stepped out. His face was unreadable, eyes masked beneath a well-practiced composure. He had been the Monroe family doctor for years—he knew every detail of Aiden's health history.
"What's wrong with Aiden?" Hailey demanded, her voice tight and brittle. "He has a fever right? I knew it. He'd been pale and weak a few days ago but I'd been busy to bring him here."
"Hailey," Phil started softly, "He doesn't have a fever."
She blinked. "Then what is it?"
Phil exhaled slowly before dropping the bomb. "Aiden has leukemia. And it's very aggressive. If we don't start treatment immediately… he may not make it past a few weeks."
The words hit her like a tidal wave.
Leukemia. A few weeks. He's going to die.
She froze. Julia gripped her arm, but Hailey couldn't even feel the touch. She was numb.
Aiden was all she had left. Her husband had thrown her out after cheating with her sister. Her parents had disowned her. And now fate wanted to take her son?
Her knees wobbled, and her chest tightened like a vice. She couldn't cry. She couldn't scream. She was shattered beyond expression.
Phil spoke again, his voice more clinical now. "The cost of treatment is steep. The hospital requires a hundred thousand dollars to begin the operation. You can contact your husband, Blake—he can handle the payment."
Hailey said nothing.
Phil didn't know. She and Blake were no longer married.
"You can see him now," he added gently, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder before walking away.
Hailey slowly made her way into Aiden's room, careful not to wake him. Her son lay on the bed peacefully, unaware of the war raging outside his dreams.
Aiden has leukemia. He's going to die.
She shook the thoughts from her head. No—she wouldn't let that happen.
"I'm going," she whispered, turning from the room with determination.
"Wait, where are you going?" Julia asked, trailing behind her.
"I'm going to see Blake. He didn't leave me a cent after the divorce, and our son needs treatment. He's going to pay for it."
"Didn't you say Blake doesn't even believe Aiden is his son?" Julia asked warily. "Do you really think he'll help?"
"He has to."
**
When they arrived at the Lancaster mansion, Hailey spotted Blake and Kaira stepping into his car, both dressed as if headed for a date.
She grit her teeth. How can they live so shamelessly after what they did to me?
"Blake!" she called out.
He turned and groaned the moment he saw her, his irritation already obvious. "What now?"
"I need to talk to you. Alone."
Kaira stepped forward, smirking. "Why? If it's something important, you can say it in front of me. After all, I am his fiancée."
Hailey clenched her jaw but pressed forward. "Aiden has leukemia. The doctors say he'll die in a few weeks without treatment. The surgery costs a hundred thousand dollars, and—"
Kaira burst into laughter, cutting her off.
"Is this a joke to you?" Julia snapped.
"Of course it is," Kaira said. "It's just a little convenient, don't you think? Suddenly your son has a life-threatening illness the moment you need money. Are you trying to extort us?"
Hailey ignored her and faced Blake directly. "I don't have the money. You left me with nothing. Please—our son needs help."
Blake scoffed. "Your son. I told you before—I don't believe he's mine. Why should I pay a cent?"
"Then prove it. Take a DNA test," Julia challenged. "You keep claiming he isn't your son but won't take the test."
Blake's expression darkened. He didn't want a test. He didn't want a reason to be tied to Hailey—or her son. He had Kaira now. That's all he cared about.
"You should ask the real father," Kaira said, her voice like poisoned honey. "We were about to head out for our date, so if you'll excuse us… right, honey?"
Blake smirked, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Of course, sweetheart."
Just when they were about to get into the car, Hailey stopped them.
"Blake," Hailey called, her voice slicing through the air like a blade. He sighed and turned, irritation etched into every line of his face. "I gave you life," she said, eyes locked onto his with a cold, steady fire. "Two years ago, I let them cut me open and take a piece of me so you could keep breathing."
She took a step closer, her voice dropping to a lethal whisper.
"But if you think for one second that I'll let you walk away after destroying me, after turning your back on our son—then maybe it's time I remind you that the way I gave you life, I can take it back."
Her words hung in the air like smoke, poisonous and unforgettable.
Something flickered in Blake's eyes before they disappeared.
Kaira glared at her as she silently pulled Blake into the car and drove away.
Hailey stood rooted in place, the wind tugging at her hair.
"I'm going to my parents," she muttered. "They'll help. Aiden is their grandson."
Julia looked concerned, but her phone rang before she could respond.
"Really? Now? Ugh. Fine, I'm on my way." She ended the call and looked apologetically at Hailey. "Something happened at the club. I have to handle it before the cops get involved."
Hailey nodded. "I'll go alone."
"Even if it doesn't go well, come back to my apartment. We'll figure it out," Julia said before leaving in a cab.
A minute later, Hailey hailed her own.
**
When she arrived at the Monroe mansion, the guard blocked her path.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I have strict orders not to let you inside."
Her heart plummeted. "What? This is my home! What are you talking about?"
But the guard didn't budge. "Let's not make this hard. Please leave."
"No—wait! I need to speak to my parents! Please!"
Her shouting drew attention. Charles stepped out first, followed by Diane.
"What are you still doing here?" Diane's cold voice cut through the air like a blade. "I thought we made ourselves clear—you're no longer part of this family."
Hailey dropped to her knees. "Please. Aiden's sick. He has leukemia and only a few weeks left. The treatment costs a hundred thousand dollars. I went to Blake—he refused to help. I have no one else. I'll work as a servant if I have to. Just help me save him."
Diane rolled her eyes. "Hailey, I sent you to acting school, not scam school. You and Kaira were in the same class, remember? I expect better performances."
Tears burned behind Hailey's eyes, but she held them back.
"And why would Blake help a child that isn't his?" Charles added harshly. "I don't believe Aiden is even sick. He looked perfectly fine this morning. This is your problem—not ours. That boy isn't my grandson."
Hailey's chest twisted.
"Now leave," Charles said coldly.
But she didn't move.
"In that case," she said, voice steady despite the storm inside her, "I don't think it should be a problem if you give me my share of the inheritance… right?"