Chapter 1417:
“Of course,” the driver responded, and before long, the car rolled to a stop outside the prison gates.
Nicole counted out her fare, stepped out, and steeled herself as she moved through security and signed the visitor’s log.
Seated across from Hayden at the cold metal table, she gripped the receiver so tightly her knuckles turned white, watching as he sauntered over with a crooked grin.
Hayden leaned in, picking up his end of the phone. “Honestly, I never thought you’d bother showing up again.”
Nicole’s eyes were rimmed with red, but she didn’t take the bait. “Back when Millie and I were living under your roof…”
Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue. “Tell me what really happened between you and her.”
A careless laugh escaped Hayden as he studied her face. “You’ll have to be more specific. What exactly are you asking about?”
Her jaw tightened, anger flashing in her eyes.
“You want a list? I did plenty—called her names, hit her, all sorts of things. Need details?” He sneered.
Leaning back, he let his gaze linger on her, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
“I know what you did.” Nicole’s voice trembled, but she pushed forward. “I saw the pictures.”
Hayden stilled for a moment, but then let out a sharp, mocking laugh.
“Nicole, you’re just now piecing this together? Millie kept quiet all these years? I always thought you knew, but you just chose to look the other way. No, wait—all those years, did you ever wonder why I kept staring at her, or did you just tell yourself it was better not to ask? Sometimes it’s easier to pretend everything’s fine, right?”
𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵: 𝖌𝖆𝗅𝗇𝗈𝖛𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗈𝗆
His words cut deeper with each sentence, his laughter echoing harshly in the visitation room.
She slammed her fist on the table. “Enough, Hayden!”
Hayden finally stopped laughing, dabbing at his eyes with the back of his hand. “You were still beautiful, but you weren’t the woman you once were. Millie, though—she was young. She was right there every day. How could I not notice her?”
“She was your stepdaughter!” Nicole’s voice shook, rage and heartbreak making her hands tremble.
He shrugged, his expression cold. “That doesn’t mean anything. We aren’t even blood. You needed help, and I gave it. I pulled you off the street. Isn’t it fair to expect something in return?”
The barrier between them was the only thing that stopped Nicole from ripping Hayden apart with her bare hands. She cried out without restraint, and tears rushed down her cheeks as she hit her fists against the glass frantically.
“You cruel animal, Hayden!” Nicole’s voice broke as she spoke. “I gave you everything, but my daughter? You have no right to lay a finger on her! How could you even think about it?”
Hayden only tilted his head back and let out a loud, careless laugh.
What a shame! He had been so close, only to fall short in the end.
Millie had always been very cautious, never leaving a single weakness for him to exploit. And then there was Brandon.
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