Chapter 21 THE HEATHROW BALL (II)

Chapter 21 THE HEATHROW BALL (II)
HAYLEY

Tears of anger prick my eyes but I blink it back, reminding myself that I promised not to shed any more tears for Edward DaSilva. He doesn’t deserve me, and he sure as hell does not deserve my tears.

Five minutes later, my throat starts to feel a bit scratchy. I cough severally, wondering why the atmosphere suddenly feels so suffocating. 

My eyes start burning barely a minute later, and I take that as my cue to get the fuck out of here.

I turn towards the door, ready to bolt, but stumble to a halt at the sight that greets me.

“What in the name of cheese crackers…?!”

There’s an unhealthy amount of thick, black smoke pouring into the room from the little space underneath the door. The fumes are so strong, I can feel it burn my throat raw.

“What the hell is this?”

I rush to the door, shielding my nose with the crook of my arm as I wrestle with the knob.

It takes three full seconds for my brain to register that the door is locked. 

Then comes the panic.

“I didn’t lock this! What the fuck is going on?!”

I slam my fists on the heavy wood over and over as the fumes continue to pour into the room, screaming at the top of my lungs;

“Is anyone there? Help me?! Please, open the door!!”

The fumes are circulating pretty quickly. Barely a minute later, the entire room is covered in thick black smoke.

When it finally dawns on me that help is not coming, I pluck my phone from my pockets and struggle to dial Edward’s number.

Thankfully, he answers on the first ring;

“Edward…!”

“I’m busy, Hayley.” His cold tone cuts me off.

“No, Edward. Listen to me.”

“You’re disturbing me.” My heart twists painfully at the barely concealed irritation in his voice. “We’ll talk later.”

Then the line goes dead.

Tears blur my vision, streaming down my cheeks as I try the number five more times, only to get sent to voice mail. 

I wrap my arms protectively around my stomach, whispering through my tears;

“I’m so sorry, baby. Mommy failed to protect you. I am so, so sorry.”

My head feels ten times heavier than it did two minutes ago as the fumes rush into my mouth and nostrils.

I collapse the floor, feeling life slowly drain out of me. I guess this is it.

This is how I was always destined to die — alone and in pain.



TEN HOURS LATER…

The sharp scent of antiseptic burns my nostrils as I blink my eyes open. 

“Where am I?” I whisper, staring at the stark white ceiling in confusion.

“Mrs. DaSilva,” an animated voice filters into my subconscious. “I’m glad you’re awake. How do you feel?”

“Like poisoned urine was poured down my throat.”

I try to sit up but wince and flop back on the bed in defeat when pain needles through my limbs.

The remote-controlled bed is slowly raised and I finally come face-to-face with my nurse, a gorgeous, dark-haired Filipina. 

“Take it easy, ma’am. You were admitted at the general hospital for severe smoke inhalation yesterday. Thank God you escaped getting burnt.”

“Smoke inhalation?” I narrow my eyes, searching my brain for any memories of the previous night.

Then it all comes tumbling back.

The Heathrow ball.

Finding out that Edward snuck Victoria into the party.

Getting locked inside that tiny, stuffy room.

The smoke. So much smoke, I shiver from the memory.

“Your husband was just here,” the nurse says, handing me a bottle of water that I greedily suck down. “He left a while ago to pay for your medication. I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

The mere mention of Edward has all my nerves coiling in fury.

I called him last night. I begged him to help me.

But he was too busy attending to Victoria to give a fuck about his suffering wife.

He can go to hell for all I care. 

Speaking of the devil, the door opens just then and Edward walks in. 

As usual, he looks spick and spick in a Brunello Cucinelli suit and his signature unreadable expression.

In the past, the sight of him stirred butterflies in my belly. Now, all I feel is hatred. And a desperate need for revenge. 

“Hayley. You’re awake.” His voice is devoid of warmth, not that I expected him to be happy that I survived.

When I don’t respond, he continues;

“A fire broke out at the event centre yesterday. I received news this morning that it started at the control room. A lot of guests were injured.”

I swallow the anger that’s currently streaming in my throat and turn to the nurse, completely dismissing him.

“When did you say I could get discharged again?”

Her gaze ping-pongs between us, obviously sensing the animosity in the air.

“Uh… you can leave today. But before that, I’ve got some news to share. Unfortunately, it’s bad news.”

My throat tightens with fear.

“Nurse… is it my baby?”

She nods, her eyes filled with pity.

“Unfortunately, you were brought in a bit too late. We tried everything we could, but we couldn’t save the baby. I am so sorry for your loss.”

I sink underneath the covers, fighting hard to hide the tears that are already pouring down my cheeks.

Just then, a ring tone pierces the air, followed by Edward’s voice.

“Hello, Victoria?”

Anger and bitterness churns in my throat as I watch his expression morph from upset to concerned in a heartbeat.

“Try to calm her down. I’ll be right there.”

He ends the call and turns to me, his gaze cold and empty as usual.

“That was John. Victoria was at the event yesterday. Unfortunately, she got admitted for first degree burns. The doctors say she’s unstable…”

“You don’t have to explain yourself, Edward,” I cut him off, mirroring his cold tone. “I know you don’t want to be here. I know you want to be with her. You can leave.”

“Hayley…”

I sink into the bed and throw the covers over my head. “Leave. I’ll find my way home.”

When the door finally closes behind him, I sit up quickly, glancing at the nurse;

“You played your part well. Thank you. The money will be wired to your account right away.”

Her face wrinkles in a frown. “I don’t get it. Why would you lie to your husband that you had a miscarriage?”

I don’t respond.

Lying to Edward about the miscarriage was a necessary evil. 

No pregnancy means the DaSilva family would not have any reason to keep me in Manhattan when my five remaining days are up. 

I will finally be free to leave the city and the man who hurt me more than anyone else in the world.

Finally, I will have my chance to start over.



ANONYMOUS

In a hidden alcove in the hospital’s hallway, a dark figure dressed all in black observed room 74, where Hayley was admitted.

“Hello, boss?” 

“Any updates?”

“Everything is going to according to plan. Our target is awake…