The One She Loved to Hate

Hailey didn't go home.

She just rode the bus. For hours.

Eventually, she ended up at the cemetery.

She bought a bouquet of white lilies and laid them at Donovan's grave.

It had been years. Her first time back.

Not because she didn't want to—she just couldn't.

She'd been too tired. Too wrecked.

Staring at his headstone, all she felt was envy.

He got to die and be done. No consequences. No guilt. No pain.

She was still here, drowning in it.

There was so much she wanted to say—but now that she was standing there, nothing came.

So she just smiled, bitter and quiet.

"I'm doing okay. Mom too. Jordyn... well, she's surviving, I guess."

The wind brushed her face, soft and cool.

Almost like it understood. Almost like it was sorry.

***

When Hailey finally got home, drained and aching, she didn't expect to see Nolan.

She froze, hand tightening around her bag.

He should've still been in the hospital.

But the second the door clicked shut, he looked up.

Then—he stood.

Crossed the room fast and stopped right in front of her.

His voice was cold, every word like a blade.

"Where were you?"

Hailey tensed. "I... I went to the hospital, but I didn't know which one you were in, so I—"

He moved—quick.

His hand slid through her hair.

Then he pulled back, holding a single lily petal between his fingers.

Her eyes widened. Breath caught.

Nolan stared at the petal.

Then let out a strange, low laugh.

"Phone broken? You went to the hospital? Brought flowers? Funeral ones? Seriously, Hailey—are you that eager for me to die? Think if I'm gone, you'll finally be free to marry whoever?"

Hailey let out a slow breath.

He hadn't figured it out. Thank God.

Even his insults didn't sting anymore.

Then—the doorbell rang.

Nolan went to answer.

"Nolan, you're so slow! Mike couldn't wait!"

The second she heard the voice, Hailey turned toward the door—

And a black blur came flying at her.

Something massive slammed her down.

Pain exploded as jaws clamped around her leg.

"Ah!" she screamed.

A pit bull. Its teeth dug in deeper.

The woman rushed in after it. "Mike, let go! Let go or I'll hit you!"

Tears streaked down Hailey's face.

Through her blurred vision, she caught it—that smirk.

The woman stroked the dog's head, gentle like a lullaby.

And the gentler she got, the harder those jaws tore into Hailey's leg.

Ripping. Shredding.

Only when Hailey was barely conscious did the dog finally let go.

Soaked in sweat, shaking, she collapsed—gone before she hit the floor.

***

When Hailey came to, her leg was already wrapped up.

Nolan was parked on the couch like he owned the place.

At his feet? The same pit bull that had just torn into her—now chilling like it hadn't done a thing.

She yanked her leg back on instinct, but it brushed the wound. Pain shot through her, and she curled up, shaking.

Nolan glanced over, cool as ever, and gave the dog a lazy pat.

"You seriously think I'm that dumb? Like I'd fall for your crap?"

His smirk cut sharp—like he was laughing at how clever she thought she was.