Hailey's POV:
The dinner was going great so far. Dad and my father-
in-law was talking about politics and business which
was quite boring.
My mother and my mother-in-law were busy in talking
about some new turkey recipe she tried.
Emily and Kate look pretty engrossed in the discussion
of the latest fashion and new designer that introduced
them this year.
Allison and her husband were busy in pulling Cameron
leg and teasing him constantly by asking him when will
he ask some girls out?
Chase was standing with them smiling at their childish
bickering.
I was running in and out and setting the table for
dinner. It wasn't much work because everything was
prepared already. I just had to heat it up then bring it
out and set on the large table.
Twelve chairs were surrounding the table to
accommodate everyone.
When I was done placing everything I called everyone for
the dinner.
Everyone settled around the table on the seats and I sat
across Chase. The plates and dishes were being passed
from one to other. I can't seem to stop myself from
staring at Chase as he looked handsome in fitted black
button down shirt and perfect jeans. I just wanted him
to give me his little attention and small glance of
appreciation.
Is it too much to ask from one's husband?
Today I've put all this effort in looking good for him,
only him.
I just took some salad and small piece of baked chicken.
The baked chicken was my own recipe that I've
prepared for kids with the little amount of spices but in
a good quantity so I would also eat it in the dinner. I
was hoping that no one will notice my plate.
After finishing salad I cut the baked chicken breast in
small piece and put it in my mouth. On the third bite of
chicken I felt my stomach crunching then felt a bile
rising.
Allison eyed my plate and said "Hailey why are you
eating kids' food?"
"Hailey is a kid". Emily said.
"Hailey is eighteen. Eighteen doesn't mean she is a
kid". Cameron said.
"She is not eighteen. She is sixteen and haven't even
graduated from high school". Emily said making
everyone freeze around me.
Chase head snapped towards me and he stared at me
with hate.
"Is this true Hailey?". Chase asked me in anger and
stood up from the chair.
I glanced down at my hands, they were shaking in fear.
"Yes, I'm sixteen. I lied to you all about my age". I said.
"I can't believe this. I'm married to a kid. Don't you
know how old I am?Why did you agree to get married to
me? Why did you lie to us about your age?". Chase
demanded.
My eyes were down in shame for lying and hiding a
truth.
"I was planning to tell you everything". I mumbled.
"When were you planning to tell me this? Chase shouted
and I jumped in fright.
"Chase you are scaring her. She is your wife and you
cannot change it". Allison said.
"I can change it and I will change it". Chase said
slamming his hand on the table.
My dad looked at me with guilt and shame in his eyes. I
didn't want him to blame himself for my misery and feel
ashamed for the lie. To save my dad from the further
shame I opened my mouth but a sudden headache and
dizziness made me clutch the table. I refrained myself
from falling down on my knees as my body shook in fear
and anxiety.
My eyes landed on Emily, she has a satisfied smile on
her face. I hid the tears that burned my eyes.
"Chase you need to calm down. It's a family dinner to
celebrate your graduation and we have guests. We will
discuss this matter after the dinner". Chase dad said.
Chase glared at me then sat back down on the chair
beside his father. His face was red in anger and I felt
scared.
Cameron was staring at me like I betrayed him. I did
betray him by hiding the truth. I told him he is like my
best friend which I never had.
Chase eyes looked at me like he was disgusted of me
after hearing the truth. I felt the same pain in my heart
that I used to feel when all those kids in school would
look at me in disgust and made jokes on me.
Everyone was staring at me like I was some criminal
sentenced for murder.
I glanced at my mother for some kind of support but
she ignored me like whatever I have done for them has
nothing to do with her and her daughter.
I decided to escape from the scrutinizing gaze of people
around me.
"Please excuse me'". I said getting up from the chair,
ready to leave but Allison pulled me back on the chair.
"Let's finish the dinner first, you only ate salad and I
noticed you were stabbing this chicken piece for fifteen
minutes. You should eat more to stay healthy". Allison
said putting something on plate.
Emily snickered at Allison comment telling me to eat
more to stay healthy. I ignored her and looked at the
plate.
"Oh God! Why it's so green?" I said looking at the
greenish pasta.
Looking at the green pasta I felt bile rising in my throat.
Putting a hand on my mouth I got up from the chair and
ran towards the nearest washroom which was located
in the lounge.
I threw up whatever I tried to eat during the dinner.
After puking my guts, I washed my mouth and took a
glance of my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks looked
sunken from the constant puking and lack of food. The
tears that spilled from my eyes during puking were dried
on my face.
I resemble to the dying person, pale and tired. I closed
my eyes then heard a knock from outside but I stayed
silent.
"Hailey are you alright?". Allison asked me.
"I'm fine". I replied in tired voice.
After few minutes of sitting and focusing on calming my
breath I splashed some water on my face then dried my
face with the tissues.
When I came out from the washroom I took the lungful
breath and my mind reminded me that Kate was the one
who made the pasta. I knew she wouldn't let go my
mistake easily; I need to apologize to her.
With my mind prepared to endure her hateful glares and
taunts mixed with others hateful glares because now
the truth was out about my age and education that I
have been hiding from them for months, I made my way
back to the garden when I just wanted to run back to
my room and never come out.
I reached near the table and saw Kate sniffing means
she has already started to create a scene. Her head was
resting on Chase shoulder, and he was rubbing her back
in a soothing manner.
When everyone notice me standing, they fell silent.
Kate eyes snapped to me.
"You....you always ruin's my mood. You knew that I
made that pasta for Chase that's why you pulled that
stunned. I hate you. I hate you so much". Kate yelled.
I opened my mouth to apologize to her when Chase
decided to intrude.
"You lied to us about your age and your education. Now
you have done this". Chase said wiping his sister's
tears from her face.
"Stop doing things which make me and others hate you
more each day. You should be ashamed at yourself for
lying to us and making us fool for so long. And
apologize to Kate right now". His voice rises at end of
his statement.
I saw Cameron getting up from the seat and making his
way to me "Brother I think it's enough. Don't create a
scene; it's not your forte". Then he added sarcastically
"We've Kate for that".
"Shut up Cameron it's not your business to deal".
Chase said sending daggers at my way.
Before the fight will break between two brothers my
father-in-law interfered.
"Boys stop". Chase dad said glaring at Cameron and
Chase.
Cameron glared at Chase and clenched his jaw.
I saw Emily smiling and taking a sip of her drink. She
looks like she was enjoying everything.
"What did I say Hailey? Apologize to my sister then
apologize to everyone for lying. Maybe after this people
around you would actually like you". Chase hissed in
anger.
I felt something breaking inside me with the every word
that came out from his mouth. I literally heard the
shattering of my heart and dropping its pieces in the pit
of my stomach. The anger he was showing knocked the
breath out of my lungs making me feel like someone just
left me to die at the shore where I was drawing inside
helplessly.
I would've apologized to her and tackled this situation
more calmly with the bit of confidence if Chase hadn't
interfered and broke my heart.
The line "stop doing things that make me hate you more
each day" keep replaying in my head, slashing my heart
again and again, making it bleed until I was gasping in
the pain. He broke every ounce of confidence that I
gained in the past few months.
My heart was bleeding raw, but putting on a mask
which hid every emotion from my face I looked up at
everyone in the eyes.
"I'm really sorry Kate. It wasn't my intention to offend
you but whatever happened tonight I'm sorry for that.
I'm sorry for lying and hiding my real age from all of
you. I'm so sorry". I said.
"I hope you'll forgive me for everything that I have done
so far to make you hate me more each day. I'm sorry".
I added while looking at Chase and took the backward
steps.
Before anyone could see the tears falling from my eyes I
turned around and made a run to my room.
I locked my bedroom door and threw myself on the bed.
Putting my face in the pillow, I cried.
Simple tears soon turned into loud sobs. I wished that I
had a normal life where I wouldn't have to play a role of
Chase unwanted wife.
I married him, hoping that he will might give me a
beautiful future. And I thought he was different from
others and he will love me but that was just my silly
imagination. I fell in love with him thinking that he is
not what he makes himself look like in front of
everyone.
Now it looks like I was wrong about him and us. I was
only chasing the false dreams. He hated me, and he'll
always hate me.
Just like Melanie hates me because I'm the daughter of
the woman his husband cheated her with. Emily hates
me because I'm her half-sister and her dad share a love
for me that was supposed be only for her.
Just like all those kids in the school hated me for being
different and for being, freak, loser and dumb.
But the most important thing that they're forgetting is
that I'm a freak, loser and different just because of them
and their constant jabs on my personality.
I cannot change myself, and they're not going to love
me the way I am.
Many people have broken my heart before but Chase
has taken the first position on my list. I loved Chase
from all my heart and stupidly, blindly believed it that
he's different from others, and he'll accept and love me
someday for who I am.
But tonight he showed me that he's not different. He is
just like all those people that hates me. Tonight, he
cruel ripped out my already shattered heart and
crumbled it with his palm.
The tears were flowing down from my eyes and wetting
the pillow under my head.
I closed my eyes, wishing that I will never wake up.
_____________________________________________
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