Hailey lowered her gaze before speaking again. “You know, Phoebe really loved Dexter… and Dexter,


    he’s the big shot now, head honcho of Fitzgerald Group. Thepany’s fate is in his hands; he can’t


    afford a scandal.”


    She was telling me all this to convince me of Dexter’s love for Phoebe and to plead for a chance on


    Phoebe’s behalf.


    “Why didn’t you ever tell Phoebe the truth? You had so many chances…” My voice was hoarse with


    emotion.


    Was I resentful? Maybe just a bit…


    “I loved Phoebe too much; I saw her like my own daughter. I dreamed of us truly bing a family.


    They were engaged, and Phoebe adored Dexter. I always thought that one day, Dexter woulde to


    his senses and treat Phoebe right. He loved her…” Hailey seemed to be deceiving herself more than


    anyone.


    I couldn’t help butugh, a sorrowful chuckle that brought tears to my eyes.


    In that moment, I realized how selfish people could be.


    Living with the Fitzgeralds all these years, could Hailey really not see the hurt and emotional abuse


    Dexter inflicted on me? Was she blind to my cautious steps and the feeling of being an


    outsider in their home?


    She could have told me that Dexter wasn’t my savior, and I wouldn’t have felt indebted to him,


    wouldn’t have let him manipte me.


    I have my pride, too. If I’d known I owed him nothing, he’d have no excuse, no right to hurt me.


    I could love him, or not, freely.


    I shouldn’t be shackled.


    I could’ve called the cops the minute Dexter forced me into something and made him face the


    consequences.


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    But I endured years of his cold brutality, all because of a supposed debt – for him rushing into mes to


    save me, to save my parents, to prevent their bodies from being charred beyond


    recognition.


    And it could’ve all been avoided. Hailey could have told me.


    But mother and son, they both held me captive in the name of love – one feared I’d leave, the other


    imed her actions were out of ‘love‘.


    “Hailey, do you know who really saved Phoebe’s life?” I took a deep breath, looking up at her with fists


    clenched.


    Since Dexter wasn’t my hero, I had even less reason to feel any bond with him.


    0743


    He was responsible for the death of me and my child! He and that Melody owed me!


    Hailey shook her head. “By the time we arrived, the savior was gone. There were no cameras on that


    bridge, no clue who it was. Witnesses mentioned a young man, and I’ve tried to find this person, but no


    one came forward.” She sighed. “I’ve been searching for years.”


    I stayed silent, bowing my head.


    “Ms. Larson, can you give Dexter another chance? Let’s settle this privately…” Hailey’s voice was soft,


    but I knew she was offering me thest olive branch.


    Before Dexter took over, Hailey was the one keeping thepany afloat. She was a force to be


    reckoned with.


    “I’m sorry,” I shook my head firmly. I would notpromise with Dexter again.


    “Dexter’s kidnapping charges won’t stick. Right now, it’s just your assault im, and you don’t seem


    injured. We could opt for a more amicable solution, one that doesn’t stir up drama between our


    families,” Hailey’s voice cooled.


    “The harm he’s done to me goes beyond physical injury. He kidnapped me, threatened my husband,


    and goaded him. I have zero tolerance for him,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.


    After a moment of silence, Hailey ced her phone in front of me. The screen showed an image of


    Colin, covered in blood, holding an injured kitten, a victim of animal cruelty.


    “If you Langleys want a media war, then we Fitzgeralds are all in,” Hailey stated, standing up to leave.