Chapter 598
He reached out and pulled Hailey into a tight embrace.
Declan sobbed uncontrollably. “Hailey, I don’t have a mother anymore. I don’t have a father or a mother.”
Hailey held him just as tightly. This was the first time he had ever let his guard down and allowed someone to see him so vulnerable.
She nodded. “I know, Declan. You still have Aileen and me. I’ll always be here for you.”
Then, she rose onto her toes, cupped his face in her hands, and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.
This time, her kiss was full of tender affection.
Declan held her again, pulling her back into his arms.
Declan had to leave, but the hospital took care of Pamela’s final arrangements. Hailey and Aileen brought Pamela’s ashes home.
Hailey carefully placed the urn and Pamela’s memorial plaque on the small table, arranging a few candles and fresh flowers around them.
Aileen clasped her hands together and closed her eyes for a moment of silent prayer.
“Aileen, we’ll keep vigil tonight. You’re coming home with me tomorrow,” Hailey said.
Aileen hesitated. “Hailey, I want to stay here.”
“No, it’s not safe for you to be alone,” Hailey said firmly. “You’re coming with me, no arguments.”
Aileen nodded reluctantly. “Alright.”
Hailey gave her a reassuring smile and gently patted her head. “There’s plenty of room at my house. My dad and housekeeper are wonderful people; they’ll love having you there. You don’t have to be afraid. It’s late, and you have school tomorrow. Your exams are coming up. Go get some rest-I’ll stay up.”
Aileen shook her head. “I want to stay up with Mom too.”
Hailey didn’t argue. Instead, she grabbed a thick blanket and spread it across the floor. “Then we’ll stay here together.”
“Okay.”
They curled up under the blanket, and soon t grew warm. Aileen took out her study materials and quietly reviewed her notes. She wanted to be strong, brave, and live up to the future her mother had envisioned for her. sŵnovel
Hailey watched her with a sense of pride and turned up the lamp slightly.
An hour later, Aileen fell asleep with her book in her arms. Hailey gently took it away and tucked her in.
As she gazed at Pamela’s memorial plaque, memories of the past surfaced-how she had first come here, how she, Declan, Pamela, and Aileen used to sit together, laughing over dinner.
Now, one of them was gone.
Sadness weighed on Hailey’s heart, and she slowly drifted into sleep.
At that moment, the door creaked open, startling Hailey awake. “Who’s there?”
Hailey saw a tall, imposing figure step inside. It was Declan.
Declan had returned in the cold, deep hours of the night.
Hailey’s expression lit up with surprise and relief. “Declan, why are you back?”
Without answering, Declan walked over and knelt by the table. He lita small candle for Pamela, watching the flame flicker before lowering his head in quiet reflection.
When he first walked in, his eyes immediately landed on the two small figures curled up together. These two were the most important people in his life now.
For the first time in days, being here brought him a sense of peace.
He turned to Hailey. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and dark circles shadowed them from lack of sleep.
Reaching out, he gently pinched her cheek. “I’m here. Get some rest.”
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