"I'm really sorry about what happened with Hardin, I thought the place was secure, I had no idea how he got in and I tried contacting you but I couldn't," Cole said in an apologetic tone.
"You don't have to apologize at all, you're my closest friend and you tried your best to help, I understand that" Hailey replied.
"I have another plan, and am sure it would work, you don't have to stay in Hardin's clutches forever"
Hailey bit her lips, she was grateful Cole was trying to help her but she doesn't want to leave Hardin anymore, not when things are getting better between them.
She is willing to leave the past behind them and just live her life with him, it means taking the easy way and she rather chose that.
"Cole..." Hailey said slowly.
"What's wrong? Did he say something to you?" Cole asked anxiously, he could fill the defiance in her voice and expression.
"No.. he didn't" Hailey breathed.
"Things between us are better than.... better than I would ever imagine and I don't think I want to leave him" Hailey said and Cole frowned.
"What are you talking about? Is he threatening you?" Cole asked in confusion.
"No he is not, this is my decision, please try to understand, I know you're trying to help but...
Things have changed, they are better now" Hailey tried to explain and Cole let out a disbelief breath.
He ran his hands through his hair and looked at Hailey in confusion.
"Hardin will only hurt you" he said, his voice pleading.
"That's for me to worry about, I appreciate your help, I really do but this is my decision" Hailey replied.
"Do you know why he married you in the first place?" Cole said and Hailey frowned.
Of course she didn't know why he married her and she badly wanted to know but if finding out would ruin what they have now, she wasn't ready to entertain the thought.
They have already taken a few steps forward, she doesn't want them to take huge steps backwards.
"I'm not interested in finding out, I hope you understand" Hailey said getting up and Cole got up hurriedly.
"He doesn't really love you, he just loves who you look like" Cole said.
That struck Hailey like lightning, what was he talking about?
Who did she look like?
"What a wonderful day to have dinner here... Huh? Too bad I wasn't invited" Hardin's voice was heard and Hailey turned towards him.
"Hardin... What are you doing here?" Hailey asked.
"Surprise to see me since I wasn't invited?" Hardin said as he glared at Cole who gave him an equal glare.
"It's not what it looks like," Hailey tried to explain.
"Why don't you just leave her alone, you'll only ruin her life further" Cole said to Hardin in anger.
"You don't know what you're talking about, you've been pushing me to my limits a lot" Hardin replied.
"Do you think she would stay with you if she knew?" Cole said earning him a punch from Hardin to the cheek and he staggered
"Hardin!" Hailey yelled in surprise.
Cole got back his stamina, his lips bled.
Hailey's breath hitched as Hardin raised his fist again, ready to strike Cole a second time.
Without thinking, she lunged forward, stepping in between them, shielding Cole with her body.
"Stop!" she pleaded, her voice laced with desperation.
Hardin's fist froze in midair, his jaw tightening as his eyes darkened with anger. His gaze flickered between Hailey and Cole, his expression unreadable.
"Move," he ordered, his voice cold.
"No, this isn't right, Hardin." Hailey said firmly.
Hardin let out a sharp, humorless laugh, shaking his head.
"You're defending him? After everything?" he said in disbelief.
"I'm not choosing him over you," Hailey said, trying to make him understand and Hardin's expression hardened.
"You're looking at me right now like I am the enemy" Hardin said coldly.
Hailey opened her mouth to respond, but Hardin had already taken a step back, his hands clenching at his sides.
"You know what? Do whatever you want." His voice was sharp, cutting.
"Hardin—" Hailey tried to speak but he was already turning away, storming out of the restaurant without another word.
Hailey stood frozen for a moment, her heart hammering. Then, she turned back to Cole, who was wiping the blood from his lip.
"Are you okay?" she asked, concerned with filling her voice.
Cole nodded, though his gaze was troubled.
"You seriously want to stay with him?"
Cole asked her and she sighed, glancing toward the entrance where Hardin had disappeared.
"Cole… I meant what I said. I won't leave him." she spoke with certainty.
Cole let out a weary breath, studying her face. Finally, after a long pause, he gave a small nod.
"If this is really what you want, then I won't fight you on it anymore.
" he said in withdrawal, there was nothing he would tell her that would make her change her mind so he decided to give in.
"Thank you for understanding." he said with a small smile.
"But we're still friends right?" Cole asked.
"Sure" Hailey responded and With that, she left the restaurant and headed home, hoping to talk to Hardin.
But when she arrived, the atmosphere in their home was tense. Hardin was there, sitting in the dimly lit living room, his back to her, his fingers gripping a glass of whiskey.
"Hardin…" she started cautiously.
He didn't respond, didn't even turn to look at her.
She swallowed.
"Can we talk?" she asked hopefully.
Silence.
She took a hesitant step closer.
"I didn't mean to upset you—"
Hardin set his glass down with a soft clink and finally turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable.
"I don't want to talk right now, Hailey." he said and her chest tightened.
"But... I.."
"I said I don't want to talk." His tone was firm, final.
Hailey bit her lip, feeling a wave of frustration and sadness wash over her.
She wanted to fix this, to fix them but for now, she knew she had to give him space.
Without another word, she turned and walked away, her heart heavy with uncertainty.