Cole quickly took a gun from under the table's drawer and pointed it at Hardin who didn't seem to flinch at the sight.
That angered Cole so much.
"You think I won't kill you?" Cole yelled and Hardin sighed.
"You think you can?" He asked and Cole smirked
"When I kill you, I would go to the hospital and kill her too" Cole said and Hardin frowned.
"You believe I would leave her unprotected after everything you've done?" Hardin asked.
"You're in my villa, I would kill you here and make it
look like an accident" Cole said and Hardin sighed.
"I'm tired of everything you have been doing so far, I have given you enough games to play" Hardin spoke and before Cole could speak again, a gun shot was heard and Cole jerked.
His face was full of shock because Hardin wasn't holding a gun, the person who shot him was his assistant.
Then it all came to him, the reason why Hardin was able to enter his Villa so easily was because of this assistant.
He recently hired this assistant when his former one mysteriously went missing.
He was sure to do a background check on him but how did this happen?
"You look so shocked, I was actually planning on sparing you and have him keep an eye on you but it seems that won't be the case" Hardin said as Cole struggled for his life on the ground.
His blood makes a pool around him.
"Betrayal sucks doesn't it?" Those were the last words Cole heard before he died.
"Take care of the body," Hardin said and walked out of the villa.
----_--__------
_______________
Two Weeks Later – New York City
The cool breeze of New York brushed against Hailey's cheeks as she stepped out of the car, her fingers intertwined with Hardin's. There was a calmness in the air, a kind of peace she hadn't felt in so long. Not since everything had begun.
Hardin looked at her with soft eyes, his thumb gently caressing her hand.
"You're home," he whispered and Hailey turned to him, her lips curving into a small smile.
"We're home." she replied
Faye squealed the moment she saw them, practically running to hug Hailey.
"You're back!" she cried, throwing her arms around Hailey.
Mark followed, a wide grin on his face
As they all went inside, the house buzzed with warmth and light laughter.
Faye refused to let Hailey out of her sight, constantly hovering and fussing.
"I'm just so happy you're okay. I was scared, Hailey."
"I was too, but am glad everything worked out well" Hailey replied with a light smile.
*
Later that evening, Hailey found herself curled up in Hardin's arms on the balcony, the city lights glowing around them like stars had fallen just for their moment.
"I never thought I'd feel safe again," she murmured.
"You are safe," he said
firmly, pressing a kiss to her hair.
Hailey hesitated for a moment before asking,
"What happened to Cole?"
Hardin hadn't said anything about him in Australia and she didn't bother asking because she didn't want to know what Cole did to hurt her cause she actually thought of him as a friend, something she hardly has.
Hardin took a breath. "He's been taken care of," he said simply. "He can't hurt you anymore.
Her gaze met his. "You didn't have to do it for me.
"I did it for both of us," he said. "Because you deserve peace. We do."
Hailey leaned in, their lips meeting in a slow, tender kiss. It wasn't fiery or rushed, it was steady, comforting. Home.
As the night deepened, they stayed like that wrapped in each other's arms, with no secrets, no threats, just love.
And for once, the world felt right.