What I Wish You Knew | ꪜ

Chapter Fifty

50. Forgiveness and Acceptance.

Parker's POV

"I don't wanna go."

"Go, Parker. I'm fine, really." She reassured me for the thousandth time today, trying but failing to get me to leave. It didn't sit right with me going home after what happened last night. I wanted nothing more than to stay at her side, but I needed a bath, a change of clothes and to see where my father's head is at.

I should have listened to my instincts the moment Milton suggested Hayley comes to the event. Something at the back of my mind kept nagging me to not invite her and in the end, I chose to, now look where it's got her.

Words can't begin to explain the level of pain I felt seeing her in that situation. I know she's hinted at the fact that her mother left and her father died, but never did I expect it to be this bad. I've seen Elizabeth at my father's events once or twice before and now to know that she's the woman who abandoned Hayley makes those moments haunting.

All I wanted to do was hug her and reassure her that everything was going to be okay even if I didn't know that for a fact. It's quite peculiar but all my life I've been drawn to people who's been handed the short end of the stick. It's as if I had a third eye that could sense when someone's in distress and in need of a friend.

I've always befriended strangers out of instinct and pushed to help relieve their burden. Why? Because I couldn't do it for myself. It warmed my heart seeing others smile, it felt like I had a purpose.

I befriended Hayley for the same reason only to realize that she never needed my saving, she needed hers. Sure I'm still somewhat skeptical by the fact that she's okay considering what happened but deep down I know it's true. That lingering pain she held in her eyes was beginning to fade.

With every passing day, I can see that she's getting stronger and stronger and I can't wait till the day that all I can see in her eyes is pure happiness. "Parker go," she pushed me towards my car lightly and waved me off.

I took a hesitant step forward but immediately backtracked as I went crawling back towards her. Before she could protest I pulled her into my arms and hugged her tightly. Knowing that I wouldn't go so easily she slipped her arms around my waist and reciprocated the hug with a small chuckle.

I pulled away and planted a firm kiss against her forehead before finally finding the courage to step away, "I'll call you later," she nodded her head and muttered the word okay under her breath. Even as I slipped into my car and drove off, I still didn't want to leave her side.

~~~

"Dad, Jingyi?" I called out as I sauntered through the busy house. The staff were running up and down the mansion cleaning up from last night's event. My eyes swivelled towards the spot where Hayley stood whilst confronting her mother then and I fought to look away so that it wouldn't rile me up all over again.

"Hey," A voice called out above my head. Leaned against the balcony railings was Jingyi dressed casually, peering down at me. I don't know when I'll ever grow accustomed to him without a suit on. "Come on up, don't get in the staff's way." He pushed himself off the balcony and disappeared.

"I'm sorry," I muttered softly as I bowed my head towards the staff who didn't even seem to be paying much attention to me. I climbed up the stairs and followed behind Jingyi who was heading towards our father's study. I hope that what happened last night does not change his perception of Hayley.