Fortuitous {WLW}

Chapter Twenty-Nine: A House Isn't A Home

Saylor's POV:

"Out there, the dog would run around and chase the little kiddos, their laughter so loud the whole neighborhood would hear them as Kyle and I sit on the front porch, hand and hand with big smiles on our faces at the life we created." Hadley gushes as she paints her future to me at house number five.

I smile and nod, painting the image in my head as we look outside the bayside window. I honestly could see it, if I wasn't so consumed with guilt that my brain can't think about anything other than the fact I'm lying straight to her face right now.

"Kyle, don't you see it?" Hadley asks him as she grabs onto his forearm and pulls him towards the window.

"Yep, sounds great babe." He says in a monotone voice as his eyes don't even look up once from his phone to see what Hadley is talking about.

I see the spark dim in her eyes a bit as a frown forms on her lips, but not for long as her parents make their way into the living room, talking to the realtor about the structure of the home. Hadley smiles as she locks eyes with her dad, him nodding to indicate he's impressed, despite him not conveying any other emotion.

How does Kelly do it? How does she stay with a man that shows so little emotion or interest? How did Emerson ever come from this family?

"Kyle, why don't we put that phone away and take a walk." Scott says, firmly gripping the boy's shoulder and causing Kyle to stand upright.

"Sure, Mr. Beaumont." Kyle says, sounding so innocent.

I scowl at Kyle's attempts to butter up to Scott as they walk out the door, Kyle thanking Scott for all his help and asking for opinions on the house, as if he actually cares. This house will be a prison for him, just like it will be for Hadley and the sentence-their entire marriage.

Kelly slowly walks into the living room as Hadley looks out at her father and fiancé, a slight smile on her face, "Hadley, dear... have you heard from your sister at all?"

I tear my eyes away from Hadley to look at Kelly. When has she ever had any interest in Emerson?

Hadley shakes her head, "not really. She's a dry texter and I only get one word responses... kind of like this one lately."

I feel my stomach twist as I see Hadley's finger pointed in my direction and the hurt in her eyes.

I do feel bad, but Hadley's the only reason for my stress.

The whole last week has been bliss aside from the times I see her pop up in my messages or when the slight resemblance of her appears when I look at Emerson long enough and at certain angles, reminding me of who I'm lying to.

I've quickly come to realize that Hadley is the reason for all my stress.

My eyes quickly tear from Hadley's, not wanting her to see my guilt as I look over at Kelly, who has an eyebrow raised.

"Do you know where your sister has been staying?" Kelly asks.

Hadley huffs as she shrugs her shoulders, "I don't know and why do you care? Didn't you and dad kick her out?"

"Hadley." Kelly lectures, clearly not wanting me to know that information... but I already knew.

There's a tension that uncomfortably looms in the air, making my chest tight as Kelly glares at her daughter, Hadley with a deadpanned expression in return.

"I'm going to check out the kitchen." I say awkwardly to alleviate some of the tension that fills the room.

I walk into the kitchen, careful with my steps as if the slightest creak in the wood flooring below could set the whole room off. I stand in the kitchen, behind a wall close enough to the living room that I can hear their discussion without being visible as my curiously gnaws at me.