Stained

Chapter 91

"What?" He lied to me?

"Remember, I told you Hayden's adopted?"

I slowly nod my head yes.

"Damien's dad adopted him."

"Oh." My eyes bulge. I don't know what I was expecting but it most definitely wasn't that.

"He probably lied because he and Hayden barely get along. They fight like bloody cats and dogs." A pause and then she shakes her head. "But that isn't a good enough reason as to why he lied."

"Maybe he didn't want to be associated with a cheater," I want to say but don't. Regardless of what he said, no proof has been submitted yet.

Something Hannah said earlier strikes my mind. "Damien's dads in a private hospital?" The realisation makes my heart sink.

"Oh no, he's okay. It's the man who first adopted Hayden that's in the hospital. The man who fucking left him when he was three years old." Rage floods her features and she shakes her head at herself. "And Hayden's fucking paying for it despite everything he's done."

"Why? There are free hospitals."

She lets out a guttural sigh. "He wants him to have the best care."

"You really think he's innocent?" I can't help but ask.

"What he said makes sense. He knew I was coming over that day. He knew and then when I walked in and saw his white t-shirt stained with lipstick marks, he didn't even try to make up an excuse, or hell, apologise. Not that I waited long for one before I ran out of there.

"Oh and that's another thing. He usually runs out after me whenever I storm off but he didn't this time. He only called later on to ask if I got home or not." She wipes a fallen tear away with the back of her hand.

"But why did he do that?" Why would he go to such extreme lengths to make her think he cheated only to beg her back to him months later? It doesn't make sense.

"He wanted me to think he cheated on me. Apparently, he's in some shit with some guys and didn't want me to get in the middle of it. Didn't want me to become a target for them to use against him. So he did the only thing he thought would keep me away and safe. He didn't want to break my heart, but to him, it was better than me getting hurt.

"He said after he got back from visiting his dad, Damien rang him and told him the guys they have beef with tried to beat up their little brother to get to them. He said all he could see was me getting hurt so he didn't think, he grabbed the lipstick I left in his car and made the marks.

"Long story short, he's going to Sheffield next weekend and is going to take a picture of the sign-in sheet which will prove he was there that day." She turns in the seat to face me. "I love him, Hazel. I love him so much that being away from him feels like I can't breathe."

Why can I relate to that?

I shake off the thought. "But you can't turn a blind eye because you love him. He cou—."

"If he doesn't get the proof, it's over. Regardless of my love. I'll have the beautiful memories and that's all that matters."

I wordlessly nod my head yes. I hope for her sake he hasn't because it's been over three months since they broke up and she is still heartbroken.

Love is truly blinding and it's one of the reasons why I promised myself to never fall in love. To never get close to any male. I know I've broken one of my rules... okay maybe a few, but you learn from your mistakes, and I've learned from mine. Him leaving just now seals the deal.