"In that case," she said, her voice steady, "I don't think it should be a problem if you give me my share of the inheritance… right?"
Charles and Diane stopped in their tracks, turning back to look at her, eyes narrowed.
Diane scoffed. "What inheritance are you talking about? Who told you that you had an inheritance in this family?"
"Don't act stupid, mother," Hailey cut her off. "When grandma and grandpa died, they left something behind for me. You think I don't know? Well, now I'm asking you to give me my share of the inheritance so I can pay for Aiden's medical bills."
Both Diane and Charles shared a look, wondering how she knew she had an inheritance. When the old Monroes died, they made sure that Hailey didn't know about her share of the inheritance. They'd hidden it from her yet she still managed to know about it. How?
"I don't know who lied to you but there's nothing for you in this house. And why would they? You're only adopted and don't have a right to any of the Monroe properties. It would be taboo to give you something since you're not related to us by birth," Charles bit out.
They were at it again. Anytime she tried to speak up, to get what she wanted, they always reminded her she was adopted and didn't have the right to ask for things. But this time she didn't care. If it were other times, she would have apologized but this time, she wasn't going to. She needed the money her grandparents left for her to pay for Aiden's leukemia.
"If you don't give me my share, I'll take you to court." She threatened.
At the mention of court, the Monroe couple burst out in laughter.
"Do you think you'll win in court against us? When you have no proof that you have an inheritance here?" Diane questioned, still laughing.
"There's nothing here for you, Hailey. So I advise you to leave and get another alternative. Why don't you meet the real father of Aiden and ask for help?" Charles asked.
It was already getting dark and it was obvious they weren't going to give her anything. With a heavy heart, Hailey said, "If something ever happens to my Aiden, you're all going to pay for it." She glared at each of them, silently wishing she could tear down the gate and tear their faces.
Silently, she turned to leave.
Once she was out of sight, Diane's smile faltered. "How on earth does she know she has an inheritance?" She asked as they headed inside.
Charles paused for a second before he replied, "It must be that lawyer. We have to do something about him as soon as possible."
"You should. I don't want that girl to find out the truth. First, she knows about the inheritance, who knows what she's going to find out next? We need to keep an eye on her. I don't want my twenty-eight years of revenge to all be for nothing," she gritted out.
"You need to stop worrying so much. She has no one to tell her. And the only way she's going to find out the truth is if she meets one of them which is completely impossible," Charles replied, assured.
"I only hope so."
**
Instead of going back to Julia's home, Hailey went to the hospital to see if Aiden had woken up, but he was still sleeping soundly on the bed, the beeping of the heart monitor indicating he was still alive.
Aiden has leukemia
He's going to die in a few weeks
The tears Hailey had been suppressing the whole time came back in tenfold. Unable to stop herself, she found herself tearing up silently with her hands clapped around her mouth.
Julia entered the room and immediately rushed towards her to calm her down.
"They didn't give me anything. They didn't help me. They want Aiden to die, I can't let that happen, Jules," she cried.
A few moments later, Hailey had calmed down but her eyes looked hollow as if she'd run out of tears to shed.
"I can lend the money and you can pay back whenever you can," Julia said.
Hailey wasn't surprised by Julia's words. She knew her best friend. Even if the bills would amount to five hundred thousand dollars, Julia would still find a way to help her. But Hailey didn't want to take advantage of Julia.
"You're already giving me a place to stay without asking for a share of the rent. I can't take anymore from you," said Hailey, her eyes on Aiden.
"You're not taking advantage of me or anything. You need the money and I can give it to you. You heard doctor Phil, you need to pay as soon as possible so they can start the treatment unless…" Julia didn't finish her sentence to let Hailey complete it.
Hailey suddenly turned to Julia. "You own a strip club and you pay your workers we—"
"Don't even think about it," Julia cuts her off before she can complete her sentence. "Yes, I own a strip club but I'm not letting you do what those women do."
"Maybe I'll find a client and he can pay a huge amount of money for a night. I don't mind at all."
"Are you even hearing yourself right now, Hailey?" Julia questioned, shocked by her friend's attitude.
"I need to work for the money myself. So I need your help with this. I'm begging you, please. I'm a fast learner, I'll learn everything you teach me so please help me," Hailey pleaded, her voice cracking.
"But what about Blake? What if he finds out about this?" She asked, concerned.
Hailey scoffed. "We're divorced, remember? So anything either of us do is none of our business. My pride won't heal Aiden." Hailey stood up from the couch and walked towards Aiden. She brushed a kiss on his forehead and whispered, "I'll save you, even if it kills me."