22. Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Space,” Jasmine says, her voice soft as she stirs a cup of tea in Hailey’s kitchen.
She sighs, watching me with that signature older-sister concern―even though I’m older―while I pace restlessly across the tiled floor. “The best thing you can give her right now is space.”
“I know that” I mutter, the knot in my throat tightening.
It’s been three days since Leo was discharged, and Hailey hasn’t left his side―not for a second.
She’s shut herself away upstairs, unresponsive to everyone except Jasmine, who delivers meals to her and Leo.
“But she hasn’t spoken a word in three days, Jas.
Three days. I have every right to start getting worried. ”
Jasmine sets the spoon down, turning to face me with a calm yet pointed expression. “She’s grieving in her own way, Matt. She just went through something terrifying―she’s blaming herself for all of it. Pushing her right now is only going to make things worse.”
“I’m not trying to push her,” I counter, dragging a hand down my face. “I just hate being… shut out like this. Like I don’t exist to her anymore.”
Jasmine places a comforting hand on my arm.
“You do exist to her. More than you realize,” she says softly.
“She let you proceed with the legal actions for the custody case, didn’t she?
That’s not something Hailey would ever allow lightly.
The fact that she’s entrusted you with it means she trusts you―enough to leave it in your care. That’s huge for her.”
I look down, her words sinking in. “I know, but it doesn’t make this any easier. Seeing her like this… it’s like she’s shutting out everything, including me. It makes me feel useless.”
“She’s used to carrying everything on her own, Matt,” Jasmine reminds me gently.
“That’s how she’s always survived―keeping her walls up and dealing with things alone.
But you’ve already broken through more of those walls more than anyone ever has.
Give her time, and when she’s ready, she’ll come back to you. ”
I nod, though the ache in my chest doesn’t fade. “I just don’t want her to think I’ve given up on her. On them.”
“She knows,” Jasmine smiles, squeezing my arm. “Trust me, she knows.”
The thought of waiting feels unbearable, but I oblige my sister’s advice. I stay in the background, tending to her needs in subtle ways. I make sure there’s coffee brewing in the morning, leave her favorite snacks on the counter, and quietly take care of tasks around her house.
I resist the overwhelming urge to knock on Leo’s door, to push it open whether or not she answers, and pull her into my arms, holding her tightly until she lets me share the weight of what she’s carrying.
But I know it’s not what she needs right now. It’s not about what I want―it’s about giving her the space she deserves, even if every fiber of my being is screaming to close the distance between us.
So, I leave my love for her in little notes. Simple words I place around the house whenever the inspiration hits. I’m here. You’re not alone. I won’t leave. I love you. I miss you.
It’s not much, but I hope that whenever she sees them, she hears the truth in them: that no matter how far she retreats, I’m not going anywhere.
***
The quiet hum of the evening fills the air as I walk into Hailey’s kitchen, my mind consumed with the usual thoughts of work. Evelyn has been generous with giving Hailey days off until she’s stable enough to resume. Her friends have been concerned for her wellbeing as well, hoping she resumes soon.
I freeze when I spot Hailey at the counter, holding a cup of coffee in one hand, her fingers tracing the edge of one of the little notes I’d left her.
She’s wearing one of my old shirts, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders.
Her face is bare, unguarded, as if the world outside has momentarily disappeared.
For the first time in days, there’s warmth, a subtle yet undeniable spark in her eyes. It’s as though the cloud that had settled over her since that awful day at the hospital is finally beginning to lift.
I take a cautious step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. I’m unsure of what to do, how to approach her without overwhelming her.
It’s been a delicate balance―giving her the space she needs, while wanting so badly to be the thing she needs.
But as she lifts her eyes to meet mine, the tension in the air between us softens, even if it’s just for a moment.
She doesn’t look broken anymore. Her gaze is clear, though there’s a trace of something heavy still lingering beneath the surface. I’m careful not to rush in too fast, but my feet seem to move toward her on their own.
“Hey,” I say softly, my voice low and steady, careful not to startle her. She doesn’t say anything at first, just watches me, But I see the way her shoulders relax just slightly.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, standing a few steps away. I want to reach out, to pull her close, but I hold back, letting her take the lead.
Her lips part as if she’s about to speak, but instead, she takes a deep breath and places the cup down, her hand lingering over the note. For a moment, it’s as if she’s gathering something inside herself.
“I’ve been thinking…” she begins, her voice uncharacteristically quiet but steady. “I didn’t realize how much I was pushing you away. I didn’t think I was ready to let anyone help, especially not you.”
Her admission catches me off guard, and I take another step closer, but I wait. I need to let her say this in her own time.
“I’ve always been the one to handle things,” she continues, her gaze dropping to the note in front of her. “But I can’t do this alone anymore. Not with Leo… not with everything going on. I need you, Matthew. I’m ready to trust you. To let you in completely.”
A wave of relief floods through me, followed by a rush of warmth in my chest. The moment hangs between us, fragile yet full of understanding. I watch as she stands there, her shoulders tense, her face still holding some of the remnants of her confession.
I take a slow, steady breath, and without thinking too much, I open my arms to her, inviting her to the safe space I’ve been holding for her all along.
“Come here,” I say softly, tilting my head to the side. My voice is gentle, but it carries the weight of everything I’ve wanted to offer.
Without hesitation, her bare feet make their way across the room, the soft sound of her steps a comforting rhythm. And then, just as if the distance between us has been too much for too long, she crashes into my arms, burying her face into my chest.
I hold her tight, feeling her warmth seeping into me, and as we sink into the embrace, everything around us fades into the background. The world becomes quieter, softer, as if it knows this moment is sacred, just for us.
We remain like that for a while, our bodies pressed together, each of us finding a sense of peace that had eluded us before. Her arms wrap around me, gripping me like she’s afraid I might disappear if she lets go, and I hold her just as firmly, not willing to let her go either.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers against my chest, her voice trembling slightly. “For pushing you away, for making you think I didn’t need you.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” I murmur into her hair, pressing my lips to the top of her head. “I’m not going anywhere, Hailey. You don’t ever have to go through this alone again.”
Her body relaxes into mine, and I feel the last of her walls crumble. It’s as if, in this hug, we both find freedom to just… be.
After a few moments, I pull back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. I want to make sure she’s truly okay, but also to let know that I’m here for the long haul.
“How’s Leo?” I ask quietly. “Is he alright?”
She nods, her eyes softening with the love she has for her son. “He’s fine. Asleep now. He’ll be okay.”
Relief washes over me, and before I can stop myself, I scoop her into my arms, lifting her effortlessly.
Her legs instinctively wrap around my hips, and I feel the shift in both of us―her trust in me, my desire to protect her.
I nuzzle her neck gently, pressing a soft kiss to her skin, feeling her shiver slightly at the touch.
“I’m so proud of you,” I say quietly, my lips brushing against her hair. “You’ve been so strong, Hailey. But now you don’t have to be strong alone.”
I can feel her smile against my neck as I begin to carry her upstairs, the weight of her body settling into mine as she wraps her arms around my neck, like its meant to be there.
As I walk, I murmur about work, about how everyone’s been talking about her and how they’re all looking forward to seeing her again, to seeing the woman who had inspired so much admiration from the team.
“You’ve been missed,” I say with a smile in my voice, and it’s not just work I’m talking about―it’s her. It’s the way she’s been missed by me, by everyone around her.
As we reach the top of the stairs, I gently kiss her again, this time on the side of her neck, and then I carry her to her room.
“You need rest,” I whisper, as I lay her down gently on the bed. “And when you wake up, you’ll have everything you need.”
She looks up at me, her eyes soft, her trust in me palpable. I bend down and kiss her forehead, but she shifts and kisses my mouth instead. It’s a gentle kiss―the softest we’ve ever had.
When we pull away, her cheeks are tinged pink and there’s a smile on her face.
“Goodnight,” I whisper against her lips, before I stand, watching her sink into the softness of the bed, knowing that for the first time in a long while, she’ll be able to sleep easy.