After Rejection Divorced Luna Becomes A Famous Doctor (Hailey and Dominic) novel Chapter 227

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CHAPTER HUNDRED–SEVENTYFOUR–2

“We’re back,” I said, a small, wistful smile on my face. “We had to cut our honeymoon short.”

Her smile faded, a look of concern etched on her face. “Why? What happened?”

“Let’s go inside,” I said, a quick glance over my shoulder at Carlos, who was standing by the car, a silent, imposing figure. “I’ll explain everything.”

We went inside, the scent of baby powder and milk filling the air, a sweet, comforting smell that I have strangely missed. Liam used to have that baby smell, and somehow I was craving it again. Not from someone else, but from my own child. A sudden, fierce longing for another baby washed over me, a feeling that was as surprising as it was intense. But I knew now was not the time to have a baby. Not with

everything going on.

Valerie led me to the living room, and we sat down on the couch, her son cooing in her arms.

“So, spill,” she said, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern. “What’s going on?”

I took a deep breath, the words catching in my throat. “The stripper from Dominic’s and I bachelor party…

the one who tried to warn me… he’s dead.”

Valerie’s eyes widened, a look of pure, unadulterated shock on her face. “What?” she exclaimed, her voice

a little too loud. “How?”

“They found his body in a ditch,” I said, my voice a little shaky. “And I can’t seem to stop thinking I was the cause of his death. He probably died because he snitched and tried to look out for me.”

“No, Hailey, no,” she said, her voice a firm, reassuring presence. “This is not your fault. You didn’t kill him. You didn’t ask for any of this. You are a victim in all of this, just like him. Don’t you dare blame yourself for something that is out of your control.”

I wanted to believe her, I really did. But a part of me couldn’t help but feel like I had brought this upon us,

like I had somehow invited this darkness into our lives.

“And Yasmine’s death,” I said, my voice a little hesitant. “Dominic said the police closed the case. No leads, no suspects. It’s a dead end. But I know, I just know it wasn’t a suicide. She was too arrogant, too

proud for that. But he doesn’t believe me. He thinks I’m being paranoid.”

“Don’t tell me you’re sad about that bitch’s death? If you ask me, she absolutely deserved what she got.

After all she did to you?” Valerie said, her tone a little too harsh, a little too judgmental.

“No, I’m not sad,” I said, a little defensive. “I’m just… scared. I’m scared that whoever killed her is still out there. And that they’re coming for me next.”

“I think you’re just stressing yourself out too much, Hailey. The stress from the wedding, the honeymoon, all the drama… it’s bound to take a toll on you. Maybe you’re just seeing connections where there are none. A stripper gets murdered. People get murdered all the time. It doesn’t mean it has anything to do with

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you.” She said, her tone a little too dismissive. She was trying to be a good friend, to be the voice of reason, but her words only made me feel more alone, more misunderstood. She didn’t get it. She couldn’t.

“Maybe you’re right,” I said, a sigh of resignation escaping my lips. I didn’t want to fight with her. I didn’t want to push her away. She was my only friend, my only confidante.

“I am,” she said, a confident smile on her face. “You need to relax. You need to focus on your marriage, on your son. You need to let it go.”

“Enough about me,” I said, forcing a bright, cheerful smile on my face. “How are you? How’s the little guy?”

Phoenix babbled, a gummy smile on his face, a happy, gurgling sound that was a welcome distraction

from my dark thoughts.

“He’s getting so big,” I said, my heart swelling with a fierce, protective love. I reached out and stroked his

cheek, his skin a soft, velvety texture.

“He’s a handful,” Valerie said, a fond, exasperated sigh escaping her lips. “But I wouldn’t trade him for the

world.”

I watched her with her son, a pang of envy shooting through me. I wanted that. I wanted another baby. I wanted to see Dominic hold our child, to see him be a father again. I wanted to complete our family, to

solidify our bond.

But now was not the time.

We talked for a while longer, our conversation drifting to lighter topics, a welcome respite from the

darkness that had consumed my thoughts. She told me about the latest pack gossip, about the new recruits, about the upcoming festival that was being planned to celebrate the upcoming full moon.

I was starting to relax, to feel a sense of normalcy return, when my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my pocket, a frown creasing my brow. It was a text from Dominic.

‘Where are you? Are you okay?‘

‘I’m fine,’ I typed back. ‘I’m with Valerie.‘

‘Good. I’m on my way home. Tricia is back, for reasons I am unaware of. Don’t talk to her. I’ll be there soon.

Don’t go anywhere else.‘

A cold dread washed over me. Tricia. Dominic’s ex best friend. The woman who had tried to destroy us,

who had lied and manipulated and schemed to get him back. What was she doing here? And why now?

“I have to go,” I said, my voice a little shaky.

“What’s wrong?” Valerie asked, a look of concern on her face.

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