CHAPTER 98: WARNING

Hailee’s POV

"Mother, you haven’t said a word since you walked into my room," I said, trying to keep my voice calm, though my chest felt tight. The look on her face told me she wasn’t pleased with me, and I didn’t blame her. I wasn’t exactly pleased with myself lately either.

She stayed by the door for a moment, her hand resting on the frame, her eyes fixed on me like she was deciding how to begin. Then she moved, getting closer to me.

When she reached the bed, she sat down beside me. Her gaze was sharp but layered with concern. Always concern. She had never been the type to yell at me, and I knew she wouldn’t start now.

Instead, her voice came low, concerned. "You’ve been making choices lately... that worry me."

I kept my eyes on my hands, twisting my fingers together. "If this is about Dane—"

"This isn’t just about Dane," she cut in gently. "It’s about Nathan. Callum. All of them."

I froze, my head snapping toward her. "All of them? What—"

She didn’t flinch. "Do you think I don’t notice? The way they all circle you? The way you let them?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

Her expression softened only slightly. "Hailee, I am your mother. I know when something is pulling you in a dangerous direction. And I know those boys... no matter what they claim, none of them will give you the kind of life you deserve."

I frowned. "You don’t even know them like I do."

She shook her head. "I know enough. They’re young, high-ranked heirs, and used to getting what they want. They don’t understand what it means to choose someone for life. Not yet."

A lump rose in my throat. "So, what are you saying? That I should just... stay away from all of them?"

Her eyes didn’t waver. "Yes."

The word hit me harder than I expected.

"Relationships and love can’t be built on lies, Hailee... These boys don’t even know who you truly are and—"

"You don’t have to worry about that, Mom... I will tell them when the time is right," I said.

She shook her head. "You know that’s not even the problem, Hailee... You have a betrothed who is waiting for you."

The moment those words left her mouth, my frown deepened. "A betrothed? Mom, seriously? We’ve been over this. I don’t care what old arrangement was made—I’m not marrying someone just because everyone thinks I should."

Her jaw tightened. "This is about duty, about the life that was promised for you before you were even born. That man—"

"That man?" I cut her off, my voice rising. "You mean Robert? The same arrogant jerk who acts like the whole world owes him something? The one who thinks I should be grateful just to breathe the same air as him? That’s the man you think is my future?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but her tone stayed calm. "Robert is powerful, respected."

I threw my hands up. "I’d rather have freedom than be locked in a golden cage! I don’t care how powerful he is—he’s not for me. And you know it."

Her voice sharpened for just a second. "And those boys—Dane, Nathan, Callum—you think they’re any better? You think they’ll stick around when things get hard? They’re boys, Hailee. Eighteen. Hungry for adventure, for thrill, for passion... for sex. And when they’ve had their fill, they’ll move on, just like all young high-ranked males do."

I shook my head stubbornly. "You don’t know them like I do. They’re not like that with me."

She leaned closer, her eyes searching mine. "Do you really believe that? Or do you just want to believe it?"

Her words stung more than I wanted to admit. My mouth opened, but no defense came out.

"You’re playing with fire," she went on softly but firmly. "And one day, you’re going to get burned. Worse than you can imagine."

I crossed my arms, my voice coming out tight. "So, what? You expect me to just sit here and wait for Robert? Pretend I don’t have feelings for anyone else? Pretend I’m okay with a future I don’t want?"

Her expression didn’t soften. "I expect you to think. To protect yourself. To stop whatever it is you’re doing with those boys before it goes too far."

I clenched my jaw. "They can’t control who I—"

"They have every right to..." she interrupted, her voice rising for the first time. "And for your own good, Hailee, I’m telling you—stop this. End it. Before you ruin yourself."

Silence fell between us, thick and suffocating. She stood then, smoothing down her coat like she’d just made a final decision.

I furrowed a brow as I stared at her... She was acting strange. "Tell me, Mother... What did they threaten you with?" I asked.

Immediately, I saw the reaction from her that told me I was wrong, but she hid it quickly and composed herself. So, I was right. They must have threatened my mother, and that is why she is speaking this way.

"For your own good," she repeated, her voice quieter now but no less firm. "Stop whatever you’re doing with them."

And with that, she turned and left my room, the soft click of the door sounding louder than it should have.

The second the door closed, the air in my room felt heavier. It was like every word my mother had just said was clinging to me, pressing down on my chest until it was difficult to breathe.

I sat there for a while, staring at the wall, my mind replaying her tone, her warnings... and the look in her eyes when I asked if they’d threatened her. She’d tried to hide it, but I saw it.

Something wasn’t right.

And the longer I sat here, the more I felt trapped. Suffocated.

I needed to get out. To breathe. To do something reckless, something wild—something that reminded me I was still in control of my own life.

Grabbing my phone, I opened my messages and quickly typed out to Lila:

Me: I’m going to Club Lotus tonight. If you’re interested, meet me there.

It didn’t take long for her to reply.

Lila: Club lotus? What’s going on?

Me: A lot.

There was a pause, then her message popped up again.

Lila: I’m coming.

A small smirk tugged at my lips. At least I wouldn’t be going alone.

I headed straight to my closet, my earlier tension fueling me. I didn’t want something casual tonight—I wanted something bold. Something that would make people look. Something that screamed I don’t care.

I pulled out a short black dress with a low back and a slit high enough to make my mother faint if she saw it. I paired it with my black heeled boots and a leather jacket. My hair, I left loose, tumbling around my shoulders in soft waves. Dark eyeliner, a bold lip—perfect.

Once I was ready, I grabbed my small crossbody bag, checked my phone again, and moved to the window. The thought of running into my mom downstairs was not appealing.

So, I climbed out, easing onto the roof ledge and lowering myself down carefully until my feet hit the ground.

The night air hit my skin like a rush of freedom.

Tonight... I wasn’t going to think about Robert. Or my mother. Or Dane, Nathan, or Callum.

Tonight, I was going to be wild.