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“Google it!” he hollered, tossing his hands up in irritation as he turned to march down the stairs. “I’m going to find my daughter.”
Panic rose in my chest as I dashed over to get my cell phone. I opened my search engine, searched my name, and photographs of Hailee popped up all over the screen. Article after article claiming they knew all about Hailee and explaining who she’d been and commenting on her body.
I swallowed hard as I read the words written about Hailee’s character. The false narrative that the internet was spinning about who she’d been.
My mind was taken back to the situation that went down five years ago. I could only imagine what Hailee was going through and how her mind was processing everything if she’d already seen it. Her father was right—she didn’t deserve what the world was saying about her.
I tossed on my shoes and jacket before heading to the Starlight Inn to check on Hailee. My nerves were shot as I remembered how she almost spiraled to a very dark place the last time people attacked her. I couldn’t have that happen again. I couldn’t watch her go through that amount of pressure all because she was seen with me.
When I walked in, Hailee’s friend Kate was sitting at the front desk. She smiled my way. I could tell that she knew what happened by the emotions in her eyes. “Hi, Aiden,” she said.
“Hey. Do you know where I could find Hailee?”
“She’s out back talking with her dad.”
I swallowed hard. “Is she okay?”
“I honestly didn’t get much of a chance to talk to her with work and all.”
I nodded and thanked her. I debated going out to talk to her right then and there, but I knew Karl wouldn’t have loved that idea too much.
“Once she’s back, do you think you can ask her to come to my room to talk?” I asked Kate.
“Yeah, of course. Not a problem.”
“Thank you, Kate.”
“Welcome. And Aiden?”
“Yeah?”
“People are dicks online. This isn’t your fault.”
My brows lowered. “What makes you think I’m blaming myself?”
“Because Hailee has told me a lot about you. If you’re the person she claims you to be, which I think you are, then you’re blaming yourself.”
I gave her a lazy smile and thanked her before disappearing to my room. The moment I stepped inside, I tossed off my jacket and paced my room. I took calls from my public relations team to see how to spin the story. My PR team told me to hold off and wait. To say nothing. Hailee texted me and told me she’d stop by my room during her lunch break.
The waiting was killing me.
It felt like every second that passed, more commentary went live online.
When Hailee finally showed up to my room, I opened the door and felt a wave of emotions as she stood in front of me.
“Hi,” she whispered, a small smile on her lips.
“Hey. Come in.”
She did as I said and closed the door behind her.
“Listen—” we said in unison. We both chuckled, and she gestured toward me.
“You first,” she offered.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted out. “I’m sorry this shit is happening again and it’s like some weird fever dream. I’m sorry for the nasty shit people are saying online about you. I’m sorry about it all. I’ve been talking to my PR team, and we are coming up with a plan to—”
“Don’t,” she cut in. “We’re just going to let it be.”
