Page 23 of Kept in the Dark

Initially, she hadn’t planned on entirely severing her relationship with David, despite how vicious he was. After all, he was still her father. There was a part of her that had hoped Morgan’s death and Sara’s arrest would bring them closer, that he would realize life was fleeting and his daughter still desperately needed her father.

But that realization never came, and he continued to be cold toward her. His suggestion of an abortion is what ultimately sealed his fate, though. So, a month after her mother died, Hailey left town to live with her great-aunt.

And as much as she hated herself for it, she still sometimes found herself yearning for his love. Which is why she was even sitting at this table with him.

“So, Hailey, what do you do for work?” Lauren asked.

“Oh, I’m an insurance agent. Nothing fancy.”

“If it pays the bills then it’s worth being proud of.” She smiled and again, Hailey felt at ease.

Finally, her father broke his silence and proceeded to ask Hailey about Trinity as if he hadn’t been listening to the exchange between Lauren and Trinity the entire dinner. “How is she in school? Does she play any sports? Is she getting good grades?”

You haven’t called to ask about her in thirteen years, but now you want to know about her?

“She gets good grades but isn’t into sports. She likes to read a lot.”

Trinity looked at David and gave a soft smile, hoping to gain the man’s approval. He simply stared at her and she quickly looked away. Hailey’s maternal instincts heightened, wanting to protect her daughter from this man. She took Trinity’s hand under the table to ease her growing angst.

“So, she’s like her mother. You always had your nose stuck in a book, Hailey, even when it wasn’t the time nor the place.” He chuckled, attempting to soften his backhanded compliment.

She didn’t take the bait. He wanted to appeal to her, to act as if he hadn’t been a monster to their family for years. But Hailey simply wasn’t buying it. She knew better than to think he had shed his snake skin and traded it in for something better.

He continued, “Is she anything like her father? Does she know who he is?”

Caught off guard by the question, Hailey felt her body temperature rise and her lungs constricted. She was nearly transported in time as she remembered the last time she talked about Trey in this very spot.

He smirked at Hailey, knowing his questions further upset her. She wanted to curse at him but didn’t play into his emotional game. Instead, she looked directly at him and replied calmly, “We’re not talking about this.” Then, she looked at Trinity. “I need you to go with Gen.”

To Hailey’s relief, Trinity immediately left the table to join Genevieve in the kitchen. Though Hailey knew the teen’s obedience had less to do with wanting to please Hailey and more to do with how uncomfortable she was.

When Trinity left the room, David raised a brow, amused by Hailey’s boldness. He forgot she wasn’t a little girl anymore. She was no longer his pawn, nor did she care about his outbursts of anger. She would no longer allow him to bully her.

He continued the conversation, goading her, “Well, isn’t that curious since you two were so set on running away together. I’m surprised he didn’t run after you when you decided to leave the only family you had left.” He chuckled. “I mean, it’s comical how infatuated you were with him, ready to throw away your entire life for someone who could hardly afford to take care of himself. You were quick to lay on your back like some two-dollar whore and what do you have to show for it? Nothing.

“You could have done something with your life if you would have let me help you. But no. You were too proud and now look at you: a single mother selling insurance over the phone. My, how the brightest of the Gallagher daughters has fallen.”

“David,” Lauren hissed.

Ignoring his wife, he sipped from the coffee cup Genevieve had brought minutes earlier. “Honestly, Hailey, you made such a fuss about your undying love for that boy, and you didn’t even tell him you were leaving.” He shook his head. “You know, it’s probably best to keep her paternity a secret. We both know her father is a dead-beat and she’s better off without him, just like you were.” He scoffed. “I still can’t believe he’s the Chief of Police of my town.”

Lauren looked at her plate, her cheeks red with embarrassment. It was clear she didn’t know what to do.

Hailey didn’t blame her for being quiet.

When she was younger, she would have done the same thing. She would have allowed fear to paralyze her. But now, it was rage that engulfed Hailey.

David had a knack for malice and manipulation and often used them simply because he could. He enjoyed getting a rise out of people, proving he was in control. Unfortunately for David, Hailey wouldn't be easily intimidated or manipulated.

“You can either stop talking about this or I will leave the table.”

Her father laughed. “Please, Hailey. Stop being so dramatic.” Then, his smile faded quickly. “You’re a guest in this house. Act like it.” He gave her a knowing glance. “You know I won’t tolerate disrespect.”

Hailey kept her face void of emotion as not to show that his previous comments had gotten under her skin. If she engaged in his conversation, he would only feed off her outbursts. Which is exactly what he wanted.

David was an expert at exploiting emotions. He studied people to find what would make them tick, and then would patiently wait for an opportunity to strike. All while never showing his own emotions, never giving the enemy a chance to strike first or strike back.

She decided to take a page right out of his playbook. She calmly took a sip of her coffee and said, “I know you cheated on Mom.”

---