Dan Scott's death shocked Tree Hill entire town from his few friends to his many enemies. Many had wished him dead but few believed it was ever going to happen. But here they were, coming and going in Bloomer & Cargioli funeral home hugging Deb and shaking Nathan and Lucas' hands. It seemed that the whole population had stopped its life to say goodbye to Tree Hill's most respected jerk. Nathan couldn't understand and Lucas was confused, even though he hated Dan he had never wished his death. Deb was quite silent about her feelings but still she faced everyone and tried to act like the devastated wife she should have been.

-I'm so sorry about Dan. If you need anything Deb, call me, Karen told her as she came to her at the funeral home.

-Thanks. Don't worry, I'll be fine. More than fine.

-Okay. How is Nathan taking this?

-I don't know actually. I'm worried about him, he hasn't talked much about it and there's the whole Haley issue on the top of that…

-Yeah… you don't believe what they say about your daughter-in-law is true, right?

-Well I don't really know what to think. I mean she left so suddenly.

-I still don't think Haley would do such a thing.

-Speaking of which…

Haley James Scott stood on the doorway, her face clearly showing that she wondered herself what the heck she was doing here. Nathan wasn't there at the moment, fortunately. But Lucas was. Surprised he walked up to his best friend, pulling her outside.

-Haley? What are you doing here?

-I learned in the newspaper that Dan was dead.

-And that's why you came back? Because Dan's dead!

-Softer would you? People are looking at us.

-They're not looking at us Haley. They're looking at you. They're wondering why you're here. You left your husband behind, we learn in a magazine that you're pregnant and now you're back cause my father died and you wonder why people look at you!

-Luke… Wait, in a magazine? What do you mean?

-It was there, written black on white. Young singer Haley JAMES pregnant. And guess who they mentioned as the happy soon-to-be daddy? No other then Chris Keller.

-It makes no sense! Nathan's the father!

It was too late for Lucas to warn her. He had heard it all. Nathan was behind her, truly shocked. He had lost his father and now his wife was back in town and breaking the news to Lucas instead of him. Seeing her here just felt awkward after all she had done to him. And whatever she had to say, he didn't want to hear it. Haley had followed Lucas desperate look and turned around just in time to catch a glimpse of Nathan slamming his fist into the wall. Angry, he glared to her before spitting the last words he hoped she would ever hear from him.

-I don't know what you were thinking by coming here Haley but don't do it anymore. We're done. I hope you'll be happy playing mom and dad with Chris.

He entered the funeral home.

-Wait! Nathan! You don't understand… Haley's eyes teared up and rivers flowed down her rosy cheeks, while she buried her face into Lucas' shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, trying to comfort her despite the fact that it felt wrong to him. He didn't know what to think, he felt like he should take his brother's side, help him but Haley was also his best friend and he would be there for her even if he didn't understand.

-I didn't want him to find out this way. I was going to tell him, I really was…

-I know Hales. It's not your fault. But then whose fault is it?

-What am I gonna do?

-I don't know. You should just talk to him. He deserves to hear all the truth from you. If you really love Nathan Haley, you'll go see him as soon as we finally get over with Dan and you'll tell him everything.

-I wish it was that easy. What if he doesn't listen to me?

-Then maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

-Is that what you really think? That Nathan and I aren't meant to be? That it's just a big joke, that we're fooling ourselves! I thought that you Lucas, out of all people, you would stand by me, that you would understand. I know now, you're nothing more than a Scott after all.

-Haley! Wait! That's not what I meant… Great…

Copying on his brother, Lucas punched the wall and walked back in, hoping to find a way to fix all of this.

-----

Crying more than ever, Haley ran away for long, until her body couldn't follow her anymore. Out of breath, she reached River Court and sat down on the table, her face buried in her arms. Time passed slowly and Haley stayed there, lost, with nowhere to go. If she ran home, her parents would like to know, they would ask what was going on and she clearly wasn't able to face them right now. After a while, footsteps were heard on the basketball field. They came closer and closer until someone sat down besides Haley. The young singer turned her head to see who it was and was surprised to find Deb. The woman looked exhausted but relieved. Relieved that Dan was now gone, dead and buried. And that never again he would be a threat to anyone she loved. And despite what everyone thought and her own actions, Haley was one of them.

She didn't know how she had ended up in River Court. Maybe because she missed Nathan. She had found Haley. She had no idea what she would tell her daughter-in-law but she needed to come clean with her.

-I just want you to know Haley that if what that newspaper is saying is true, I want you to divorce and go as far as you can from my son.

Haley looked at her silently. She didn't know what to say but Deb's voice didn't sound harsh or anything negative at all. It just seemed comprehensive.

-But if you tell me that this isn't the truth, I will believe you.

That surprising change of opinion left Haley stunned. Why was Deb supporting her like that? Did she think that now that Dan was dead she was free to have an opinion of her own? Haley weakly smiled to her mother-in-law. This time, she wanted things to work out between the two of them. With Deb on her side, anything was possible. She could find the strength to face Nathan.

-I didn't even see that magazine. But I swear none of this is the truth. I… I love Nathan, I never stopped loving him. I've never been with Chris. And my baby is Nathan's and I don't understand why somebody would like to make believe that it is Chris'…

-Then why don't you tell all this to Nathan?

-Because he doesn't want to listen to me. He hates me now. I left him.

-He doesn't hate you I'm sure. He's just blinded by pain. He's been a mess ever since you left Haley.

-I know. I never wished for this to happen but this was a once a lifetime chance to see if I could really be a singer. I dreamed of this for years but I didn't expect it would tear us apart like that. I should have never left.

-You went after your dream Haley. That's natural but sometimes to get what we want we've got to give up what we already have. You should talk to him, it's the best thing to do.

-Yeah I will.

Haley stood up, decided to talk to Nathan once and for all. Before she was out of reach Deb added a last thing.

-Haley!

-Yeah?

-If you need anything, I'll be here.

-Thanks.