Okay, I'm back. So I know you guys probably hate me right now. I've been really lazy in the writing department for this story, but I've just had so much going on. I'm swamped with things to do, and I honestly wasn't going to finish this story.

However, people have been really persistent in wanting to know what happens next, so I've decided to give it another try. I can't make promises that I will update frequently. I'll try to, though. It all just depends on whether or not I'm inspired to keep writing this story. Reviews help me A LOT.

This morning I just got this urge to write the next chapter, so here it is. It's not extremely long, but it's a big turning point in the story, so I hope everyone enjoys it.

BTW, I just wanted to say THANK YOU! to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. You guys are the reason I'm finishing this, so I just wanted to say thanks.

Chapter 19

"Son, how lovely it is to see you," Dan's mock joyous voice echoed at the door.

Nathan pushed passed the entrance, and moved to stand in the middle of the foyer. He turned to face the man who had caused him so much pain. "What do you want Dan?"

Dan looked at him with an innocent expression. "Can't a father want to spend time with his own son?"

"Not when it has anything to do with you, so just cut the crap and tell me why I'm really here," Nathan said in a firm voice.

Dan's face turned to granite, and he moved a step closer to Nathan. "I want to know where the girl is."

"Who?" Nathan asked, pretending ignorance. They both knew who he was talking about.

"You know exactly who," Dan said casually. "I've paid her what was promised in our little bargain, but it seems she's been remiss in her side of the deal."

"What deal?"

"Bring her to me and maybe I'll tell you," Dan said nonchalantly.

"You're not going anywhere near her, so tell me about the deal or I'm gone," Nathan said, clearly not in the mood to put up with Dan's bullshit.

Silence.

Nathan turned to leave, but Dan's voice stopped him.

"I gave her a wooden antique box containing ten thousand dollars, in cash, and in return, she was to have your child."

Nathan froze. Dan chuckled.

"She didn't tell you about what she got out of this, did she?" Dan sneered. "I'll bet she played the innocent, twisting you around her little finger, and you, blinded by her good looks, believed every lie that came out of her cupid-bows mouth."

Nathan started to shake with anger, but Dan wasn't finished.

"I hate to be the one to disappoint you, but she's nothing but a whore that—"

Before Dan knew it, Nathan had him by the throat.

"Don't you dare talk about her like that," Nathan growled. "You're a lying bastard that had nothing better to do than torture people. Stay the hell away from Haley and me."

And with that, Nathan stormed out of the door. Dan just stood there, smiling, waiting for his plan to unfold.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Haley spent the morning blissfully happy. Even though Nathan had left, she still felt the strong connection between them. He had been so sweet when he left.

"So tell me again what happened when Nathan left this morning," Brooke squealed, always wanting the latest gossip.

She was eating dinner now, sitting across from Lucas and Brooke. The three of them had formed a pretty solid friendship in the past weeks.

"Brooke," Lucas groaned quietly, not wanting to here the story for the fiftieth time today.

"Shut it, Lucas," Brooke snapped, causing him to flinch back the tiniest bit before he glared at her. Brooke ignored him as she motioned for Haley to continue.

Haley smiled, remembering.

She had been sleeping, when she awoke to someone caressing her face. She had opened her eyes to find Nathan staring down at her, and watched as a small smile formed on his luscious lips.

He slowly brought his head to hers', gently taking her bottom lip into his mouth and running his tongue along the inside. It lasted only for a few seconds, and then his lips were gone.

Haley had shut her eyes, easily falling back into sleep, but not before she felt Nathan kiss her forehead one last time and softly whisper, almost inaudibly, "I love you." And then he left.

"I knew it!" Brooke screeched, doing a little happy dance in her seat as Lucas just stared on in exasperation.

He did, however, turn his smile to Haley. He was truly happy for the pair, not to mention a little smug. He had predicted it all along.

"Yeah well, it doesn't mean anything," Haley mumbled, blushing as she looked down at her food.

"Of course it means something," Brooke screamed. "He said he loved you. Everything's going to change now."

"You don't know that, Brooke," Haley said. "He still doesn't know everything that's happened. What if he—"

Haley was cut off by a booming sound coming from the entrance of the house. Brooke, Haley, and Lucas all turned to see what it was. Haley gasped.

The hall was silent as Nathan stormed through the doors heading straight for the stairs. Haley immediately jumped out of her seat and ran after him.

"Nathan," Haley called, running behind him. He didn't slow down at all.

"Nathan, what are you doing here?" Haley questioned as she followed him, excited about his early return.

For some reason he was headed to her room. She didn't quite understand it. When they reached the room, Nathan barged through her door and began his search.

Haley just stood in the doorway, befuddled at his odd behavior.

"Nathan, what's wrong," she asked quietly as she watched Nathan tossing her stuff around. "What happened when you went to see Dan this morning?"

Nathan stood still. Haley immediately regretted bringing the subject of Dan up.

Nathan wasn't listening to her, though. His eyes were trained on a small, wooden antique box on the floor beside her bed. It was halfway pushed under the bed, peeking out at Nathan like a little demon.

A number of feelings coursed through Nathan's body, betrayal being the main one. He slowly turned to face Haley, trying his hardest not to reach out and slap her.

What an idiot he had been to believe anything that had come out of her lying mouth. Dan had been right. The person he hated most in his life had been right about the one thing he knew would break him.

"Get out of my sight, you deceitful bitch," Nathan said in a low, hard voice.

Haley's eyes widened in shock, filling with tears of confusion and hurt. "Nathan…what happened?"

She looked pleadingly at him, but was met with nothing but hatred and disgust in his eyes.

"Please," she whispered, reaching out her hands for him to take.

"Now," he roared, causing her to flinch, then turn and run.

She didn't know where she was going; her vision was blurred by tears. She just kept running and running until she hit something—or someone, rather—and collapsed.

Lucas' arms surrounded her as she let herself sob in pain. Brooke stood by, watching her friend with confusion and concern, but most of all, anger. She was going to give Nathan a piece of her mind, but she would save that for later. Right now, Haley needed her, and that was all that mattered.

Looking back on her words, she realized the irony in them. Brooke was right, everything would change now. For better or for worse, she didn't know.

So I hope everyone liked it. Please review and tell me what you guys think!
Love, Sadie