Chapter 1 Trouble In The House

• The loud music blasting from Philip's room, which was right across from Haley's, jolted her awake in the most annoying way.
• "What the hell?!" she shouted, springing out of bed. Slipping on her floppy slippers, she stormed toward the door and flung it open with irritation.
• As soon as she stepped into the hallway, the music hit her like a wave. She stomped her foot in frustration, glaring at Philip’s door.
• Without thinking, she marched up to it and began banging loudly, as if she could force it open with sheer anger.
• "Turn that damn music down!" she screamed, hammering the door with both hands.
• Philip, who had been absorbed in his game, paused and got up, puzzled at who could be crazy enough to knock on his door like that.
• He swung the door open, and as soon as he saw Haley standing there, he had the urge to slam it shut.
• "Don't you dare!" she yelled, her voice firm.
• Philip stared at her coldly, not saying a word.
• "Turn off the music! It's 6 AM, and I'm trying to sleep!" she demanded.
• Philip smirked. "Sleep at 6 AM? Hardworking people are up by now. No offense, but I’m not turning it off," he shot back.
• Haley's mouth hung open in disbelief. She was so stunned, she couldn’t even find the words to respond.
• ‘Did he just say that to me? In my father’s house?’ she thought, still staring at Philip in utter amazement.
• "Go away. Start the house chores, lazy b**ch," he sneered, before slamming the door shut in her face.
• Haley stood there for a moment, her jaw still hanging open. "What the…" she muttered under her breath.
• She spun around and stormed towards the stairs, her frustration boiling over. "Father is definitely going to hear about this!" she shouted, storming down the hallway.
• Rushing into the kitchen, she found her father and Kara, who appeared to be enjoying a playful moment together.
• "Father!" Haley yelled, her voice sharp with anger.
• "Hey, baby. How’s it going?" Gideon greeted her casually, while Kara glanced over at her, looking concerned.
• "I’m not good!" Haley snapped back.
• Gideon sighed, sensing trouble. "Why? What’s wrong this time?" he asked, walking over to her, while Kara stood silently, watching the scene unfold.
• "Isn’t it the boy you brought into this house?" Haley practically shouted. "Can’t you hear how loud his music is? He’s disturbing my peace!"
• Her father exhaled, trying to remain calm. "Calm down, okay? Next time, try talking to him calmly. He’ll listen."
• Haley’s frustration only grew. Her father knew her all too well — he knew she was anything but calm when she was upset.
• "He’s rude and arrogant! I can’t even talk to him. Maybe his mother should handle this instead," Haley spat, shooting a glance at Kara, whose patience was visibly wearing thin.
• "Haley, watch your tongue," Gideon snapped, his voice laced with anger. "This is my wife, and you need to show her the same respect you would give your birth mother."
• "She’s not my birth mother, and she never will be," Haley shot back, her voice bitter as she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, racing up the stairs with tears welling up in her eyes.
• "I’m so sorry, Kara," Gideon muttered, walking toward his wife with a remorseful expression.
• "She doesn’t like me," Kara whispered, her voice heavy with sadness. "She’s never liked me, Gideon."
• Gideon gently took her by the arms, trying to console her. "Please, understand. She’s still a young girl, and she hasn’t come to terms with the fact that I don’t love her mother anymore. She’s grieving. She misses her mom," he said softly, his own voice tinged with sorrow.
• Kara nodded, though the pain was evident in her eyes. "I just hope she can learn to love me. I don’t know how much more I can take. I’ve done everything I can to please her, but it’s never enough. It’s like she’s made up her mind to never accept me."
• "I’ll talk to her, okay?" Gideon promised, his voice firm yet tender. "This can’t go on. I won’t let it."
• Kara nodded sadly, and he pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her forehead and gently patting her back in an attempt to comfort her.
• "Haley!" Gideon called out angrily as he marched up the stairs. He had reached his breaking point. It was time for his daughter to start acting like the young adult she was, not a spoiled child throwing tantrums.
• “Haley, open the door,” Gideon said, knocking softly but firmly on her door.
• “Father, if you’re here to scold me, I’m not opening the door,” Haley called back, her voice full of defiance. Gideon sighed, knowing that when she was this serious, there was no changing her mind easily. He understood the kind of daughter he had.
• “Haley, I’m not here to scold you. I just want to talk,” he said calmly, resting his head against the door as he waited. After a brief moment, he heard her footsteps approaching.
• She opened the door, and as he walked in, she stormed over to her bed, sitting down with crossed arms, fuming. Gideon exhaled, walking slowly to the bed and sitting directly across from her.
• "Haley, can you at least try to smile?" he asked gently, but she just shook her head, pouting. It was a tactic he had used since she was little to get her to cheer up, but he knew this time, it wouldn't be so easy.
• "That won’t work, Dad. Didn’t you hear how loud he was playing his music? It’s still blaring, and you’re not doing anything about it!" she snapped, her frustration obvious.
• Gideon nodded, acknowledging her anger. "I know, baby. I know you're upset about everything—the wedding, Philip... But please, can you just listen to me?" he said in the calmest voice he could manage, hoping it would help her calm down.
• She gave a slight nod, and he could see that she was at least trying to control herself. He was relieved that she was beginning to listen.
• "About Philip... I’ll take care of that," Gideon promised. "But about Kara... Haley, I need you to try and love her. I know it’s going to take time, but I don’t want you to hate her. I love her, just like I loved your mother."
• Tears welled up in Haley's eyes at his words. She struggled to hold them back, the hurt and confusion bubbling to the surface.
• “You love her like you loved Mom? Does that mean she’s taken Mom’s place in your heart?” Haley’s voice trembled with a mix of hurt and confusion. Gideon shook his head gently.
• “Not like that, baby. No one can ever take your mom's place in my heart. But I do love Kara, too. She’s been so good to us, and you wouldn’t know that because you haven’t given her a chance to show you who she really is.”
• Haley’s expression softened, but the sadness remained. “Dad, all I want is for you to see her as a mother. If that’s too much to ask, then at least see her as a friend. Once you get to know her, you might love her too. She’s hurting, Haley, because you don’t like her,” he explained, his voice full of pleading sincerity.
• Haley bit her lip, trying to hold back her emotions. She nodded slowly. “I hope it’s as easy as you say. But I’ll try... for you,” she said quietly.
• Gideon smiled, relief flooding through him. “Thank you, baby. I knew I could still talk to you,” he replied, his voice warm with affection.
• "But what about Philip? He’s just... so annoying!" Haley groaned, her frustration bubbling up again. Gideon sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair.
• "He’s a guy, Haley. I’ll handle him the way men handle things. You don’t have to worry. He won’t be in your way anymore, and soon enough, you two will get along just fine," he said, trying to reassure her.
• Haley scoffed, her skepticism clear. "I wish," she mumbled, rolling her eyes.
• Gideon reached out and gently rubbed her hair, a comforting gesture. “Don’t worry, okay? He’s new to all of this—he’s still adjusting. Just give him some time, and everything will settle down.” He stood up, preparing to leave, but Haley lifted her head, meeting his gaze.
• “I’m trying, Dad,” she said softly, and Gideon gave her a warm smile, his heart full of hope that things would get better soon.
• “I’m sorry, Dad,” Haley said quietly, her voice filled with regret. Gideon smiled softly, his heart warming at her apology. He leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead.
• “I know you are, sweetheart. And I love you so much,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
• “I love you too, Dad,” she replied, her voice steadier now.
• Gideon stood up, feeling a sense of relief. He turned and walked toward the door, smiling to himself. Finally, he had gotten through to her.
• But now, his thoughts shifted. Now he needed to have the same talk with Philip.