Chapter 52
“I hate this family so much. I hate Hailey even more. She ruined so much in my life, and Cole isn’t seeing that. What the hell am I supposed to do now?” Vanessa cried, pacing the living room the moment Cole left.
“It’s okay, my love. Everything will be fine.” “No, Mom,” she shook her head. “I’m not going to believe you this time. You keep saying that, but everything seems to be going wrong. Hailey is the bitchy, jealous one. Why does she always want what belongs to me?” “She can be jealous all she wants, but she’s never going to succeed.”
“Did you know Hailey was pregnant before she left?” Eric’s voice came through. “Are you kidding me right now, babe? What does that have to do with our daughter?” Eric rose. “In case you’ve forgotten, Hailey is my daughter, too!” “Wow! Brave of you to say that about someone you’ve publicly disowned. You suddenly want to associate yourself just because she got rich by sleeping around.” Eric glared at Connie. “Don’t you dare make me look stupid by talking rudely to me! I disowned her because I’ve done nothing but support Vanessa all my life, and what do I get in return? A nasty attitude from both of you!” “You better not be lying to me about having nothing to do with Hailey’s accident. Because if I find out you both had a hand in it, I will personally hand you over to the authorities.” “What do you take us for? Murderers?” Connie glared at her husband. “You can think whatever you want, but I mean what I said. For your own good, you might as well stay away from Cole and Hailey. If you’re both jailed, I’ve got no money to bail you out.” “Why are you talking this way, Dad? Don’t you love me anymore?” Vanessa sobbed. “Besides, I’m not the one to blame here. He said he wanted to see us; he came here saying nasty things.” “No, I don’t hate you, but all of this is becoming unbearable. I feel you and your mother are playing with my intelligence by keeping me in the dark.” “I don’t know who to trust between you and Cole. But now that he’s got the order, just stay away from him until the child is born, when we can do a DNA test. I won’t lift a finger if you’re sent to jail,” Eric said, then stormed out. “What have I done wrong, Mom?” “I’ve worked so hard. I should be living happily ever after, but here I am, the saddest person on earth. Why the hell did Cole get shot on her behalf? If she were shot, she’d be long gone, and I’d be enjoying life right now.” Connie held Vanessa’s hands. “Lower your voice. Don’t let your father hear you.” “I don’t care! This is so unfair. Cole is mine. He liked me first; he’d always wanted me. That bitch wants everything that’s mine.”
“It’s okay, baby. Don’t worry; we’re going to sort this out. I give you my word.” Connie hugged Vanessa as Vanessa cried harder. “There’s no way that bitch is going to win over my own daughter. I didn’t come this far to be a loser.”
“Mommy, when is Daddy coming? I really want to see him. I miss him so much.” Hailey facepalmed. “Come on, Enzo, this is the sixth time you’re asking me this question.” Enzo pouted. “Because I miss Daddy so much and I want to see him before I go to bed.” Hailey sighed. “I’m sure he misses you too, but I have no idea when he’ll be here.” “Can you call him, Mommy? Please?” Oliver chipped in. “What? No?” “But why, Mommy?” Ollie pouted. “Your daddy is probably busy.” “But he promised to be here. I want him to read me a bedtime story.” “If he can’t make it tonight, he’ll be here tomorrow, okay?” Hailey assured them, hoping they would believe her. She hadn’t contacted Cole to thank him for the earlier gift, nor did she want to talk to him; she didn’t want to give the impression that she missed him. “Come, let’s get you both ready for bed first. After that, we’ll decide if we should call Daddy or not,” Hailey said to her sons, who were still frowning on the couch. She sighed, not knowing what else to do.
Hailey was about to speak when the doorbell rang. “Daddy!” “Daddy’s here!” The twins said in unison, running to the door. “Wait!” “Slow down, Enzo,” “You’re going to fall if you’re not careful, Ollie!” “That might not be your Daddy. It could be security dropping off the mail.” “The mail came earlier,” Ollie answered, still running.
“Right,” Hailey said, going after her kids. The twins opened the door before she reached it. “Daddy!” The twins hugged his legs. Cole was in casual clothes, so Hailey assumed he’d gone home to change. Cole smiled. He carried three gift bags, entered, dumped the bags on the couch, and crouched to hug the twins. “We missed you, Daddy!” Ollie said. “Yes, Daddy. We thought you weren’t going to come as you promised,” Enzo added. Cole smiled, looking at his sons with adoration. “I’m sorry, buddies. I was busy with work, but I’m glad to be here.” “Did you bring us presents?” Enzo asked excitedly. “Yes, I did.” Cole handed them each a bag. “Thank you, Daddy.” They hugged him before running to open their gifts.
“Hi,” Cole smiled, approaching Hailey with the remaining gift bag. “You don’t look happy to see me.” “Why do you say so?” “The kids welcomed me with a hug.” She arched an eyebrow. “So you want me to do the same?” “Something like that.” Hailey rolled her eyes and was about to leave when Cole stopped her, pulling her closer. “Let go.” “Why?” “Are you shy?” “Of course not. I don’t want anyone to walk in and think we’re a thing, especially the twins.” “Who cares?” “Of course, I care. I don’t want you to think otherwise because of what happened last night.” Cole smiled, pulling Hailey closer. “What happened last night?”