Chapter 10

“So now you’re torn between two sisters?” Jess stared at Cole.

“Please don’t,” Cole said, massaging his temple. “Don’t make it seem as though I’m sleeping with two blood sisters at the same time.”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

“Come on, Jess, if the whole world is making fun of me, you should really be on my side.”

“I am your best friend; I will always have your back, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to keep quiet or pamper you when you mess things up!”

“You’ve always hated Hailey for no good reason, and if I were Hailey, I’d never talk to you again.”

“Come on, Jess!”

“Oh please, you were more of an asshole, and it’s obvious she deserves someone better. If she were my sister, I’d rather die than let her come back to you.”

“This is the first time you’ve been really brutal to me. Did I do something to offend you?” Cole stared at Jess, who sat opposite him. They were supposed to have dinner together, but neither of them had ordered food or touched their drinks since arriving.

“Because you’ve acted like an asshole all along. I’ve always warned you to stay away from that so-called Vanessa. I honestly don’t know what you see in her.”

“Come on, Jess, what would you have done if you were in my shoes? I knew Vanessa before I met Hailey. Vanessa was the one I was going to marry. I don’t know what happened, but I ended up in bed with Hailey, so we got married.”

“Then you went ahead and mistreated her after you married her.” Jess glared at Cole.

“Please don’t make me look like a monster. I didn’t mistreat her; I just didn’t pay much attention to her.”

“What’s the difference?”

Cole sighed deeply. “I didn’t know she was going to take my words seriously and leave me. I had no intention of getting a divorce.”

“I know I sound like a maniac, but the truth is I was scared. I was starting to fall in love with Hailey, and it freaked me out.”

“When my father told me I was going to marry Vanessa, he showed me her picture, and I fell in love with her at first glance. But the feeling was stronger than what I felt for Vanessa. I realized what I felt for Vanessa was lust, and Hailey… I don’t know.”

“All I know is that my life has been a mess since she left me. I want her back. I want my wife back. You of all people know how much of a mess my life has been since she left me.”

“That’s why I called you here. You’re a lawyer and my best friend. I want my wife back, and I’m ready to do anything. She says we’re divorced, but there’s nothing legal to prove that. And that psycho who claims to be her boyfriend—I want him away from her. I really want my wife back.”

“I’m a changed person now. Please help me,” he added when Jess said nothing but stared at him.

“So what do you want me to do?”

“I don’t know. Anything that will make her come back to me. I didn’t sign any divorce papers.”

“There’s more to divorce than what you’re saying. You both didn’t sign any paperwork, but you requested it. If this goes to court, all she needs to do is tell the court how you treated her for the three years you were married.”

“How many people knew she was your wife? Did you ever wear a ring? The world still considers you a bachelor. You spend so much time working and traveling that you neglected her.”

Cole stared at her, feeling ashamed.

“We all make mistakes, but I think we can both agree that Hailey was good to you and patient, but you never saw her worth.”

“You’re going to lose if you take the legal route. And I don’t think you should start a fight when you’re at fault.”

“If you still want her in your life, do all you can to win her back. There are lots of articles and videos online on ways to woo a woman.”

“Yes, I’m going to do that. I just don’t want her to choose anyone else over me.”

“First time I’ve seen you jealous.”

Cole sighed. “I deeply regret my actions. If I could turn back time, I promise I would.”

“Even though I know how much of an asshole you are, I really want you to be happy. I hope you’re not too late, and that she finds a way to forgive you. And most importantly, that she still loves you and is willing to give you a chance.”

“Stop scaring me, Jess.”

“I’m not, lover boy. It’s been four years, and you should do your best but prepare for the worst. Four years is enough time to move on from someone who didn’t love you back.”

“I ruined everything, didn’t I?”

“You’ll never know unless you try. Try to make amends and see how it goes.”

“You really mean she owns ENROL?”

Cole nodded.

“Hailey is a damn beast! I mean, in a good way.”

“She used to be one of the best minds in my company, but I had no idea.”

“I know.”

“You knew?” Cole accused, frowning.

“Yes, I did.”

“How?”

“I walked in on her a few times when I was at your office. She was always working diligently.”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“And what would have changed?”

“I guess I deserve everything I’m going through.” Cole was about to say something else when his phone buzzed. He reached for it and for the next two minutes, his eyes were glued to his phone.

“What’s wrong?” Jess said, staring at him curiously.

“Cole?!” she exclaimed, noticing the pain, shock, and disappointment in his eyes.

“Hailey is a mother.”

“What?”

“I had someone get me some information on her. She’s a mother to two boys.”

“What are you thinking?” Jess asked.

“She moved on too early. For God’s sake, we aren’t officially over. Why the hell would she give herself to another man?” he said, his heart burning with jealousy.

“Did the investigator provide the age of the kids? Names and surnames?”

“No!” Cole answered, glancing at his phone. “The message confirms she owns ENROL, she’s dating Tyler, and she has two kids.”

“She has no social media and hardly talks about herself. That’s all he could find.”

“How do you feel?”

“Of course, I feel shitty!” he said, his voice louder. Jess was happy they were dining in a VIP space, far from the next table.

“Just calm down! The worst thing you can do is assume things.”

“I’m not assuming. She’s got two kids! Not just one, but two!!!”

“She looked so good today that I almost went insane. She glowed up. It didn’t occur to me that kids could be one of the reasons. Why would she give birth to another man’s child?”

“You’re letting jealousy cloud your mind. What if those kids are adopted? People sometimes want kids for company, as a way of healing from giving love to people who don’t deserve it.”

“I see what you’re doing, Jess. I know I was an asshole to her. But two kids? Why would she do that to me? I’m not over the fact that she has a boyfriend. How does she expect me to live knowing she has two kids?”

“Fuck it! I’m out of here!!!!” Jess watched as her best friend rose in anger and stormed out of the restaurant.