Chapter 111

"Whose vehicle is that?" Moore frowned from his seat in the back as his driver drove toward his mansion.

"That looks like Mr. Summer's car," the driver responded, pulling up to the house.

Moore mumbled incoherently. He was in a foul mood. He was upset that his planned dinner with his son's family was canceled, and, more importantly, he couldn't believe he nearly lost his daughter-in-law and grandchild that day.

The driver exited the car and opened the back passenger door for Moore. Moore found himself face-to-face with Eric.

Moore stared at Eric in disbelief while the driver excused himself. "What's wrong?" Moore asked, shocked by Eric's appearance. His beard was full; his hair unkempt. He looked thin and pale.

"What do you mean?" Eric's deep voice rumbled.

"I don't mean to be rude, but you look much worse. Are you sick? Are you dying?" The worry was evident in Moore's face and voice.

"I'm fine. Or so I think. Life lately has been filled with regrets, so I suppose I deserve this."

"And you've been avoiding me."

"I've been busy, Eric."

"Don't pretend with me. I understand if you want to distance yourself. I don't have any friends anymore. No one wants to associate with me since the news about Connie and Vanessa broke."

"That's not it, Eric. I just don't know what to say if we were to get together."

"Again, I need to protect my son's interests. He has no issue with me seeing you, but it doesn't feel right to me."

"I understand. I don't blame you. I had a good life, and I ruined it."

"I wish I could turn back time and make different decisions."

Moore shook his head, staring at Eric with pity.

"You were never content. You looked down on your wife so much that you fell for another woman who didn't have your best interests at heart."

Eric's eyes filled with tears. "I had no idea how Connie manipulated me. I'm truly sorry."

"I know you are, but your apologies can't change anything. It's sad that you must live with the consequences. Look at you—alone and lonely." Eric looked away, embarrassed.

"I didn't know Connie and Vanessa planned to escape. The police came for them; they were gone, so they arrested me. I was released when they found Vanessa. I got home and realized Connie had stolen money from the safe and some investment documents."

"Have you seen Vanessa since?"

Eric shook his head.

"Did you know Connie's been arrested?"

Eric stared, shocked. "How? Where did they find her?"

Moore sighed. "She attacked Hailey today. Hailey's in the hospital, but Connie's been arrested."

Eric looked shocked. "IsHaileygoing to be okay?"

"Yes. She's out of danger. She'll be fine."

"I don't understand why Connie would attack her instead of turning herself in."

"She threatened Hailey to withdraw the case so she could flee the country."

"Leaving Vanessa behind? What kind of mother is she?"

"That's not for me to say, but you should talk to them. They both confessed things to Hailey that you might want to know."

"What confessions?"

"You should speak to them. It's not my place to say."

"Is it bad?"

"I can't say, but you deserve the truth."

DINNER TIME IN PRISON

Despite the crowd and aching eyes, Vanessa patiently searched until she found the person she sought. She picked up a cup of hot water and walked down the aisle to the familiar face, ignoring the other inmates.

There sat Connie, her mother, staring at her food with disgust. Rice and mild sauce. It was clear the dogs at her mansion ate better.

Connie was so lost in thought she didn't notice Vanessa approaching.

Vanessa splashed the hot water on her mother, without hesitation.

Connie screamed, jumping up. Her head and face burned. She'd heard prison was full of bullies, but she couldn't believe this was happening less than 24 hours after arriving.

Connie saw who'd done it, and her anger tripled.

"How dare you?!" Connie raised her hand to strike Vanessa, but Vanessa stopped her.

"Let go of my hand, you bitch!" Connie yelled, trying to ignore the burning pain. Many inmates were staring.

Vanessa resisted, but Connie pulled her hand away.

"How dare you do this to me?" Connie looked at her reddening skin.

"That's nothing compared to the pain you've caused me. I wish I could shoot you."

"Where do I belong? You're an ingrate! I rescued you from poverty, gave you a good life, and this is how you repay me? Total humiliation?"

"Shut the fuck up! What did you do for me?" Vanessa yelled. The hall fell silent.

"Don't make me look bad when you're the selfish one! Your biological father is a poor mechanic, but I didn't want you on the streets, so I seduced Eric. He fell for me, we slept together, and I convinced him he was your father."

Vanessa froze. Her heart stopped.

The other inmates whispered loudly.