Chapter 112

“Because of me, you know what it’s like to live in a luxury mansion, go on expensive vacations, and afford luxury goods. I made you, and I gave you a life anyone would die for. You became so ungrateful, and I had to cut you off!”

“No… no…” Vanessa whispered, shaking her head. Tears welled in her eyes. “You’re a liar. You’re making this up! You say these things to mess with my head. That’s what you’ve done all your life—filled my head with hateful words and forced me to hate those around me. You’re a disgusting role model!”

“I have no reason to lie to you. That b**** Hailey made me tell you.”

“If you don’t believe me, tell the authorities you want a DNA test. Let them invite Eric.”

Hot tears streamed down Vanessa’s cheek as she stared at Connie with hate and disgust. “How could you? How do you even sleep at night?”

“Oh, please! You’re the ungrateful ones. You didn’t hear me say your biological father was poor? I’m sure he’d be grateful I relieved him of the burden of caring for you.” “So he has no idea I exist?” Vanessa sobbed, disbelieving her false life.

Connie shrugged indifferently. “I didn’t tell him anything.”

“You deserve to be in hell! You separated me from my birth father, you ruined me, and because of you, my baby is dead!”

“Oh, please!” Connie scoffed. “It’s probably for the best. You would have been a terrible mother anyway!”

Enraged, Vanessa lunged at Connie, pushing her to the floor, climbing on top, and hitting her.

Several inmates rushed to stop the fight as Connie tried to fight back. Two prison officers arrived.

The Next Day.

Eric sat at the table, fidgeting, staring at the empty chair opposite him. His body language clearly showed his discomfort.

He was startled by the sound of the gate. He watched as a prison officer opened it and escorted Vanessa in.

“You have just a few minutes,” the officer said, turning to Eric. “She’s under punishment, so she won’t be able to talk to visitors for long.”

Eric nodded. “Thank you.”

Vanessa was quiet. She approached the chair and sat humbly, barely looking at Eric. They were separated by a small table.

“Who did that to you? The officers?” Eric asked, noticing bruises on her cheek and a large bandage on her forehead. Vanessa and Connie were already in jail for disobeying a court order by disappearing. They hadn’t even begun serving time for harming Hailey, so Eric was shocked by Vanessa’s injuries.

Vanessa opened her mouth to speak, then burst into tears.

Eric remained unmoved, watching her cry until she calmed down.

“…I’m sorry,” she sniffled, wiping her eyes, still avoiding his gaze.

“For what exactly? For all the pain you caused, for escaping with my money? Or are you trying to get me to bail you out?”

For the first time, Vanessa looked into Eric’s eyes. “This apology comes from the bottom of my heart. I’m so sorry for all the pain I caused. You aren’t even my biological father, and you treated me better than your daughter.”

Eric frowned, his heart pounding.

“What are you talking about?” He stared at her impatiently. He’d joked with Connie about Vanessa not being his biological daughter, but never imagined this day would come.

“That’s what Connie said. She said you aren’t my father and she only used you to gain wealth. She seduced you so we could have a better life.”

“You’re making this up, right?” Eric’s voice cracked.

Vanessa shook her head. “We got into a fight, and that’s why I’m bruised. I know you won’t believe me, but I’m so sorry.”

Eric cursed softly, running a hand through his hair.

“What did I do to you and your mother? You totally destroyed me!” Eric shouted.

“I’m sorry. I know my apologies can’t fix anything, but I’m deeply sorry. I didn’t know until last night. She challenged me to request a DNA test. My DNA is at home, or I can give you a hair sample.”

“I was evil, like my mother, but I truly regret everything.”

“She said my father is a mechanic who knew nothing of my existence. She said she wanted a better life for me, so she seduced you and became part of your family.”

“She always manipulated me. I believed her. I didn’t want to run away. She said it was best because she didn’t have enough money. She made me call Garry for money; then I found out she took money from your safe.” “She controlled me in our hideout. I disobeyed her, and she had some boys beat me up. I lost my baby.”

“The police found me. I only found out they’d arrested you at our house, thinking you helped us escape, when I was in the hospital.”

“You weren’t my biological father, but I’m grateful for the love and care you gave me, even if it was based on lies.”

“Losing my child brought me to my senses. The pain made me reflect on everything I’d done. I drugged Cole and caused his affair with Hailey. I wasn’t ready for marriage, and Cole wasn’t that rich.”

“I felt good when you disowned her and I got her allowance. I wasn’t at a maternal home; I partied, dated, and traveled the world.”

“I returned after three years and saw Cole was a billionaire. I couldn’t stand it and tried to break them up. I harmed Hailey. I knew she was pregnant, but I hit her. Karma caught up with me.”

“I had a hand in her accident, but Cole took a bullet for her.”

“You evil witch!!!” Eric yelled. Vanessa looked away, ashamed.

“I’ve apologized to Hailey and Cole. I know it’s unforgivable, but I hoped they’d see my sincerity.”

“Cole wasn’t my child’s father. Connie talked me into it. I now understand why it was easy for her; she’d done something similar before.”

“I’m not saying this for sympathy. You deserve the truth. Thank you for loving me, even though it was undeserved. I’m so sorry for all the pain I caused.” Eric stared at Vanessa.