Chapter 19

She was still wearing the dress she wore to the restaurant, but had changed her heels for comfy flip-flops.

Debbie rose and approached Vanessa before she could get too close to Hailey's bedside. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I don't know who you are, but stay the hell out of this!" Vanessa was about to go to Hailey, but Debbie blocked her. "Take your leave!" She pointed toward the door.

"There's no way I'm leaving here without dealing with that bitch! It's because of her that my husband is in surgery!"

"No, babe, leave this to me," Debbie said, stopping Hailey before she could respond. Instantly, she pulled Vanessa's hair and dragged her out of Hailey's ward, ignoring Vanessa's cry of pain.

Debbie released Vanessa's hair only when they were outside the ward. She pushed Vanessa against a nearby sofa.

"Do not ever mess with Hailey again!"

"Who the hell are you, and why did you pull my hair?" Vanessa rose, about to hit Debbie, but Debbie caught her hand and pushed her back onto the sofa, this time much harder.

"I told Hailey I would murder you with my bare hands if I ever saw you again, but I'm being somewhat restrained because we're in a hospital. Who the hell do you think you are, always picking on my best friend?"

"She almost killed my husband! She's the reason Cole is in surgery!" Vanessa shouted, trying to hold back tears.

"And you think we don't know this is an act to avoid suspicion?"

"I don't understand what you're talking about!"

"Come on, girl. You can fool anyone, but you can't fool me. You and your fucking mother are Hailey's only enemies. I'm sure you both had a hand in this. You're here to pretend you care so no one will suspect you."

"I won't tolerate you lying about me! Hailey is a murderer and a homewrecker. I will make sure she pays for what she did to me and Cole."

"You know, I really admire your guts. You sound so courageous despite being so guilty."

"Hailey may be calm, but I promise you I'm crazier than you, and I won't let you mess with my friend."

"For heaven's sake, if you're not a freak, why blame Hailey for Cole pursuing her? Isn't he her husband?"

"Cole is mine, and we're going to get married. Keep your mouth out of my business!" She glared at Debbie, breathing heavily.

Debbie shook her head. "All I see is a bitter, failed woman. You're surprised Hailey is still thriving? You and your mother try to take advantage, but she's way ahead of you."

"Cole took a bullet for her, but could he do the same for you?"

"Lies!!!! She pushed him! That's why the bullet hit him."

Debbie laughed. "Is that what the culprit told you?"

Vanessa continued to glare.

"Your life is filled with nothing but sadness. You must be so pained that after all your schemes, Cole still chooses Hailey."

"Cole doesn't like her. He likes me, and I'm going to fight for him."

"All the best, baby! Because I know no one is going to end up with a maniac like you."

"What's going on here?" Tyler approached, holding a cup of coffee.

Vanessa rose.

"You can't even keep your woman. You should be ashamed of yourself!"

"Excuse me?!" Tyler frowned.

"Why propose to her now when you should have done it long ago?"

"Are you out of your mind? What gives you the right to interfere in my business?"

"You don't have to flare up! Just take your girl so my man can come back to me!"

"What the hell are you even doing here?" Tyler glared, trying to control his anger.

"Cole is my husband, and I'm here to see him."

"His ward is on the other side. You have no business here, so stay away!"

"Whatever! Just make sure she doesn't come near my Cole," Vanessa said, storming off.

Tyler sighed, massaging his temple. He was still in his proposal suit but had removed his jacket.

"I wish Hailey hadn't taken over that damn company!" Tyler mumbled, moving closer to Debbie.

"I wish so too. They're the worst thing that could ever happen to her."

"I was wondering how she got in when you were supposed to be outside."

"Fuck! Did she disturb Hailey? I was losing my mind, so I got some coffee."

"It's fine. I got rid of her before she became a nuisance."

"Was she at the restaurant?" Debbie asked, referring to Vanessa.

"I had no idea. I was too embarrassed and angry to notice everyone there. I'm sure I'm trending online already. Everyone will think I'm stupid and deliberately chasing another man's wife."

"Cole went too far, I admit."

"And I'm sorry I was harsh earlier. Hailey explained everything."

"It's fine. I can live with the shame. I just want her to be okay."

"You're a good man, you know that?"

"Please, let's not talk about that," Ty mumbled, taking a sip of coffee.

"It hurts to hear, but I want you to know this isn't your fault."

"And Hailey feels terrible about it too."

"Life sucks, doesn't it? The bad guy gets the woman of my dreams, and I get nothing."

"Don't speak that way."

"I'm not blaming anyone. I just feel bad for myself, and it upsets me how unfair life can be."

"Hailey isn't going back to him."

"You don't know that. He saved her life. I'm so jealous and stupid that he took a bullet for her when it should have been me."

"They probably have a connection I can't relate to. He's such a lucky bastard."

"I almost lost it when I first saw him. The twins look so much like him, especially Enzo. Cole will never let me be their stepfather."

"I don't know what to say, but I'm really sorry about everything."

"You should know that Hailey isn't happy either."

Tyler groaned, massaging his temple. "I should have gotten alcohol, not coffee. I was afraid they'd send me away if they saw me drinking."

"Hailey is an amazing woman. My mother will be heartbroken that I wasn't good enough to marry her."

"I really like her. She's the best gift life gave me. The thought of her with another man kills me. God knows I'd do anything to have her by my side."

Debbie felt sympathy for Tyler, seeing the pain in his eyes.

"So you're giving up?"

"She rejected me."

"And how many times has she rejected Cole?"

"I don't know. But a lot!"

"And he keeps coming back to her."

Tyler was silent for a while.

"I don't know. I think it's different. They're still married, and they have two kids. And even though Hailey accepts me, Cole will keep showing up because of the twins. I wish things were different."

"From what I see, you're making excuses."

"The truth hurts, but even though I pretend, I need to tell myself the truth, right?"

"It's been three years, and I couldn't get a yes from her. I know I'm a failure."

"You're not! You're amazing, Ty."

"Yeah, yeah!" He mumbled, taking a few sips.

"I called the nanny; Hailey won't be coming home."

"Thank you."

"It's the least I could do."

"You don't need to be so hard on yourself. You heard the police; this wasn't an accident."

"It's insane someone would want Hailey dead. She's the most stress-free person I know."

"I wish she hadn't reunited with her family, but her good heart wouldn't let her."

"I said the same."

"Have you heard any news about Cole?"

"I don't care, but I know he'll be fine. It's just a bullet in his arm."

"Just?" Debbie said, staring intently.

"Yeah, but he lost a lot of blood. Look, I don't wish him ill; I just wish he'd leave our lives. But I love the twins, and I know they'll want to meet their father."

"The point is, why didn't I meet Hailey first instead of that gold digger?!" Tyler sighed, sitting on the sofa.

"Mom, I messed up!" Vanessa cried on the phone.

"I got your text. I told you not to do anything without me. What the hell happened?"

"I don't know. I couldn't control my temper. I felt so betrayed!" She sniffled.

"He said he shot at that bitch, but Cole took the bullet. I don't know what he was thinking! He could have died!"

"Calm down and shut up. Someone might hear you. Where are you?"

"Outside Cole's ward! It's the VIP section; I'm alone."

"I hate that you don't listen. How are we going to have a wedding with Cole Matthis in the hospital?"

"Don't ridicule me, Mom. Hailey was doing too much, and I had to put her in her place. I didn't know Cole would act crazy!"

"I thought you swore you cut ties with Jude?" Connie sounded furious.

"I did. He owed me, so I told him to do this. I didn't know the plan would backfire."

"He better not leave any trace that implicates you. I can't see you go to jail."

Connie sighed. "How's Cole? Have you seen him?"

"I don't know. The doctor is still with him. I think he'll be okay."

"I hope so. Since we can't change what happened, let's use this to our advantage."

"How, Mama?"

"Be a loving wife while he recovers. Take advantage of him. Maybe tamper with his drugs. We need you to be pregnant. That way, he'll forget that bitch forever."

"Okay," Vanessa mumbled, comforted.

…

"How long until I'm discharged?" Cole's drowsy voice asked the doctor.

"It depends on your healing."

"I feel fine. Only my head and arm feel heavy." Cole glanced at his bandage.

"I can't say now, but I'll give you an answer in a few hours."

A nurse interrupted. "You have a visitor, sir. Your wife."

"I was just about to ask about her. Please let her in."

The nurse nodded.

"How's Hailey? Is she okay?"

The doctor seemed confused, so Cole explained, "We were brought in together."

"Who's that?"

"He goes by Tyler."

Cole sighed.

"For her to be here, she must be awake."

The door opened, and Cole's heart shattered at the sight of the person who entered.

"Hi, baby," she said, smiling as she approached his bedside.

Doctor Edward stared in confusion.