Sobbing in pain, Hailey managed to reach for her phone in her dress pocket with her remaining strength. Her vision blurred, but she located Cole's number. "Please pick up," she sobbed.

No one answered, so Hailey dialed again. The phone was ringing when she lost consciousness, her phone slipping from her hand.

Hailey Summers didn't know how long she'd been unconscious, but when she awoke, she felt pain all over and a throbbing headache. She heard voices but her hazy brain couldn't interpret them.

Hailey slowly opened her eyes and heard the beeping of a monitor. Her vision cleared gradually. She realized she was in a hospital room, wearing a pale blue gown. She saw the doctor standing by her bedside, talking to two female nurses. He glanced at the bed, saw she was awake, and rushed to her side, checking her pulse. "How are you doing, ma'am?"

The doctor's voice brought her back to reality. Her right hand flew to her belly. "My baby?!" she croaked, tears welling in her eyes. "How is my baby?"

The doctor sighed.

"Talk to me, Doc! How's my baby?" A tear rolled down Hailey's cheek.

"Please calm down, ma'am. Your baby is fine, but we need to keep you here for observation."

Hailey closed her eyes, crying harder. She wasn't sure if they were tears of joy. Her life was a mess, but she was grateful her baby was safe.

"I don't know what to call it, but it's a miracle. You were badly hurt. If the person who brought you in had arrived a second later, I'm sure the baby wouldn't have survived."

"Your body has been under extreme stress. I'm glad your memory is intact. But you're still very weak, so we need to keep you here for a couple of days to monitor you and the baby."

Hailey nodded, relieved.

"Where's Cole?" she asked, needing her husband's support.

"Sorry, who are you talking about?"

"You said someone brought me in. That's my husband, Cole. Please let him in; I want to see him."

"I don't know what you mean, ma'am. An elderly man brought you in. He said his name was Manuel, your security guard Enoch's brother."

"He said Enoch called him to rush you here. He waited for you to wake up but had to leave for his shift. He promised to check back later."

Hailey tried to hide her hurt and disappointment.

"I don't know what you're going through, but please be strong. If not for yourself, do it for your baby."

"The baby is fine, but your overall health is crucial. There's a chance you could still lose the baby without careful care. That's why we're keeping you here until you're both out of danger."

"I hope things improve, but for now, prioritize your health."

Hailey nodded, sniffling.

"Thank you. I'm eager to see my husband. He must be worried. Did Manuel bring my phone?"

"Yes!" The doctor went to a table, retrieved her phone, and handed it to her. The screen was cracked, but usable.

Hailey's heart sank. She had no missed calls or messages—not even from her husband. She'd been fighting for her and her baby's lives, yet it was as if she didn't exist. She'd been in the hospital for hours, and no one noticed her absence. It underscored her loneliness.

Hailey felt hurt and alone, but remembered the doctor's words.

She was about to put her phone down when she saw the TV.

Hailey's heart sank.

It showed a picture of Cole and her stepsister, Vanessa. They were dressed elegantly, holding hands, smiling like a couple. A headline read: "Hottest Billionaire is finally off the market."

"Please, can you turn up the volume?" Hailey asked the doctor, fighting back tears.

The doctor told a nurse to do so.

Despite the doctor's instructions, Hailey burst into tears. The news announced that Cole was officially dating Vanessa. Seeing them kiss, initiated by Vanessa, shattered her world.

Devastated and heartbroken, Hailey texted Cole.

"I'm so happy tonight," Vanessa giggled, intertwining her hands with Cole's as they headed into the event hall. It was a business dinner, and she'd insisted on coming.

"My phone's buzzing with congratulations. My assistant said my followers are increasing by the second. This has never happened before."

"Why aren't you saying anything? Aren't you happy the world knows we're dating?"

Cole was about to respond when his phone buzzed. He stopped, let go of Vanessa's hand, and checked his phone.

"You're the worst thing that could ever happen to a woman who loves you genuinely. I agree to the divorce, and we're staying out of your shitty life."

"What's wrong, baby?" Vanessa asked, noticing his change in expression.

"It's Hailey," he replied distractedly, surprised by his unease.

"Why is she texting you? I thought she was dead!"

Cole stared at Vanessa. "What do you mean?"

"She's been dead to me since she stole you from me, and I hope she actually dies soon. Why is she texting you? Block her before she gets manipulative again."

Cole ignored Vanessa. He stared at the text, feeling uneasy.

"Come on, it's nothing. We have each other now. I'm perfect for you. The world's happy for us. Let's go; we don't want to be late."

Cole pocketed his phone. Vanessa clung to his arm, and they entered the event.

About two hours later, they were heading home. Cole was driving; Vanessa, in the passenger seat, smiled, engrossed in her phone, basking in the attention of dating the country's richest billionaire. Fans were already asking about the wedding.

She looked up and realized they weren't going in the right direction.

"What's going on? I thought we were going to your place?"

"I'm taking you to your apartment."

"What? I thought we'd spend the night together. We had a good time."

"That'll be another day."

"Why? Are you mad at me? You said you loved me, you wanted me!"

"Please lower your voice." He glanced at her, then back at the road. "It's been a long day, my head hurts. I want some time alone."

The rest of the ride was silent, except for Vanessa's harsh typing. When he pulled up to her apartment, she unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for her purse. She turned to face him. "You're going to let me out without a goodbye hug or kiss?"

"Goodnight," he mumbled.

"No endearment? You're such a prick!" Vanessa stormed out, slamming the door, unconcerned about damaging his car.

Cole drove away. Twenty minutes later, he was home. It was midnight; the staff were gone. He didn't see Hailey downstairs, so he went upstairs, hoping she was in the bedroom.

A chill ran down his spine when he entered and saw the empty room, the bed neatly made.

Hailey had no friends; she always came straight home from work, so he'd always find her sleeping or getting ready for bed.

"Hailes?" His voice was hoarse. He went to the walk-in closet.

He exhaled deeply; one side of the closet was empty—she was gone.

Cole sat on the bed, buried his face in his hands, feeling miserable and lonely. He reread the text; the words "We are going to stay out of your shitty life" worried and confused him.

He debated whether to reply to Hailey's text or call her. Unsure what to say, he dialed her number, his heart pounding.