Chapter 3

Sobbing in pain, Hailey mustered the remaining strength to reach for her phone in her dress pocket. Her vision blurred, but she managed to find Cole's number. "Please pick up," she sobbed. The call went unanswered, so she tried again. It was ringing when she lost consciousness, her phone slipping from her grasp.

Hailey Summers didn't know how long she'd been unconscious, but when she awoke, pain wracked her body, accompanied by a throbbing headache. She heard voices, but her hazy mind couldn't decipher them.

Slowly opening her eyes, she was greeted by the rhythmic beeping of a heart monitor. Her vision cleared gradually, revealing a hospital room. Clad in a pale blue gown, she saw a doctor speaking with two nurses at her bedside. He noticed her awakening and rushed to her side, checking her pulse. "How are you feeling, ma'am?"

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

The doctor sighed.

"Talk to me, Doc! How's my baby?" A tear traced a path down her 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 these were tears of joy. Her life was a mess, but her baby was safe.

"This is a miracle," the doctor said. "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 endured immense stress. I'm glad your memory is intact, but you're still very weak. 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 comfort.

"Sorry, who are you referring to?"

"Someone brought me here—my husband, Cole. Please let him in; I want to see him."

"The person who brought you in was an elderly man. He said his name was Manuel, your security guard Enoch's brother. Enoch called him to rush you here. He waited until you woke up but had to leave for his shift. He promised to check on you later."

Hailey tried to mask her disappointment.

"I urge you to be strong, for yourself and your baby," the doctor continued. "While the baby is fine, your overall health is crucial. There's a chance you could still lose the baby if you're not careful. We'll keep you here until you're both out of danger."

Hailey nodded, sniffling. "Thank you. I'm eager to see my husband. Did Manuel bring my phone?"

"Yes," the doctor replied, retrieving it from a nearby table. The screen was cracked, but functional.

Hailey's heart sank. No missed calls or messages. Not from Cole. She'd been fighting for her life and her baby's, yet she felt nonexistent. The loneliness overwhelmed her.

She was about to toss the phone aside when her gaze fell on the television. Her heart plummeted. A picture of Cole and her stepsister, Vanessa, adorned the screen. They were elegantly dressed, holding hands, smiling like a couple. A headline blared: "Hottest Billionaire is Finally Off the Market."

"Please, can you turn up the volume?" she asked the doctor, struggling to maintain composure.

A nurse obeyed.

Despite the doctor's instructions, Hailey dissolved into sobs upon hearing the gossip report. The announcement of Cole and Vanessa's relationship, culminating in a kiss initiated by Vanessa, shattered her world.

Devastated, Hailey picked up her phone and typed a message to Cole.

…

"I'm so happy tonight," Vanessa giggled, intertwining her fingers with Cole's as they headed towards the event hall. "My phone's buzzing with congratulations! My assistant says my followers are exploding. This is incredible!"

"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, releasing Vanessa's hand to check his phone.

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

"What's wrong, baby?" Vanessa asked, noticing the shift in his demeanor.

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

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

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

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

Cole ignored Vanessa's words, fixated on Hailey's text.

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

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

Two hours later, Cole drove home with Vanessa, beaming as she scrolled through her phone, basking in the attention of being the girlfriend of the country's richest billionaire. Fans were already asking about the wedding.

She looked up, noticing they weren't heading towards his house. "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!"

"Another day."

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

"Please lower your voice. It's been a long day, and my head hurts. I need some time alone."

The ride remained silent, punctuated only by Vanessa's furious typing. Upon arriving at her apartment, she unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for her purse. "You're going to let me out without a hug or kiss?"

"Goodnight," he mumbled.

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

Cole drove home. It was midnight; the staff were gone. He didn't find Hailey downstairs, so he went upstairs, hoping she was in their bedroom.

A chill ran down his spine as he entered the empty room. The bed was neatly made. Hailey had no friends; she came straight home from work. He always found her asleep or preparing for bed.

"Hailey?" he croaked, entering the walk-in closet.

The cleared-out section of her closet confirmed her absence.

He collapsed onto the bed, overwhelmed by loneliness and confusion. He reread Hailey's text. The words, "We are going to stay out of your shitty life," filled him with worry.

He debated replying or calling her. Unsure what to say, his heart pounding, he dialed her number.