Chapter 33

Hailey stared at Vanessa, who was smirking and placed her hand on her belly. She stared at Connie, whose face was beaming, then back at Vanessa.

Hailey opened her mouth to speak, her lips moved, but no words came out. “What the hell are you talking about?” she finally said, her heart aching from the news. A part of her secretly hoped she’d misheard or that they were lying.

“I’m sure you heard me, but I don’t mind saying it again. I’m carrying Cole’s child.”

“Look, I’m not in the mood for your tricks. Leave.”

“I was right all along. You pretend you don’t like Cole, but look how pained you are. Have you forgotten he’s always been your sister’s man?”

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me in my building!” Hailey glared at her stepmother.

“Urgh, don’t try to hold back your tears. I love seeing you miserable,” Vanessa mocked, and she and her mother burst into laughter.

“You came here in disguise, using fake IDs, and expect me to believe a word?” Hailey challenged.

“Oh, baby, we knew you’d have doubts, so we came prepared,” Connie said confidently, gesturing to Vanessa.

Vanessa reached for her handbag and took out a white envelope.

“Here!” She offered it to Hailey, who refused it.

“Come on, accept it. We used fake IDs, but do you think we’d fake hospital results?” Connie said.

Seeing Hailey remain motionless, Connie took the envelope, removed the test result, opened it, and flaunted it, forcing Hailey to see the results.

“My daughter is having a baby. The heir to the Matthis empire. That should put you in your place, right!” Connie mocked.

“I wish you could see the joy in Cole’s eyes when the doctor announced we were pregnant. I felt sick, passed out, he panicked and took me to the hospital. Then the doctor gave us the news.”

“Mom and Dad are excited to be grandparents. You should be excited to be an aunt, even though I don’t want you around my baby or husband. And yes, Cole and I are getting married in a few weeks, before my belly shows.”

Hailey swallowed hard, trying to compose herself. “What do I have to do with any of this?”

“This is a clapback. A warning that we always win, and you shouldn’t mess with us,” Connie smirked. “And we love seeing you miserable, so we’re happy to throw this good news in your face.”

14.29 Sat, 20 Apr

Chapter 33

Hailey chuckled in disbelief. “You always feel the need to prove a stupid point, even when it has nothing to do with me.”

“I don’t care that you’re betrothed to Cole. I see no reason to flaunt your pregnancy news here. Social media would be better.”

“Of course there is. This is the last time I’ll warn you to stay away from my man. Cole, myself, and this little one,” Vanessa pointed to her belly, “are going to be a happy family. And if you come between us, I’ll let the world know what a home wrecker you are!”

“Get the hell out of my office!!!”

Connie and Vanessa giggled. Hailey wasn’t crying, but they could tell she wasn’t happy, so their mission was accomplished.

Hailey was about to speak when two security guards exited the elevator.

“Please throw them out!”

The guards quickly escorted Connie and Vanessa to the elevator.

“Hey, she’s pregnant! Be careful!” Connie yelled as the guards were forceful. “The baby’s father will sue you if anything happens to his wife or baby!”

Hailey stormed back into her office.

“No, Hailey, no tears,” she muttered, grabbing a tissue and wiping her eyes. She grabbed her phone and called her best friend.

“I told you, Debbie. Cole is a fucking asshole! I can’t believe I almost let him back into my sons’ lives.” Tears streamed down her face.

“What’s wrong, babe? How did your meeting with Cole go?” Debbie’s worry was evident.

“Guess who just left my office?”

“Cole?”

“Vanessa and her fucking mother. They used fake IDs. Vanessa is pregnant with Cole’s child. They came to rub it in my face.”

“What?!” Debbie exclaimed.

“I told you Cole was an asshole. That’s why I wanted to keep Ollie and Enzo away from him.”

“But how?”

“They obviously slept together. I’m disgusted with myself for ever being involved with someone like him. He claims to love me, but he’s screwing my step-sister!”

“Please calm down, babe.”

“No,” Hailey sniffled. “I feel stupid for setting up lunch with him. I’m even more embarrassed that I promised my sons they’d see their dad this weekend. Enzo pleaded with me. I said I’d think about it, but the plan was for Cole to convince them to play in the garden. I don’t want them out with him because of the media.”

“Now my kids think I’m a liar, and they’ll never believe me again.”

“No, babe. Calm down. They used fake IDs. What if the news is fake?”

“Come on, Deb. No one lies about a baby.”

“We know your stepmother and sister. If they can treat you like shit, this is nothing.”

“They had the pregnancy results. I didn’t want to look, but they forced me.”

“Those things can be forged, babe.”

“Why are you taking Cole’s side? This is my fault. I shouldn’t have let you talk me into meeting him to discuss the boys.”

“I’ve always got your back, baby. I just know how extreme those people are. Cole can’t be screwing your sister and seeking forgiveness from you at the same time.”

“So what now? You know him better than me?”

“No, babe. I don’t know why I have faith in him. I’d like you to, too.”

“That report was from Saint Mary’s Hospital. It was signed.”

“I know someone there. I can call to see if it’s fake,” Debbie offered.

“Stop messing with my head. I’ve been in business long enough to know a fake document. And I’m not that desperate. Investigating a pregnancy test sounds disgusting.”

“I understand, and I’m sorry. But you should hear Cole’s side. Don’t bottle up your anger. Confront him.”

“No,” Hailey shook her head. “No way I’m in the same room as that asshole. I don’t want to see him ever again.”

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