Chapter 39

Unsure of what was happening, Cole accepted the phone from Jess.

Vanessa had made a post on Instagram. It was a picture of a positive pregnancy test laid on a bed; beside the picture was a onesie with the words "I love Mommy and Daddy." A heartfelt caption was below the picture: “Cole and I are going to be parents, and it’s the best thing we could ever ask for. We are so excited for this new phase of our lives. Thank you all for the congratulatory messages in advance. #proudparents.” She tagged Cole in the post. The post, made four hours ago, already had 43,000 comments.

Cole exhaled deeply. “If I had killed her this afternoon, this wouldn’t be happening.”

“Cole, are you sure you didn’t sleep with this witch?”

Cole heaved a deep sigh, passing Jess’s phone back to her. “Great! Even my best friend is doubting me.”

“No, I’m not. I’m just concerned. I’m not doubting your words, but her actions are disturbing. If she’s pregnant and the baby isn’t yours, I don’t think she’d have the confidence to do all this.”

“She’s too bold for a liar.”

“I get it. If my best friend doesn’t believe me, how can I expect Hailey to believe me? I don’t know if she’s active on social media, but I can imagine how betrayed she’ll feel. Vanessa has ruined my life.”

“I trust you, Cole.”

“No, you don’t. You think I’d sleep with someone, get her pregnant, and not know?”

“I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry. I’m just baffled by Vanessa’s audacity. It’s absurd that someone would go to such lengths over something false.”

“Even if it’s true, and I’m the father, shouldn’t this be consensual? We should agree on when to share the news. She should take a chill pill. She hasn’t even reached her first trimester. Not that I wish her bad luck.”

“She’s insane. I regret ever knowing her. She’s seeking public sympathy; maybe she thinks it will make me want to be with her.”

“I wish I could sue her for defamation. Anything. Just to put her behind bars.”

Jess said, “I support you, but sadly, nothing can be done—at least not yet. The court will insist we wait until the baby is born.”

“I can’t believe she tagged you in a fake post.”

Cole mumbled, massaging his temple, “My phone must have been buzzing nonstop.”

“I’m so sorry. What are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know.”

Chapter 89

“If I remain quiet, people will assume it’s true. But if I make a post retracting it, it’ll become a scandal. At the same time, I don’t want people congratulating me over something that isn’t true.”

“I honestly don’t care what people think. The only opinion that matters is Hailey’s. But everything is ruined. I have nothing left to fight for.”

“I understand. This is sad, and I’m sorry. I’ll speak to Hailey.”

“Don’t! Just let her be.”

Jess shook her head. Cole said, “I mean it, Jess. I appreciate your kindness, but don’t bother.”

“I know Hailey well. She should know how manipulative her sister and stepmother are, but she chooses to believe what she wants.”

“I know all this hurts. Vanessa has the media on her side and always plays the victim. But deep down, I think Hailey knows the truth. She just doesn’t want to give me a chance.”

“It’s easy to publicly debunk Vanessa’s accusations, but who cares? There’s only one woman I want, but she doesn’t care either. So it’s all cool.”

“I’m so sorry. I wish I could put everyone in their place. You don’t deserve this.”

“It’s painful, and I won’t deny it hurts. But life can be unfair. I gotta move on regardless.”

Jess whispered, “Your kids?”

“I don’t know.”

“I’ll reach out to Hailey later to see the kids. If she refuses, I’ll move on. I’m glad I met them, even if it was brief.”

The housekeeper informed Cole, “Sorry to interrupt, sir, but your father is here to see you.” Cole facepalmed.

“In the study?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll be there shortly.” The housekeeper left.

“I told him not to come. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I’ve already told him Vanessa and Connie lied.”

“Your dad just wants you to be happy. He’s never criticized your decisions. He’s probably confused. He’ll be calmer if he knows about the twins. He’s always wanted grandkids. You know how he treats my babies.”

“I can’t tell him about Enzo and Ollie. He’ll freak out. I don’t want to upset Hailey.”

Chapter 39

Jess shook her head. “I don’t think so. But it’s fine if you want to respect Hailey’s wishes.”

“My dad is close with Eric. I’m not saying my dad’s untrustworthy, but I’m not sure he could control his excitement. He could tell Eric, and Eric could tell those witches. I’d rather keep quiet for their safety.”

Cole said, stepping into the study, “You still came even though I said you didn’t have to.”

Moore admitted, looking up from his phone and smiling, “Yeah, I wouldn’t have if I’d checked my phone earlier. People keep congratulating me. They saw a post on the news.”

Though Cole was glad his father was happy, he knew he had to tell Moore the truth.

“I had no idea you and Vanessa made up.”

“No, we didn’t.”

“But she post… she posted…”

“That was all her. And I hope this shows you how cruel she is.”

“You know me, Dad. I don’t do social media. I have an Instagram account, but I’ve only posted one picture. I can’t even remember my password.”

“Even if I were the father, shouldn’t Vanessa have consulted me first? For fuck’s sake, the baby is just a few weeks old. If she’s sincere, wouldn’t she come to me first instead of seeking validation from strangers online?”

“Is this the kind of person you want me to spend my life with?”

“I know you care, Dad, and you want what’s best for me.”

“But I’m sane. I’m not avoiding responsibility. And that baby isn’t mine.”

“I know you want grandkids, but please stop being desperate. It’ll happen. I promise.” Moore sighed. “If you’re not the father, why are Vanessa and Connie on your neck?”

“They want it for their status. Stop believing them.”

“So what do we do? I keep getting congratulatory texts. I need to face reality. We need to stop this. What do we do?” Moore stared intently at his son.

The Next Day

Hailey looked up when someone knocked. Her assistant said, “There’s a message from the receptionist. You have a visitor, Jessica. She says she’s Cole’s lawyer and it’s an emergency.”

Hailey sighed, wondering why Jess would come when she could contact her through her lawyer.

“It’s fine, let her in.”

Hailey’s assistant left. Three minutes later, another knock.

“Come in.”

Jess entered.

Jess said, approaching Hailey’s desk, “Hi.”

Hailey gestured to a chair. Jess sat, placing her handbag on the desk.

“If you’re here about the divorce, speak to my lawyer.”

“I’m not. I’m here as a friend.”

“Cole sent you?”

“No. He didn’t know I’d be here. I told him last night I was coming, but he didn’t approve. After trying to win you back, he’s giving up.”

Hailey was touched by Jess’s statement.

Hailey said, “He has a family to focus on now.”

Jessica challenged Hailey, “Why are you doing this to yourself?”

“Doing what?”

“Acting like you don’t care. Like you don’t love him? Like you don’t want your kids with their dad!”

Hailey scoffed, “Right! He told you.”

“Stop being bitchy, Hailes. Having kids is a joy. Cole lived his life not knowing he was a father. He was thrilled to know you and he made two beautiful babies. If you allow him, he’ll tell the world. He didn’t tell me out of spite. He wanted to share his joy. He can’t even tell his father yet. And we both want to keep this private.”

“I know about Vanessa’s fake post. But we both know what Cole is capable of, and what your evil stepsister is capable of. We know she was behind your accident. Do you think she’s incapable of lying to ruin you and Cole? After what she and Connie put you through, I’m disappointed you believe her over Cole.”

Jess sighed, wiping tears. “I’m not justifying Cole. He was an asshole, but he regrets his actions.”

“I know you’ve suffered, but Cole suffered too. He didn’t treat you well, but that doesn’t mean he’s been happy since you left. I don’t recognize him anymore; it’s been years since I saw him genuinely happy. Before you, all he did was bury himself in work.”

“It’s crazy. He’s not happy, and neither are you. Yet you refuse to give him a chance. We won’t live forever, yet you’re letting Vanessa intimidate you, wasting precious time you should be spending with the one you love.”

“You don’t have to accept Cole with open arms. Just give him a chance.”

“And it’s okay if you want nothing to do with him. But keeping the twins away from him is insensitive. It might not be easy as a mother, but you need to trust Cole has their best interests at heart.”

“I don’t know what’s in your head, but you should do better. I hope you make the right decision before it’s too late.”