Chapter 40

One Week Later.

After searching for her mother everywhere, Vanessa finally found her in the garden, seated and flipping through a magazine over a glass of wine.

“There you are! I thought you went out,” Vanessa said, approaching Connie and taking a seat beside her.

“Not yet. What is it? You look grumpy.” Connie put the magazine aside, turning her attention to her daughter.

“I’m worried,” Vanessa started, fiddling with her hands.

“About what?”

“Today makes it one week since I posted about the baby on my socials. I haven’t heard a word from Cole. He hasn’t reached out to me, nor did he like my post, admit to it, or retract it. His silence worries me so much.”

“I have a doctor’s appointment this week. I want him to come with me, but I don’t know how to tell him. I doubt he’ll answer my calls, and I don’t know if I’m ready to face him physically. Plus, Dad still insists I stay away from him.”

“I would have preferred that he reacted. His silence confuses me so much.”

“Oh, you’re just overthinking.”

“Didn’t you see how the news of this baby went viral? It was as though this baby was the joy the world had been waiting for. There’s no way Cole would be able to deny you all after that. Not after that many congratulations.”

“He’s probably shy and doesn’t know how to approach you. You should go see him and tell him about the doctor’s appointment.”

“Now?”

“I think you should see him in the office where he cannot deny you access.”

Vanessa nodded. “I’ll go get my car keys. See you later, Mom.” She kissed Connie on the cheek and left.

Cole snapped out of his thoughts when a knock came on the door.

“Come in,” he answered, not looking up from his laptop.

The door opened, the person entered, and shut the door.

“Have you gotten any response from Hayes and Co?” Cole said, looking up, only to come face to face with Vanessa.

He frowned. “What are you doing here?” At that moment, it dawned on him that he hadn’t taken measures to prevent Vanessa from accessing his office.

“Ca…can we talk?” She tried not to get nervous.

“I have nothing to talk to you about. Take your leave before I do something we both regret.”

“Please,” she urged.

“Stay the hell away from me!” Cole shouted.

“It won’t take too much of your time,” Vanessa mumbled. She slowly walked toward Cole’s desk, ignoring his glare. She sat in a visitor’s chair opposite his desk.

“You look terrible,” Vanessa said, and she wasn’t exaggerating. Anyone who knew Cole Matthis knew he always looked good. But now he had bags under his eyes, looked sleep-deprived, and his hair was a mess.

“My doctor’s appointment is tomorrow.”

“Please tell me you’re dying so I can actually have some peace.”

“Do you really wish me dead?” Vanessa asked, trying to stop her eyes from welling up.

“Yes. In fact, that’s the best gift God could give me right now so I can finally have some peace.”

“Well, that’s sad because I’m not dying. It’s a doctor’s appointment for our baby.”

“You have to be there.” Cole said nothing, staring at Vanessa.

“Your child has a father. Go meet him.”

“You are the father, Cole. We had sex the other night when you were drunk. I know this is unexpected for us, but I need you to be there for me.”

“Oh, please shut that trap. You’ve got the congratulations of your fans and the internet. That should keep you going, right?”

“Please don’t use that against me, Cole. What happened that day was very traumatic. You almost choked me to death. I was feeling so low, and making that post and receiving so much love from it felt like the right thing to do. It calmed me and assured me that I wasn’t worthless.”

“The beautiful prayers under the post got to me the most. People wished us well and they are excited to see our wedding pictures.”

“We are good together, Cole. Please don’t give up on us.”

“We will have a DNA test done when the baby is born. Just so we can confirm that you are the father. I have never cheated on you, Cole.” She sniffled.

“Are you done with your speech?”

She shook her head. “Come with me tomorrow, please.”

“I’ve got better things to do.”

“Come on, Cole. What could be more important than your family?”

“I’m no fool, Vanessa. The fact that I am being gentle with you doesn’t mean I’ve lost my good sense of reasoning. I know what to do to disgrace you for the lies you posted on your page the other day. My silence doesn’t mean I’m into you. It’s because I chose my peace of mind over your lies.”

“Get out of my office, or I will have security throw you out.”

“Please don’t treat me that way. I love you, Cole. Let’s make our relationship work.”

Cole said nothing. He turned his attention to his laptop, typing away.

“Are you treating me like this because of Hailey? You want to give up me and your child? What’s so damn special about her?”

Having heard enough, Cole picked up his phone and typed for a while.

Vanessa could sense what he was doing. For someone who recently posted on social media as though her life was perfect, the last thing she wanted was for people to see security escorting her out of Cole’s office.

She stood up, picking up her handbag from his desk. “This isn’t over!” She glared at Cole before storming out of his office.

Almost immediately, Cole’s assistant, Laurel, came in, standing near the door.

“Inform all security not to ever allow Vanessa into this building.”

“Miss Vanessa?” Laurel asked, shocked.

Cole glared at her.

“Okay, sir. I will inform security.”

“Did you hear back from the pilot?”

“Yes, sir. The jet will be ready for departure at 11 p.m.”