Chapter 63
Hailey was sure she was halfway to a place she never thought she’d visit again when her phone buzzed in her bag. She wanted to ignore it while driving, but her anxiety was overwhelming.
Hailey was in a stressful space, so she pulled over. She reached for her handbag, which was on the floor in the front passenger seat, opened it, and took out her phone. It was a strange number, but she answered, putting the phone on speaker.
"Hi, Hailey. It's Jess. I got your number from Cole." "Hi, Jess." "I don't know if you've heard what happened." "Yes, yes, I'm glad you called. I was wondering if I was handling things right." "I'm so saddened about this. The day Vanessa and her mother came to see you, you were really angry and wanted to teach them a lesson. I swear he didn’t hurt anyone." "What do you mean? You don't think ill of Cole, right? I promise you he" "It's fine. I know my baby is innocent. He's not a murderer."
Jessica was wiping tears from her eyes and smiling simultaneously. Knowing her best friend's emotional trauma, she felt at peace knowing the woman Cole loved felt the same.
"Your baby?" Jessica didn't realize she'd said the words aloud. "It feels weird saying that, right?" "No, it doesn't," she answered immediately. "It feels so good to hear that from you. Cole really loves you, Hailey. Never doubt that." "I'm so happy for both of you. You've been through so much. And as Cole's friend, it feels good to know a kind woman like you genuinely loves him." "Thank you for giving him a second chance." "He makes me happy," Hailey mumbled. "I already called my best friend to pick up the twins. They'll be disappointed; they were looking forward to spending the day with their dad, but she'll come up with an excuse." "You're going to see Cole, right?" Hailey asked. "Yes, I'm on my way. Want to come too?" "Yes, but I need to put Vanessa in her place first." "Hailey" Jessica began, but Hailey cut her off. "Nothing you say will change my mind. If I don't fight for myself, that bitch will think she has the right to bully me and my family. I'm not the weak girl she and her mother used to know. They need to know not to mess with me, and if they do, I won't hesitate to put them in their place." "I understand you're angry, Hailey, but please be calm. Vanessa is evil; this is a well-planned plot. She does silly things to provoke you, and when you react, she makes you look like the bad guy. That's why Cole got arrested."
Hailey shook her head. "Her tricks won't work on me. I'm sick of her! I'm going to end her shitty attitude." "She destroyed all the evidence—the accident, everything. She's only not in jail because she destroyed all evidence. Now she's lying about the man I love, making him look like an irresponsible bully." "No, I'm not taking this! Vanessa Summers messed with the wrong person."
Jessica sighed, knowing she couldn't do anything. "Please be careful, Hailey. Cole wouldn't live with himself if anything happened to you." "Don't worry. I'll be fine. Tell Cole my heart is with him. I'll be with you both as soon as I can." Hailey ended the call.
She sighed and continued to the Summers mansion. Vanessa and Connie were on the couch, smiling as they watched police take Cole away.
Vanessa chuckled, taking more ice cream. "I didn't think your plan would work so perfectly," Connie said. Vanessa shrugged. "I go the extra mile to get what I want. I love Cole, but it's time he learned a lesson. If I can't have him, no one else can." "Smart moves, baby. I didn't expect it to work so well. Cole's a public figure; I didn't think the law would be so strict." "No one's above the law, Mama. I made it look real. I went to the police, crying, explaining the situation. I made them think he's violent. The CCTV was working; I got footage of him choking me. I also gave them my pregnancy results to prove he tried to murder two lives." "It's a crime to beat a woman, even more so a pregnant woman. I also told them how unsupportive he's been. And I might have told a few more lies," she smirked. "You always make smart moves." "Of course. Cole thinks he can play with me, but I'll prove him wrong. He'll stay in jail unless he does as I say." "Which is?" Connie asked. "Beg for my forgiveness, disown any kids he has, marry me, and spend forever with me. He'll stay in jail unless I withdraw the case, and I won't without those conditions. If I can't have Cole Mathis, no one else can, especially that witch, Hailey. It's either he accepts my terms or he spends the rest of his life in jail." "No one wants to stay in jail. I'm sure he'll reach out soon, begging for your forgiveness." Vanessa smiled.
After what felt like forever, Hailey arrived at the Summers' mansion. She parked, turned off the engine, and removed her wristwatch, bracelets, and rings, putting her hair in a low ponytail. She removed her necklace and earrings, securing them in the car. She got out. She was wearing corporate pants and was glad she had.
Lucy, the assistant chef, greeted her. "Hi, Madam. It's good to see you." Hailey replied with a forced smile. "It's good to see you too, Lucy. Is Vanessa home?" "Yes, ma'am. She's with Madam Connie." "Thank you," Hailey said and headed to the entrance. The last time she was here, her dad disowned her. She was glad; it was better than living with two witches.
She went to the living room. Everything looked the same. She saw Vanessa and Connie and approached them. Vanessa's smile faded when she saw Hailey.
"What are you doing here?" Connie mumbled. Vanessa stared in shock. Hailey grabbed Vanessa's dress, pulling her to her feet, the ice cream bowl falling to the couch.
"How dare you mess with my man!" Hailey slapped Vanessa hard. Connie stared, mouth open. Hailey slapped Vanessa again, even harder. Vanessa was crying.
"How fucking dare you!!!!" Hailey shouted, slapping Vanessa twice more. Vanessa tried to retaliate, but Hailey pushed her; she fell to the floor. Connie tried to stop Hailey, but Hailey hit her and pushed her down too. Hailey grabbed the ice cream bowl and emptied it onto Vanessa's hair and face. Then she beat Vanessa with the bowl. When that wasn't enough, she took off her heels and threw them at Vanessa, hitting her forehead and shoulder. Vanessa sobbed loudly.
"What the hell have I done to you? All you do is make my life miserable! Even when you treated me like trash, I forgave you a million times, but I'm never going to forgive you for what you did to my husband!"
Hailey grabbed a glass of water and splashed it on Vanessa's face. She was about to smash the glass on Vanessa's head when a man's hand stopped her.