Hailey glanced at Eric, who looked devastated. “I can’t believe she’s suing Cole for attempted murder when she’s the one who should be behind bars for attempted murder on an innocent child, and on Cole and me.”

Hailey faced Vanessa again. “You want me to leave Cole for you?”

Vanessa sniffled. “Don’t say it like you’re doing me a favor. Cole is mine. I love him. You’re the one who should stay away from our lives forever.”

Hailey folded her arms. “What does love mean to you?”

“Not snatching other people’s men.”

Hailey chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. “So you think Cole would love you more after the stunt you pulled? You obviously don’t know how much damage you’ve done, do you?”

“You claim to love a man, and you didn’t think twice before you humiliated him. The whole world knows about this, and Cole’s reputation is ruined. People won’t want to do business with him anymore. His partners are going to leave him, which means his company is at risk. Hundreds of people work for Cole’s company; if Cole doesn’t get clients because of his ruined reputation, the company goes bankrupt, and hundreds of people will lose their jobs.”

“You see how your greed and bitterness have caused you to ruin so many things? You claim to love a man, and you treat him this way? If you and I are being honest, you don’t deserve to see tomorrow, Vanessa. You’re too evil to be alive.”

“And no, even though you harmed my child in the past, I won’t harm yours because it’s innocent. My business is with you, not the bastard child you’re carrying.”

Vanessa placed a hand on her belly. “Don’t you dare talk ill of my child! Cole is the father.”

Hailey shook her head. “You and I know you’ve been sleeping around all your lives. I trust Cole with everything I have. If he says he’s not the father of your child, then I believe him.”

“Cole is lying. He’s just using you. He’s with you because of your money. Just get lost and leave us alone.”

“That’s sad to hear, because I’m going nowhere. Cole loves me, and I love him too.”

“Liar!”

Hailey smirked. “You don’t want me to reveal all the fun things we did on our trip, do you?”

“You’re being so unfair. You always want what belongs to me. You’re the evil one, and yet you make me look like the evil one.”

“Cole and I are about to become a happy family. Just take your things and your fake kids and disappear. We were almost getting married, and then you came back to destroy everything!”

“It’s not my fault that you’re so threatened by my presence. Four years was more than enough for Cole to decide if he wanted to be with you.”

“And did you just say ‘fake kids’?” Hailey arched her brows.

“Yes. I made you have a miscarriage. You’ve been absent from Cole’s life for years. There’s no way you have his child. You’re deceiving him, and I don’t know why he can’t see that.” Hailey chose not to address this subject because she didn’t want her children involved.

“I give you twelve hours!” Connie frowned.

Vanessa arched a confused brow. “What for?”

“To go to the police, take back your accusations, and offer a public apology on the news and your social media page.”

“Hell no! You think you can threaten me?”

Hailey shook her head. “I’m not threatening you. It’s up to you to fix things or decide to give birth in jail and spend the rest of your life there.”

“Twelve hours is more than enough time for me to gather all my evidence and put you where you belong. The ball is in your court.”

Having heard enough, Hailey scanned her environment for her shoes. She put them on and took quick steps to Vanessa, who was still sitting on the floor, her hand on her belly, protecting her baby from Hailey. Her face was blotchy, mixed with ice cream stains, and the cut on her forehead was still visible. Thankfully, it wasn’t deep, but Hailey felt no remorse.

Hailey squatted to her height, looking deep into Vanessa’s soul. “Who knew that someone like you would have a motherly instinct? Isn’t it insane that you’re protecting your child now when years ago you hurt mine without any mercy?”

She stared at Vanessa’s belly, then back at Vanessa. “It’s such a pity you’re bringing an innocent child into your deceitful life.”

“I’m very possessive of what’s mine, and I don’t joke about what belongs to me. This is a final warning, Vanessa. Stay the hell away from Cole Matthis. Your twelve hours start now. Turn yourself in, or I will do it for you with all the evidence I have.”

Giving Vanessa one final glare, Hailey rose to her feet. She kicked Vanessa on her hip, eliciting a cry of pain, then started to leave the living room, ignoring Connie’s glare. “Hailey… please…” Eric said, about to follow her.

Hailey ignored him and left the house.

The moment she stepped out, a car pulled up behind hers, and almost immediately she saw a familiar, upset face get out of the driver’s seat. The anger on his face slowly faded when he saw Hailey. Hailey approached him.

“Hailey?” he said when she approached, finding it hard to believe it was her.

“Hi Moore! What are you doing here?”

“I heard my close friend’s daughter put my son in jail. My phone has been ringing nonstop. I’m here to plead with them to withdraw the accusations.”

“Cole is not in the wrong. You’ve got nothing to apologize for.”

“I don’t know, Hailey. I don’t know what to believe. Cole has been acting really weird lately. He doesn’t include me anymore, and I feel horrible.” Hailey could see the sadness in Moore’s eyes. “What do you want to know? Ask me. I will answer to the best of my ability.”

“A… are you and Cole together? Vanessa stalked you and mentioned you tricked Cole with a fake child.”

“Cole and I are together, and we’re determined to make things work out.”

“I was pregnant when I left Cole. I had twins. We were together throughout last week.”

“Oh my God,” Moore mumbled, bringing his hand to his chest. He took a step back in shock, his back hitting the car door.

Hailey rushed to his side. “Are you okay?”

Moore stared at her with tear-filled eyes. “Tw… twins? I’m a grandfather to two humans?”

“Yes! Two boys.”

Tears escaped Moore’s eyes.

Hailey stared, confused. “Are you okay?” she asked with concern.

Moore took a handkerchief from his jacket and wiped his eyes, then turned to Hailey. “I’m sorry if I’m acting like a kid. This news just hit me hard.” “Cole…” Moore began, then paused to compose himself.

“Cole is my only child. He was always excited to be a big brother but never got the chance to. We lost his mother and his baby brother; they both died during the newborn’s birth. It was one of the hardest things Cole and I had to go through.”

Tears rolled down Moore’s cheek. His lips quivered. “It was painful to watch him grow up without a mother. I tried to remarry so he wouldn’t miss out on motherly love, but things ended terribly with all the women I dated.”

“One of my goals in life was to make sure Cole never lacked love. I wanted him to be happy, to find love, to have a family of his own, many healthy kids, and to enjoy the things I never got to have.” “That’s why I wanted him to marry right.”

“To be honest, I was happy when I heard that Vanessa was pregnant. He denied being the father, and I thought it was because he was scared he would lose them at childbirth, since the death of his mother and younger brother took a toll on him.”

“I may not be the best parent, but I promise you that in everything I did, I always wanted Cole’s happiness.”

“It’s just…” Fifty-nine-year-old Moore sniffled, wiping his eyes.

Hailey’s eyes began to fill with tears.

“I’m just really overwhelmed to know that my boy is now a father. I’ve seen him battle sadness, loneliness, and anxiety. I’m just really happy he gets to experience being a father. And I’m glad I got to witness it. Maria will be so proud of her little boy.”

Hailey wiped her eyes. She initiated a hug with Moore.

“Thank you for bringing light to my son’s life. Thank you.” Moore cried.