Chapter 81

“W-what are you talking about?” Eric stammered, staring intently at Vanessa. His heart pounded rapidly.

“What do you mean, sweetheart? I’ve told you to stop thinking like that. You can’t cry all the time over something untrue. You’ll harm the baby!”

“Mom, why would I cry over a false alarm? Julz wouldn’t lie to me. It all makes sense now why my efforts have been in vain. Cole loves me, but Hailey’s been using the children to keep him. That’s why he’s stuck with her.”

“I dreamt of giving Cole his first heir, a happily ever after. Guess what? Not one, but two kids came before mine. How is Cole ever going to take me seriously? I keep wondering why he ignores me—this is it?” Vanessa cried, sitting on the edge of her parents’ bed.

Eric stood, shocked, disbelieving. “Hailey? Two kids?” He held up two fingers, pained.

“Did you know about this?” Connie demanded of her husband.

“Quit being a hypocrite and stop attacking me! You have access to me, my phone, everything. How was I supposed to know? I disowned her before you all did!” Eric retorted, then turned to his daughter. “Are you sure about this? There’s no way Hailey could be the biological mother and we wouldn’t know.”

“Keeping a child from its family, especially its father, is ridiculous. I think Moore would have confronted me if this were true.”

Eric sighed, pacing and running a hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry this happened, baby. Please stop crying. Tears won’t solve anything.”

“I lost. I lost it all.”

Eric approached his daughter and wife. “I’ve asked this before, but I’ll ask again: Who is the father of your child, Vanessa?”

“Don’t start, Eric. Stay quiet if you have nothing to say. Why doubt your daughter again?”

“This happens, and her first thought is losing Cole?” Eric said, turning to Vanessa. “Aren’t you bothered that you and your sister have the same baby daddy? Have some shame! What will people say? Your fans will want to know what you were doing with your sister’s man. I doubt this will teach you a lesson.”

“If Cole is the father, my concern would be the morality of my actions, not what I’ve lost. This isn’t a battle! Shame? If anyone should feel shame, it’s Hailey! Cole has always been mine!”

“But she was married to him for three years. You expect them to abstain for three years?” Eric lashed out.

Connie was about to intervene, but Eric cut her off. “Don’t give me your defensive speech about me taking Hailey’s side. I disowned my daughter to please you both—even knowing her mother was dead and she only had me. Don’t play the victim card!” Eric glared at his wife; Connie had never seen him so angry.

“Yes, Cole initially wanted you, but you pushed him away, and he ended up with your sister. Live with the pain, heal, and leave them alone!” Eric scolded Vanessa, making her cry harder.

“This confirms I’m the worst father. Two sisters, same man? Never in my worst nightmare…” Eric shook his head.

“Stay away from Hailey and Cole. You’ve disobeyed me before, and I’ve done nothing, but I won’t overlook this again. Do anything stupid, and I’ll hand you over to the police.”

“Once the child is born, we’ll do a DNA test. If it’s Cole’s, we’ll figure it out; if not, you’ll pay for the heartache!” Glaring at his wife and daughter, Eric stormed out.

“I hate Daddy. Are you sure he’s my real father?” Vanessa sniffled.

Connie rushed to her daughter. “Don’t listen to him, my love. He’s not in a good mood. He’ll come around.”

“I love Cole, Mama. I don’t want to lose him. It hurts more knowing she has two boys for him. I thought Julz was lying until he said they looked like Cole. I’d have had the upper hand if they were girls. All my efforts are in vain; I feel like a fool. They must have been laughing at me. How am I going to get access to Cole’s wealth?”

The Next Day.

Hailey groaned, turning on the bed, eyes closed. She mumbled, trying to sleep, but failed. Feeling nauseous, she jumped up and rushed to the bathroom. She knelt, her head against the toilet, vomiting.

Weak, she sat on the floor, gathering strength. A few minutes later, she showered, changed into a nightdress, dried her hair, put it in a messy bun, and went to the living room.

She heard voices in the kitchen. Ollie and Enzo were eating breakfast at the dining table, while Debbie cooked. “Mommy!” her twins said in unison.

Hailey kissed them both. “Sleep well?” she asked.

They nodded, eating pancakes.

Hailey went to Debbie. “You look tired. Is everything okay? Those aren’t the pajamas you wore last night.”

“I don’t think I’ll go to work today,” Hailey mumbled, getting a glass from a rack and returning to Debbie. She was about to pour orange juice when Debbie intervened.

“Let me help.” Debbie poured the juice.

“Morning sickness?” Debbie asked.

“Thank you,” Hailey replied. “I think so,” she mumbled, taking a sip.

“You don’t like it?” Debbie asked, noticing Hailey’s reaction.

Hailey sighed, placing the glass down. “It’s bland. I miss coffee.” Her eyes darted to the coffee machine.

Debbie smiled sadly. “No coffee. I didn’t make any knowing your weakness for it.”

Hailey sighed, rubbing her temple. “I think I’m already regretting this.”