Chapter 94

The Night Before:

“I can’t believe this is happening. My worst nightmare is finally real,” Vanessa said.

“Please stop sulking. We need to act fast,” Connie warned, sitting beside her daughter on the bed.

“So, all my efforts are in vain? Hailey’s going to win?” Vanessa pointed to her chest, sniffling.

Connie sighed. “You’ve cried enough. Don’t shed any more tears for that woman. The battle isn’t over; she only has the upper hand now. I’m sad too, but tears won’t help. We need to act fast.”

“What now? I’m clueless. Where am I going to get $800? We wouldn’t make $100 selling everything we own,” Vanessa said, trying to hold back tears.

“That bitch! She got ahead this time, but she’ll regret messing with us,” Connie assured.

“I’m ashamed. What are we going to do? I can’t go to court tomorrow. It’s bad for my reputation. What will people say?”

Connie shook her head. “You won’t have to appear in court. We’ll leave the city.”

Vanessa frowned. “Leave? With what money? Dad said he won’t support us.”

“We’ll leave your dad out of this. I already took $200,000 from your dad’s safe. It’s not enough, but we’ll also sell our jewelry and bags if we need to.”

“I’m not selling my bags or necklaces.”

“Vanessa, don’t be stingy! You got yourself into this mess. I’m willing to sell my property, and you should be too!”

“I appreciate your help, but it’s hard to let go of everything.”

“Okay, then you prefer to stay in jail.”

“No, Mama,” Vanessa wiped her eyes. “It’s just sad to see everything we’ve built go away.”

Connie shook her head. “This is temporary. The most important thing is to stay safe. We’ll go somewhere, lay low, then come back to get Hailey.”

“Do you have anyone you can call for money? We need as much as possible.”

“Why are you bringing this up? You told me to cut ties with the men I sleep with, and now you want money from them?”

“Yes, we need money to live comfortably. I can cope; it’s you with a baby to worry about.”

Vanessa shook her head. “We won’t have to hide long, right? Cole needs to be there when the baby’s born.”

“Let’s save our lives first. Who can you call for money? We need as much as we can,” Connie pleaded.

Jessica’s voice came through Cole’s phone, “Cole? Are you okay?” The stranger Cole was fighting with snatched the phone, letting it fall screen-down. Cole, jolted, pushed the man away.

“Get off me! How dare you come to my home, touch me, and talk trash!” Cole glared.

Garry glared back, pointing. “I don’t care if you’re respectable. I don’t joke about my flesh and blood. Where are Vanessa and my baby? What did you do to them?”

“Shut up, or I’ll sue you! Why would I hide Vanessa? What would I do with your baby?”

Cole chuckled incredulously. “So you’re the father? Where were you when she was defaming me on social media as the father?”

“Don’t lie! I don’t do social media. Vanessa and I are secret lovers!”

“Aren’t you married?” Cole stared in disgust.

“What does that matter? I can have as many wives and mistresses as I can support! I love Vanessa. Give her to me, or I’ll ruin you.”

“And I’ll ruin you for your false accusations!”

“False accusations? Vanessa called last night. She said you threatened her and the baby because she owed you money. I sent her $1 million to pay you, but you kidnapped her?”

Cole chuckled. “Your mistress just duped you, bro!”

Garry shook his head. “You’re lying. The cops are looking for her. If you find her, turn her in.”

“What? You don’t believe me? Use your men to investigate; your mistress played you.”

“Turn her in. She’ll pay for harming me and my family. You won’t save her.”

Garry looked terrified. “Vanessa wouldn’t do that. You’re saying this because she hates you. I’ll sue you and burn down your company if anything happens to my son.”

“I’ve got better things to do than deal with Vanessa. A friendly piece of advice: you might want a DNA test on that baby.”

Garry shook his head. “Don’t project your insecurities. Vanessa knows I don’t share.”

“Come on, Garry, be a man! When did you find out about the pregnancy?”

“Yesterday.”

“When did you last see her?”

“I’ve been on a business trip for five weeks and just came back two days ago.”

“Vanessa’s been pregnant for more than five weeks. If you were the father, she’d tell you first, right?”

“Don’t put silly thoughts in my head. She wanted to tell me in person.”

“Whatever. But don’t come to my home and accuse me of crazy things again! Verify your information first!”

Cole picked up his phone, glared at Garry, got in his car, and drove away, leaving Garry confused.