Chapter 99

“He threatened me to release you and his child because he gave you the money you claimed you owed me,” Vanessa said, locking away in embarrassment.

“You had the nerve to use my name for fraud! How dare you?” Hailey intervened. “Is the child Garry’s? Why did you take so much money from him?”

“You fucker! You deceived him, didn’t you? You only used him for his money!” Cole said, trying hard not to pounce on Vanessa. “You know what? I feel you deserve everything coming your way. God probably knew you’d ruin the baby’s life, so he took it from you!”

“Baby?!” Hailey approached Cole, touching his hand. She could see he was very angry, and Vanessa was crying even harder. “I hope Garry sues you and makes you pay every penny you owe him.”

“I’m sorry!!! I’m fucking sorry, okay! I’m sorry and I regret it all!” Vanessa sobbed.

“Sorry for what exactly? For almost ruining my woman and me? For wrongly accusing me repeatedly, or for defrauding Garry?” Cole shrugged off Hailey’s hand, still glaring at Vanessa.

“For everything! For all the hurt and harm I’ve caused.”

“Oh, please, you don’t mean any of it. You’re just saying that because you know the cops are after you,” Cole countered.

Vanessa shook her head. “I know I’ve done so much harm, but I deeply regret it.”

“Why are we even here, honey? Let’s get out of here. Once she feels better, the cops will arrest her,” Cole said to Hailey.

“My mom made me do it.”

Cole rolled his eyes. “You’re a grown woman. Don’t blame Connie just because she isn’t here to defend herself. Connie is your accomplice and will be punished, but you willingly committed these acts.”

Chapter 99 (Continued)

Vanessa ignored Cole, seeing that she had Hailey’s attention.

“Growing up, Connie always told me I was better than Hailey, that I deserved more, and that I was the real child while Hailey was the bastard. Those words shaped me into someone I wasn’t, making me see evil as nothing.

“I’m not saying this to spite Connie or gain pity. Losing this baby brought me back to my senses. Connie insisted we run away. We had no money to pay for the damages; Dad wouldn’t help. Even if he had, we couldn’t have raised the money. I didn’t want to go to jail, so court wasn’t an option. Running away seemed best, so I agreed.

“I never wanted to ask Garry for money. Connie made me do it. She said we needed it to support ourselves. I lied to him, saying I was pregnant with his child and owed you a huge sum.

An hour after he sent the money, we left. I had no idea where we were going; Connie said she’d sorted everything. We stayed at a hotel near the airport, planning to leave the country the next day.

I was about to go to bed when I overheard Connie talking about transferring the money in my account to hers—probably to my accountant. I confronted her, and she hit and scolded me.

I refused to let her bully me, so she called two men to take me away. They covered my mouth and dragged me out of the hotel. I was forced into a car, and that’s all I remember. I woke up here, and the doctor said I’m no longer pregnant.

Vanessa sniffled. “An innocent life is gone. Cole is right. God knew I’d be a terrible mother, so he took that gift from me.

I know nothing I say will make you forgive me. Even I wouldn’t forgive myself. I was fully aware of my actions but didn’t care about the pain I inflicted. I grew up believing it was okay to eliminate obstacles.

I am sorry for everything,” Vanessa wiped her face. “It’s okay if you don’t forgive me; I’m ready to face the consequences.”

“This is unrelated, but I think Connie had something to do with your mother’s death,” Vanessa said to a shocked Hailey.

Cole squeezed Hailey’s hand. “I’m not saying this for company in jail. I think you deserve to know. That’s where the hatred started. Connie wanted Eric for herself, so she eliminated your mother. Then, the hate transferred to you.”

“You have an enviable destiny, Hailey. We tried to cheat you and bring you down, but it backfired.”

“You can choose not to sue Connie, but I will. She’ll pay for what happened to my baby.”

“Cole isn’t the father. He loves you; I tried to seduce him, but he wouldn’t look at me. I was crushed when I learned you already had his children. I don’t know who the father is. I planned to take a test. It’s either Garry or Leyis.”

Hailey frowned. “Leyis? Owner of Yisop Breweries? Garry’s step-cousin?”

Vanessa looked away from Hailey and Cole.