“I’m so sorry I’ve allowed my emotional disposition to lead me down this path,” she said. “When I look at you, I see all of the things I should’ve done for John. I see the woman who helped save him, and I see myself as someone who helped kill him. Every time I look at you, every time you’re around, it reminds me of all the things I didn’t do to help my son. And the guilt is just ... too much.”
I felt tears welling in my eyes as Dorothy cried to me over the phone. I knew I needed to be angry. I knew I needed to let her have it, but this woman was aching and hurting in ways I hoped I would never have to endure. My hand migrated to my stomach as my child flopped around, and I closed my eyes and took it all in. I felt my child kicking down against my hips and pushing its head against my uterus. I felt my child wiggling around with vibrant life. A life I hoped I would never have to see extinguished.
The mere thought of it brought tears to my own eyes as Dorothy continued on.
“What I did was wrong. I sat down with Laura at lunch and was venting to her, and things spiraled. She asked me if she could help in any way, and I told her she could, hoping it would drive the two of you apart. Getting you out was the only way I felt I could assuage my own guilt and the hand I played in-in ...”
“It’s okay, Dorothy. I get it,” I said.
“What?” she asked.
“I hope I never have to understand it personally, but I get it,” I said.
“I am so sorry, Hailey,” she said.
“It’s forgiven, but it’s not forgotten. Your words have hurt me over the duration of Bryan’s and my relationship. And I don’t trust you, especially with the rift that’s growing between me and my parents. But I hope you’ve learned your lesson. I hope you now realize that I’m not going anywhere and that you do have some things you have to sort through and come to terms with.”
There was silence on the other end of the line as she sniffled again. The phone shuffled around as murmured voices fluttered in the background. I sighed as I lay down on the bed, rubbing my stomach and thanking my stars that my growing child was happy, healthy, and energetic.
“Everything’s taken care of now, sweetheart,” Bryan said.
“Oh, it’s good to hear your voice,” I said.
“How did you sleep?” he asked.
“Very well. I called Ramon, and he relinquished the deal on the paintings,” I said.
“Did he try to bargain with another tour?”
“No, but he did admit it was an idea he had. But he said to call him whenever I was ready for another one. And I think I might be, after being a mom for a little while,” I said.
“I’m about to head on home. Would you like anything?” he asked.
“Well, I was going to go paint, but now that you mention it, a really nice burger and a lot of fries sound great.”
“Yes,” he said, chuckling. “It does. Any particular kind?”
“A double bacon cheeseburger with all the vegetables and sauces with a large fry and a big ass soda,” I said.
“Sounds good. I think I’ll have the same,” he said.
“See you soon?” I asked.
“See you very soon,” he said.
We hung up the phone and hope spread throughout my limbs. Weights were being pulled off my body as a smile crossed my cheeks. Despite the frightening showdown that was about to occur in a couple of days, I was ready. I was filled with a renewed sense of strength and vigor, and I knew as long as I had Bryan at my side, I could conquer anything.
Even the likes of Ben.
I got up and put some clothes on, readying myself for Bryan to get home. I slid a dress over my body and hiked my breasts up, settling them in their proper place. I walked downstairs and started setting the table with plates and napkins, ready for us to eat together. If there was one thing I hated, it was waking up alone. But if there was one thing I loved, it was listening to the front door open before Bryan crossed through it.
And I grinned broadly as I heard the doorknob turn.
Chapter 25
Bryan
Today was the day we worked with the police to catch the bastard threatening my pregnant wife. I could feel the energy coursing through my veins. I was ready to tear his fucking head off. We’d buried the hatchet with my mother, we’d gotten to the root of why she was trying to sabotage my relationship with Hailey, and I’d finally gotten her to apologize. We had halted the sale of John’s precious paintings, and a doctor’s appointment I’d scheduled showed that both Hailey and the baby were doing magnificently. Now, all we needed was to catch this asshole named Ben.