“Sis… you aren’t going to keep getting away with stuff like this. You think you’ve won this battle with Bailey…” Pip shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“That little mouse is just gonna run off and find somewhere to hide. She’s not woman enough to take me on.”
“I wouldn’t put her out to pasture so quickly, sis.”
Harini laughed. “I’m telling you that Bailey Hargrove is nothing I have to worry about. She had the opportunity to take me on last night, but she didn’t. Not even when I told her about Colton and the baby.”
“It was probably because you’re pregnant,” Pip said. “The minute she touched you—you would’ve had her arrested.”
“You’re right about that.”
“So, you consider it bravery to hide behind your pregnancy?”
Harini glared at her brother. “You’re trying to pick a fight with me.”
“I’m simply stating the truth, sis.”
“I don’t have time to do this with you, so I’ma give you a pass.” Harini walked briskly into her closet. “I need to change clothes. Colton’s coming over.”
“I certainly don’t want to be around for this little celebration. If Mother and Father were here to see you right now…”
“Get out,” Harini screamed. “They would be proud of me, too.”
Silence.
She burst into tears. Pip had no right bringing their parents into this. He knew how it would make her feel.
Harini placed a hand to her belly. “It’s okay, sweetie. I’m not going to let your mean ol’ uncle upset me—not tonight.”
“Hey babe…” Colton greeted when he entered the apartment. “I called you earlier, but it went straight to voicemail.” He eyed her. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Bailey’s gazed settled on him, studying his expression. “I had a conversation with Harini.”
Surprised registered in his eyes, then disappeared as quickly as it had come. “What did she tell you?”
Bailey wiped away her tears. “What do you think she told me, Colton?”
“I’m sorry,” he began. “I never meant for th—”
“What I don’t understand is how you could do this to me.”
“I messed up, Bailey. I ended things with her right before we left for Atlantic City.”
“Is that why you were in such a hurry to get married?” she asked. “Because you were afraid I’d find out.”
“I wanted to marry you because I love you.”
Bailey disagreed. “More like you thought things would be better if we were married when I found out about you two.”
“It was a mistake, baby.”
“The only mistake was my trusting you.” Bailey glared at him. “Did you know that she basically stole my storyline, too?”
“She did what?”
“You heard me. She took my book idea and there’s nothing I can do about it. Her book will come out and so there’s no chance of publishing mine. I can’t believe I was such a fool.” Bailey eyed him. “But you, Colton…” she shook her head. “Harini told me that she’s pregnant. How long have you known?”
“I just found out about the baby a couple of days ago, Bailey.”
“When Harini told me that she’d been sleeping with you—I just knew it was a lie. I kept telling myself that you’d never do something like this to me. I really didn’t believe her until I saw the expression on your face. Tell me… how long have you been seeing her?”
“It only lasted about a month, then I ended things with Harini. Bailey, I love you. I—”
“No,” she interjected. “No, you don’t. There’s no way you can love me. Because if you did, you wouldn’t have cheated on me.”
“I have no excuse for doing what I did, but I don’t love Harini. I want to be with you.”
Bailey shook her head. “There’s no coming back from this, Colton.”
“Babe, I had no idea about the book—this isn’t the type of woman I’d want in my life.”
“Well if she’s telling the truth about the baby, she’s going to be a part of your life forever.”
“I’ll be a father to my child, but that’s it. You are the woman I want to marry.”
“Hear me when I say this. I don’t want to marry you,” Bailey said. “You’ve destroyed my trust and without that, a relationship can’t work.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Colton, please don’t insult me with an apology,” she interjected. “Just get out. Get out of my apartment.” Summoning as much strength as she could, Bailey pointed to the door. “I need you to leave. Get out now.”
“Please…”
“Go.” His words meant nothing to her now.
Shoulders hung low, Colton had no choice but to leave. When he exited, Bailey knew this was the last time she’d see him.
This was it. Everything that had gone before was like nothing. Now Bailey had to live with her poor choices where Harini was concerned. Kaile had tried to warn her, but she wouldn’t listen. Instead, Bailey chose to believe that her forewarning had been born out of jealousy.
Her breath was coming in gasps now. Black spots sped across Bailey’s vision, racing one another from side to side. Before she could give in to the scream building in her throat, Bailey closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and tried to clear the pain from her chest.
Chapter 13
“How could you hurt Bailey like that?” Colton demanded when walked into her home. “What we did was bad enough. How could you steal her story?”
“First of all, you need to get your story straight,” Harini sniped. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Second, you’re the wrong person to sit in judgment of me. You cheated on her.”
“We were both wrong. Bailey didn’t deserve what we’ve done to her.” Colton sent her a sharp glare. “She worked really hard on that book.”
“And Bailey can still put it out,” Harini responded. “Mine will come out first though.” She slipped her hand in his. “I was thinking that we could get married before the baby’s born and—”
“Whoa… Harini, I don’t want to marry you,” Colton said, snatching his hand away.
Puzzled, she said, “We’re going to have a baby. I just figured you’d want to raise this child together.”
“After what you’ve done… there’s no way I’d marry you,” Colton responded. “I will support you through this pregnancy, but that’s it. After the baby’s born, we’ll work out some type of custody arrangement.”
“What exactly are you saying?”
“I thought I was pretty clear, Harini. Outside of this child, I want nothing to do with you.”
“I understand that you’re angry right now,” Harini said, “We can revisit this topic after you’ve calmed down some.”
“I need you to understand what I’m saying,” Colton stated. “There will never be anything between us. Not after what you’ve done to Bailey. It was a mistake getting involved with you in the first place.”
Shaking her head in denial, Harini whispered, “You don’t mean that.”
“Oh, but I do.”
She placed a hand to her stomach. “So, you would selfishly deny your child the family he or she deserves. This baby shouldn’t be punished for what you and I did.”
“I will be a part of my child’s life. I don’t have to be married to you—we can co-parent.”
“I won’t accept that,” Harini stated. “My child deserves to be raised in a two-parent home. You will either be in this baby’s life on a full-time basis or not at all.”
“Getting involved with you was foolish on my part. I’ve lost Bailey because of it, but I won’t lose my child.”
“Then I suggest you think long and hard about this decision.”
Colton headed toward the door.
“I mean it,” Harini said, following him. “I will take my child and disappear. We will raise this baby as a family or I’ll do it as a single mother.”
He left without a respons
e.
“Didn’t go quite the way you planned, huh?” Pip questioned from behind her.
Harini turned around to face her brother. “He’s upset right now. Colton will come around, especially if he wants to be a part of his child’s life.”
“He loves Bailey.”
“She won’t take him back,” Harini responded.
“Doesn’t mean Colton will come running to you.”
“And it doesn’t mean that he won’t, Pip.” Harini sat down on the leather sofa. “Just watch. Colton’s gonna come around to my way of thinking. I have so much more to offer him. Pip, you should’ve seen that dump she called a home. It was disgusting.”
“Somehow I don’t think that mattered to him. I’m also sure her apartment isn’t as bad as you’re making it out to be. You do tend to exaggerate. But regardless, Colton and Bailey will work through this or he will move on. Either way this man doesn’t end up with you.”
“You underestimate me, Pip. Just like our parents did.”
“Listen to me—you can’t win when you play the game of deception. Oh, it might look like you’re winning, sis, but the truth is that while you may get a taste of victory; in the end you are not victorious.”
“Why should I listen to you?” Harini asked.
“Because I’m the voice of reason. I’m your conscious.”
“Whatever… I’m done with this conversation.”
Harini wasn’t surprised when Colton showed up the next morning. She pretended that the exchange they’d had the day before never took place. “I was just about to have breakfast. Care to join me?”
He followed her into the kitchen.
It was obvious by his red eyes that Colton hadn’t slept all night. Silently he sat down at the table.
Harini reappeared with two plates laden with toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon.
“You cooked?” Colton asked, his surprise evident.
“I did,” Harini said with a grin. “I shocked myself.” She poured some tea into his cup.
“Where’s Pip?”
“He’s not here,” Harini responded.
“He’s traveling again?”
She nodded. “My brother loves to travel.” Harini paused a moment, then said, “I’m sure you didn’t come over here to discuss Pip. Why did you come?”
“I thought about the threat you made last night,” Colton said, “I’m not about to let you even think you can force me into something I don’t want. I’m not in love with you, Harini. I don’t particularly like you right now. There’s no way you’re going to force my hand when it comes to marriage.”
Harini took a long sip of her tea. “Apparently, you misunderstood me. I made no threats, Colton.”
“So that there are no more misunderstandings, Harini… let me be clear. I will be in my child’s life, even if it means taking you to court.”
“I don’t want to fight with you. I would like for my pregnancy to be a stress free as possible.”
“I’m not trying to upset you.”
“You haven’t,” Harini said. “Believe it or not, I understand the position you’re in, Colton. I am well aware of how difficult this must be for you. I do believe that you’ll come to do what’s right.”
Colton thought he’d won this round, but Harini knew better. She decided to hold her tongue for now, but she would get her way in this. She would marry him before their child was born. Harini refused to accept that he would choose Bailey over her. She had so much more to offer him.
“When is your next doctor visit?” Colton inquired.
“Next month,” Harini responded. She stuck a forkful of scrambled eggs into her mouth.
“Text me the date and time so I can put it on my calendar. I want to be there.”
“Is this out of concern for our child or do you want proof that I’m really pregnant?”
“Both,” Colton stated. “That piece of paper you showed me could have been faked.”
Harini glared at him. “I’m not desperate to have you in my life. I don’t need you, Colton. I’ve sold a lot of books; have a couple of movie adaptations, and I’ve made a lot of money. You’re the father of this child I’m carrying. You either want to be in our lives or you don’t. I just need to know which.”
“I will be here for my child, Harini.”
Colton’s tone brooked no argument. She decided it was best to just let the subject drop for now. She didn’t want to force his hand—it was too soon. If she played her hand smart, she would end up with the man.
The last seven days had been surreal. Like something out of a horrible nightmare that not even Bailey’s own subconscious would torture her with.
The fragrant steam rising from a plate of crispy fried chicken in the center of the table stirred up a rumble in Bailey’s empty stomach.
“I knew there wasn’t something right about Harini Samuels,” Cassidy said. “But I never would’ve imagined that she would be this conniving. What I’m shocked about is Colton. I never thought he’d be unfaithful to you.”
They sat opposite one another at the dining room table, a southern feast of fried chicken, savory smell of macaroni and cheese, turnip greens, and cornbread spread out between them. Although she didn’t have much of an appetite, the mouthwatering aromas sent Bailey’s nose into ecstatic twitches.
The air conditioner in the apartment worked overtime to try to dispel the summer humidity. The green and white curtains at the kitchen window above the sink had been pulled closed, but the sun still radiated heat through them. Bailey dabbed at her damp forehead with a napkin before spooning macaroni and cheese onto her plate.
“This is the first real meal I’ve eaten since this nightmare began.”
“I figured as much,” Cassidy said. “That’s why I cooked all this food.”
“Thank you for getting me out of my apartment.”
“I know Colton broke your heart and Harini betrayed you, but the pain will eventually go away.”
“I know what you’re saying is right, Cass. It’s just that it hurts so bad right now. It even hurts to breathe.”
“You shouldn’t let what Harini’s actions stop you from putting out the book you wrote.”
Bailey shook her head no. “I trashed it.”
“Why?”
“It’s tainted to me now.”
“Bailey, that was a wonderful story.”
“I don’t want anything to do with writing—not anymore.” She bit into the drumstick.
“People are only out for themselves.”
Cassidy wiped her mouth with a paper napkin. “Don’t let what happened stop you from fulfilling your dream. You can’t give Harini that kind of power over you. That skank ain’t worth it. Success is your best revenge.”
Bailey took a sip of her soda. “She won. People like them always do.”
“Not everybody is like her, Bailey. There are still some good people in the world.”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” Bailey stated. “I have to do what’s best for me. That’s why I’m moving back to North Carolina.”
Cassidy was surprised. “Are you seriously leaving?”
“Yes. There’s a position available in the Raleigh office.” Bailey couldn’t wait to leave Philadelphia. She wanted to be as far from Colton and Harini as possible.”
“Are you still interested in moving to the commercial side?”
Bailey nodded. “As soon as there’re an opening, I’m going to apply. I’ve even been thinking about going back to school—getting a graduate degree.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” she responded. “I need to stay busy.”
“When do you leave?”
“I’m scheduled to start work in two weeks, so I’ll be out of my apartment this Saturday.
I need to find a place to live and get settled in Raleigh as soon as possible.”
“I’m going to really miss you, Bailey. Why don’t we go out on Friday? We need a girls’ night out.”
Baile
y wiped her mouth with her napkin. “I don’t know… I’ll think about it.”
Cassidy pressed her lips tight and raised her chin high. “I can’t stop you from leaving Philly, but we’re having that girls’ night.”
Bailey knew without a doubt that her friend meant it. “Thank you for dinner and all that you’re trying to do, Cass. I really appreciate it.” She knew she could trust Cassidy and Maurie—they were the only two people Bailey would ever trust. She would never allow anyone else to get close to her again.
“You’re welcome.”
“Going out with the girls might do me good. I’m looking forward to it.”
Cassidy smiled. “We’re going to have a good time. I promise.” She sat back in her chair and sucked in a loud breath, rubbing the round bump of her belly. “This little one doesn’t like the heat either. He's kicking me.”
“Where? Let me feel.”
Cassidy took Bailey’s hand and placed it on her side.
She sat breathless for a moment. Finally, Bailey felt a firm poke beneath her fingers.
“Oh, my goodness! I can’t believe you’re going to be a mommy in five months.”
“I know… I’m still getting used to the idea myself. Joe is over the moon about being a father.”
“Harini’s pregnant,” Bailey announced. “At least that’s what she’s claiming.”
“Is she saying that Colton’s the father?” Cassidy asked.
“Of course.”
“I hope he has enough sense to have a paternity test done.” Cassidy arched and placed a fist in the small of her back for support. “This is unforgivable.”
“I have to forgive him, Cass. It’s not for him—it’s for me.”
“Now you sound like a preacher’s kid.”
“Forgiveness isn’t for the offender. It’s for the person who was hurt. If I truly want to move on, then I have to forgive Colton and Harini, but right now… I just can’t do it.”
“If I were in your shoes, I’d never be able to forgive him,” Cassidy stated.
“I’m just taking it one day at a time.” Bailey took a drink of water. “I don’t even want to think about them.” Her eyes teared up. “I loved Colton. That’s what’s so hard about this.”
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