Nicole was appalled by the mere thought. She refused to die in this place. She needed to leave and disappear from Hayden’s and Matthew’s world without a trace.
Hayden would not be given the chance to see or talk to her one last time.
Didn’t he want to tell her everything so she could make way for Gloria to enter their family?
Nicole would never give him the chance to do so! Her eyes were now filled with pure hatred. After telling Shawn what she needed help with, she hung up the phone.
At the same time, Hayden walked into the room. He pulled her into his arms before she could turn around
to see who it was.
She frowned, already knowing who had entered. “Get lost.”
Hayden rested his chin on her shoulder and planted a kiss on her earlobe. He whispered, “I heard you talking, so I knew you hadn’t slept. Who did you call this late at night?”
Nicole tightened her grip on her phone and pushed Hayden away with all her might. “It was Shawn.”
Hayden pulled her back into his arms before she could even finish her words. He said gently, “Did you call him to complain about me?
“I’m sorry. Everything that happened recently was all my fault. I neglected you and failed to discipline our son properly.”
He kept saying the same thing each time. Nicole was sick of hearing it.
“I thought about it, and you’re right. Matt has indeed been getting too close to Gloria, even though he’s supposed to be your son.
“Let’s just stay home for now. Matt won’t be going anywhere, so you’ll have plenty of time to bond with
him.”
Nicole stared at him, silent and emotionless. Her lack of reaction made Hayden anxious.
He looked into Nicole’s eyes, trying to read her mind. But Nicole simply turned away and sneered with mockery.
“Would it even matter if I made up with him? Even though I’m his mother, he isn’t close to me at all. He only has eyes for Gloria. He probably doesn’t even think of me as his mother.”
Hayden frowned as Nicole added, “Isn’t it great that he accepted Gloria as his godmother? Just invite Gloria into your family. Then, Matthew wouldn’t need to force himself to interact with me.”
Hayden’s frown only deepened. He grabbed Nicole’s shoulders and looked at her uneasily.
“No, don’t say that. Stop pushing Matt and me away. Just do as I say and talk to him. Everything can be
Chapter 97
resolved that way.”
Nicole leveled him with a cold gaze. She clenched her fists weakly.
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“You’re already holding me captive in your house, so I can’t leave or go anywhere else. So why not go the extra mile and arrange everything for me? It’s not like I have any say in this.”
“No, that’s not-”
Nicole interrupted Hayden before he could finish his sentence. “I’ve been having frequent migraines. The hospital prescribed me painkillers.
“Dr. Petersen has them, so order someone to fetch them for me. Make sure to tell him not to go
overboard. I just need enough to last me three to four days.”
Hayden’s brow furrowed in jealousy. “Why go to him for your migraines?”
Nicole stared at him blankly. “He’s a neurologist. Who else am I supposed to go to if not him?”
Hayden was rendered speechless. Although he was upset, he still nodded in agreement. “I’ll arrange for someone to pick your meds up tomorrow.”
He stopped questioning her and grabbed Nicole’s hand. Then, he planted a gentle kiss on the back of it.
“As long as you don’t get angry at me and stay here, I’ll do anything you ask.”
Nicole’s eyes were devoid of any warmth. She simply said, “Leave. I’m going to sleep.”
Hayden was stunned to hear this. Strangely, he sounded hurt.
“Can’t I stay here with you?”
