Chapter 14 YOU KILLED TOBY!
Chapter 14 YOU KILLED TOBY!
HAYLEY
“It’s none of your business.”
His anger explodes, the invisible force slamming into me so hard, I almost shiver.
“None of my business?” He growls. “Our son is lying in that room lifeless because you could not do your job as a mother! He was your responsibility, Hayley! You were supposed to take care of him, but you caught sight of the first dick with a ton of money and ran off like a fucking whore!
You killed our son. You killed Toby.”
Fat tear drops roll down my cheeks as I struggle to maintain my composure.
I let him have a go at it, not bothering to defend myself. Because I know this will be the last time I ever cry for this man.
He thinks I’m a whore? Fine.
He believes I abandoned Toby? Dandy.
Edward Dasilva can think wherever he wants. I have gone past the point of caring.
“You had one job. One fucking job— look after our son. But you couldn’t even do that properly. Congratulations. You’re officially the shittiest mother on the bloody planet.”
“Watch your mouth, Edward DaSilva.” Silvan’s thick baritone pierces the air. “You’re not the only one who lost a child tonight. Your wife is hurting too. Be mindful of the things you say to her.”
“Mind your fucking business.” Edward seethes.
“Not when you’re talking to my best friend like an empty-headed degenerate.” Silvan snarls. “Like I said, watch your mouth or you can bloody leave. She doesn’t need you.”
The sound of applause hits the air, harsh and sarcastic.
“Best friend of the year! Do you need a cookie? Is your wife aware that you’re pounding your so-called best friend, or should I call her myself?”
One second. That’s all it takes for everything to go to shit.
Silvan threw the first punch. Edward retaliated. And now, both men are engaged in a full blown fist fight right in the middle of the hallway.
“Stop!” I scream, pulling at Silvan’s jacket. “Let him go. This is not the time or the place!”
They pay me no heed.
Panic burns in my chest when I sight one of the nurses typing furiously on her phone. Probably calling 911.
Half a minute later, a blonde-haired woman in the tightest dress shirt I have ever seen stomps into the hallway, her mouth set in a determined twist. Victoria.
“Edward, stop this! The police will be here any minute! Fighting is terrible for your image.”
Edward backs away the moment he hears her voice. Can’t say I’m surprised.
Victoria hurries forward and grabs his arm, clinging to him like a neglected baby koala.
“Edward, you can’t be out here fighting in public. A nurse almost called the police. Thankfully, I stopped her in time.”
I watch as she pats him down for injuries like he just returned from the Second World War.
What the hell is she doing here?
“You’re over there digging into my friend because you think we’re sleeping together, but your insensitive ass brought your mistress to the hospital knowing fully well that your grieving wife will be there.” Silvan snarls. “You never deserved Hayley.”
“My mistress?” Edward growls, “you mean the woman who took good care of Toby for a full week without complaining even once while his mother was off acting like a childish little brat?”
The revelation hits me like a blow to the chest, but I don’t say a word. Frankly, I’m exhausted. I just want to mourn my child in peace.
I can feel Edward’s eyes on me as I tug at Silvan’s arm. I pointedly refuse to look at him.
“Silvan, let’s go.” I say tiredly. “I need to see my son before he’s taken to the mortuary.”
I can tell by the stiffness in Silvan’s posture that this fight is not over.
“Do you even realize that she’s pregnant? Hayley is carrying your child, and this is how you treat her?”
The revelation lands like a freshly diffused bomb.
I freeze, my heart thundering like a speeding train.
Silence descends in the hallway, thick and tense.
“Hayley, you’re pregnant?” This is coming from Victoria, and she does not sound happy.
Instead of denying it, I turn to her, pointedly ignoring Edward’s fierce stare.
“This isn’t how I planned to announce it but yes, I am. Two months along.” I flash a cold smile.
“But don’t worry, Victoria. This baby doesn’t mean Edward and I will rekindle our relationship. He’s still all yours.”
That said, I turn on my heel and walk away, those familiar steely grey eyes drilling holes into my back with every step.
EDWARD
Pregnant. Hayley is pregnant.
Ignoring the ton of paperwork on my desk, I get to my feet and pace to the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, overlooking a million dollar view of the Hudson River.
From sixty floors up, I can spot the tiny boats sailing smoothly on the glassy river, probably filled with happy people free from worries.
My wife hasn’t said a word to me since that night at the hospital. I had planned to be directly involved in Toby’s funeral, but Hayley made it clear that she was more than capable of handling everything without my help.
I never take no for an answer, so I went ahead and paid for his custom made casket and headstone.
She was not happy.
There’s no denying that Hayley has changed. She had her lawyer inform me of the date for our son’s funeral for Christ’s sake. The only person she’s kept in contact with is grandma.
Watching her slip through my fingers affects me in more ways than I thought it would. In more ways than my ego would care to admit.
I said a lot of hurtful things at the hospital, but Hayley never really denied having an affair with Silvan. I believe my anger is justified.
At the funeral, she barely spared me a glance. It was as if my presence meant nothing to her.
I press my forehead to the cool glass, hoping to relive some of the pressure that bands my skull.
I’m not used to this. People trip over their feet to get my attention. People beg for meager minutes of my precious time.
Hayley used to fall sick if we fought longer than three hours. Now she clings to Silvan like a lifeline and acts like I do not exist.
Maybe it’s high time I gave her what she so desperately wants. Maybe it’s high time we actually got a divorce…