Jack gently cradled the newborn in his arms, softly humming a lullaby.
Even Jack’s father, who rarely smiled, looked unusually cheerful.
“Since Jack’s a pilot, let’s name the baby Ava Jet—to carry on the family’s aviation legacy!” he suggested with pride.
“What nonsense!” Jack’s mother snapped. “How can a little girl be given a name like that?”
She reached out eagerly to hold the baby.
But Jack stepped aside, protective. “Mom, you don’t know how to hold her properly. You might hurt her.”
Then his eyes landed on me, lighting up with excitement. “Hayley, come look! Her little hands, her tiny feet—aren’t they adorable?”
He leaned in to kiss the baby, then abruptly stopped, flustered like a child caught doing something wrong. “No, no. Daddy can’t pass germs to you.”
I had never seen him like this before—clumsy, tender, childishly excited. He was glowing with the joy of being a first-time father, eager to share it with the world.
But I was the last person he should have shared it with.
I forced a stiff smile, tugging at the corner of my lips, then turned to leave.
Jack quickly caught up, gently holding the baby out to me.
“Hayley, look at her nose and mouth—don’t they look just like mine?”
I glanced down. The resemblance was undeniable.
That tiny face could’ve been carved from his.
A sharp sting rose behind my eyes and my throat tightened with pain. But I pushed the blanket aside coldly, meeting his eager gaze with ice.
“Take her away. She’s ugly. Just looking at her annoys me.”
The baby immediately began to cry. Jack’s face darkened as he gently patted her to soothe her.
Jack’s mother glared at me like a dagger. “The only one who’s annoying here is you!”
Jack’s father jabbed a finger toward the door. “You’re not welcome here. Get out!”
Just then, Katy stirred on the hospital bed, her voice weak but pleading. “Hayley… I want to speak with her alone.”
The Lawndsey family hesitated, but after a moment, they left and closed the door behind them.
Katy turned to me with a face full of remorse. “Hayley, I never wanted to come between you and Jack. He truly loves you. That night… he was drunk and we…”
My mind went blank. “It wasn’t a sperm donation?” I asked, my voice hollow.
She turned away, avoiding my eyes. “It was Jack who asked me to keep it from you. He didn’t want to break your heart.”
“When I found out I was pregnant, I was already three months along. He was furious. He said he’d give me a lump sum once the baby was born and that I should never bring it up again.”
“Then why tell me now?” I asked coldly. “Why show up at my door with your belly out? Why not keep the lie going forever?”
She hadn’t expected me to confront her so directly. Her face flushed and she bit her lip in silence.
I let out a cold laugh. “Well, now that I’ve broken up with him and your child is born, the three of you can live happily ever after. So what are you still worried about?”
Her expression twisted. Her lips curled into a strange, sinister smile.
Then—without warning—she rolled off the hospital bed with a loud thud onto the floor.
She screamed in panic, her voice trembling, “Hayley, I know I was wrong! Please, don’t hit me!”
I stood there, utterly stunned. I hadn’t even moved.
Before I could speak, a strong hand yanked me backward.
Smack!
Pain exploded across my cheek. I tasted blood.
Mr. Lawndsey stood before me, eyes burning with fury. “You wretched girl! Do you think a hospital is a place to cause a scene?”
He raised his hand again, but Jack quickly stepped in between us.
“She’s my fiancée,” he said coldly. “I’ll handle it.”
