Chapter 17

VANESSA

After what seemed like forever, Sebastian calmed down a little. His eyes were puffy. Vanessa wiped his tears with some tissues she got from her nightstand. Then she handed him a glass of water.

Vanessa took her son’s hands in hers. “You can tell me everything now,” she persuaded.

“I messed up, Mom. I fucked up really bad.”

Vanessa nodded, encouraging him to continue.

“I met Jayda five weeks ago in a bar, and we ended up having a one-night stand. She was different. I felt with her things I never felt for anyone, not even Susan.”

Vanessa frowned. She knew that Sebastian had loved Susan. Her lies had destroyed him.

“After that night, I was cold to her the next morning. Since then, not a day has passed that I haven’t thought about her. Caleb advised me to go after her, apologize, and make it up to her but I refused because I convinced myself that she was just like Susan.

“Jayda came to see me at the office yesterday. She said she was pregnant with my baby.”

Vanessa let out a soft gasp but didn’t say anything else. The rest of his story spilled out of him. Sebastian held nothing back, no matter how bad it made him look.

“This morning, I received a package. It was a document requesting my signature for me to waive my parental rights so Jayda will have full custody of the baby.”

SEBASTIAN

Again, Vanessa made a soft noise. Sebastian told her about Daniel’s advice to apologize to Jayda. His mother’s eyes filled with tears too.

“It’s too late, Mom. I’ve hurt her so much that I don’t think she will ever want to see me. I’ve lost her and my baby already.” Sebastian let all his sorrow escape him in a series of gruff sobs.

VANESSA

Vanessa had a sad smile on her face as she calmed her son down for the second time. What Susan did to him had made him cold and distant. Vanessa was happy Sebastian had come to realize that not everyone was like Susan and after his money. Still, as his mother, it hurt her to see him so upset.

“You really messed up. You have to take responsibility for your actions and make amends,” Vanessa said.

“But Caleb has refused to answer any of my calls.” He sniffed, surprised he could be this weak and emotional.

“Caleb is your only friend that I know and trust. He had the right to react that way since you hurt him pretty bad. Go to him and apologize. Let him see how sorry you are.

“I know this is personal, but I want you to be honest with me. You said you felt something for Jayda when you first met. Do you still feel that way about her, or you are just interested in her because she’s carrying your child?”

“I still have feelings for her, Mom, and I haven’t been with any other person since the night our baby was conceived.”

Vanessa smiled at her son’s choice of words.

“Then you have to do as Daniel said. It’s not going to be an easy task, but I don’t want you to give up on her. I’m sure she wouldn’t want you anywhere near her, but don’t you dare give up.”

Sebastian nodded.

“It might take time for her to eventually forgive you, or for you two to get along, so I need you to be extremely patient.”

SEBASTIAN

Suddenly, Sebastian saw his mother smile so brightly with a glint of tears in her eyes. “I can’t believe I have a grandchild on the way.”

Sebastian ran his hand through his hair and looked everywhere else except into his mother’s eyes.

Vanessa chuckled at her son’s reaction.

“It’s going to be hard keeping the news away from your father and sisters.”

“You have to keep it a secret, Mom. Just for a little while, at least until I work things out with Jayda,” he pleaded.

Vanessa nodded.

“You said she works for Saunders and Co., right?”

“Yes,” Sebastian replied.

Vanessa smiled. “I’ve heard a lot about her. She’s all Olivia could talk about since she started interning at that firm.”

“Olivia is interning in Jayda’s firm?” Sebastian asked with a small frown.

“Your father pulled a few strings for her. It will keep her busy before she sits for the next state bar exam.

“We practically hear about Jayda every day in this house. Olivia always says Jayda is her role model, and she admires everything about her. Make sure she doesn’t know about how you’ve hurt her or else she will kick your ass,” Vanessa advised.

Sebastian hugged his mother. “Thank you, Mom.”

“You’re welcome, baby. I’m glad to have my son back.” She kissed his forehead.

“Let’s go downstairs. Dinner must be ready, and I’m sure your dad and sisters are back already.”

Just like Vanessa predicted, dinner was ready, and her husband and daughters were already settled at the dining table. Olivia was almost digging in.

“Seems my family members are very hungry tonight. They couldn’t even wait for me,” Vanessa said as she approached the dining room.

“Olivia was supposed to come tell you dinner was ready,” Amelia defended.

Albert rose to his feet. He pulled out a chair for his wife and kissed her cheek when she got settled.

“You guys should stop being gross,” Olivia said to her parents before reaching for her glass of juice.

“What a pleasant surprise, son, I was shocked when I saw your car outside,” Albert said to Sebastian. “I hope all is well with you.”

“Everything is fine, Dad. I just came to see how you guys were doing.” Sebastian smiled and hugged his father. He couldn’t judge the old man for being surprised. He hardly came to the mansion to spend time with them.

Sebastian hugged his sisters before settling in the chair beside Amelia. They held hands while Vanessa said a short prayer, and then they dug in.

“So, Dad, where did you and Amelia go?” Sebastian asked as he sipped his wine.

Before Albert could reply, Amelia chimed in.

“We went to check out the offices Dad’s agent got for us. I’ve decided to start my company,” Amelia announced proudly.

Sebastian smiled. “I have no doubt you’ll do great. I’m proud of you.”

Amelia giggled. “Thanks.”

Everything about Amelia was art. She drew and painted extremely well and had gone to college to study for it because she wanted to be a professional.

After getting a deal creating a painting for a cosmetic company that turned out to be the face of the brand, Amelia decided it was time for her to start her company.

She planned to create more paintings for future brands, as well as offer workshop classes on drawing, painting, and other crafts. Part of her office would be her gallery, a place where she would display all her works and sell them.

“You never told me you were proud of me when I got admitted to law school,” Olivia mumbled.

“She’s just jealous,” Amelia said to Sebastian.

“So, did you find the perfect place?” Sebastian asked.

“Yes, we did, but your sister said she wants to pay for the office herself,” Albert said.

Sebastian looked at Amelia. He was surprised. Amelia would never say no to free money.

“Don’t look at me like that, Seb. This is something I want to do on my own. But that doesn’t mean I’m not open to free money after the official opening of my company,” she said, and they all laughed.

“How was work today?” Vanessa asked Olivia.

“Stressfully fine. We have this new case we are working on. Jayda is handling the case. I got assigned to assist her, and I’m pretty excited about it.”

Sebastian watched the way his sister’s eyes lit up at the mention of Jayda. He wanted to hear more about her from Olivia.

“It’s so gross how you never stop talking about her.” Amelia groaned. “Maybe you should tell her that you want to be her best friend,” she added.

“Don’t be mean, Ami. I truly admire her, and I’m pretty excited that I get to work with her. It’s a dream come true, sis. Besides, she has a best friend already. Our cousin Lilian,” Olivia said.

“~Lilian~?” Sebastian asked before he could stop himself.

“Yes. Jayda only spent about three hours in the office today. She wasn’t feeling too well, so Lilian came to pick her up. Debbie is also an intern and Jayda’s cousin. She told me Lilian was Jayda’s best friend,” Olivia explained.

Sebastian’s heart beat faster when he heard what Olivia said. He couldn’t help but get worried. He wanted to ask his sister what happened to Jayda but he controlled himself not to. He didn’t want to create any suspicion.

As if Vanessa read Sebastian’s mind, she asked Olivia, “Jayda’s not feeling too well?”

Olivia nodded and took a few sips of juice before replying to her mother.

“Jayda works too hard, so I think it’s stress. But Debbie said she had dizzy spells and almost fainted. I hope she gets well soon.”

Sebastian couldn’t concentrate on his dinner. Was Jayda sick because she was pregnant? Or was there something really wrong with her and the baby?