7!Jason Hoss?

MABEL

I kept staring at Vanessa like I didn't see the bombshell she just dropped on my feet coming. I knew Ethan would never admit that Jason is actually Hailey's son.

But to create a false news that I abandoned Jason, just because I couldn't get custody of him, now that's an all time low and despicable of him.

“How could he do this to me?!” I screamed inside my head. “I was his wife for over five years, that should have counted for something.”

“I'm sorry ... .I didn't mean to bring that up,” Venassa starmmed and I gave her a forceful smile.

“Where did you hear the news that I abandoned my child?” I asked her and she sighed.

“We really don't have to talk about it. I know you won't willingly….”

“I'm sorry, Venassa but please I need you to tell me,” I said, cutting her off.

“It started over a year ago,” she began. “I have been thinking about Liam's five years old birthday party and you were already gaining traction for your beautiful styling,” she looked at me but I nodded for her to continue.

“I started making inquiries about you…like I said earlier, don't believe anything the media says, so I talked to people,” she said and I scoffed.

“You mean my ex-husband and his new wife,” I said and she shook her head.

“No, I never met them. Just people in my circle and that's when I heard what I heard.”

“They spread lies and it pestered,” I whispered.

“I didn't believe the lies, Mabel,” Venassa said. “Or you won't even be here.”

“But that doesn't mean other people didn't believe you,” I said and got up on my feet.

“Mabel,” Venassa stood up immediately as well, handling Liam to the nanny she almost fired.

My heart keeps pounding anything my eyes meet any part of him. I don't know if he is really my son and my love for him is already undeniable.

“I'm sorry for taking your time, today,” I said as I walked towards Rose.

“What does that mean?” Vanessa asked, walking behind me. I sighed and turned to look at her.

“I'll get Liam's dress and yours before the party and I'll be returning to Los Angeles,” I said and she looked at me shocked.

“You are running away, again,” she said and I scoffed.

“I'm not running Venassa. I'm protecting my peace,” I said to her.

“What does that even mean?” She asked. “Yes, the Hoss spread lies about you, but you can beat it, just like you did the fashion industry and I can help you.”

“And why will you do that?” I asked her, slamming my hands against my body. “You just met me for the first time, today.”

“I know that, Mabel. But I'm telling you that I want to help you….I can help you beat the Hoss,” she said and I sighed.

“I'm sorry, Venassa, but when I left New York and moved to Los Angeles I did that all by myself. No help from anyone. I became a name that was on the lips of every fashion house and designers in the country,” I said and smacked my lips.

“I'm not going to ruin my work by staying in a city that doesn't want me,” I said to her as I picked up my bag.

“Mabel ….”

“Thank you for taking a chance on me,” I said. “y'all clothes will be delivered during the week and I'll send a list of good stylist that can help on that day. Thank you.”

I didn't even wait to see her lips move. I walked away immediately heading towards the entrance of her house.

I could hear the heels of Rose's shoe against the tiled floor as she raced behind me.

I'm in too much of a hurry to leave this place. I just hope I haven't forgotten anything that's of absolute importance.

“That went sideways,” Ross said as we drove out of Venassa's estate. “Are you really serious about leaving?”

I looked at her and she sighed heavily. “Damn, you are,” her words came out slowly.

“There is nothing for me here,” I said to her. “There is no point in staying here.”

“What about your son, and killing it in the New York fashion scene?” She asked me.

“If Liam is really my son, I'll be doing him a great dis-service by trying to uproot his life,” I said to her.

“And for the New York fashion scene,” I turned to look at her. “I believe you once said it's very overrated."

“I might have said that because I didn't want to leave Los Angeles,” she said and I rolled my eyes. “Because that's my home, but New York is yours.”

“Not anymore, Rose,” I sighed heavily. “This place harbors the people that have brought me the greatest pain.”

“It's not the city's fault,” she said.

“Yes, it is,” I said as I took my tablet from her laps. I opened it and the first thing I saw were pictures of Liam.

“He has your eyes,” Rose pointed at Liam's picture.

“No, he doesn't,” I denied it, despite catching on to the fact that he does the moment I set my eyes on him.

“Oh, come on….I saw the way you were looking at him…he could be your son,” she said.

“Yes, he could be but now he is Venassa Latham's. She called him her whole world. Why should I deny her that?” I asked.

“Uhm, how about someone denying you the same thing,” she rolled her eyes and made a movement with her fingers.

“It's not the same thing and it wasn't Venassa that lied to me, besides she thinks the birth mother of Liam is dead…so he might not be my son,” I said, remembering Venassa's words.

“Wow, I'm beginning to think whoever did this to you is more than just one person,” Rose said and I turned to look at her.

“You think Ethan was in on it?” I asked her.

“I don't know entirely, but you did say he wasn't with you during your labor,” she said and I sighed.

“I just want to get back to Los Angeles, and I can put all of this….” My voice trailed as my eyes met with a playground by the side of the road.

“Stop the car,” I said but my driver was still driving. “Stop the damn car.”

The car stopped abruptly and I jumped out, almost like a crazy woman and ran across the road to the playground.

There were a lot of children, babies all having fun with their Moms….it was an adorable sight.

After finding out I was pregnant I always dreamt of coming here with my baby and here I'm without my baby.

“I can't…” I turned to leave but a woman stood beside me.

“Beautiful, huh?” She asked…. “Seeing the little children who don't have any burden at all.”

“It feels miraculous,” I said. “Which one is yours?” I asked and she pointed to a little girl already waving at her.

“What about you?” She asked and I fidgeted. What will happen when I tell her I don't actually have a child here?

Will she think I'm a freak or a kidnapper?

“Uhm, that one,” I pointed to a little boy with a big smile just like Liam's.

“What, Jason?” She asked and I turned to look at her. “Jason Hoss?”

Shit!