01

“I’m at the Luffy restaurant. Can you come ma’am, there’s something important I need to discuss with you.”

“Okay. Sure.”

Haley ended the call. She stopped a car when she got outside and told the driver to take her to the Luffy restaurant.

As soon as she got there, Haley saw the man seated and waiting for her. She smiled as she got to his table.

“Sorry. Are you Jude Firth? The one who called me before, that you’re sent by my grandfather to me?” She asked.

“Yes ma’am. I’m your grandfather’s assistant. Please have a seat.” The man smiled and gestured for her to have a seat.

Haley returned the smile and sat down. “You said it was something important? Is it about my grandfather? Is he okay. Is he—“

“Yes ma’am, old master is fine.”

Haley sighed in relief.

The man placed the phone in his hand into the pocket of his suit, then turned to look her.

"Ma’am, your grandfather told me to tell you he has forgiven you," stated Jude.

"He would like you and your husband to come visit," Jude went on. “He is prepared to give you all of his possessions as promised. What time would be ideal?”

"Really? Haley’s voice faltered as she couldn't conceal her happiness. "That's incredible, Jude. I'm able to visit today."

She let out a long breath, as the burden she had been carrying for three years had finally been removed. The call had finally arrived after three arduous years of waiting.

At last!

Three years prior, Haley had defied her grandfather by choosing Kieran Colin over her family’s fortune and the marriage he had arranged and had left. And now, her grandfather had forgiven her for that.

It demonstrated that she had made the correct decision. The sacrifice had been worthwhile because of Kieran.

Additionally, it was her and Kieran’s fourth anniversary today.. This called for double celebration.

Haley intended to give them both the future they deserved by shocking Kieran with the news.

“Okay ma’am. But to make the transfer, your grandfather's lawyer had requested that you get a certified copy of your marriage license. Is it possible for us to go get it now?”

“Of course. Let’s go.” Haley responded.

When they got out of the restaurant, Jude pointed at the car waiting and gestured for her to get in after opening the car door.

*****

The office of the county clerk had a subtle scent of old files and paper. It was the same registry office where she and Kieran got their marriage license, so they have the records on file.

Excitement pounded in Haley’s heart. She went up to the clerk and told him about getting the certified copy after providing some info.

She smiled gently as she imagined Kieran’s astonished reaction upon discovering the truth, that she’s from a wealthy background. She had hidden her family’s background from him this three years.

The clerk entered data into the system, double-checked, and then double-checked. His expression stiffened as his frown grew deeper.

"Ms. Kane, I'm very sorry," he said, looking up at Haley with a professional, keen stare after some time. “This marriage certificate is a fake. Our records indicate that you are single at the moment."

"Uh? Unmarried?" Haley froze, shock showing on her face. "That's impossible."

The clerk continued to speak in a kind but forceful tone. “Mr Kieran Colin is, nevertheless, lawfully wed. Lydia Douglas is mentioned as his spouse here.”

The remarks struck like a blow to Haley’s body. She leaped to her feet and raised her voice. "That is untrue! How could the certificate be phony?”

"I'm afraid the records are clear," the clerk said. “Additionally, Mr. Colin and Ms. Douglas have a daughter, Riley Douglas Colin. Riley is three years old.”

"What?" Haley stumbled.

Riley….Kieran’s daughter? Three years of age?

"The marriage was registered three years ago," the clerk added, "on the exact same date as this certificate.”

Riley, the young girl Haley had cherished like her own goddaughter, was the biological child of Kieran?

Haley’s legs gave out and her vision darkened.

Jude steadily grasped her. "Ma’am," he murmured, struggling to contain his rage, "this is unacceptable. Right now, I'm phoning your grandfather—“

"No," Haley abruptly interrupted, putting her fingers to her temples. "Don't tell him just yet, Jude. I need time to work this out on my own. Please.”

Then something struck her, and she turned to the clerk, her voice raspy. "The child's birth date—can you check that?"

It was excruciatingly loud to hear the keys tapping against the keyboard.

“It’s March 31st at 2:10 p.m.” the clerk said after a while.

The date struck her in the chest like a knife.

She had fallen and been admitted to the hospital on that same day—the day of her miscarriage.

The baby she had worked so hard to conceive was gone at 9:30 that morning.

In an instant, tears welled up.

It had not been an easy pregnancy. To get pregnant, Haley had undergone numerous injections and taken innumerable drugs. She lost everything after falling for no apparent reason while she was less than three months pregnant.

Her body had never handled pregnancy well, and that miscarriage almost killed her.

Kieran had given her a gentle back rub while she lay in that chilly hospital bed, wallowing in sorrow. "Darling, don't be so upset," he said. “Perhaps it's for the best. Our careers are just getting started. He had stated, "It's really not the right time for a baby."

It was never about timing, she realized now. He already had a baby with someone else that day. And not just anybody…but Lydia.

He had never desired the inconvenience of what she had lost.

The phony certificate was returned by the clerk. It slipped from Haley’s grasp and hit the ground as her fingers grew limp.

Three years of love and devotion were turned into a cruel joke by those official-looking letters, which felt like a slap in the face.

The chilly breeze outside the office cleared her head but made her chest feel even colder.

"Ma’am, what Kieran did is unforgivable," Jude said, following with a worried expression on his face. “Do you really not want your granddad to handle this?”

Haley gave a gentle shake of her head. "No," she responded calmly, "Jude, tell my grandfather that before the end of this month I'll come home with my decision and formally take over the family business." The astonishment and grief in her gaze vanished, to be replaced by something colder and more determined.

Haley then called a cab and provided the driver Kieran’s company's address. Without waiting for Jude to say anything, she entered the cab and told the driver to go.