Page 61 of Hayes

"She never did." Melanie shook her head in amazement. "I should have guessed. She came to me crying, almost hysterical about making a mistake that almost cost her everything and how she had revealed all to Hayes and he accepted her despite the fact that she would never be able to give him an heir.

She went as far as telling me that because of what Hayes went through with the DeWinter girl, he was quite disillusioned and was willing to adopt."

"And you believed her?" Hillary gave her an incredulous look.

"I have to admit that, in hindsight, I should have realized she was playing me for a fool. Hayes is now with that young lady from his past?"

"Yes. And that duplicitous young woman is claiming she is pregnant with his baby and even has a doctor sign off on it."

"Oh my." Melanie's eyes glimmered in delight. "How delicious. I suspect William's hand in this. The museum is heading toward bankruptcy, you know."

"So, I heard. But how did she get a doctor to side with her?"

"My guess is she is involved with the poor fool." Melanie eyed her curiously. "What are you planning to do?"

"Set her straight. Now darling, why don't you tell me about your trip?"

*****

Simone almost did not make it to the restaurant. It had been two days since she told Hayes the news, and he had not gotten back to her.

The argument with her dad had escalated last night when he asked if she had gotten a response. Now she was being summoned by Hillary Marsden and it was not something she was looking forward to.

She had dressed carefully for the meeting, making sure not to put any makeup on. The paleness of her face was due more to stress and anxiety than anything else, and she was not pretending to be scared.

She was. In the past, Hillary had always been courteous and friendly to her, seeming to approve of the match between Simone and Hayes. But the woman had not even called since the breakup, which did not bode well.

"My dear, you are very prompt. I respect that. Tardiness has always been a bother to me. sit, please. I am having afternoon Chai tea, it's good for the nerves. I understand you have not been feeling well?" The woman clucked her tongue sympathetically.

"Why don't I order some for you?" Before Simone could answer, Hillary waved over the tidy-looking Maître d' who came bustling forward. "Lin, darling, bring another pot and a plate of those excellent rice cookies."

With a beaming smile, the man bowed and hurried away.

"We will not be disturbed. Lin is a friend, and this restaurant has benefited from our patronage." Her green eyes studied the younger woman. "You do seem pale. How is William?"

"Daddy is fine." Simone forced a smile as she opened her snowy white napkin. "He is busy with the new shipment that just arrived last night."

"And I have taken you away from all that." Hillary paused as Lin came forward with the tea and cookies.

"It's fine. You sounded urgent over the phone."

"I did." Hillary watched as she fussed with the cup of tea and looked everywhere else.

"Hayes broke my heart–"

"Nonsense, darling." Hillary's voice had turned brisk and business-like. "We both know that is not true." She sipped tea and eyed the girl over the delicate cup. "I used to think that you were right for my son.

You played the part, the gracious, seemingly loving young woman who could actually give my son the heirs he needed. But you are incapable of doing so, are you not?"

Simone's eyes darted quickly to the cup in her hand, and she felt her heart pounding inside her chest. "I don't know what you mean. I am pregnant, and I have only been with Hayes–"

"Enough." The authoritative voice had her stuttering to a stop. "I am friends with Melanie Causwell. Very good friends, to be precise." A smile curved Hillary’s lip. "She has all the latest gossip, because she always has her ear to the ground.” The smile vanished to be replaced by wintry displeasure.

"I love my son, my dear. His father and I had an excellent relationship. You see, we were in love, wonderfully so, and we wanted the same thing for Hayes. He had found his one true love, and when he was a teenager, we were frightened that the intensity was too much for him.

But they have found each other again, and they are getting married." Leaning forward, she pinned the girl with a cold look. "You are not pregnant, of course, and if you go away quietly without causing any more fuss, I will not rain the fire of hell down on you. Am I clear?"

Simone sucked in a shaky breath. "It was Daddy," she whispered. “He made me do it. We are hurting for money, and he thought–"