I Lost My Baby, He Became Her Hero Chapter 08

I Lost My Baby, He Became Her Hero Chapter 08

The next morning, a breaking-news alert appeared on my phone.

Adrian had released a new statement.

He admitted the entire seven-year affair with Vanessa.

He published a complete timeline of their affair.

Adrian also admitted his choices had enabled Vanessa and helped cause my daughter’s death.

In the latest video, he held Millie and apologized through tears.

The internet erupted within ten minutes.

By that afternoon, furious users had overwhelmed Cole Holdings’ website.

The company’s stock plunged for several consecutive trading days.

Business partners terminated their contracts.

Rival firms capitalized on the scandal, released damaging allegations, and seized market share.

I scrolled through the reports, but they brought none of the satisfaction I’d expected, especially. when our fight was far from over.

The court scheduled a hearing after my civil complaint was filed.

Before the hearing, Adrian’s legal team came to see me.

They slid a settlement agreement across the table, their expressions strained.

“Ms. Bennett, Mr. Cole has increased his offer to $4.5 million. He has one condition.”

“You must release a public statement saying emotional distress caused you to misunderstand him.

You must also describe the divorce as amicable.”

I stared at the agreement without speaking.

“Four and a half million dollars can change your life,” one attorney said.

He adjusted his glasses. “If you accept, the money will arrive tomorrow. The lawsuit will end, and the public backlash can finally die down.”

“You could buy a home abroad, open a business, and live comfortably for the rest of your life.”

“No. I won’t accept,” I cut him off.

“Ms. Bennett…”

Daniel leaned closer and lowered his voice.

“I understand why you’re angry. Still, from a legal standpoint, the offer deserves consideration. Litigation carries risk, and their legal team is strong.”

“If something goes wrong…”

“There is no what-if.” I pushed the agreement back.

When my phone rang and Adrian’s personal number appeared on the screen, I hesitated for two seconds before answering.

“Natalie, I want to see you.” His voice was low and rough.

I started to refuse, but he spoke first.

“Just once. There are things I need to say in person.”

He chose The Lantern Café in the university district.

We’d gone there often during college.

When I arrived, Adrian was already seated in the corner.

Two Americanos waited on the table, and mine had extra syrup, just the way I used to order it. After

all these years, he still remembered.

He’d lost a great deal of weight.

His eyes were bloodshot.

“You came.”

Adrian stood too quickly.

The chair scraped backward with a harsh sound.

I sat down without touching the coffee. “Say what you came to say.”

For a long time, he stayed silent.

His fingers moved restlessly along the rim of his cup.

“I’m sorry…”

He drew a deep breath as his eyes reddened.

“Natalie, I failed you and our daughter. I never imagined Vanessa would do something like that… If I’d known, I never would’ve…”

“Enough.” I stopped him. “Adrian, quit lying to yourself.”

He froze.

I held his gaze and spoke slowly.

“You suspected what Vanessa had done long ago. Otherwise, you never would’ve written that note.”

“I…”

“You didn’t fail to imagine it. You just refused to admit it.”

My voice stayed soft, but every word cut deep.

“Admitting it meant facing the truth. You chose the woman who caused your daughter’s death.”

All color drained from Adrian’s face.

His lips moved several times, but no words came out.

The café grew so quiet that the clock on the wall sounded painfully loud.

At last, he spoke in a pleading voice, “Natalie… can you forgive me once? I admit everything was my

fault.”

He leaned forward.

“Drop the case. I’ll give you anything. Money, houses, company shares… Whatever you want.”

I studied the exhaustion and hope written across his face and saw how ridiculous, weak, and selfish

he had become.

When had he become this man without me noticing?

Perhaps he’d always been this way.

My love had simply covered him with one beautiful illusion after another.

“Do you

“No.”

think enough money can erase anything?”

The word caught in his throat.

I stood. “Adrian, do you know what I regret most?”

He looked up.

“I don’t regret marrying you. I regret not pushing you away that winter when you ran out of the alley and threw yourself between me and those men.”

“You disgust me.”

His eyes finally brimmed over, and a tear struck the table.

I didn’t look at him again.

“I’ll fight for what belongs to me. I don’t need your handout.”

Then I walked toward the door.

“Natalie…”

His chair nearly overturned as he stood.

I never looked back.