Page 85 of Unfaithful

"We'll see about that, Elsa." I was so damn tired of her games. "I'm doing everything in my power to protect Elena. And you already know what's coming, don't you?" I let the words sink in before finishing, "I'm going to sue you for fraud."

"Cole, the only way you can be with Elena is if you're with me." Elsa showed no sign of being affected. Her tone remained calm.

I heard her footsteps approaching, and I braced myself, ready to bolt. This woman was seriously unhinged.

"She can legally be your daughter. You'll watch her grow. You can take care of her. I'm your only chance, Cole. Right now, I can take her away, and there's nothing you can do about it. And you can't take her from me because that would be kidnapping."

"Leo will live here," I cut her off. "On my behalf."

"Leo doesn't have paternity rights yet."

"He will, once the court acknowledges the fraud."

She let out a sharp laugh. "And what proof do you have? I can say Phil was obsessed with me, that we had a fling, and he tampered with the test on his own. You can't prove I had anything to do with it."

"You're underestimating how much Phil wants to save himself. He's already lost his job, Elsa. He has nothing left to protect—especially not you. If he talks, if he has proof, and you're charged with fraud, do you really think a judge will let you keep Elena?"

"You're bluffing," she said, but her voice wasn't as steady as before.

I tilted my head, laughing bitterly. "Try me."

I didn't know when she walked closer, but suddenly, her fingers twitched against her arms. I could practically hear her mind racing for an escape. "Even if Phil talks, it's his word against mine. And let's say, for argument's sake, that I get charged, so what? That doesn't mean Leo automatically wins custody."

I exhaled sharply, my patience thinning. "You really don't get it, do you? Once fraud charges are filed, your credibility is shot. The courts don't look kindly at a mother who's falsified a paternity test, Elsa."

The silence that followed was thick and heavy.

"You're backed into a corner," I continued. "The best thing you can do now is stop lying, stop playing games, and figure out a way to walk away with whatever shred of dignity you have left."

She scoffed, but there was no real confidence behind it. "And what? Just hand my daughter over to Leo? To you?"

I clenched my jaw. "She's not yours to hand over anymore. You were never there for her."

She didn't deny it.

For the first time, Elsa had nothing to say.

"You brought this on yourself," I said, my voice quieter now. "And you know it."

I shook her hand from my arm and turned to walk the other way.

"And for fuck's sake, put some damn clothes on. You look like a cheap whore. Fuck, Elsa, you are—without a doubt—the biggest regret of my life. Stay the hell away from me."

I didn't wait for a response. I turned around and stormed upstairs, my pulse hammering in my ears. I went straight to Nancy's room, my steps heavy, my breath uneven. Elsa didn't follow. Maybe she knew better.

It wasn't even dawn yet, and I knew I was about to interrupt Nancy's sleep, but I didn't care. I just needed to see Elena.

I knocked lightly. A moment later, her groggy voice seeped through the door. "Cole?"

"Yeah, it's me." My voice was low and rough. "Can I see Elena for a minute?"

A brief pause. Then, "Yes, sure. Come in."

The moment I heard the key turning in the lock, I opened the door and stepped inside. Nancy was walking back to sit on the edge of her bed, dressed in pajamas, her expression wary, which was understandable given the late hour. I moved toward Elena's crib, drawn to the peaceful rhythm of her breath. As I gazed down at her, my heart softened, and a small, bittersweet smile tugged at my lips.

Reaching out, I brushed my fingers gently across her cheek. Her skin was impossibly soft, fragile beneath my touch. But even as warmth filled my chest, the ache in my heart deepened. I knew I couldn't stay here much longer. I wasn't her father. I wasn't even tied to Elsa anymore. The only thing keeping me in this house was the fact that it was mine.

But the truth was undeniable. I was the outsider now.

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