Chapter 607 Kingsley Give Money to Raise Jesse!
Kingsley expected Amara's cold shoulder and didn't push it.
After a painfully awkward silence, he finally said, "Your phone's busted. I'll get you a cab."
That was when Amara remembered her phone was still with him. She needed it back because it had pictures of Jesse.
She had left it with him for almost half a day.
Kingsley saw the worry on her face and knew exactly what was on her mind.
He handed it back, his tone flat. "Working with Landon, huh? Bet the pay's good. Why not get a car?"
Amara checked her phone.
"I'm thinking about it," she mumbled.
The phone was fine. She quickly walked away, not looking back.
Outside the hospital, light snow started to fall.
Kingsley watched as Amara got into a blue taxi. It drove off, disappearing into the snowy evening. He paced around, feeling restless.
He was dying to see Jesse. But he knew if he spooked her, Amara would bolt from Syeattel in a heartbeat.
She always blamed him.
Amara was different. He had his grudges, but she seemed over it, which probably meant she didn't love him anymore.
He pulled up to her apartment and just sat there, smoking.
Snowy days get dark fast.
Lights flickered on in the buildings. Kingsley looked up at the top floor, where a small window glowed with a warm, yellow light.
In the hallway, Hailey led Jesse downstairs.
Jesse was bundled up, holding Hailey's hand, his voice sweet. "It's snowing!"
Hailey worried he might slip.
She picked him up, walked to the trash can, and tossed something. But Jesse didn't want to go back upstairs; he wanted to play.
Hailey adored him, so she agreed. "Just for a bit, okay? Or Amara will be mad when she gets back."
Jesse beamed, "I won't make Mommy mad."
Hailey found a sheltered spot for him to play. He reached out to catch snowflakes, his face lit up with wonder.
Kingsley sat in the car, his cigarette trembling between his fingers.
He spotted Jesse, a kid with a round face like Amara's but unmistakably a Hawkins, resembling a more delicate Austin.
His hands trembled as he took a deep drag, eyes locked on Jesse with an almost hungry intensity..
Kingsley wanted to get out but didn't want to scare Jesse, so he stayed put.
Suddenly, Hailey looked his way.
Through the car window, their eyes met. She was startled, then quickly scooped Jesse up and ran inside.
Jesse pouted, not happy about it.
Kingsley felt a stab of pain in his chest.
Hailey rushed home, shut the door, her heart pounding.
Was that really Kingsley?
If he was here, did he know about Jesse? Hailey grabbed her phone, shaking, wanting to call Amara, but Jesse hugged her, still wanting to play.
Hailey was distracted by Jesse.
She calmed down, peeked through the curtain, and looked outside again.
Kingsley had gotten out and was standing there, looking up.
Hailey was a mess, not sure what to do. If Kingsley wanted to take Jesse, how could Amara stop him? If she called Amara now, Jesse might not even stay the night.
Hailey mulled it over and finally decided to face Kingsley.
The snow was coming down harder. Hailey hugged Jesse and said, "I'm heading downstairs to grab something. Be good and stay put, okay?"
Jesse nodded like a little trooper.
She set him on a high chair so he could watch the snow. He was totally cool with it.
Hailey rubbed her hands, grabbed an umbrella, and stepped out.
It was freezing.
Kingsley stood there, blending into the snowy scene. Even though Hailey was there to talk business, she couldn't help but notice how good-looking he was.
She thought, 'No wonder Amara's been hung up on him all these years.'
Hailey walked up, and Kingsley didn't shy away. He even greeted her, "Hailey."
She gripped the umbrella handle, still a bit nervous, but tried to play it cool. "Mr. Hawkins, does Amara know you're here?"
Kingsley's voice was smooth. "She doesn't know and, I didn't tell her I came here to see Jesse either."
Hailey's eyes widened.
She shot him a glare. "So, what do you want?"
Kingsley gave a faint smile. "What should I want?"
Hailey couldn't read him, so she kept bluffing. "If you plan to take Jesse from Amara, I'll fight you to the end."
Kingsley just looked at her, silent for a long time.
Hailey was ready to throw more words at him, but Kingsley popped open the trunk and pulled out a big box—a toy robot Jesse would love. He also handed her a brown paper bag stuffed with $100,000 in cash.
Hailey took it, peeked inside, and was stunned by the money. She looked at Kingsley with wide eyes. "Don't think you can buy me off with this."
Kingsley chuckled. "Get some milk and clothes for Jesse, and stock up on groceries too."
Hearing that, she knew Jesse would stay with them for now. She perked up and said stubbornly, "Jesse is your kid, so of course you should chip in!"
She felt for Amara.
With this money, she could get Amara a car. She had her eye on a white BMW that cost eighty grand, which was pretty sweet.
Amara had given Kingsley a son, so a car was no big deal!
Seeing her accept it, Kingsley smiled slightly and said goodbye, "I'll be going then."
As he started the car, Hailey knocked on the window and stammered, "Amara really doesn't know?"
Kingsley gave a faint smile.
Hailey felt a bit relieved but still had mixed feelings.
After Kingsley left, she took the toy and the cash to the store at the community entrance and bought 5 pounds of lamb chops. She went home and threw them in a big pot to stew.
Jesse opened the toy and was over the moon, not wanting to let it go.
Amara didn't get back until 8 PM.
As soon as she walked in, she smelled the lamb chops. She changed her shoes and asked, "Hailey, did you make lamb chops today?"
Hailey came out wearing an apron, holding kitchen utensils, her face beaming. "I won a little prize in the lottery. Since it's snowing and cold, I thought I'd make some lamb chops to warm us up. You should eat a few more pieces later. I added carrots, so it's extra tasty."
Amara didn't like carrots, but Hailey never seemed to notice. Hailey happily served Amara a bowl first. "Try it and see how it tastes."
Amara looked at the pieces of carrot and couldn't help but think of Kingsley.
She had made things clear with him today. He shouldn't bother her anymore, right?
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