Chapter 33

Anotha one xxxx Spoiling you guys gosh!

Vanessa had just arrived in Belgium and checked into the team's hotel, coming straight from the airport to the field so Kai could see his dad. Watching father and son reunite had stirred something in her—something soft and achingly nostalgic. She'd stood there, smiling, even as her chest tightened. It was good for Kai. That was what mattered.

Now, back in her room, she finally had a moment to herself. Or so she thought.

There was a quiet knock.

She opened the door and found Cole standing there, holding his phone, his expression serious.

"Hey," he said softly. "Can we talk?"

She stepped aside to let him in. He walked in slowly, holding the phone like it weighed more than it should.

"I didn't want to bring this up," he said, turning the screen toward her. "But then I saw this, and… I just need to understand what's going on."

It was a tabloid photo—grainy but unmistakable. Zac on a yacht, standing next to Dominique, the bikini-clad model from Italy. The caption screamed:

"New Flame? Zac Efron Spotted Getting Cozy on a Yacht in Italy With Model Dominique—Where's Vanessa?"

Vanessa's heart dropped.

Cole watched her reaction carefully. "I'm not trying to judge," he said gently. "I know you don't owe me details about your life. But this—" he tapped the phone "—this kind of thing… it's out there now. And Kai's in the middle of it, even if you don't want him to be."

She closed her eyes briefly, trying to find her voice. "Yeah, it caught me off guard too."

Cole nodded, his tone kind but firm. "I'm not saying he did anything wrong. Maybe it's innocent. But optics matter. If the media starts spinning this, Kai's name gets dragged into it. And I need to know—Vanessa, is this someone who's going to be a steady influence in his life? Is this what you want around our son?"

That one hit deep.

Vanessa took a breath, her voice a little shaky. "Look… I'm figuring it out. Kai is my top priority. Zac and I are trying to work through some things, but we're not back to where we were. There's still a lot I don't know. About him. About us. But I'm working on it, okay?"

Cole stayed quiet for a moment, then softened a bit, though his concern lingered.

"I get it," he said. "Relationships are messy. But I just don't want Kai caught in something like this. He deserves better than that."

She nodded, her throat tight.

"I know." "He does."

Cole gave her a long look, then offered her a small smile. "Alright. I said what I needed to. Just… keep me in the loop, okay?"

"I will," she said.

He stepped out, the door closing behind him with a quiet click. Vanessa stood there for a moment, staring at the wall. She was figuring it out—but God, she wished it were easier.

Later that evening, Vanessa was curled on the edge of the bed, her shoulders heavy with fatigue. The hotel room buzzed quietly around her—air conditioning humming, a faint echo from the hallway. She barely noticed when the door opened again.

Cole stepped inside and scanned the space until his eyes found her. His features relaxed. "You alright?" he asked, concern still in his voice.

Vanessa offered a tired smile. "Yeah, fine."

Before he could respond, a high-pitched giggle rang out.

"Mama! Dada! Look at me!" Kai squealed, bouncing and spinning with endless energy.

Vanessa couldn't help but smile. "Kai, slow down," she said, both amused and exhausted.

Cole chuckled, eyes following their son. "He's got more energy than the both of us combined."

She leaned back against the mattress. Her body was present, but her mind had drifted miles away—back to that photo, that headline, and the familiar ache she hadn't yet named. Zac. The silence. The uncertainty.

And yet, here was Cole. Steady. Familiar. A version of comfort she hadn't realized she missed.

He sat beside her gently. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked. "I mean, look, I'm sorry I didn't mean to be so harsh earlier. If you ever wanna talk… I'm here."

She looked at him, the sincerity in his tone settling over her like a blanket.

"I'm fine," she said softly. "Just… taking it one step at a time."

Cole nodded, not pushing. "I'm taking Kai out for dinner. You're more than welcome to come, but if you need a break, I've got it covered."

Vanessa hesitated. For a second, she was tempted. Not because she needed to be with them—but because she wanted to feel something that didn't make her question everything.

But even as she considered it, a deeper truth rose up from beneath the noise:

Cole was easy. Safe.

But he wasn't who her heart longed for in the quiet.

"Yeah," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Go ahead. He'll love that. You two should have some time together."

Cole gave her a small nod, understanding, and stood. He moved toward Kai, who was now bouncing on the bed like it was a trampoline, his excitement bubbling over.

Vanessa sat still, letting the door click shut behind them. The room felt emptier without Kai's laughter, but also quieter—finally still.

And in that stillness, she let herself feel the ache she'd been keeping at bay. Vanessa took a deep breath and sank back against the bed, feeling the weight of her thoughts settle in. She hadn't checked her phone yet, but part of her didn't want to face what was waiting for her. She didn't want to deal with the messages from Stella or Laura or anyone else. No one understood what she was going through—how could they? And Zac... her mind briefly wandered back to seeing Cole and Kai together. It seemed so easy. There was no mental checklist of crowded restaurants or fears of being recognized. They could just go and be. She realized it could be that simple.

For a split second, she wondered if she had made a mistake by leaving that life behind. The thought quickly faded, as fleeting as it came.

Her lock screen lit up, and her heart skipped when she saw the picture of Zac and Kai, curled up together on the bed that Sunday morning. The heart wants what it wants. She couldn't shake the love she still felt for Zac, but how was she supposed to reconcile with everything?

Vanessa's phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced down, her mind confused when she saw it was a message from Sian, Ryan's partner.

What's this about? Vanessa wondered, surprised to see Sian's name. She hesitated for a moment before unlocking her phone.

The message read:

"Hey V, I know things are complicated right now, and I'm not trying to overstep. But as someone who's been there—raising a kid alone, navigating a new relationship, juggling it all with the media—I just wanted to let you know I'm here if you need someone to talk to. No pressure to respond, I just thought you could use a friend right now. Take care, love."

Vanessa stared at the screen for a moment longer, her mind whirling. She hadn't expected Sian to reach out, but as she read the message, something in her shifted. It felt like a lifeline—someone who understood what she was going through. Maybe it was time to talk to someone who wasn't caught up in all the noise.

I could really use a friend right now, she thought, biting her lip. Sian's message had come at just the right time, and maybe, just maybe, this was what she needed.

Without thinking twice, Vanessa tapped on Sian's contact and hit call.

As the phone rang, she took a deep breath, already feeling the tightness in her chest begin to loosen just a little.

Maybe talking to someone who had been through this mess before was exactly what she needed.

"Hey Vanessa, it's so good to hear from you."

"You, too," Vanessa replied, her voice almost catching in her throat. For the first time since yesterday, she felt her voice come back. It wasn't just the sound of her words—it was the comfort in hearing someone who wasn't trying to figure her out or push her to make decisions. Sian's calm presence on the other end of the line felt like a small but vital anchor in the chaos she'd been trying to keep from spinning out of control.

"I know it's been a lot," Sian continued, her voice soothing. "But I'm really glad you called."

Vanessa closed her eyes.

So was she.