The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 18

Exposed, Evelyn's face flushed, but her favoritism for her son won out. "Vivica, this time it's different! Zahar is in trouble. We had no other choice but to come to you."

"What did he do this time? Did he get a terminal illness too?" Vivica couldn't help but sneer.

"Don't say such things! What kind of sister wishes that upon her own brother?" Zebulon bellowed, his face red with anger.

Evelyn held her husband back and explained with a pained expression, "He was out riding his motorcycle with friends today and hit an old man, breaking his leg. The family is demanding an arm and a leg—four hundred thousand dollars! You have to help us, or your brother will go to jail."

Four hundred thousand. Vivica could only laugh coldly at the number. "He's over eighteen. He's an adult. Let him go to jail. It's time he took responsibility for his actions."

Evelyn couldn't believe her daughter's heartlessness. "Vivica, how can you be so cruel? He's your brother! Are you just going to stand by and watch his life be ruined?"

"What do you expect me to do? A few months ago, Dad said he was starting a restaurant and took two hundred thousand from me. I told you then that I had no more money. Now Chaim is sick and needs five hundred thousand for treatment, and you're asking me for another four hundred thousand. Do you think I'm a printing press?"

"You may not have money, but Fletcher does!"

"We're getting a divorce! He won't even pay for Chaim's medical bills. Why would he clean up his brother-in-law's mess?"

Evelyn grabbed her daughter's hand, pleading, "Don't get a divorce. You're in your late twenties. Where will you find another man as successful as Fletcher? Just go and beg him, talk to him nicely. He won't leave you."

Vivica said nothing.

"Vivica, listen to me, you can’t get a divorce. Your father’s restaurant is just getting started and hasn’t turned a profit yet. What if he runs into cash flow problems again? Zahar doesn’t have a degree. If we don’t save up some money for him to get married, what will he do? He’s the only son in the Lynn family, we can’t just watch him—"

Vivica couldn't listen anymore. She wrenched her arm free and began pushing her mother toward the door. "You only ever see your son! You’ve never treated me like a daughter! I’m just your personal blood bank! You don’t deserve to be parents!"

Zebulon, furious that his daughter would refuse to help, erupted. "Vivica, I'm telling you, you're going to help this time whether you like it or not!"

Vivica laughed. "Or what? Should I just give my life back to you?"

“Smack!”

Zebulon's hand flew, and another slap landed across her face. Evelyn reached out to stop him, but she was too late.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify