Vivica froze for a second, then understood. “You went to the hospital?”
“I went to see Chaim.”
“You mean you went to manipulate him, right?” Vivica’s intuition was sharp, hitting the nail on the head.
Fletcher denied it. “I’m his father. Isn’t it my right to see my son? But what I found was a pitiful child left all alone! Vivica, if you can’t take care of him, then don’t fight me for custody. I can give him better care, a better life.”
“Are you done? I’m hanging up now.” Vivica had no patience for his nonsense.
“Wait! I’m not finished.” Fearing she’d hang up, Fletcher quickly continued, “And why are you meddling in Loretta’s relationship with her boyfriend? I’m the one who wronged you, don’t take it out on my family.”
“Meddling?” Vivica laughed again, this time with pure contempt. “If your sister hadn’t provoked me first, I wouldn’t have wasted my breath on her. I told you a long time ago that her boyfriend is juggling multiple women, but you didn’t believe me. Just wait until your sister gets played for her money and her heart.”
Dealing with a scumbag was draining. Vivica hung up without another word.
But a moment later, a text message arrived. Annoyed, she was about to ignore it, but a glance at the screen made her freeze.
[Your parents asked me for a loan. They said your brother hit someone and is facing jail time, and the victim’s family is demanding four hundred thousand dollars that you refuse to give.]
Staring at the message, Vivica felt as if ropes were tightening around her, constricting her from head to toe. Her parents were trying to push her to the brink.
After a moment, she replied: [Whether you lend them the money or not has nothing to do with me.]
After she sent it, Fletcher went silent.
But just before she reached the hospital, Evelyn called. And called. And called again.

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