None of them–Vivian’s parents, Emory and Catherine, her ex–fiancé Andrew, or even Cindy–ever saw it coming. Vivian fighting back? Actually setting Cindy up to get expelled? Unthinkable.
Cindy’s screams filled the room, followed by the sound of stuff breaking.
Catherine, her mother, rubbed her temples with a sigh. “Why is Vivian still so selfish? It was just a design. Did she really have to make it a whole thing? Look how upset Cindy is.”
Emory’s face hardened. “She’s gotten gutsy. Won’t even answer. If she’s so capable, let her stay gone.”
Andrew sat off to the side, gripping his phone in dead silence.
Ever since Vivian hung up, something felt off. Wrong.
He kept texting her–DMs, messages, everything–but got nothing back.
Frowning, he scrolled through their chat history.
When did it all shift? From nonstop talking to weeks of silence?
Then he saw it. The moment everything cracked: right after the first wedding cancellation.
Vivian had asked, [Do you really love me?]
He’d been out fishing with Cindy, figured she was being dramatic, and never answered.
And after that?
He just forgot.
From that moment on, Vivian stopped telling him everything. The way she used to.
Andrew whispered, “Viv… Was that when you gave up on me?”
No way. Couldn’t be. She loved him too much for one question to ruin it. Right?
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated, spiraling.
Then the doorbell.
–
His eyes lit up. He bolted to the door and swung it open. “Viv! I knew you wouldn’t leav–wait… who are you?”
The guy standing there reeked of booze and sweat, shoulders hunched, eyes wild.
“I’m looking for Cindy.”
Without waiting, he shoved past Andrew.
“Cindy! Cindy, get your ass out here!”
“Stop right there!” Emory snapped. “We don’t know you. Leave or we’re calling the cops.”
The drunk didn’t even flinch. He grinned and flopped onto the couch like he lived there.
“Relax. You’re her adoptive dad, right? I’m the real one–Robert Tate. Don’t worry, I’m not here to take her back. Just broke and need some cash.”
He raised his voice. “Cindy! I know you’re in there! If you don’t show up, I might let something slip!”
Cindy finally stepped out, her face twisting in disgust–and just a flicker of fear.
What do you want?”
Robert sneered, hand out. “Money. I’m dry. Send me fifty grand.”
Cindy didn’t have that kind of money –still a student, barely scraping by. And with Emory, Catherine, and Andrew all watching, the last thing she needed was to be linked to some sweaty drunk.
“You might be my biological father, but the day you dumped me at that orphanage? We were done. I don’t owe you a thing. Leave, or I’m calling the cops.”
Chopter 6
“The cops?” Robert let out a bark of laughter, like she’d just told the funniest joke ever. He leaned back, smirking at her.
“Great. I’d love a little cop chat. Maybe I’ll tell them about that kidnapping… five years ago, ring any bells?”
