At the Crystal River Clubhouse, Lydia held a flute of bubbly and eased onto the couch, a picture of bliss painted across her face.Her best friend, Xenia Garside, caught the look and chuckled. "Madeline's mom just died, and you're smiling?"Lydia chuckled. "Hey, don't get it twisted. Madeline's my stepsister, and I'm bummed about her mom too."Xenia did not buy the act but let it slide. "Madeline's probably a wreck right now, not even thinking about Trevon. Why aren't you making your move instead of hanging out here?"Lydia gave her champagne a swirl. "It's the international students' reunion. We don't all come back home and catch up every day. I'd hate to miss it. Also, since when did I become all about chasing Trevon?"Xenia blinked, surprised. "You're over Mr. Gibson?"All Lydia ever spoke about was Trevon, and Xenia had front-row seats to the drama. She figured Lydia would be all over that chance, but it sounded like she was ready to throw in the towel.Lydia's smile was eni
Hector blinked again, taken aback.Lydia let out a playful laugh. "I'm just messing with you. I honestly didn't expect to run into you today. Weren't you busy with an art show in Ameristan? What brought you back all of a sudden?"Realizing she was only joking, Hector could not hide a twinge of disappointment."You might've heard about the mess a few days back, my great-uncle being pressured into fixing up a painting during his talk. He's not young anymore, and the stress made him sick. I had to come back to see how he was doing."Lydia's eyes briefly sparkled. "Everyone's heard about it. It was my sister who stepped in to help him that day."Hector's brow furrowed, "The same sister you said always picks on you?"That was why the name had rung a bell.Lydia hesitated, biting her lip. "Um… She doesn't always pick on me. Madeline... She's just trying to catch Dad's eye, so she ends up competing with me a lot."This time was just like all the others. Madeline had to make a scene,
It was over half an hour before Lydia made it back to where Xenia was waiting.Xenia was getting antsy, and the moment she saw Lydia, she closed in. "Is that the real reason you let Trevon go? Pretty bold move."Most of the crowd was buzzing about Mr. Hector Ferguson, raving that the Fergusons had the Gibsons beat, hands down, and maybe even had a richer legacy. "Xenia's eyes sparkled with respect as she gazed at Lydia.Lydia let out a derisive snort.The Ferguson fortune was all in Stephen's grip. Hector was just a fashion designer with a bit of clout, but he was no match for Trevon.Still, the Fergusons were no small fry."I'm getting out of here," Lydia announced, grabbing her stuff.Xenia's eyes widened in panic. "You're bailing just like that? We haven't even really mingled yet. Weren't you all about preparing for your trip abroad and wanting to mix it up with the international crowd?"Lydia arched an eyebrow. "Done with that."Xenia blinked, puzzled.Done already? She
Sherah left the Sunshine Medical Center and went back to her home that same night.Her family was not big.The in-laws were long gone, and her older daughter had tied the knot, leaving just her husband, Radd Yates and her son, Zander Yates.She came home from the market to find Zander unexpectedly at the house."Zander?"He was sitting on the front steps with a cell phone, and when he heard her, he looked up excitedly. "Mom, you're back!"He dove into Sherah's bag, searching for something good. However, his face fell when he handed the bag back."No snacks? No treats?"Just potatoes and onions. Not a single slice of meat.Sherah flashed a smile. "I had no idea you'd be back, so I didn't pick up anything. There's no fresh meat left at the market now. Let's wait for tomorrow, I promise to prepare a feast for you then."They stepped inside the house.While putting things away, Sherah quizzed him, "So, Zander, what brings you home so early? I thought you still had a while before
Sherah did not answer him. Instead, she cried out, "Ouch! Let me go! Zander, help me!"Radd was strong, and she felt like her scalp might rip off.Radd hit her again. "Quiet down, you! Are you going to spill it or not?"He then shoved Sherah to the floor and kicked her as she fell. Zander watched silently, his expression dark as he looked at Sherah.After what felt like an eternity, Sherah could not take it anymore and blurted out, "I'll talk. I'll talk."Radd finally paused, eased himself into a chair by the dining table, and took a long swig of wine, his head thrown back.Sherah, trying to steady herself, stole a look at her son, her pride and joy, only to find him staring blankly, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around him.Radd's voice was a low growl. "Out with it already!"Shivering, Sherah rushed to explain, "I'll talk, I'll talk."She wiped away her tears and continued, "The patient I was caring for woke up suddenly, ran off, and had an accident. She died, and the hos
Radd's chilling voice cut through the silence from the doorway.Sherah jumped to her feet, her body shaking as she turned to face him.Radd's eyes locked onto the bank card in Zander's hand. Zander quickly pocketed it, his heart racing.Radd was so mad he could only laugh. He stormed over in a few quick strides and yanked Sherah's hair.In an instant, he unleashed a flurry of punches and slaps."You think you can fool me? You're asking for it! I'll show you what happens when you lie to me! And hiding money from me, too!"He remembered how she had only given him three thousand dollars when he got back, and no matter how much he questioned or hit her, she swore there was nothing left.However, with their son back, she suddenly had a wad of cash.She did not have an ounce of respect for him, the supposed head of the household!Fuming, Radd's hits grew even more vicious.Sherah was kicked in the belly so hard she doubled over in pain, crouching on the floor, clutching her stomach
"Mrs. Jeppesen, Ms. Sanders wants to see you."At the doorstep stood the pair who had been tailing the Yates family.They eyed Sherah, their expressions flickering with surprise at the sight of her bruised face.Radd shared a knowing look with his son and settled into the silence of the living room.A shiver ran through Sherah, her mind racing. Was it Madeline or Lydia?"Which... which Ms. Sanders?"The visitor raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in their tone. "You seem to be acquainted with quite a few Ms. Sanders."Sherah's body tensed."It's Madeline."At the mention of Madeline, Sherah trembled harder. She clutched the doorknob for dear life, steadying herself."I've quit my job at the hospital, and I've finished all the handovers. There's nothing left for me to say to Miss Madeline. Please, just tell her to stop looking for me."With that, she slammed the door with a resounding thud.Caught off guard, the visitors outside were left fumbling as the door sealed shut, a
Lydia had not quite sorted out the Sherah situation when her phone buzzed again.Glancing at the screen, she answered with a hint of impatience, "What now? Didn't I tell you to zip it? Madeline can't touch you if you do."However, this time, it was not a voice she recognized. "Is this Ms. Sanders?"Lydia's retort got caught in her throat.She double-checked the number—it was still Sherah's—and her tone dropped a few degrees. "Speaking. Who's this?"Radd tried to sound cheerful. "I'm Sherah's husband, Radd. My wife's been in Redenbaugh City, and she's really grateful for all you've done for her."Lydia's face stayed stone-cold, her voice even chillier. "Cut to the chase. I'm not here for small talk. What do you want?"Radd, hearing the frost in her voice, could not help but silently scoff."My wife spilled everything you had her do. She's clueless, and you got her off your back with a mere four hundred and fifty thousand bucks, but I'm not as easy to fool. You've got to up the a