The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 169

If his intentions were good, why couldn’t he just say so? Why did he always have to be so sarcastic and condescending? He was truly one of a kind.

Joseph was taken aback by her sudden boldness and stared at her for a moment. Vivica met his gaze without flinching, her chin held high.

He studied her bruised face, a patchwork of purples and blues that was almost comical. After a long moment, a cold, sharp smile touched his lips. “Your face has more colors than a painter’s palette.”

Vivica seethed, fighting the urge to leap out of the wheelchair and throttle him.

With time running short, their verbal sparring ended, and they set off for the courthouse. Vivica was quiet during the drive. Though this divorce was necessary, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness now that the moment had finally arrived. She had invested four years of her life, heart, and soul into this marriage.

As they neared the courthouse, her phone rang. She hesitated when she saw the caller ID, then finally answered. “Hello?”

It was her sister-in-law, Loretta Sanford.

There was a brief silence on the other end before Loretta spoke. “Vivica, are you really divorcing my brother?”

Vivica managed a faint, ironic smile. “What, did he change his mind?”

“I don’t know about my brother, but I think… you’d be a much better sister-in-law than that homewrecker.”

Vivica scoffed silently. After four years, she knew Loretta well. “You mean you think Riley Zuniga is harder to manipulate, right? Not as easy to fool as I was.”

“No, that’s not it… I just think you were more genuine with my brother. That woman is only after his money,” Loretta stammered, trying to sound convincing.

Vivica had no interest in Fletcher’s drama anymore. They were getting divorced, and their paths would never cross again. But since Loretta had called, she indulged in a bit of gossip. “Is she still with your brother?”

“Don’t even get me started. She’s been fighting with him constantly. He’s exhausted from trying to keep her happy,” Loretta said, her voice laced with resentment.

Hearing this, Vivica felt a surprising surge of satisfaction. It was karma.

When Vivica didn’t respond, Loretta tried again. “Just think about it, Vivica. If not for yourself, then for Chaim. I know he’s not my brother’s biological son, but he’s the only son he has. The boy is sick, and now he’s losing his father. It’s a double blow. The poor thing.”

Vivica ignored the emotional plea. “Is this your idea, or your brother’s?”

“It’s mine and my dad’s. My dad doesn’t want you to divorce either.”

“Of course not,” Vivica said bluntly. “You just don’t want your brother to lose all his assets.”

“That’s part of it,” Loretta admitted, though not entirely. “But it’s mostly for Chaim’s sake.”

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