The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 386

Vivica handed him the bowl of soup, but he pushed it gently away. "You eat first. I'll get my own."

"What's wrong? Afraid I poisoned it?" she teased, knowing full well that wasn't what he meant.

Joseph gave her a look and sat down with a sigh of resignation. "Thank you."

It was a stark contrast to her time with Fletcher. No matter how much she did for him, he had always taken it for granted, as if she owed him for living in his house and eating his food. But with Joseph, it was different. He did so much for her that she often felt a twinge of guilt, always looking for small ways to repay him, even if it was just dishing up his food or pouring him a glass of water.

They sat down to their late-night meal of soup and roast squab. Joseph tore off a large piece of meat and offered it to her, but she shook her head. "You have it. I've got my own here."

He ignored her, however, and gently pushed the morsel into her mouth. She shot him a helpless glance, then looked down at her bowl. Her eyes landed on an oyster, and an idea sparked. Using her fork, she lifted the plump oyster and quietly slid it into his bowl.

Joseph looked down at it, then back at her. "You don't like these?"

Vivica's cheeks flushed, a smile playing on her lips. "It's for you. You could use the boost."

Everyone knew what oysters were famous for. She suspected that when he’d brought home seafood soup for their supper, it wasn’t just because he knew she liked it.

Joseph's smile turned devilishly charming. "You seem to know a lot about this. But I'm not at the point where I need a boost yet."

He was in his prime, after all. He didn't need any help in that department.

By the time they finished, it was nearly ten o'clock. Vivica felt a little too full, the kind of full that makes you sleepy as your body redirects all its energy to digestion.

"Come on, let's get you to bed. Zelda and the others will clean up down here," Joseph said, noticing her drowsiness.

Vivica got up and followed him, her mind still wrestling with the issue that had been bothering her all evening. She wondered if now was the right time to bring it up.

Back in their room, Joseph went to the closet to get his pajamas. When he turned around, he saw her staring into space. "What is it?" he asked gently. "Are you hiding something from me?"

Vivica’s eyes focused on him. After a few seconds of hesitation, she said, "Raymond is in Riverdale. He came with his mother and his aunt."

"What?" Joseph’s expression changed instantly, his eyes filled with concern. "Did they find you? Did you see them?"

"Raymond was waiting for me in the parking garage," she explained. "He wanted to talk somewhere else, but I refused. Then he told me his aunt was here too and wanted to see me. They're staying at a hotel, with his mother taking care of her."

"That's outrageous. They always just show up without any warning," Joseph said, his frustration mirroring her own. "You were right not to see them. It doesn't matter if we have proof they're your parents or not; you have every right to refuse."

Vivica remained silent. She didn't want to see them either, but she knew they wouldn't have traveled all this way, taking such a risk, only to leave without a meeting.

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