The Best Revenge It Wasn't Even Your Child novel Chapter 512

The night settled in as city lights flickered to life.

At seven, Lorinda and Gavin stepped inside. Catherine sat on the sofa, the baby asleep in her arms. Alexa had taken Jasper to the nursery, so the whole house felt extra quiet.

The hush was broken by the door opening and closing. Suddenly, everyone’s eyes met. Catherine immediately noticed Lorinda’s eyes looked red. Gavin just glanced around like he was trying to disappear.

“What took you so long?” Catherine asked, standing up but not walking over.

Lorinda let out a sigh. “Don’t even get me started. I was trying to find a specific kind of balloon, but honestly, it felt impossible. One store said they’d restock for me, so we waited forever. When the balloons never showed up, I got into an argument with the owner.”

She shoved an odd-shaped helium balloon into Catherine’s hand. “Look. Isn’t it cute?”

Catherine looked at the balloon, then raised her eyebrows. “So, what were you actually doing out there?”

Lorinda’s voice got more defensive. “We really were shopping. I just wanted Lanny’s full-month celebration to be perfect. Maybe I was a little too picky. We managed to get everything, though. That’s why it took so long.”

She wiped her nose and clung to Catherine’s arm. “Seriously, just ask Gavin if you don’t believe me.”

Gavin, who was about to slip to the sofa and act invisible, froze. When Lorinda shot him a look, he blurted out, “Yeah, it was a nightmare. She lost her temper. I was worried she’d punch someone if I didn’t pull her away. The whole thing almost landed us at the police station.”

“On the way back, I gave her a lecture. She’s a mom now. Even if she doesn’t care about herself, she should think of her kid. What would happen to the baby if she got dragged to the police station?”

Catherine frowned at Lorinda. “You make it sound so easy. ‘Got into an argument.’ You almost ended up in custody.”

It must’ve been a real scene, or they wouldn’t have gotten back so late.

“Hang onto him. We’ll need him later,” Lorinda answered, then walked off to check on Jasper in the nursery.

…

“Lance, Gavin’s got the orphanage director,” Aaron stammered. “He beat us to it, but it looks like he didn’t get much out of him. Lorinda was there too, though. She stayed for hours. I think she found out something.”

Lance’s fist tightened around his pen until it snapped in two.

“Should we try asking Lorinda what she knows?”

Aaron swallowed, sweat on his forehead. He tried to keep his voice steady, ignoring the fact that Lance looked ready to explode.