The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 442

She urged Joseph to hurry up.

He chuckled. "A minute ago, you said I was trying to murder you."

"That was because you were deliberately stuffing my mouth so I couldn't talk."

Joseph let out a muffled laugh.

Smart women were hard to fool.

Soon, they finished their lunch. Joseph had Axton come in to clear everything away and fold up the over-bed table.

"Forget about that. Just tell me. Are you trying to kill me with suspense?" Vivica urged.

Joseph sat down and took her hand, a hint of guilt in his eyes.

"First, I need to apologize to you."

"For what?" Vivica asked, confused. "Did you sell me?"

Joseph shot her a look. What a strange thought.

"I'm apologizing because, a few days ago, when Raymond brought his mother and aunt to Riverdale, I met with them behind your back."

Vivica's eyes widened in astonishment. "You… you met with them? Why?"

Joseph gently stroked her hand. "I saw how conflicted you were about meeting them, so I thought I'd meet them first to see what they wanted to say."

Vivica thought back to that day and suddenly understood.

"No wonder. I was planning to go to the hospital to see them after work that night, but that afternoon… Raymond sent me a message saying they were on their way back to Sydville. It was because you had already met with them."

"Yes. I met with them, they said what they needed to say, and then they left."

"So what did they say?"

Vivica knew it had to be about her origins. She didn't have the courage to face Raymond's aunt directly, but she wasn't opposed to hearing the story from Joseph.

Joseph said, "They told me how they lost the female twin, and they gave me a brief history of their family's rise. If you want to hear it, I'll tell you everything…"

Vivica's silence was her consent.

But Joseph could see the complex emotions on her face—a mix of tension and apprehension.

"Remember that day I dropped you off at work? Afterward, I didn't go to the firm. I went back to the hospital. By coincidence, I ran into Raymond in the elevator. He was bringing breakfast for the two ladies. He suggested I meet his aunt. Since I was already planning to, it worked out perfectly."

Seeing how agitated she was becoming, Joseph frowned. He didn't want her to listen anymore and paused the recording.

"Vivica, that's enough…" he said softly.

With tear-filled eyes, Vivica looked up at him, her heart a whirlwind of sadness and anger.

"I'm fine…" she whispered hoarsely, her gaze dropping back to the phone. "Keep playing. I want to hear it all."

Joseph's face was grim, but seeing the determination in her eyes, he did as she asked.

By the time the recording finished, tears were streaming down Vivica's face. She lay perfectly still, not saying a word, her expression desolate.

Joseph moved closer, tightening his grip on her hand, his eyes filled with worry.

"I didn't tell you before because I was afraid you wouldn't be able to handle it…"

Vivica slowly turned to look at him, an indescribable ache in her heart. "So I was abandoned by my grandparents… but my parents… they loved me."

Joseph nodded. "You could say that."

But it was a complicated kind of love, he thought. Once they became successful, they should have had more than enough money and resources to find their daughter. But they hadn't. Instead, they had tried to have another child.