The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 177

Vivica felt a pang of guilt. She glanced at Joseph before turning back to his parents. "Mr. Baird is a good son. He saw how much you were suffering, how your health was declining, so he told me the truth. He hoped that if I knew, I would let you see the child. In return, he agreed to take my case. He didn't tell you Chaim was your grandson because my divorce was still ongoing. He was worried that if the news got out, it would complicate things further. That's why he kept it a secret."

After she finished, she looked at Joseph. "Mr. Baird, is there anything you'd like to add?"

Joseph’s back was aching, and that, combined with the guilt of the deception, made his thoughts wander. He didn’t respond.

"Mr. Baird?" Vivica prompted again.

He snapped back to the present. "What?"

"I asked if you have anything to add," she repeated.

"No, you've covered everything," Joseph said, turning to his parents. "That's the whole story. I was waiting for the right time to tell you, but I didn't expect you to run a test on your own."

Sheridan and Melanie were quiet, still trying to absorb it all. But the overwhelming joy of knowing Chaim was their grandson eclipsed everything else.

Melanie’s eyes filled with tears. "It must have been fate, watching over our Lennon, that arranged all of this."

Sheridan put an arm around his wife, comforting her. He then looked at Vivica. "Now that you're divorced, you'll have full custody of Chaim, correct?"

"Of course," Vivica nodded. "Although my ex-husband said he plans to appeal. I'm not sure what will happen with that."

Joseph, now fully focused, interjected with unwavering confidence. "His appeal is useless. The appellate court won't even hear it; they'll dismiss it outright."

Vivica turned to him. "Are you sure?"

"Are you questioning my professional judgment?"

Vivica fell silent.

"Unless he has new evidence, an appeal is pointless," Sheridan added, confirming his son's assessment.

Vivica nodded, understanding. Fletcher's misdeeds were well-documented. He had no evidence to clear his name. His appeal was hopeless.

Vivica, an unwilling spectator to their silent exchange, understood exactly what had just happened.

She lowered her head, her fingers twisting in her lap, and quietly echoed Joseph's words. "Mr. Baird is right. I'm financially secure, and I can take care of Chaim."

Why, she wondered, would he suggest they have a child together to save Chaim, only to so bluntly reject his mother's suggestion now? Did he only want to use her to produce a cure for his nephew, with no other intentions?

A bitter, self-deprecating smile touched her lips. She had been foolish to even consider it. She was hardly a match for someone of his standing.

In reality, Joseph had cut his mother off for a completely different reason. It wasn't that he looked down on Vivica; he was afraid that she would reject the idea outright, and he couldn't bear the thought of that blow to his pride. So, he had preemptively ended the conversation.

Melanie saw her son's resistance but knew better than to press the issue in front of Vivica. Instead, she smiled warmly. "Even if you have your own money, that's your business. Chaim is a Baird, and as his grandparents and his uncle, it's our duty to contribute."

She shot her son another pointed look. "So that's why you insisted he call you 'Uncle'. It all makes sense now."

Joseph pressed his lips together, saying nothing.