The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 485

The "her" in question was obviously Hillary. After all, Hayes, the middle Chase brother, had been completely paralyzed and bedridden for years. He couldn't get out of bed even if he tried.

Raymond's face lit up with relief. "That's wonderful! Well then, Vivica... let's not waste any time. Come on, I'll lead the way."

He turned and practically jogged to the elevator, hitting the down button so they could head to the ground floor and cross over to the inpatient building in the back.

As Vivica took a step forward, Joseph—holding Chaim in one arm—reached out and gently caught her wrist with his free hand.

"Vivica, you don't have to force yourself. They're just taking advantage of your soft heart."

Joseph was far too sharp; anyone trying to play manipulative little mind games in front of him was instantly seen through.

Vivica looked back at him and offered a faint smile. She reached down, intertwining her fingers with his and giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm okay. Honestly, it's like ripping off a Band-Aid. If I don't get it over with, I'll just be tossing and turning all night anyway."

It was the truth. Since it was inevitable, she preferred to just face the music and be done with it.

Joseph held her hand, studying her face for a couple of seconds before nodding in compromise. "Alright. If you're sure this is what you want, we're right beside you."

The small family exchanged warm, silent smiles.

Chaim, however, looked up at his mother, his tiny face scrunched in confusion. "Mommy, why did you have to get poked with a needle and give blood? Are you sick too?"

Because of his leukemia, Chaim had gotten used to needles and blood draws over the past few months. To him, getting blood drawn meant someone was sick.

"No, sweetie, Mommy isn't sick. I'm just doing a special test, and it has nothing to do with being ill," Vivica explained in a soft, soothing voice as she followed Joseph into the elevator.

Raymond held the elevator doors open, only letting go once they were safely inside.

She despised overly emotional, tear-jerking scenes, yet she knew with absolute certainty that the moment they walked through that door, tears were inevitable.

*Ding.*

The soft chime of the elevator snapped everyone out of their thoughts.

Raymond held the doors open, gesturing for them to exit first.

Joseph, still carrying Chaim, couldn't easily hold Vivica's hand, so he stayed right by her side, a silent, comforting pillar of strength.

They walked down the hall until Cheryl stopped outside a private room. She turned back to Vivica with a gentle smile. "Your father and mother are both staying in this room. Keeping them together makes it easier for them to look after each other."