The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 495

Vivica looked up at him.

His eyes were warm and gentle as he continued to guide her through it. "If you don't want to forgive her right now, then don't. Do not let society's expectations pressure you into changing your mind or going against your own heart. If there ever comes a day when you feel that the wounds have fully healed and you are genuinely ready to forgive and acknowledge them, we can figure out our next steps then."

Vivica nodded, gazing at him with misty, emotional eyes.

Right as the three of them got back into their hotel room, Melanie sent a FaceTime request, already missing eldest grandson.

Knowing Vivica wasn't in the headspace to deal with her in-laws right now, Joseph handed the phone straight to Chaim.

The little guy excitedly called out to his grandparents, happily chatting away about all the fun places they had visited that day and how much he loved it.

Vivica slipped into the bathroom, standing in front of the mirror as she stared at her own reflection, trying to calm the storm raging in her chest.

The pitiful image of Hillary lying sick in that hospital bed refused to leave her mind. The desperate regret in her eyes, the trembling arm reaching out for her, and those breathless, agonizing apologies—they all wrapped tightly around her like an inescapable net.

A knock sounded on the bathroom door, followed by Joseph's voice. "Vivica?"

He had seen her lock herself in the bathroom the second they walked in and knew she was trying to process her emotions. But when it stayed quiet for too long, he got worried and knocked to check on her.

Vivica quickly masked her expression, took a deep breath, and let her shoulders drop. "Yeah, coming."

Opening the door, she seamlessly reverted to her usual self, asking gently, "Is Chaim still on FaceTime with Mom and Dad?"

Joseph glanced over his shoulder and nodded. "Yeah, they're having a blast. He's telling them all the funny things that happened today. Looks like bringing him along was the right call; he's having the time of his life."

Hearing that brought a small measure of comfort to Vivica's heart.

Hearing that, and taking note of Vivica's expression, Melanie quickly pieced things together. "Did the meeting go poorly? Did they try to guilt-trip you into acknowledging them?"

"It was alright... We barely exchanged a few words before the doctor made us leave. My mother's health is failing, and the doctor said she needs absolute rest."

Knowing Melanie genuinely cared for her, Vivica hid nothing and gave her the honest truth.

"Failing health... So you're feeling soft-hearted, and now you're torn, aren't you?" Melanie knew Vivica incredibly well; one look at her face was all it took to guess exactly what was going on.

Vivica offered a complex, wistful smile to the camera and nodded.

"There's nothing to be torn about. Knowing your personality, the fact that you're conflicted means that deep down, you actually want to forgive them. Since that's the case, you might as well just rip the band-aid off and forgive them. Whether you do or don't, it's not like you're going to stay in Sydville and live with them anyway. You might as well treat it as an act of kindness and a good deed."