The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 84

“Oh, right, Mr. Baird, there’s something…” She glanced at him, her expression sheepish.

“Go on,” Joseph said.

“It’s just… Chaim has mentioned a few times that he wants you to be his dad. He’s too young to understand, and I can’t really explain it to him. Please don’t take it to heart. I absolutely have no inappropriate ideas.”

Vivica was worried Joseph might think she had put the idea in her son’s head, fantasizing about other possibilities after her divorce, so she rushed to clarify.

Joseph chuckled. “It’s just childish talk. I didn’t think anything of it.”

“That’s good,” Vivica said, relieved.

But Chaim, nestled in her arms, was having none of it. “I do want Uncle to be my daddy,” he insisted in a serious little voice. “Mommy, please say yes.”

“Chaim, don’t be silly. Have you forgotten what Mommy told you? Don’t bring this up again,” Vivica interrupted, her face burning. She couldn’t even bring herself to look at Joseph.

Chaim pouted, looking both adorable and wronged. “Uncle is so nice. Why don’t you like him, Mommy?”

“Chaim!”

Vivica’s face was beet red, her whole body on fire. This wasn’t a matter of liking or not liking, it was… Ugh, how could she explain this to a three-year-old?

Joseph, feeling the awkwardness, cleared his throat to break the tension.

But the child’s words made him think of the man he’d seen bringing Vivica to the hospital the other night. Her eagerness to set the record straight, to ensure he didn’t misunderstand, was probably because her heart already belonged to someone else. She must have already found a new father for her son.

With this in mind, Joseph felt there were a few things he needed to point out. “Ms. Lynn,” he began, his tone serious.

“Yes?” Vivica looked at him, trying to suppress her blush.

“I know your marriage has been difficult these past few years, and it’s normal to have a close male friend. But with the divorce pending, you should be more careful. If Fletcher finds any hint of something, he could use it against us in court.”

“What do you mean?” Vivica was completely lost, stopping to turn and look at him.

“Not another word.”

“Hmph! Mommy’s so bossy.”

...

Back at the office, Vivica spent the entire afternoon trying to figure out what Joseph had meant.

As quitting time approached, her phone buzzed incessantly with WhatsApp notifications. It was her mother, Evelyn, sending voice messages. She didn’t want to listen, but a third one came through.

After she finished her work, she finally played them, and her blood began to boil.

“Vivica, why don’t you come over for dinner this weekend? Zahar is back, and he said he wants to thank you in person.”

“Also, aren’t you and Fletcher still in your cooling-off period? I called Fletcher today to try and talk him out of the divorce, but he told me you cheated on him. He said Chaim is your child with that other man. What’s all this about?”