Juliana was dead set on not apologizing. She jumped at the chance and hopped into a cab. Vivian's dad wasn't far behind. "Vivian, Chad's a cop. What if he nabs us? We need to scram."

Vivian glanced at her dad, a man who had never shown an ounce of responsibility. No wonder her mom had divorced him. In that moment, her family felt like nothing but dead weight. If she could just shake them off, maybe she'd finally get the life she wanted. She remembered agreeing to let Juliana and her dad get together, not because she liked this dim-witted woman, but because Juliana was easy to manipulate. Plus, her brother and his wife were loaded and well-connected.

Even as a teenager, Vivian knew she had to lay the groundwork for her future.

Chade Inc. was worth billions, and she had clawed her way to those connections. There was no way she was letting them go.

Soon, Dave showed up. He hesitated, unsure whether to stick around. Vivian's mind was already spinning with a new plan.

She lied smoothly, "Dave, you should go too. If something happens to Auntie, Molly might lose it. I'll stay here and wait for the surgery to end."

The taxi driver was getting impatient. Juliana shouted, "Dave, get in the car!"

Finally, Dave got in.

Vivian watched them leave with a twisted smile. "Dad, Mom, don't go back to the motel. Get an overnight train ticket and head home. Stay away from Havenbrook until I say it's safe."

Juliana nodded, "Okay, we'll head to the train station."

As the cab pulled away, Vivian's face lit up with a sinister grin.

She walked into the emergency room and spotted an elderly couple. She plopped down next to them, tears streaming down her face. "Grandma, Grandpa, what do I do? My parents just took off. I only told them to apologize to Auntie, and they left me here." Grandma Aubree, crying in the hospital, lamented, "It's our fault, we've harmed Coleen."

Vivian wiped away Grandma Aubree's tears. "Don't cry, Grandma. It's my fault. I couldn't stop my mom."

Molly was beside herself, only managing to stay calm because Chad held her close.

For as long as Coleen had been in the emergency room, Chad had been holding Molly.

were silent, their hearts pounding with fear and

You can't look the other way then-you'll have to arrest me," Chad

kill someone, I'll run away with you. You can't take care of yourself, and you'd be scared in the dark. I'll stay with you, and we'll never come back." Molly closed her eyes, her tears soaking Chad's

hour later, the light in the emergency room went out, and the doctor was the first to emerge. Kendrick, overcome

admitted. She's had a shock; her brain waves are unstable, and the wound

chair, finally exhaling the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. His eyes welled up with tears.

mom awake yet?"

was wearing an oxygen mask. "She's been

feeling the heat, tried to make herself as invisible as possible to avoid

afternoon, Molly's phone rang. It was Mia. "Hey, Molly, has your aunt been discharged? You were supposed to come see my baby this

"Not yet, my mom has to stay in the hospital

Mia could tell something was wrong

I'll call you when I have the

dark phone screen, her brows

afternoon, Coleen

called out upon waking

and son by the bed, and managed a weak smile. "I'm okay." Chad

woke up, Vivian finally breathed a sigh of relief and made

"Auntie, I'm sorry."

burning with anger at Vivian. "Get out, don't show your face to my

stood at the door, looking

and keep your spirits up. Put your work aside

of work, Coleen remembered the company meeting scheduled for the next

"Don't think about it,

the sudden cancellation of the meeting that

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