Chapter 3

"Mom, stop being so dramatic."

Vivi shoved my hand away and lifted her chin.

"Benny grew up without a mother. He has kidney disease. Do you have any idea how much that little boy has been through? He needs to feel safe."

"If I didn't show him — really show him — that I'm serious about being his mom, why would he ever believe me?"

"Besides, people have two kidneys for a reason. Losing one doesn't kill you. I traded one organ I didn't need for the future happiness of our family. That's not crazy. That's a great deal."

Those words hit me like a blade between the ribs.

Derek smiled — the smile of a man handing out favors.

"Ms. Sullivan, what Vivi did was impulsive, I'll give you that. But it also proves she's an extraordinary stepmother. Rare, honestly."

"Here's what I'm proposing. Sign over your downtown penthouse to Benny — he'll need a comfortable place to recover. And transfer controlling shares in one of your subsidiaries to me as startup capital."

"I promise you, once I get back on my feet — and I will — I'll give Vivi a real wedding. She'll become Mrs. Lancaster. Properly. With everything she deserves."

He wanted my apartment.

He wanted a piece of my company.

And in exchange, he'd graciously allow my daughter the privilege of taking his last name.

My insides were burning. My hands were shaking.

Before I could say a word, Vivi grabbed Derek's arm with both hands, her eyes shining like she'd just heard a marriage proposal in a movie.

"Derek, don't beg her."

"As long as I have you and Benny, that's everything. I'd give up anything for you both. I have no regrets. None."

No regrets.

Those two words dropped into me like ice water, spreading through every vein until I was numb from the inside out.

And in that moment, the last thread of maternal love I'd been holding onto — the thing that had kept me from walking away — simply snapped.

I took a slow breath. Swallowed everything I wanted to say.

"Alright."

I stood straight. I looked at both of them. My face gave nothing away.

"If this is what makes you happy, then I have nothing more to say."

I turned and walked out of the room without looking back.