Chapter 6

I silently pulled out my phone and played a recording.

Dariel's voice rang out, clear as day. "Anabel's just too soft. Mom's pension can barely cover anything, but she's still shelling out her own cash to look after her. Coraline's even slicker. She always claims her kid's sick and keeps her distance."

The recording stopped abruptly. Coraline's face went livid. She snapped, "You actually recorded that?"

"I'm just protecting myself," I said, slipping my phone away. "Since none of us wants to look after Mom, I suggest we have her stay at Serenity Care Home. They've got professional rehabilitation and care. We'll split the costs three ways."

"No way!" Mom and Coraline both shrieked. I knew Mom was terrified of nursing homes, but it wasn't until after she passed that I learned she'd worked in one when she was young and saw firsthand how chaotic things could get.

"If Mom doesn't want to go, then fine," Coraline said, finally giving in. "We'll take turns looking after her, but Dariel can do less..."

"I don't agree," I interrupted. "Either we keep it totally fair, or we send her to the care home. You decide."

Mom suddenly started coughing hard. Dariel rushed over to pat her back, then glared at me. "See what you did to Mom!"

The doctor came running, and we got kicked out of the room. In the hallway, Coraline grabbed my wrist. "Are you crazy? Mom just got discharged and you're already stressing her out!"

I yanked my hand free. "Coraline, do you remember when I was in the hospital with pneumonia my junior year? Mom said she had to take care of Dariel for his SATs and didn't visit me even once."

Coraline just stared, clearly having no memory of it. I pressed on, "So when I ask for something fair, I'm the one upsetting Mom, but when you two dodge your responsibilities, that's totally fine?"

Dariel jumped in, "Anabel, when did you get so cold..."

"Dariel," I sneered, "last Friday night you blew three grand on a bottle of whiskey at Starlight Tavern. Your friends-only post is still up, you know."

His face went ghostly white. He clearly hadn't expected me to catch that post he thought only his close friends could see.

In the end, we reached a temporary agreement: we'd hire a daytime caregiver, and the three of us would take turns at night, splitting the costs evenly. As I walked out of the hospital, my phone buzzed.

It was a message from Callum: [The project's been approved. You're in charge of the Sylvia division. Business trip for a week next week. Any issues?]

I replied right away: [No problem. Thanks for the opportunity.]

Just as I was about to grab a cab home, a black Audi pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down, and I saw a face I knew all too well, yet it felt strangely distant. It was Kelvin.

"Anabel," he greeted with a slight nod. "Were you just visiting your mom?"

Five years had passed since we'd last met. His jawline was more defined now, and there was a steadiness in his gaze that hadn't been there before. I stood frozen.

After our breakup in my last life, I never saw him again, until his wedding made the news.

"Yeah, my mom was discharged today," I answered automatically, then caught sight of the lawyer's pin on his suit. "So... you're a lawyer now?"

"Veritas Law. I handle civil and commercial disputes," he said, handing me a business card. "I heard your mom's not well. If you ever need legal advice..."

I took the card; my fingers shook a little. Back then, I would've given anything for someone like him to show up and help me out. Now, he just appeared out of nowhere, like it was nothing.

"Thanks, but I already have a lawyer," I said with a forced smile. "Addyson Carlson from Lucent Legal."

Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "Miss Carlson's very professional."

He paused, then asked, "Anabel, are you... doing okay?"

That simple question made my nose sting. Back then, when I gave up everything to take care of Mom, not a single person ever asked if I was okay. Everyone just assumed it was my duty, and no one cared about what I lost.

"I'm doing fine," I said, taking a deep breath. "I'm working on a new project and might have to go on a business trip."

He nodded. "Let's keep in touch."

Before the window rolled up, he suddenly said, "By the way, Miss Carlson just won a support dispute last week. The court ordered the other party to reimburse all the expenses paid over the past fifteen years, plus interest."

As I watched his car drive away, I clenched the business card in my hand. Kelvin wouldn't have mentioned that case for no reason.

'Was he trying to hint at something?' I thought.

When I got home, I shot Addyson an email, asking how to go after unpaid support. Then I fired up my laptop and started prepping my files for the trip.

At ten that night, Coraline called me out of nowhere. "Anabel! Mom says her chest feels tight. I'm taking her back to the hospital! Can you cover tomorrow?"

"The schedule says it's Dariel's turn tomorrow," I replied coolly, cutting her off. "I've got a business trip next week and need to prep my materials tonight."

On the other end, I heard Mom groaning and Coraline shouting, "Listen to her! Mom's in so much pain, and you're still thinking about your trip!"

I held the phone away until her yelling died down, then said, "Coraline, if Mom's really that sick, you should be calling the ambulance, not me. I'm hanging up."