Chapter 21

Reese couldn’t help it; she actually laughed. After all these years, everything she’d ever handed to Sebastian, just like this divorce agreement, had ended up ignored in some forgotten corner. He only ever dug them out when he needed
something.
Brady jumped, startled by her sudden laugh. “Ma’am, are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Reese waved him off. “Go on, I’ve got stuff to do.”
The elevator doors slid open. Brady stayed put for a second, watching Reese walk away, then let out a helpless sigh.
In the hospital room, Sebastian had just lifted his hand from Sofia’s forehead and turned as the door opened.
Brady saw the scene inside and hesitated, not sure if he should go in.
“Did you find it?” Sebastian asked, pulling Brady back to the moment.
Brady quickly handed over the file. “Yes, sir. This is the folder your wife asked me to give you earlier.” New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on ~net
Sebastian reached out, but before he could grab it, Robbie-who’d been sulking on the sofa-shot up like a cat and snatched the folder.
“Is this Mom’s stuff?” Robbie glared, fire in his eyes. He tried to tear the folder, but when it wouldn’t rip, he crumpled it and tossed it in the trash.
“Auntie’s still here. Why are you bringing Mom’s things out?”
After hanging around Sofia a few times, Robbie had figured out she spoiled him, and Sebastian would do anything for her. As long as Auntie was here, he could act bolder.
Brady froze, looking to Sebastian for guidance.
Sebastian’s brow creased. “What’s this tantrum for? Is this how you were raised?”
“It’s Mom’s fault! She won’t make soup for Auntie,” Robbie snapped, his chin high. “She stopped baking me cakes, fine. Auntie does it now anyway. But Auntie got sick because of me, and Mom still won’t even bring her some soup.”
“Sebastian.” Sofia’s voice was soft, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Robbie’s just a kid. Don’t be too hard on him.”
Sebastian gave a low hum, then looked at Robbie. “Don’t do it again.”
That was it-no more scolding.
Relief washed over Robbie. He’d gambled right. As long as Auntie stood up for him, Dad wouldn’t get mad. As long as he got along with Auntie, even if Dad divorced Mom and married Auntie, his spot in the Ratcliff family would be safe.
Meanwhile, Reese finished getting admitted to the hospital. After the nurse set up her IV, she snapped a photo of the doctor’s meal plan and sent it to Millie, asking her to make some soup and bring it over.
Millie took a while to reply, finally sending a quick “Okay.”
When the IV was done, Millie called to say she was almost there.
Reese felt a bit better, so she went down to the hospital entrance to meet her.
Millie got out of the car looking pissed, muttering under her breath, but when she saw Reese, her face filled with worry. “What happened? Why are you in the hospital? What did the doctor say?”
Reese took the insulated container from her. “Just a cold. I’ve been pretty run down lately, so the doctor wants me to rest here for a few days. What’s up with you? Who were you cursing just now?”
“It’s nothing Millie glanced at Reese’s pale face and swallowed the truth about getting fired as soon as she set foot in the office that morning. HR had told her straight—it was Mr. Ratcliff who wanted her gone.
“Just ran into an idiot at work,” she said instead. “Anyway, I’m planning to quit. If you need anything, call me any time.”
“Good idea. You’re planning to start your own company anyway.” Reese studied Millie’s face, but she looked normal, so Reese just nodded.
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too.”
Millie said goodbye and drove off.
Reese carried the container back inside. In the elevator lobby she ran into
Robbie, who was picking up medicine for Sofia.
Robbie’s eyes lit up at the sight of the container, but his face quickly turned sour. “Didn’t you say you weren’t going to make it?”
Reese ignored him and pressed the button for her floor. “It’s not for you.”
Robbie followed her into the elevator. “Then who’s it for?”
As soon as the doors opened, he snatched the container from her hands and bolted.
Reese stood there for a second, then rushed after him. The doctor had been clear -she had to stick to the meal plan, no takeout. She’d had Millie make enough soup for the whole day. If she didn’t get it back, she’d have nothing to eat tonight.
“Auntie, look what I brought!” Robbie burst into the hospital room, beaming, just as Sebastian set down a bowl.
“Sorry, Robbie, I just had something.” Sofia accepted a napkin from Sebastian and dabbed her mouth gently.
Robbie’s grin froze for a moment. Determined, he opened the container, trying to pour the soup into a bowl.