“Are they divorced yet?”
“No way to know.”
Tina had barely stepped inside when Emerson called out from the living room.
She poured herself a glass of water, took a long drink, and finally answered, “My guess? Theo already gave them a heads–up.”
“But Kelly swears they’re divorced.”
Emerson went quiet, fingers laced together, slowly rubbing his knuckles. “Let’s not do anything until we’re sure. For now, just wait.”
If the Newton family wasn’t backing Patricia anymore, and the Parsons family was off in another city, they’d have an easy time making their move–there was no need to rush.
“What a waste of my time,” Tina grumbled, throwing herself onto the couch. “Kelly’s always so full of herself. I should’ve known better than to take her word for it.”
The more she thought about it, the more irritated she got, so she took another gulp of water.
Emerson tried to reassure her. “Just don’t say anything to Ruby yet. Whether Patricia and Theo are divorced or not, we can’t let them meet up. No need to stir up a mess.”
Especially with the Miller family still tangled up in all this.
They needed a real plan.
Around noon, Patricia had barely come back from the cemetery when Kelly came storming in, practically shaking with anger.
She marched straight in, jabbing a finger at Patricia. “Just tell me–did you and Theo get divorced or not?”
“We did.”
“If you’re divorced, then why are you still hanging around, running off to complain to him?”
Patricia took the glass Marian handed her and sipped, her whole vibe calm and relaxed–the total opposite of Kelly’s meltdown. “What’s wrong, Mrs. Newton? Losing your nerve? Can’t handle the consequences now? Scared your son’s going to make trouble for you?”
“We had a deal: as long as I divorced him, I could set any terms. But now? We’re barely divorced and you’re already dragging the Martins in to deal with me. Am I really that much of a problem for you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kelly snapped, but Patricia caught the flicker of guilt on her face.
She thought she could hide it, but Patricia saw right through her.
“People always get what’s coming to them. If you’re so innocent, swear on your son’s future. Go on,” Patricia pressed, closing in on her. “If you’re lying about me, swear Theo will never have kids.”
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Kelly’s eyes went wide, totally stunned. She lurched forward, but Jackson–who’d been watching from the side–immediately stepped in front of Patricia, his presence enough to make Kelly stop short.
“Patricia, you and Theo were married. How can you be this heartless?”
Patricia just smiled, cold and sharp. “Not as heartless as Ms. Phipps. All nice to my face, scheming behind my back. If Tina hadn’t clued me in, I never would’ve guessed my so–called mother–in–law, who promised me anything if I divorced, was actually plotting all along.”
Weren’t they supposed to be best friends?
Well, Patricia was more than happy to sit back and watch them turn on each other.
“Go tell Theo–I want two hundred million wired to my account. If I don’t get it, I can’t promise what I’ll
do next.”
“Two hundred million? Keep dreaming.”
Patricia handed her empty glass to Marian, posture full of effortless confidence. “If you won’t pay, someone else will.”
That tiny shift in Patricia’s expression made it clear to Kelly–Patricia really did have something on
them.
Seeing Kelly hesitate, Patricia pressed on. “Your best friend can’t wait to pay up, you know.”
“What did Tina tell you?” Kelly demanded, suddenly wary, catching the hidden meaning in Patricia’s words.
Kelly had come here to confront Patricia, and had even gone straight to the Newtons to double–check the story herself.
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