chapter205

Lydia knew exactly what Lucinda was up to. Her voice was cool and crisp as she shot her down. "I've got it."

Lucinda clenched her fists under the table but didn't give up. "You just got back, and you're not familiar with the Capital. The Jefferson place is pretty far from the hospital, and the traffic can get crazy. I know a shortcut that'll save you time. Let me come with you, please?"

By the end, Lucinda's voice had softened, almost like she was begging.

Lydia paused, looking up to meet Lucinda's hopeful eyes.

Lucinda thought she was winning her over, so she smiled even sweeter. "Please, Lydia? Would that be okay?"

"No. Connor's coming to get me."

The words hit Lucinda like a punch to the gut.

What?

Did she hear that right?

Connor was coming to pick Lydia up himself?

He was always so busy. Why would he make time for her?

Lucinda was too shocked and hurt to say anything. Across the table, Cameron and Kylie's faces lit up in surprise and excitement.

"Lydia, Connor said he's coming to get you himself?" Cameron asked.

"Yeah," Lydia replied simply.

Cameron jumped up right away. "I'll get some gifts ready for you to take with you. Just a little something from our family."

Lydia shook her head. "Don't worry about it. I'll stop and pick something up myself."

"No, no, I'll call Jack right now. He can get some supplements and drop them off," Kylie said, already dialing their driver's number.

Lydia could only sigh to herself. She'd wanted to save her parents some trouble, but obviously that wasn't happening.

As soon as Kylie finished her call, Lucinda tried again, her voice soft and pleading. "Mom, I want to go with Lydia to see Grandpa Samuel. I might not know anything about medicine, but he's always been so good to me. Now that he's not feeling well, I just want to visit him too. Please?"

Whenever Lucinda wanted something in the past, all she had to do was act a little cute, and her parents would always say yes.

Kylie hesitated, glancing at her. "Lucinda, it's not that we don't want you to go. Your sister's going to help check on Grandpa Samuel, and we don't know how things are yet If you want to see him, ters wat until your sister comes back. Then your dad and I can take you together, okay?"

And after all, Lydia had already said no. Connor was coming to get her today, and it was the perfect chance for the two of them to spend time together. They probably didn't want anyone else tagging along.

Lucinda couldn't believe Kylie was shutting her down so easily.

She looked completely stunned and disappointed.

Cameron tried to smooth things over. Lydia is just going to check on Grandpa Samuel first. We'll all go visit him together once we know how he's doing."

Lucinda forced a smile. I think Lydia doesn't want me to go. I'll just stay at home." Lydia didn't bother saying anything more. Getting into it with Lucinda over stuff like this would only waste her time and lower her IQ.

Kylie could feel the tension between the two sisters.

She glanced over at Lydia, who was

quietly eating, and spoke gently. "By the way, Lydia, last night after your dad and got home from the hospital, we asked Lucinda about what Rose said about you being our goddaughter Lucinda said she never said anything like that. Rose and Parker must have got the wrong idea. You left for work so early this morning, we didn't get a chance to tell you."

Lydia looked up, meeting Lucinda's gaze from across the table.

Lucinda looked completely innocent. "They were just trying to stir up trouble in our family. I swear, I never said anything like that. Please believe me.

The truth was, Lydia had already seen the footage from the security cameras at Riverside Villas the day before, when Parker and Rose visited.