Liv took a deep breath. “Forgive me if I think the number of players in this travesty is sufficient for ruining lives. You don’t need to bring anyone else in.”
“That’s not your choice.”
“Did she even know about Madison before…?”
“Before she tried to kill us?” I offered as a way to finish her question. “Yes.”
“So, she knows everything about Madison, Phillip, Lena…and Brooklyn?”
“It’s not up to you to decide what Julia needs to know.” I gripped the side rail on the far side. “I meant what I said, Liv, leave. Thanks for coming. It was good to catch up.”
“I’ll keep her, you know.”
“Julia?”
“No,” Liv said, “Brooklyn. I’m listed as her godmother. If Lena thinks she can argue…or you…”
My gaze narrowed. “Is that why you’re really here? You think I’ll try to claim Brooklyn?”
Tears glistened in Liv’s green stare. “She knows me. I love her.”
“I’m relatively certain Lena won’t be a problem.”
Liv took a step closer. “Phillip is missing. I’m a triplet without either of my brothers. I’m no longer married. If you marry…she’s so young…you have more money and if you have a wife…”
My sister was married, as in past tense. I never met the guy. While I’d received an invitation, I’d sent my regrets with a nice gift. Seeing as how the marriage didn’t last, I didn’t miss much.
The pieces were falling into place.
“You’re afraid I’ll petition for custody. You’re afraid I’ll win. That’s why you were such a bitch to Julia.”
Liv inhaled as she straightened her neck. “She’s never even met you.”
“There is the little issue with the protective order.”
“You can fight it. That’s what you do. You fight. You win. Phillip has been afraid of that ever since Madison went into care.”
“I didn’t know she was hospitalized. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t stay informed on the happenings of the Thomases.”
“I’ve seen your private investigator.”
I shrugged. “Guilty, but that’s all about Brooklyn. I didn’t know about Madison.” The throbbing in my temples was back. The intermission was over, and this act was twice as loud as the one before. “Did you even give a shit about me, or did you come here to assess your chances at getting custody of Brooklyn?”
“Yes, I gave a shit. When Lena called, I didn’t want you to be alone.”
“Or you wanted to know firsthand what was happening.”
Liv laid her hand over mine. “Van, don’t push me away. We might be all we have left.”
“Where do you think Phillip has gone?”
“I don’t know. He…he’s had difficulty.”
Fucking Phillip.
“I’m not having difficulty.”
“You were shot.”