Page 79 of Sins of the Father

My stomach drops. “What happened?”

“I can’t get into it on the phone. Can you come over? I think she needs her best friend, and I have a doctor’s appointment this morning. Chase is driving her batty. He’s torn between coming with me or staying here with her. If you come, he can give her a break.”

“Sure. Are you okay?”

“Yes, just a routine checkup.”

“All right. Should I walk or go by car?”

“You might want to bring the stroller for later but come in the car. It’s a good walk, and the weather doesn’t look too good right now, but I think it’s going to clear up later.”

“I’ll ring Jamison’s driver. I’m not sure how to get there. Can you send me the address in case the driver doesn’t know?”

“Okay. I’ll text you the code for the elevator and tell security to let you through. Just bring your ID. See you soon?”

“Yes. Be right over.”

We hang up, and my stomach shakes. If Chase brought Anna back to Chicago, something terrible happened. I arrange for the driver put Hope in the stroller and sling my purse and diaper bag over my shoulder.

It doesn’t take long to get to Vivian and Chase’s. When the elevator opens into their home, Chase’s voice booms. “How can you possibly defend him?”

“Chase, calm down,” Vivian directs.

“Look at your face,” he growls. “He’s lucky he’s still alive.”

My heart pounds, and I take Hope out of the stroller. “Hey, I’m here,” I shout out.

“Come in,” Vivian replies.

“What’s Harper doing here?” Anna’s shaky voice says.

“I called her.”

I make my way through the hall, turn the corner, and come to a dead stop.

Anna’s left eye is black and blue and swollen. She has a fat lip and cut on the bottom one. Dried blood is caked on it. Chase has a cast on his hand and a matching black eye.

I race over to the couch. “What happened?”

“That piece of shit beat up my sister,” Chase barks.

Vivian puts her hand on his chest. “We need to go. Harper will stay with Anna.”

Anna’s eyes are full of tears, and she looks away from me.

I glance at Vivian.

“We have to go,” she quietly says again.

Chase shakes his head, staring at Anna.

I shove Hope at Anna. “Hold her for a minute, please.”

She wipes her face and takes her.

I rise and step in front of Chase. “If you don’t leave, you’ll miss your baby appointment. You can finish this conversation when you return.”

His anger stays on his face. “Fine.”

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