Chapter 8

In Jipsburg, Joe was far beyond Maisy's reach. The Williams family would forever remain in the shadow of the Martins.

Maisy sighed. "Oh, the things I'd do to marry him!" She instinctively started toward Joe.

Just as she was about to cross the road, he drove off. Determination filled Maisy.

She would manipulate Jeffrey into creating an opportunity. She considered herself beautiful and desirable; even Skylar's boyfriend was infatuated with her. Perhaps Joe would fall for her, too!

Speaking of Christopher, where was he? They were supposed to go shopping. Had he gone to find Skylar?

A flicker of arrogance crossed her face. "I'm intrigued to see how Skylar handles this!" she snorted. "How dare she give me a hard time at the hospital yesterday! The audacity!"

Bored while waiting, Maisy called Sadie.

"Mom, I called Skylar. She's ignoring me. Should I apologize?"

"Don't bother. Your dad canceled her credit card, so she'll be back soon. She's a nuisance! If only she were more like you."

Sadie's anger simmered. She'd been too furious to sleep.

Maisy quickly comforted Sadie and then called her oldest brother, Kenny. She recounted everything, sobbing, "Kenny, should you and Peter call her? Mom and Dad couldn't sleep—she ran away, and she's your biological sister."

Kenny Williams was overwhelmed with work; his experiments had failed, and Skylar's antics only added to his stress.

"We only acknowledge you as our sister. If she wants trouble, let her have it."

Maisy chuckled. "Kenny, I know you're busy. Get some rest."

"Don't worry, I will."

Skylar arrived home to an enticing aroma. Janine's cooking was divine.

Everything felt dreamlike. Her eyes reddened as she watched Janine and Steven in the kitchen.

"Skye loves this. Mom, you should make more." "If you can remember her favorite dish, I can make more. When will Charles and Harvey be back?" "They called; they're stuck in traffic, but they'll be back soon." "Great. It's been so long since we had a family meal."

Just as Skylar approached, a message popped up: Joe was going on a business trip.

She replied, "Okay," and put her phone away. Entering the kitchen, she exclaimed, "Mom, Steven, I'm back!"

She had previously returned to the Williams family for help. She knew Steven and Charles Sullivan (her other brother) had struggled, needing guidance in Jipsburg. However, she hadn't had the chance to discuss it; Jeffrey and Sadie despised the Sullivans.

"Skye, you're back! Watch TV; dinner's almost ready," Janine crooned, her eyes brimming with affection. She'd missed Skylar.

Steven added, "The kitchen's crowded. Watch TV."

"Okay." Skylar beamed. Her family's affection warmed her.

Joe was surprised by Skylar's brief reply. He raised an eyebrow.

Paul noticed. "Mr. Martin, are you dissatisfied with the plan? I'll have them redo it," he offered, about to message the team.

Joe looked at Paul. "How can you tell?"

Paul was speechless. He couldn't tell Joe he'd learned to read his subtle expressions over years of experience. He chuckled awkwardly.

Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt. Paul's new, $10,000 laptop crashed to the floor, breaking in half. His eyes widened. The driver shrieked, "Chain accident!" His face was pale.

Their car narrowly avoided a tanker. Joe saw the car in front crushed. Only the logo was visible. Chaos erupted on the jammed bridge.

Janine and Steven prepared a feast. Charles and Harvey arrived. They flocked to Skylar, eager to know if the Williamses had mistreated her.

"Skye, tell us if they mistreated you. We'll back you up!" Harvey detested the Williamses, including Maisy. They'd been so pompous at their first meeting that he only acknowledged Skylar as his sister.

"Harvey's right. Don't be intimidated," Charles added, noticing her weight loss.

"Don't be absurd. They're her family," Janine said, grabbing drinks. She knew her sons disliked the Williamses, but they were Skylar's family.

Skylar smiled. "I moved out. I won't go back."

"You moved out?" All four stared at her with concern.

"It's not safe for you to live alone. Come live with us! Harvey and I are home all the time. I can stay in the living room," Janine offered hastily, aware of their cramped two-bedroom apartment and the brothers' company-provided housing.

Sometimes, the three brothers shared a room.

"I'll take the living room. Skye can have my room!" Harvey offered readily.

Just as Skylar was about to refuse, her phone rang—Gloria.

"Grandma."

"Skye, Joe's been in an accident!"