Sadie stared at him in disbelief. “Why is the company facing so many problems all of a sudden?”
Jeffrey shot her a sharp glare and scoffed. “It’s all thanks to your daughter!”
“My daughter? That can’t be right. Maisy has always been sensible—she would never do anything like this,” Sadie said firmly, instantly coming to Maisy’s defense. She didn’t even consider the possibility of her other daughter being involved.
“Mom, it’s not Maisy,” Peter interrupted coldly. “She would never betray our family. It’s Skylar. I don’t know how she managed it, but she’s become the sugar baby of Joe’s assistant, Paul. Who knows what she told him—but now Paul is badmouthing us to Joe.
As a result, the Martin Group has pulled out of their deal with us and canceled their order. Other companies are following suit. Everyone’s afraid to go against the Martins.”
Peter clenched his fists. This past week had been the worst of his career. So many partners were turning their backs on him, and he knew exactly who to blame—Skylar. The thought of it made his blood boil.
Sadie looked shaken. “Skylar? That can’t be. She was never like that when she lived with us. She was always obedient and polite. I just… I don’t believe she would do something so terrible.”
“There’s no point debating this now,” Jeffrey said curtly. “Call her and ask her to come home.”
“I’ve already tried calling her, over and over. She won’t answer. I even called Janine, but she hung up on me after saying just a few words. If I call again, she still won’t pick up.” Sadie’s voice wavered. A strange emptiness settled in her chest.
The house had felt especially quiet lately. Maisy was rarely home. Sadie had caught herself missing Skylar—her presence, her voice, her warmth.
She remembered how Skylar used to cook for the family, how she’d take care of them when someone wasn’t feeling well.
A flicker of doubt crossed Sadie’s mind.
Had she taken Skylar for granted?
Peter, still scowling, turned to Maisy. “Maisy, try calling Janine. Tell her Mom is sick and bedridden, and she really wants to see Skylar.
She’s not answering our calls. You’re her biological daughter—maybe she’ll listen to you.”
Maisy blinked, startled. She was still half-asleep and overwhelmed by what she had just heard about the company’s crisis.
“Okay, I’ll try,” she said quietly.
Sadie frowned at Maisy’s sluggishness but didn’t say anything.
When Janine saw Maisy’s number flash on her phone, she was surprised. After hearing what Maisy had to say, an icy chill ran down her spine.
So they only called when they needed something.
“Ms. Yancey, please. I’m begging you,” Maisy said, desperation slipping into her voice. “Mom is really sick. No matter what’s happened between us, her bond with Skylar can’t be broken.”
Janine stayed silent.
Maisy had always looked down on her. She had made no effort to hide her disdain, calling her a backwoods nobody who wasn’t worthy of being her mother. And now, when she needed something, she expected kindness in return?
After a moment, Janine let out a sigh. “Okay.”
Later, as Skylar arrived at the Gardner Group, her phone buzzed. It was a call from Janine.
“Skye, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” Janine said gently. “But she is your biological mother. If she really is seriously ill… I thought you’d want to know.”
After the call ended, Skylar stood frozen for a moment, conflicted.
Sadie… seriously ill?
She didn’t remember this happening in her previous life.
Could her rebirth have changed the fate of others as well?
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