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“Derek,” She began, “You are necessary for George to seal this contract. Think of the money we will lose if he can’t close this.”

“I don’t care.” I leaned back in my seat. “Your finances are not any of my concern. If I’m spending Thanksgiving with you, I want to see Lucy beforehand.”

Shetsk’dlike the reminder of Lucy was an inconvenience to her.

“She’s a child, I doubt she’ll even care or notice if you’re not there. You’ll have plenty of time after?—”

“I come on Wednesday or I don’t come at all.” I interrupted, anger rolling through me at the blatant disrespect for the relationship I had with my sister. “You can take it or leave it.”

There was another long pause before she sighed dramatically.

“Fine. Wednesday it is, then, since I have no choice. You really are such a disrespectful child, Derek.”

I bit my tongue against the insults I wanted to hurl her way.

When the call finally ended, I dropped my head to my desk. My body felt like a lead-weight. I was emotionally and mentally drained, as usual after dealing with Cecilia.

Pushing myself upright, I shot a text message to Lucy toinform her of the plans. She sent back a line of red-faced emojis with special characters over the mouth.

LUCE:

damn that witch, i’m surprised her facial fillers haven’t rotted her brain yet

LUCE:

*bitch

ME:

Now, now. We don’t need to be rude toward the facial fillers. But, remember, less is more.

She sent some eye-rolling emojis back.

LUCE:

i’m really sorry derek. you don’t have to keep going to these things. she’s literally an energy vampire. stay home and get fat on pumpkin pie with me!!

I smiled at that. As much as I wanted to back out of this, I knew unless I was in a coma or six-feet under, Cecilia wouldn’t accept any other excuses. I had committed.

ME:

Wish I could. You know she’d be breathing down Dad’s neck if I didn’t go. All of you guys would suffer. It’s better I go. It’s 48 hours and then I’ll be back.

LUCE:

you’re a real masochist but whatever… kill a plant or something while you’re there. idk, we have time to brainstorm on how to mess with her

LUCE:

ooooh, what if you stole something and when she asks where it went we gaslight her into believing she never even had that thing?

LUCE:

wait, scratch that. bitchtopher columbus probably has cameras all over including the bathrooms

I barked out a laugh before responding back.

ME: