I let out a bitter laugh. “Spoiling me? Wilbert, did you even bother to find out the truth?”
He wasn’t expecting me to snap back. His face darkened instantly. “You know what you did. I’m not here to fight with you. I came to tell you the solution. Because of your tantrums, Nivianne’s reputation is ruined. When you leave the hospital, you will host a banquet and apologize to her publicly. You will admit the rumors were your mistake and you will restore her standing. As for your father, his state will be explained as a normal risk of brain aneurysm surgery.”
For a moment, I thought I misheard. Then I saw his expression. He meant every word.
“Are you insane?” My voice cracked. “My father is like this because of her, and you want me to save her name?”
His eyes hardened. “Enough. I’m not asking you. This is what you will do. And don’t forget, your father is still on the edge of life, and your brother is rotting in prison.”
My heart went ice cold. It was always like this. No matter how much I wanted to resist, he reminded me of the chains around me. My father. My brother. I had no choice. I swallowed my anger and closed my eyes. “Fine. I’ll do it. But you get my brother out first.”