When Otis heard that Vivian was pregnant, every trace of anger vanished from his face. He smiled and congratulated Melvin.
But I knew who he was really congratulating.
Melvin pulled Otis upstairs to talk business, leaving me alone in the living room with Vivian.
I ignored her and went about my business, but she wasn't the type to leave well enough alone.
She walked up to me, contempt dripping from every word.
"You saw everything that night. Otis loves me. Why won't you let go? I've never met a woman so shameless."
"Once my baby's born, you're out whether you like it or not. The Hensons aren't going to keep a hen that can't lay eggs."
I raised an eyebrow. "Being the other woman really gives you that much confidence?"
Vivian sneered. "You want to know what happens when you cross the other woman?"
"You end up just like your mother. Mine took everything from her. Kicked her out like a stray dog."
The words hit me like a bolt of lightning. I stood frozen.
"You're Lisa James's daughter?"
Lisa James had been our family's housekeeper. While my mother was still recovering from childbirth, Lisa seduced my father.