Dorothy bit her lip, struggling to hold back the rising tide of emotions.
Jonathan sighed heavily, his gaze fixed on her. "Think about it, Dorothy. If the kids stay with you, what kind of life can you offer them? They'd have to struggle for everything, and you can't provide them much of a leg up in business. And don't go dreaming that Everett will be there to help them out. His mother and I would never allow it." "I never intended to rely on Everett for the kids," she retorted, her voice barely above a whisper. From the beginning, her plan had been to keep the existence of the children a secret.
But things had spiraled out of control.
"Dorothy, don't be selfish and ruin your children's future! With the Lopez family, they'd be living the high life, guaranteed a future filled with every possible opportunity. I promise you, even if Everett remarries and has other kids, I'll still ensure your children get their fair share of the inheritance and company shares. We can put that in writing." The thought of the Lopez heirs not being with them, was more than Jonathan could stomach.
And unlike his wife, Amanda, who despised Dorothy to her core, blaming her for all the family's current troubles, Jonathan's motivations were simpler. He just couldn't see Dorothy as fitting the Lopez pedigree.
Besides, with his wife's past misdeeds, imagine if Dorothy actually joins the family, and one day people uncover the truth about her mother's death...
The Lopez family would become the laughingstock of the social circuit, their dirty laundry aired for all to see.
What Jonathan craved was stability, not another family scandal shaking the very foundations of their legacy.
"I can deny the children are Lopez forever, if that's what you're worried about," Dorothy offered, desperation edging her voice.
"But even if no one else knows, how will you keep it from Everett? He'll seek out his children. Dorothy, I don't want to think you're as mercenary as my wife claims, chasing Everett for his money. But if you insist on keeping the kids..." "Can I make a call?" Dorothy interrupted, suddenly looking as though she'd come to some sort of resolution.
"Of course." Jonathan was clueless about her intent, but they were in Swevia Country; he was confident she couldn't cause any serious trouble here.
Turning away, Dorothy dialed the number Byte 7 had given her earlier. It rang for a long while before someone finally picked up, his voice groggy from sleep and tinged with irritation.
"What do you want?" "Sorry to bother you, but I need to know... when can you fix that thing?" Byte 7 paused, yawning mid-sentence. "In a hurry? Pay extra, and I'll bump you up the queue." Dorothy pressed her lips together in frustration, knowing full well she didn't have the funds to expedite the process.
Sensing her predicament, Byte 7 chuckled. "No money, no rush. Give me a month, and call back then. Goodbye." Without waiting for a response, he hung up to return to his slumber.
Clutching her phone, Dorothy turned back to Jonathan with a determined look. "I'll leave the kids with the Lopez family, but I need one month by Everett's side, whether he wakes up or not." Jonathan raised an eyebrow. "If he wakes, he'll want you to stay." "No, he won't." Once the hard drive was restored, everything would change...
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