“So, what can we do to help her, Doc?” Harrison glances pointedly at me.

“Try to avoid introducing additional stressors into her life. She needs some peace and quiet. She’s been through a lot over the years.”

I scoffed. “She doesn’t work. Hasn’t worked a day in her life. She has staff at her beck and call to do literally every single thing she could possibly need. How stressful can her life really be?” I may sound heartless, but I’m done with my mother using her health to try to manipulate every situation.

Dr. Green’s gaze rests on me. “I think you’re well aware of what triggered her panic attack, Mr. Riscoff.”

My jaw clenches, and I want to demand a second opinion. My mother obviously has Green wrapped around her finger. He’ll tell us whatever she wants him to.

“Can we see her now?” McKinley asks.

“Yes. And she’ll be able to leave shortly. I might suggest having her spend some time out of town. Maybe she could go on a trip and relax?”

“Good luck with that,” Harrison says with a cough. “She hates traveling this time of year.”

“I suggest you try convincing her then. I’ll plan to visit her tomorrow at home to see how she’s doing and reassess.”

“Thank you, Dr. Green. Will you take me back to her?” McKinley asks before she follows Dr. Green out of the private waiting area.

Harrison turns to me. “If you’re trying to kill her, you’re doing a hell of a job.”

“Fuck off.” I stand and turn for the door.

“If she finds out that someone is trying to exhume Dad’s body for a paternity suit, that’ll really put her over the edge.”

I stop short on the threshold. “How did you find out about that?”

Harrison smirks. “I know everything. Now . . . it’ll be interesting to see if you find out what it’s like to not have a claim to everything you think you deserve, big brother.”

Twenty-Six

Whitney

I don’t know where to go. I don’t want to bring the destruction that comes with me back to Aunt Jackie’s yet.

Jesus, what if Mrs. Riscoff dies? Aunt Jackie will lose her job for sure.

Not that a job is life and death, but if Jackie were to get fired from The Gables, she’d probably have to move. Like she told me before, the Riscoffs own nearly everything and control the majority of the jobs in this town.

I never should have come home.

And why did I let him kiss me?

The last thing I need in my life is to complicate it by adding Lincoln Riscoff to the fray. I’ve only been home for a couple of days, and everything is already falling apart.

I don’t want to go through this again. The whispers. People talking about me wherever I go. I left Gable to make it stop, and that’s the same reason I escaped LA.

It doesn’t matter where I go—I’m cursed.