Chapter 118 - Cheers to Comeuppance
“It’s almost as if he doesn’t trust my family!” Annika said in an accusing tone.
“I trust our family, Doc, but I don’t trust the justice system! I’ve been fucked over it by it once already, and it was one time too many!”
“Leon, my family owns half the justice system in this state. I guarantee you that they don’t have a case against Anni. Trust me if you can’t trust anyone else,” Hunter said firmly, placing his hands on Leon’s shoulders, assuring him. Leon let out a deep breath while grumbling but nodded nonetheless.
“Cool. So, if we’re all good here, I need to shower so I can get ready to head to the clinic,” Kenzie told the room, then faced Annika. “Need a ride?”
“Sure.”
“If it will make you feel better, I’ll call Matt and get the 4-1-1 on everything that’s going on,” Hunter offered as Kenzie returned to their room to get ready.
“Yes, that’d be great. I’m sure Leon would appreciate your hand in this. Right, babe?” Annika nudged Leon.
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“Now go to work,” she commanded him. “You can pick me up afterward.”
“Fine. But if any of those leeches show up, you call me or Toby immediately.”
“While you were storming out of the penthouse this morning like a typhoon on a mission, Royce already offered to keep an eye on the clinic. He’ll let me know if any of them decide to visit,” Annika reassured him and kissed his cheek.
“I can always—”
“GO TO WORK!” she shouted, shoving him out of the Malloy residence. Once the door was closed, she let out a deep sigh.
“You know he’s only worked up because he loves you that much, right?” Hunter said to her as he made his way to the kitchen. Annika followed him and sat at the dining table. “Coffee?”
“Can’t. Pregnant.”
“Oh, right, my bad. Peppermint Tea?”
“Oh, please!” she lit up. “And yes, I know he loves me. Almost annoyingly so,” she said, making Hunter chuckle.
“Leon’s right, though.”
“About?” she asked as Hunter placed her tea in front of her.
“If it were Kenzie, I wouldn’t just have the case dismissed. I’d make sure those who fucked with my life wouldn’t see the light of day again.”
“It’s not the end of the world, though,” Annika said while sipping her tea.
“Don’t shrug this off, Anni. It might not amount to anything on its own, but Jeff’s family coming after you like this is only the beginning. Even if we can stop the lawsuit, we must ensure they don’t cause any future problems.”
“What do you mean by future problems?”
“You’re so naïve, Anni,” Hunter told her with a smirk. Annika furrowed her brows at the subtle insult. “Anni, you have to think about the fact that you didn’t just ruin Jeff’s image but also that of his family. You outed Jack as a cheat, and he had been having an ongoing affair with Jeff’s biological mother, who was pretending to be a distant cousin, in front of the whole nation. You also destroyed Ruth’s marriage with that information.”
“But she already knew that Jeff wasn’t hers. She’s the one who decided to give Jack another chance after he had already cheated on her once before.”
“Be that as it may, she had no idea that Jack was still cheating on her with Piper. We may only have evidence that it was recent, but you never know how long they slept together. It could be a month, a year, or even their entire marriage. None of us will ever know.”
“I see. So, you’re saying that it is my fault?”
“No, not all. I’m just saying that’s how they’re going to portray it to win sympathy from the public. Even if everyone out there knows what you went through, many will be on the side of Ruth and Joey on this one. If you really think about it, they were innocent bystanders in all of this.”
“I guess you’re right. I do feel a little bad for Joey.”
“Have you spoken to him at all?”
“No. Why would I? It’s not like we’re family anymore.”
“I guess that’s true.”
“Does she know what happened?” Annika asked while giving Hunter a knowing look.
“I’m sure we’ll find out as soon as she does. I doubt she’ll stay quiet about it.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well, even though she’s clinically psychotic, she, as you put it, did, in fact, love Jeff. She’s also pregnant with his kid.”
“Hmm… I see your point.”
“What are you going to do about her baby?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you asked Kenzie to continue to be her OB-GYN.”
“And?”
“And I figured you wouldn’t have done that unless you had an explanation.”
“What are you talking about, Hunter?”
“Aren’t you going to tell Leon you want to adopt her baby?”
“WHAT!?” Annika explained in horror. “What in God’s name gave you that absurd idea!?”
“Huh? That’s not what you were aiming for?” Hunter asked, confused.
“GOD, NO!” Annika shuddered in disgust. “You didn’t tell Leon this, did you!?” Hunter pursed his lips and kept mum. “YOU DID!? Hunter, why would you go and spout nonsense like that!?”
“Well, because you’re you!”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean!?”
“You’re too kind for your own good, Anni. I figured since you wanted to give their baby the best care, you intended to take their baby for yourself.”
“Why would I want any remnants of that asshole and his whore in my life!? Why would Leon!?” Hunter had no retort and just pursed his lips as he thought about his foolishness.
“All right, I’m ready to go!” Kenzie sang as she came into the kitchen. She went to the fridge to grab a drinkable yogurt, her everyday breakfast, and Hunter handed over her coffee mug that she always took to work with her.
“Have a good day, babe,” Hunter said, giving her a chaste kiss, and pretended his awkward conversation with Annika hadn’t just happened. “Love you.”
“I love you too, babe. Have a good day at the office. Let me know what happens with this bullshit lawsuit.”
“I’ll be in touch with both of you once I get with Matt later today.”
“Bye, Hunter!” Annika called out grudgingly as she and Kenzie left for the clinic.