Present day
Sitting in the emergency room of the Riscoff Memorial Hospital with my mother is the last place I should be thinking about Whitney, but I can’t help it.
Fuck. What a mess.
We’re waiting on tests to come back, but I can’t lie and say I think this episode is legitimate. My mother’s conveniently timed heart events are growing to legendary status. The last episode happened right after Commodore turned The Gables over to McKinley. Before that, it was when I mentioned the idea of marrying Monica.
Now she has one when she sees Whitney Gable, and we end up in the emergency room?
Suspicious? Absolutely.
“I guess you should’ve gotten rid of her as soon as she stepped foot in town.” Harrison’s comment is a poorly aimed swipe.
“This is her home too.”
“We own this town. There’s nothing here that the Gables can claim.”
“Shut up, Harrison,” McKinley chimes in. “This is about Mother, and no one else. Pretend you care.”
“I’m her favorite. Of course I care.”
He’s right. If it were up to our mother, Harrison would inherit everything. McKinley and I don’t cater to her like he does.
Dr. Green, our family’s doctor for the last two decades, enters the waiting area, and we all stand.
“Is she going to be okay?” my sister asks.
“Was it a heart attack?” That question comes from Harrison.
“She’s going to be fine. It was a panic attack. Your mother has been under a lot of stress lately, and it’s taking a toll on her.”
“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.”