Ch28 - Contradiction

Julian eventually agreed to Violet’s request and dropped the theft charges against Benny and Polly. Still, since they’d technically violated public order, it fined them two thousand dollars each.

After spending two nights in a holding cell, they walked out of the station grumbling.

“Unbelievable. They don’t understand a damn thing,” Benny barked. “We told them we knew the ring’s owner, and they still arrested us. Bunch of psychos—police these days really have nothing better to do.”

“Shh, keep your voice down,” Polly hissed, tugging on his arm. “We’re not even that far from the door. You wanna get locked up again for mouthing off?”

Benny hesitated, then turned back toward the building and flipped the station a middle finger.

A few blocks later, Polly spoke up, still shaken. “Where the hell did Violet find people like that? Those lawyers—and two assistants, both in tailored suits. They didn’t look cheap, Benny. I think we really messed with someone we shouldn’t have.”

He scoffed. “ It’s probably all for show, just to scare us off.”

He then stretched his back, wincing. “Two days in that cell and I swear my spine’s gone crooked.”

Polly wasn’t convinced, but she didn’t argue. Instead, they headed straight for the hospital. Lilia didn’t know where they’d been the past two days; Polly just hoped the nurse hadn’t started asking awkward questions about the unpaid bills.

When they arrived, though, the nurse told them something that made both of them freeze.

“Next month’s treatment fees have already been paid,” she said, handing them a printed receipt. “Everything’s cleared. She can continue therapy tomorrow.”

Benny blinked. “Wait—what? You just told us two days ago we were past due. Are you sure there’s not some mistake?”

“No mistake,” the nurse said politely. “The payment was processed yesterday.”

They stared down at the slip—thirty thousand dollars, including room charges, all marked Paid in full. Benny and Polly exchanged wide-eyed looks, then hurried to Lilia’s room. She was asleep, pale but peaceful, her chest rising and falling softly under the blankets.

Polly lowered her voice. “It’s gotta be Violet… but where’d she get that kind of money?” She ran her finger over the printed amount again, as if the numbers might change.

Benny snorted. “Told you she was pretending to be broke. That ring, now this—yeah, real ‘poor’, my ass.” He crumpled the paper in his fist.

He’s always contradicting himself, acting like he knows everything.

Polly’s eyes narrowed, mind spinning. “Wait. What if that ring really was her wedding ring? And that man who showed up—what if he’s her husband? He sure didn’t look like a nobody. I’d say he’s loaded—maybe even richer than Hill.”

Benny’s mouth twisted. “Look at her! Acting like we don’t exist. Got herself a rich man and suddenly forgets who raised her. Typical. All these years, and for what?”

Polly fell quiet, unsure flickering across her face.

But Benny wasn’t done. His anger needed somewhere to land. “I told you from the start she was trouble. You’re the one who insisted we bring her back from that goddamn orphanage in England. If she’d stayed there, none of this would’ve happened—we wouldn’t be broke, and I wouldn’t have a criminal record!”

Polly’s head snapped up. “Oh, don’t you dare. Who was it that changed his tune overnight the moment he heard her mother might’ve left her an inheritance? Who bought me the damn plane ticket and said, ‘Go fetch the girl’? You think I forgot?”

Benny threw up his hands. “Yeah, and look how that turned out. Nothing. Not a cent. I bet your brother made the whole story up—said his wife, Charlotte, came from some fancy Swiss family. What a load of crap.”

Polly’s face tightened. “My brother never bragged about anything. You’re the one who blew it out of proportion.”

Benny scoffed. “Ha. I still remember that Charlotte—acting like she was royalty the one time I met her. Pretentious as hell. And after all these years? No word, no lawyers, no inheritance. If there really was a trust fund or a family fortune, someone would’ve come looking for her daughter by now.”

He crossed his arms, sneering. “More likely, that whole Swiss family kicked her out ages ago. Probably washed their hands of her—and her kid along with her. ”

If cutting one person loose means keeping more money for themselves… yeah, that tracks. He thought.

“Oh, so now everything’s my fault?” Polly snapped, her brow furrowing tight. “Funny, I don’t remember you objecting when we made that decision together.”

Benny glared at her, voice rising. “Don’t forget—Violet’s your brother’s kid, not mine. I’ve got no blood ties to her whatsoever. Letting her stay under my roof all these years? That’s more than generous!”

Polly clenched her jaw. “Then maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to take her money! She’s the one who paid that thirty grand, not you. And you—what have you done as Lilia’s father?”

“Don’t act like I don’t care! I’m hurting too, okay? Watching our daughter go through this isn’t easy!”

“What you can really do for us is stop ‘helping.’ We’d still have hundred grand left if you hadn’t sunk it into that so-called investment your buddy pitched—and lost every penny!”

“SHUT your damn mouth!” Benny barked, springing to his feet. His face flushed red with anger. “How many times are you gonna throw that in my face?”

Their voices, which had started low and tense, were now loud enough for other patients to glance over.

“Mom? Dad?”

The small, fragile voice cut through the tension.

Both of them turned. Lilia was awake, her head slightly lifted from the pillow, her eyes tired but bright.

Polly immediately hurried to her side. “Sweetheart, you’re up! How’re you feeling? Don’t move, let me help you.”

Polly gently helped her sit up, fluffed the pillows behind her, then poured a cup of water and held it to her lips.

Lilia took a sip. “What were you two arguing about just now?”

Polly froze, avoiding her daughter’s gaze. Lilia turned to her father—and gasped. “Dad, what happened to your eye?”

Benny had forgotten about the fading bruise around his eye and cheek. He quickly covered it with a hand. “Ah, nothing. Just tripped the other day, that’s all.”

“Don’t mind your father,” Polly said softly, rubbing Lilia’s leg through the blanket. “Do your arms and legs feel any stronger today?”

Lilia shook her head. “Not really. It’s the same. And I’m bored out of my mind in here, Mom. Can’t you just take me home?”

Polly brushed a hand across her cheek, her voice tender but firm. “Here, if anything happens, the doctors are right there. At home, we can’t be with you around the clock. I’d worry too much.”

“But…” Lilia’s shoulders slumped. “The IV infusions are only twice a month now. I could just come in for the enzyme therapy sessions. Staying here is such a waste—every day costs so much money.”

“Don’t worry about the money,” Benny cut in with a cough, stepping closer to the bed. “Your cousin’s got herself a rich man now. She’ll cover your bills.”

“Rich man? What do you mean?” Lilia frowned. She vaguely remembered hearing something earlier about “getting married”—were they talking about Violet?

“Shh! Don’t say that in front of her,” Polly hissed, shooting Benny a glare. “If you’re so full of energy, why don’t you go get lunch for your daughter from the cafeteria?”

Benny pressed his lips together, muttering under his breath, “Didn’t say anything wrong…”

“What was that?” Polly narrowed her eyes.

He raised his brows, backing off. “Alright, alright. What do you want to eat, kiddo?”

“Anything’s fine, just… no carrot. Thanks, Dad.”

“OK, Sit tight. ”

Benny rubbed the bridge of his nose, stuffed his hands into his pockets, and trudged out of the room.