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I wait and listen.
“How is Syd?” she asks.
“She’s good. Sleeping soundly,” I say.
I’ve learned over the years Sybil doesn’t like too many details. I’m surprised she still has her out-of-the-blue phone calls because she never does seem to be interested in being a parent.
“Glad to hear. She must have grown so much since you guys left,” she says. Maybe if she would ask for the occasional picture she would know.
“She has,” I reply.
“Are you feeling better?” she asks.
“I can move around a little more. I’m not as confined to my bed,” I explain.
“Good. Good,” she replies, and the line goes quiet. It doesn’t fly past me that Sybil sounds nervous, and my hackles go up in response. “I’m finally going to be able to come in the week after next. I’ve scheduled the jet. I’d like to spend the day with Syd so Warren can get to know her better.”
“She hasn’t seen you in close to a year. You haven’t exactly spent a lot of time with her since she was little. I don’t think Syd will be comfortable without me there.”
“I’m her mother, Connor. I want to spend time with my daughter,” she snaps.
“As her mother, I would think you would want her to be comfortable,” I reply, trying to hold my tone even. This cannot turn into a fighting match.
“Warren wants to meet her, Connor. He is going to be my husband. We also decided that since we are getting married and plan to have children in the future, Sydney would be better off with us,” she says, dropping a bomb on me.
I want to get out of the bath and kick a wall but my mobility is limited.
“You did not just say that to me, Sybil,” I warn. “I’ve taken care of Syd since day one.”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I’ve spoken with my lawyer,” she says in true Sybil fashion, she thinks she can write me off like a liability.
My vision turns black.
I try to rein in my anger and take a few deep breaths.
“Syd has a nanny she has really bonded with. If you want to spend time with her then I insist Ellie joins you. That is if you really love our daughter and care for her well-being,” I bite back.
“I do, and I’m happy to take the nanny,” she says.
“Okay, see you in a couple of weeks,” I reply.
I throw my phone across the bathroom, not caring if I break it. Then I soap up. I don’t bother with my hair because I need to get the hell out of here.
I raise myself out of the bath using a technique Patty showed me, and then I wrap myself in a towel.
“Fuck,” I growl.
“Connor?” I hear Ellie’s voice from the other side of the door.
I open it. I’m seeing red.
“Is everything okay?” she asks sweetly.
“No,” I bark. “Sybil wants to fight me for custody of Syd.”
Ellie gasps.
“She isn’t going to win. This is some ploy of hers to make herself seem motherly to the new fiancé. She thinks because she is getting married that a judge will choose her over me. Well, fuck that.”
