Chapter 4

The invitation came, as I knew it would.

"The Dr. Grant Show."

It was the biggest, most confrontational daytime talk show in the country. Dr. Grant was famous for making his guests cry, for forcing dramatic, on-air reconciliations and confessions.

Brenda, now a sainted, grieving widow, had agreed to appear. The show's producers billed it as "A Mother's Final Plea." They wanted to give her a platform to appeal to me one last time, in front of a live studio audience and millions of viewers at home.

They called my new publicist, expecting me to refuse.

"Ms. Ava accepts the invitation," my publicist told them.

The news caused a media storm. Why would the Powerball Parasite, the heartless daughter, agree to face the mother she'd wronged so publicly?

The day of the show, I arrived at the studio in a chauffeured car. I wore a black designer dress, heels that cost more than a used car, and the $250,000 Birkin bag. I walked past the line of protesters holding signs with my face crossed out.

I looked unbothered. I looked like a villain.

Backstage, a producer met me. She looked at me with open disgust.

"Brenda is very fragile," she said. "We're asking you to please be considerate."

"I'll be exactly what I need to be," I replied.

I walked onto the set. The live audience booed. Dr. Grant, a man with a perfectly trimmed beard and serious eyes, didn't shake my hand.

Brenda was already seated, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. She looked small and broken. The audience murmured in sympathy.

The cameras started rolling. The show had begun.