Everything was packed, and all Ivy had was a single suitcase.
Gripping the handle, she was ready to head downstairs and leave, when Tessa suddenly clutched at her arm. âIvy, have you lost your mind? Show some self-respect, will you? With your looks, snagging a husband should be a walk in the park. Why on earth would you become someoneâs mistress?â
âMom, is that really what you think of me?â Ivy retorted, her eyes blazing with indignation. Tessa was taken aback; she had never seen such a look from her daughter before.
Had Ivy found herself a sugar daddy and now felt too big for her britches?
Seizing the moment of Tessaâs distraction, Ivy wrenched her arm free and hurried downstairs, suitcase in tow.
The moment she reached the bottom of the stairs, she ran into Finn and his daughter Clara.
Clara, spotting the suitcase in Ivyâs hand, let out a mocking sneer. âDad, I told you Ivy was playing mistress to someone! Look at her, taking all her stuff. Sheâs moving out to be fully kept by her sugar daddy!â
Finnâs gaze upon Ivy turned icy with disapproval. âIvy, are you really going to drag our family name through the mud?â
Finnâs face was stern with regret. âIf Iâd known your mother was carrying a daughter, I might not have let her bring you into this world.â
Ivy had heard such harsh words many times over the years. She was never the child her parents had hoped for. If they hadnât thought Tessa was carrying a son, Ivy would never have been given the chance to live.
She had always endured in silence.
But after what Clara had done to her last night, and with their parentsâ blind support for Clara, Ivy couldnât forgive or hold back any longer.
âMom, Dad, I am moving out. I came back to pick up my things, and also there are some things I need to say to you.â
Seeing that Ivy might reveal the truth, Clara panicked.
She quickly shot Tessa a look, silently pleading with her to rein in her daughter!
Tessa caught it on immediately. Finn hadnât spoken to her all night because of the scandal surrounding lvy, and she did not want to provoke her husbandâs ire because of their disappointing daughter, Ivy.
âIf youâve decided to move out, what more is there to talk about? If you respected our wishes, you wouldnât have gotten yourself into this mess!â Tessa didnât want to hear anything Ivy had to say, fearing sheâd say something to further enrage Finn.
Finn had no intention of listening either. He was about to head back upstairs when Ivy rushed forward, blocking his path with her arm.
âMom, Dad! The truth is, last night Clara dragged me to a bar and deliberately got me drunk. She planned to offer me up to a businessman in exchange for favors. I havenât become anyoneâs mistress.
It wasnât me who was entangled with a man!â
âIvy, what are you⦠Youâre spouting nonsense!â Claraâs facade crumbled into panic as she lunged forward, trying to pull Ivy away. âDonât make up lies to clear your name by dumping this on me!â