Episode 8: Family Tensions

Hello Little One

Episode 8: Family Tensions

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The Unexpected Visit

Ivy Carter wasn’t prepared for the storm that was her parents.

The moment she stepped out of her dorm, her phone buzzed with a message from her mom.

Mom: We’re here. Where are you?

She barely had time to take a deep breath before she spotted them standing near the campus fountain.

Her mom, Julia Carter—a petite but commanding woman—stood with her arms crossed, scanning the campus like she was inspecting a military base. Despite her small frame, she radiated authority, and Ivy had no doubt she was already judging every brick and blade of grass.

Her dad, Henry Carter, was the complete opposite. Tall and broad-shouldered, he was standing there with the softest smile, like he was seeing his little girl for the first time in years.

“Ivy, sweetheart!” Julia called.

Ivy barely had time to react before her dad pulled her into a tight hug. “My baby girl,” he murmured, holding onto her for a second too long.

“Dad, I can’t breathe,” Ivy wheezed.

He pulled back, eyes full of warmth. “You’re eating well, right? Sleeping enough?”

Julia, ever the realist, rolled her eyes. “Henry, she’s in college, not stranded in the wilderness.”

Henry ignored her, studying Ivy like he could see every moment of stress she’d ever had. “Are you struggling? You can always come home if—”

“I’m fine, Dad,” Ivy said quickly.

Julia narrowed her eyes. “You better be. Lila tells me this place has been very eventful for you so far.”

Ivy’s stomach dropped. “Uh—Lila talks too much.”

“Which is why we know all about your RA,” Julia added smoothly, watching Ivy’s expression like a hawk.

Crap.

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As if the universe had sensed Ivy’s panic, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Well, this is an interesting family gathering.”

Ivy froze.

Her parents turned at the same time to see Elena Moore strolling toward them, hands in the pockets of her ripped jeans, a lazy smirk on her lips.

Ivy was going to die.

“Speak of the devil,” Julia muttered under her breath.

Ivy gasped. “Mom!”

Julia ignored her. “So you’re Elena Moore.”

Elena’s smirk didn’t waver. “Guilty.” She glanced at Ivy. “Your cousin talks a lot, huh?”

Ivy groaned. “You have no idea.”

Henry immediately stepped forward, eyes narrowing slightly. “Ivy’s resident assistant, right?”

Elena nodded, offering her hand. “That’s me.”

Henry shook it—but not before giving her the classic dad assessment, eyes scanning Elena like she was a potential threat.

Elena, unfazed, just raised an eyebrow.

Julia, meanwhile, crossed her arms and blatantly looked Elena up and down. “You’re not what I expected.”

Elena smirked. “I get that a lot.”

Ivy wanted to disappear.

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As they walked across campus, Julia and Henry asked Elena far too many questions.

“So, Lila tells me you like to tease Ivy,” Julia said casually.

Ivy choked on air. “Mom!”

Elena, fully enjoying this, glanced at Ivy. “What can I say? She’s fun to mess with.”

Henry’s expression darkened slightly. “And why’s that?”

Elena just smiled. “Because she reacts so easily.”

Ivy was going to murder her.

Julia’s lips twitched like she was trying not to smile, but Henry’s protectiveness was on full display. “Ivy is my little girl,” he said firmly.

Elena’s expression flickered just a little.

Something softened in her gaze, but the smirk didn’t leave. “I’ll keep that in mind, sir.”

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After a painfully long tour, Ivy finally got a moment alone with Elena.

The second they were out of earshot, Ivy groaned. “You loved that, didn’t you?”

Elena laughed. “Your dad is intense.”

Ivy sighed. “Yeah, well, welcome to my life.”

Elena leaned against a railing, stretching lazily. “Parents are complicated.”

Ivy hesitated before asking, “What about yours?”

Elena’s smirk faded just a bit. “My dad expects a lot. Wants me to take over the family business, be the ‘perfect heir.’”

Ivy frowned. “And you don’t want that?”

Elena exhaled, running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know. I could do it. But do I want to?”

For the first time, Ivy saw a different side of Elena—not the cocky senior, not the playful tease, but someone who was just as lost as she was.

She hesitated, then nudged Elena’s arm. “Guess we both have overbearing parents, huh?”

Elena chuckled. “Guess so.”

There was a brief moment of silence—comfortable, warm.

Then—

“You really need to stop blushing when I call you Little One,” Elena said, her smirk fully returning.

Ivy groaned. “And you need to stop being so annoying.”

Elena just laughed.

But Ivy didn’t miss the way her smirk had softened—just a little.

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