I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve wondered whether I’m really your daughter, or if Emma is the real one. How could you be so outrageously biased? Now that you’re in trouble, you come running to me, begging me to stay, acting like I owe you something. But when a heart is dead, it can’t be revived. I’ve been disappointed in you for so long–there’s not a shred of affection left. So don’t bother trying to guilt-trip me.”
Ivy hadn’t even finished before Rosetta broke down, gasping through her sobs, muttering her remorse. “It was my fault, it was our fault… But we were lied to, Ivy! If the police hadn’t made a mistake, we would never have thought you had HIV, we would never have treated you that way…”
“The police? So now you’re blaming the police? Can’t you see all of this was orchestrated by Emma? Even now, you still don’t get it, do you?”
Ivy could hardly believe her parents could be this blind.
Rosetta froze, glancing back at her husband. They exchanged a look, both still uncertain, still doubting.
It wasn’t entirely their fault, she supposed. During the three years Ivy had been gone, Emma played her role to perfection.
Whether it’s a biological child or an adopted one, parents always seem to favor the one who flatters them most.
Emma understood that all too well. She had the Windsors wrapped around her little finger, always playing the perfect, loving daughter. The “darling angel” routine had thoroughly won them over.
Watching Adkins and Rosetta’s reactions, Ivy let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. “Forget it. In your eyes, even if Emma committed murder or arson, you’d cover for her. You always have.”
With that, Ivy started to roll up the car window, ready to leave.
“Ivy, Ivy!” Rosetta clung desperately to the window, her face stricken with panic. “Even if we were wrong, can’t we admit it? Please, talk to Jamison for us, help your brother. If he goes to prison, his life will be ruined!”
“Why don’t you go talk to Jamison yourselves? I’m not about to beg him for you. The day I walked out of the Windsor house was the day I stopped being your daughter. Nothing you say will change that.”
Adkins yanked his wife back, pointing a trembling, furious finger through the glass. “Ivy! You ungrateful brat! You blame us for favoring Emma, but have you ever thought about your own behavior? Sure, when we thought you were sick, we treated you coldly. But after the misunderstanding was cleared up, we tried everything to bring you home–you never cared! Emma would never sulk with us. Even if she got hurt, she just quietly accepted it and always remembered how we raised her. But you–you treat your own family like enemies, never willing to let anything go. Your brother is about to end up in jail, and you don’t even bat an eye. With a daughter like you, I’d almost rather you’d been taken by kidnappers and out of our sight for good!”
For a split second, Ivy squeezed the steering wheel so hard her knuckles went white. She wanted nothing more than to throw the car in reverse and hit the gas, ending it all right there.
But reason won out over rage.
There was no way she would ruin her own life for parents this cruel and stupid. “That’s right–I’m the ungrateful daughter. Just pretend I’m dead and stop looking for me. For all you know, hearing about your misery is the only thing that makes me smile these days–makes me want to throw a parade–”
“Smack!”
Before she could finish, Adkins, blinded by fury, reached through the open window and slapped her hard across the face.
“Adkins!” Rosetta shrieked, yanking at his arm in a panic. “What are you doing? We still need her to talk to Jamison! How could you hit her?”
“Forget it! She’s heartless. Can’t you see she’s actually enjoying our suffering?”
Chapter 243