Chapter 54
Posted on June 24, 2025 ยท 1 mins read
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Chapter 54

Emma muttered, โ€œItโ€™s probably nothing good. She went straight to Micah and asked for a million dollarsโ€ฆ Who knows what sheโ€™s up to.โ€

Her words trailed off into silence; no one replied.

Restless, Emma couldnโ€™t stop thinking about the police reopening the old kidnapping case. She felt like a cat on hot bricks and tried again, โ€œDad, Mom, maybe we should let Ivy move out for a while? At least until after Micah and I have our engagement party. Then she can come back.โ€

She added quickly, sounding extra eager, โ€œIf youโ€™re worried about her living on her own, I can check in on her every dayโ€”bring her some food and drinks.โ€

Rosetta looked surprised. โ€œYouโ€™d really do that?โ€

โ€œSheโ€™s my sister, isnโ€™t she? Itโ€™s what I should do. Micah was just telling me today that I should be more generous, you know? After everything Ivyโ€™s been through, and now with her illnessโ€ฆ weโ€™re still family. If even we turn our backs on her, imagine how lonely sheโ€™d feel.โ€

Emmaโ€™s eyes grew watery as she played her part to perfection.

Baillie sighed. โ€œYouโ€™re right. My heart aches for her, but lately, sheโ€™s impossible to talk to.โ€

โ€œOkay then, itโ€™s settled. Iโ€™ll go help her pack, and when she gets back, Iโ€™ll take her to the apartment.โ€ Emma stood up, forcing herself to hide her disgust as she walked toward the live-in maidโ€™s room.

Rosetta turned, worried, calling after her younger daughter. โ€œEmma, are you just going to go in there?โ€

Emma answered, โ€œMom, you canโ€™t catch HIV just by being in the same room. Please stop acting like Ivyโ€™s some kind of monster.โ€

The sudden change in Emmaโ€™s attitudeโ€”her willingness to care for her older sisterโ€”touched Adkins and Rosetta deeply.

โ€œLooks like Micahโ€™s been a good influence,โ€ Rosetta sighed. โ€œLetโ€™s just hope Ivy understands our reasons.โ€

They had no idea that their younger daughter was far more cunning and calculating than theyโ€™d ever imagined.

All Emma really wanted was to force Ivy out of the house for good.

Her offer to โ€œcheck in every dayโ€ was just an excuse to fish for informationโ€”she wanted to see if the police had made progress with the trafficking investigation.

She couldnโ€™t risk asking Ivy about it at home; that would only raise suspicion.

Emmaโ€™s mind was made up, and a thrill of satisfaction ran through her. At last, she had a perfect excuse to push Ivy out and even managed to look like the caring sibling in front of her parents.

She opened the maidโ€™s room door, unconsciously holding her breath.

Sheโ€™d read all about itโ€”there were only three ways HIV could be transmitted. But stepping into Ivyโ€™s room still made her skin crawl, as if invisible needles were pricking her from every side.

Still, she had to pretend she wasnโ€™t the least bit bothered.

She yanked open the closet and, seeing the sudden abundance of new clothes, felt a fresh surge of jealousy.

โ€œMom, Ivyโ€™s got a ton of clothes. She must be out shopping every day,โ€ Emma called out as she started packing.

Rosetta, hearing this, came over and stood in the doorway. โ€œProbably. Every time she comes home, sheโ€™s carrying bags and boxes!โ€

As she spoke, Rosettaโ€™s attention landed on something on the desk. She frowned in confusion.

โ€œEmma, whatโ€™s that? Looks like itโ€™s covered with a cloth.โ€

Emma turned from the closet to glance at the desk. โ€œNo idea.โ€

There was a large box on the deskโ€”square, taking up nearly half the surfaceโ€”covered carefully with a piece of pale lace.

โ€œIs it a jewelry box?โ€ Emma guessed, stepping over for a closer look.

Thinking of Ivy demanding a million dollars from her fiancรฉ, Emma was convinced it had to be some luxury item. Without hesitation, she whipped off the covering.

โ€œAaahhhh-!โ€

โ€œAhh!โ€


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