Chapter 54
Emma muttered, โItโs probably nothing good. She went straight to Micah and asked for a million dollarsโฆ Who knows what sheโs up to.โ
Her words trailed off into silence; no one replied.
Restless, Emma couldnโt stop thinking about the police reopening the old kidnapping case. She felt like a cat on hot bricks and tried again, โDad, 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, โIf youโre worried about her living on her own, I can check in on her every dayโbring her some food and drinks.โ
Rosetta looked surprised. โYouโd really do that?โ
โSheโs my sister, isnโt she? Itโs what I should do. Micah was just telling me today that I should be more generous, you know? After everything Ivyโs been through, and now with her illnessโฆ weโre still family. If even we turn our backs on her, imagine how lonely sheโd feel.โ
Emmaโs eyes grew watery as she played her part to perfection.
Baillie sighed. โYouโre right. My heart aches for her, but lately, sheโs impossible to talk to.โ
โOkay then, itโs settled. Iโll go help her pack, and when she gets back, Iโll take her to the apartment.โ Emma stood up, forcing herself to hide her disgust as she walked toward the live-in maidโs room.
Rosetta turned, worried, calling after her younger daughter. โEmma, are you just going to go in there?โ
Emma answered, โMom, you canโt catch HIV just by being in the same room. Please stop acting like Ivyโs some kind of monster.โ
The sudden change in Emmaโs attitudeโher willingness to care for her older sisterโtouched Adkins and Rosetta deeply.
โLooks like Micahโs been a good influence,โ Rosetta sighed. โLetโs just hope Ivy understands our reasons.โ
They had no idea that their younger daughter was far more cunning and calculating than theyโd ever imagined.
All Emma really wanted was to force Ivy out of the house for good.
Her offer to โcheck in every dayโ was just an excuse to fish for informationโshe wanted to see if the police had made progress with the trafficking investigation.
She couldnโt risk asking Ivy about it at home; that would only raise suspicion.
Emmaโs 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 maidโs room door, unconsciously holding her breath.
Sheโd read all about itโthere were only three ways HIV could be transmitted. But stepping into Ivyโs room still made her skin crawl, as if invisible needles were pricking her from every side.
Still, she had to pretend she wasnโt the least bit bothered.
She yanked open the closet and, seeing the sudden abundance of new clothes, felt a fresh surge of jealousy.
โMom, Ivyโs 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. โProbably. Every time she comes home, sheโs carrying bags and boxes!โ
As she spoke, Rosettaโs attention landed on something on the desk. She frowned in confusion.
โEmma, whatโs that? Looks like itโs covered with a cloth.โ
Emma turned from the closet to glance at the desk. โNo idea.โ
There was a large box on the deskโsquare, taking up nearly half the surfaceโcovered carefully with a piece of pale lace.
โIs 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.
โAaahhhh-!โ
โAhh!โ