Chapter 720
Ivy had never heard the details about Jamison beating up Carla’s husband.
Now, listening to the brothers talk, she finally understood–Farley Shepherd owed much of his current success to the Ludwig family’s influence.
Yet, even though he’d risen so high on the coattails of his wife’s family, he’d still had the nerve to betray her, keeping a mistress and an illegitimate child on the side.
“That bastard–I told him to sign the divorce papers and walk away with nothing, but he absolutely refused! For years, he’s been moving money out of the country–fifty, sixty million, easily. It’s all gone to that tramp and her son!” Carla’s voice shook with anger and tears as she lashed out at her cheating husband, every word dripping with bitterness.
“And even after all that, he still wants to split what little’s left–half for me and Micah, half for him! I won’t let him get away with it. If it comes down to it, I’ll drag him down with me before I let him take our money to spoil his mistress!”
Ivy frowned as she listened.
For Carla to say something like that, she must’ve been pushed to the edge. With Micah’s condition, there wasn’t much left for her to lose. If she had to, she’d go down fighting–if only to reclaim a shred of dignity.
“Enough of this nonsense! Is it really worth it for the money? It’s not like the Ludwig family can’t afford Micah’s treatments. Why sink any lower dealing with that scum?” Danny’s voice was stern as he scolded her. After a moment’s thought, he made a decision. “Just divorce him. Don’t ask for anything. Let him think he’s won for now.”
Carla turned to her father, her voice hoarse. “Dad, do you have a way to make him pay?”
Danny hadn’t spoken yet when Thad let out a cold laugh. “There’s always a way. Just takes the right opportunity. Like the old saying goes–pride comes before a fall. Let him have his moment.”
The truth was, Thad had only just gotten back from a business trip and hadn’t had time to figure out how to deal with Farley. But dragging things out with someone like that would only wear Carla down. It wasn’t worth it.
“Thad’s right. No need to tangle with him any longer. Get the divorce over with.” Jamison had finished his meal and set his fork down, agreeing with his brother.
Carla looked at the two of them, wiped her tears away, and after a long silence, ground out, “I just can’t swallow this humiliation…”
Jamison said, “Think of it this way–do it for Mom. The bigger the scene you make, the longer you drag it out, the more she’ll worry.”
Carla fell silent.
She’d been so caught up in the chaos of her own life lately, she’d barely thought about how it was affecting their mother.
“It’s my fault. I’m too old to have my life in shambles like this, making my parents worry about me,” Carla whispered, dabbing at her eyes, head bowed in genuine remorse.
Only now did she truly realize the mistakes she’d made.
“I spoiled Micah, pushed him down this path, and if I’d listened to you all sooner, my things wouldn’t have ended up like this. Now Micah might never wake up, my husband’s betrayed me–this is my punishment. I deserve it…”
She kept muttering, her regret painfully real.
But there’s no turning back time.
After dinner, Ivy joined Jamison to check on Adela in her room.
Sure enough, the old woman’s eyes were red–she’d clearly been crying, too.
“Jamison, you have to help your sister,” Adela pleaded, her worry plain. “No matter what she’s done in the past, now she has no one but us to rely on…”
That’s what parents are like. They’re always most anxious about the child who’s struggling, even when it’s their own fault.
Jamison nodded. “Don’t worry, Mom. With Thad and me here, Farley Shepherd won’t get far.”
Adela finally relaxed a little, then turned to Ivy, her expression softer than usual. “And you… How are you feeling?”
“I’m much better, Mom.” Ivy’s heart softened at the sight of her mother–in–law like this, and her tone grew gentler, letting old grievances go.
“Take care of yourself. We still have our three–year pact, remember? If I don’t hold up my end, you’ll kick me out of the Ludwig family.”
Ivy said it half–jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.
To her surprise, Adela managed a wry smile. “I’m not sure I’ll have the strength for that, honestly.”
“How could you not? If the time comes, just put on a scene–cry, shout, threaten Jamison a bit. He’d fold in a heartbeat.”
Ivy’s teasing finally coaxed a real laugh out of Adela.
“Honestly, I never liked you all that much,” the old woman admitted quietly. “But Jamison does, and I understand–this is your life, not mine. If you’re happy, then that’s what matters…”
A strange sadness swept over Ivy. She couldn’t say why, but something about Adela’s words tonight felt like she was saying goodbye.