74 A Rivalry’s Bitter Root
Ivy’s eyes gleamed with malice despite her frail state I still want it
Alistair winced, finally confronted with the ugly truth he’d been avoiding. The discomfort on his face was palpable as he shifted in his chair, torn between the woman dying before him and the reality of her nature
“Give it to me. Ivy demanded, her voice stronger now, fueled by spite
Theld the jade bracelet in my palm, the cool weight of it familiar against my skin. My grandmother had given it to me on my sixteenth birthday, telling me it held our family’s strength
You don’t deserve this,” I said quietly
Neither do you,” Ivy spat back. “Nothing you have was ever truly yours to keep.
Alistair cleared his throat. “Hazel, please. Just… let her have it
Hooked at him, searching for any sign of the man I thought I knew. There was none Just a weak shell, desperate to appease the dying woman before him.
“You’re still choosing her” I stated flatly
“She’s dying” he whispered, as if that excused everything.
For a brief moment, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes-regret, perhaps. A tiny spark of the man who once promised to stand by me through anything. It was enough to make me hesitate
“Take it off her, Ivy commanded Alistair, her breathing labored but her determination unwavering
I watched as Alistair’s hand moved toward my wrist. His touch was tentative almost apologetic, as he unclasped the bracelet Our fingers brushed briefly and I felt nothing No electricity No longing. Rist emptiness where love had once lived.
The jade bracelet slipped from my wrist, and with it, my last shred of hope that Alistau might redeem himself
He placed it carefully on Ivy’s skeletal wrist. It hung loose too large for her diminished
frame She smiled triumphantly, running her fingertips over the smooth stone
“Perfect she whispered.
Estepped back creating distance between myself and this grotesque tableau “Congratulations. You’ve taken one more thing from ne
‘Don’t be so dramatje,” Ivy said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. “It’s just
Jewelry
“Then why did you want it so badly?” I challenged.
Ivy’s smile widened, revealing teeth that seemed too large for her sunken face
Because it hurt you to give it up. That’s always been enough for me
Alistair looked away, shame coloring his cheeks. He couldn’t meet my eyes.
“You know what, Ivy?” I said, finding unexpected strength in my voice. “You can have the Bet You can even have him. But you’ll never have my happiness. That’s something you can’t steal”
Ivy’s expression darkened. “Always so self-righteous. Just like your mother
Leave my mother out of this,” I warned
“Why should I?” Ivy pushed herself up slightly, wincing with the effort. “Your precious mother is the reason for all of this.”
I frowned. What are you talking about?”
“Your sainted mother stole my mother’s man,” Ivy hissed, venom in every syllable. “She seduced iny lather away from my mother when they were engaged.
The accusation hit me like a physical blow. “That’s a tie:
“Is it? Ivy challenged “Your mother was a homewrecker. My father was supposed to marry my mother but your mother swooped in and stole him with her pretty face and fake mmocence”
shook my head vehemently “No. My father pursued my mother. She didn’t know he
was with anyone else
That’s the story she told you” Ivy countered “But my mother was pregnant with me and my brother when your motherconvinced my father to have her She knew exactiv
what she was doing
My hands clenched into fists “My mother would never
Your mother did exactly what my lather wanted her to do, Ivy interrupted. “She
played the perfect wife until he got bored. Then he came back to my mother, where he belonged all along
The timeline didn’t make sense. “My parents were married for years before they divorced Your mother was his mistress
Ivy laughed a harsh sound that dissolved into coughing. Alistair quickly handed her a glass of water his eyes darting between us nervously
“Your mother was just better at keeping him temporarily Ivy said after regaining her breath But blood calls to blood. My mother was his first choice, his real choice. Your nother was just a distraction.
My world ulted on its axis. Everything I thought I knew about my family’s history was being questioned
“You re lying.” I insisted, but my voice lacked conviction.
Ask your grandmother, Ivy challenged “She knows the truth. She watched it all bappen
My grandmother had never spoken ill of my father, even after the divorce. She d mantamed a dignified sidener supporting my mother without fueling my hatred for him. Had she been protecting me from an even uglier truth?
mother loved him faithfully” I said. “She died heartbroken because of him
She died knowing she lost Ivy retorted “My mother won in the end, just like I’ve won
A
age unele me “Won what/4 dying body and a man who can
Her words sparked age angle me
stand up for himself Congratulations By What a victory
Ivy & Jacmconwted with hits At least For Taking what should have been mine all
along! What my mother deserved
This isn’t about us Treated aloud ‘I never was. This is about out parents
It’s about justice, Ivy snarled Tverything you had should have been mitne You father’s love, your fancy life, your opportunities-all of it was stolen from me before I
was even born!
She worked herself into such a state that her monitors began beeping frantically. Alistair rurned to them in alarm.
Tvy, calm down?” he pleaded. “Your blood pressure
But I couldn’t stop. Ask her!” she shouted at me. Ask your grandmother what really happened! Ask her how your precious mother stole my father with her lies!”
Her outburst triggered a violent coughing fit. Bright red blood spattered the white sheets as she doubled over. Alistair hit the call button repeatedly while I stood frozen watching my stepsister’s body betray her in the midst of her hatred.
Nurses rushed in, pushing past me: A doctor followed shortly after, barking orders as They stabilized Ivy
I backed toward the door, my mind reeling. The jade bracelet glinted on Ivy’s wrist as medical staff worked around her, a symbol of a feud that apparently began long before either of us was bor
Alistair caught my eye across the room. his face pleading for understanding, for absolution. I gave him heither as I turned and walked away
I needed to see my grandmother. I needed the truth, no matter how painful it might be
