Chapter 83

"You're really set on not marrying Jake?" Ivy said. "Even though you know it will affect the family business?"

Thea smiled faintly. "Mom, you sound like you don't have faith in Max. With a business genius like him, are we really afraid of bankruptcy without the Hendrix family?"

Ivy's face darkened. "Thea, don't be selfish. This is your last chance. Jake is your best option. And you know what happens if you don't marry him—we'll send you abroad again, just like last time."

Thea, anticipating this, remained calm. "Even if we're not getting married yet, we're still together. Besides, Jake isn't in a rush either. You can't force me to pressure him. What's the point of all this worry?"

Ivy sneered. "It better be like that. Reflect carefully. If the Hendrix family hints at marriage, you'll accept immediately. Don't worry about Jake; I'll handle him."

Thea maintained a neutral expression, but her mind raced. Looks like I need to escalate this. Madelyn needs to take her place soon. I can't be forced to marry Jake, especially with my engagement to Nicolas still hanging over me, she thought bitterly. She doubted Nicolas would defy both families for her.

"I understand," she replied half-heartedly.

Ivy, satisfied, nodded.

Just as Thea was about to leave, Ivy grabbed her wrist. "Wait. I've got something for you."

Thea blinked, confused. "What is it?"

"I know today was unfair, so I bought you that luxury dress you wanted. Let me get it."

It was typical of Ivy to offer a gift after a scolding. Considering how far Ivy had gone, Thea didn't think much of it and sat down to wait.

Ivy left, closing the door.

Ten minutes passed, and Thea grew impatient. She glanced at the window. Perhaps because it was tightly shut, she found it hard to breathe. Standing to open it, she noticed something strange. It wasn't locked from the inside, yet it wouldn't budge. She tugged repeatedly, but the window remained stubbornly shut.

A wave of dizziness hit her, and she clutched the wall, a growing sense of dread creeping in. Could Ivy have done something? I'm her daughter! She carried me for nine months—as she loves to remind me. She wouldn't go this far… right? she wondered.

(October 28)

Just as Ivy herself had said, Thea, her child after ten months of pregnancy, was not someone Ivy would treat so heartlessly. But as her body grew weak, hot, and unsteady, she knew she'd been set up by her own mother.

Struggling to the door, Thea tried to open it; it was locked. She wanted to shout for help, but tears spilled before any words could escape. Despair settled over her. She couldn't understand why the Rowland family was pushing her to the brink. Why?

In her dazed state, she heard hurried footsteps approaching. Ivy and Max stood outside, their expressions anxious.

"Mom, maybe we should stop this," Max said, his voice tense. "If word gets out, it'll be bad. And you know Thea. She's likely to break all ties." SEND GIFT