Chapter 149
Rosetta flinched as if she’d been shocked, instantly letting go, her eyes wide with fear as she stared at her daughter. How could her gentle, obedient, sweet little girl suddenly turn into someone so unrecognizable—like a woman possessed?
Baillie rushed to steady her mother, then turned to chastise Emma. “Why are you taking this out on us? The whole thing between you and Micah—that’s not our fault. We’ve warned you so many times: stop fighting with him, or you’ll just push him further away. Did you ever listen?”
“Enough! What’s the point of talking about this now?” Emma screamed, her voice ragged, her words tumbling out in a frenzy. “I know you’ve always cared more about Ivy! She’s your real daughter, no matter what she does, you can never let her go. Well, now you’ve got what you wanted—she’s not sick, she isn’t dying! Go to her! Go on, go find her!”
Emma’s hysteria poured out, lashing at the very people who loved her most. Caught up in her rage, her fingers grazed her phone screen, and the recording—which had just ended—started playing again. The moment Emma heard that voice, she let out a shriek and hurled the phone to the floor, covering her ears, desperate to shut it out.
Seeing her like this, Rosetta’s heart broke all over again. She hurried forward and wrapped her arms around Emma. “Emma, please, don’t do this… Try talking to Micah, things can still change. After all you’ve been through for him—even… even losing the baby—he owes you, darling. Just talk to him, please…”
“It’s useless!” Emma sobbed, her voice raw. “As long as Ivy’s around, Micah will never care about me! Ivy—she’s doing this on purpose! She’s jealous that Micah loves me, and now she’s getting revenge! Mom, please, beg her for me. Please ask her to leave New Haven for good—if she’s gone, Micah will come back to me! Please, Mom, just ask her, I’m begging you!”
Emma clung to Rosetta’s arm, tears streaming down her face, pleading desperately.
“What?” Rosetta’s expression darkened. “You want me to beg Ivy to leave? Emma, you’re the only daughter we have left in this family—isn’t that enough for you? She’s my flesh and blood. We already cast her out and gave you everything. Isn’t that enough?”
Her voice trembled with grief and regret.
Emma stared, stunned, as her mother—who’d always adored her—suddenly turned cold, her tone sharp and final. For a moment, Emma’s mind went blank, and the hysteria drained away, leaving her dazed.
“No… Mom, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I’m just so upset, I lost control. It’s my fault…” Realizing how precarious her situation had become, Emma quickly changed her tune. She apologized over and over, dropping to her knees in front of Rosetta.
Still holding onto her mother’s hand, Emma suddenly slapped herself hard across the face. “Mom, hit me, please! Punish me! I’m useless—I can’t even keep my own fiancé…”
“Oh, so you finally realize it!” snapped Adkins, who had been silent up until now. His face thundered as he barked, “If Micah really calls off this engagement, then you can get out of the Windsor family for good!”
“Dad, no! Please, just give me a little more time. I can fix things with Micah, I promise we’ll get married. Please, Dad…” Emma crawled across the floor, clutching Adkins’ hand, begging.
But Adkins shook her off with disgust, refusing to look at her. He stormed out, his anger filling the room long after he’d gone.
At the hospital, Ivy made her way to Professor Penn’s office at her appointed time. After a battery of tests and a long consultation, Professor Penn’s expression grew grave.
“Your condition is serious. You’ll need ongoing treatment and plenty of rest,” he said, jotting prescriptions as he spoke. Then, softening, he asked lightly, “Still single?”
Ivy blinked, caught off guard, then smiled awkwardly as she realized what he meant. “Yes, I’m not planning to date or marry.”
Professor Penn peered at her over his reading glasses. “Not interested in marriage? A beautiful girl like you, I bet you have suitors lining up around the block. Not a single one that catches your eye?”
Ivy just smiled, saying nothing.
After a moment, Professor Penn sighed, his voice quiet. “You know, sometimes having a good man in your life can help. For your health’s sake, maybe you should give it a try.”
Ivy looked at him, curious. “Is there actually any science behind that?”
“There is, though results vary. Some patients’ symptoms do improve after they settle down and get married.”
Ivy let out a wry laugh. “Maybe I’m the exception.”
“Or maybe you’ll be the lucky one,” Professor Penn replied gently.
Ivy was grateful for his kindness, but she knew she couldn’t just jump into something as big as marriage. What if she picked the wrong guy, ended up with a jerk, and her health got even worse from all the stress? Better to stick to her treatment plan, take her meds, and not complicate things further.
After picking up her prescription, Ivy returned to her car. The bag of clothes for Jamison sat on the passenger seat. She hesitated for a moment, then dialed his number.
The phone rang for a long time—no answer. She frowned, ended the call. Maybe he was in surgery again? Should she wait or just leave?
As she deliberated, her phone suddenly buzzed—Jamison was calling her back. Relief washed over her as she answered, “Hey, you’re not busy?”
His deep voice came through the line. “Not too busy. Are you at the hospital?”
“I’ve already seen the doctor,” Ivy replied. “What department are you in? I brought your clothes.”
“Bring them to the pediatric ward. I’m here.”
The pediatric ward? That was odd, but Ivy didn’t question it. She agreed, grabbed the bag, and stepped out of the car.