Since Rosetta and her daughter had come all this way, it was clear they weren’t about to let Ivy go so easily.

“Ivy! Ivy, wait up!” Rosetta called, hurrying after her.

But Ivy didn’t slow down.

Rosetta’s health had been poor lately; after just a few quick steps, she was short of breath and her heart was pounding. She had no choice but to turn to her younger daughter. “Emma, hurry – go stop your sister. I need to talk to her.”

“Okay, Mom. Be careful,” Emma replied, then darted ahead to intercept Ivy. “Hold on, Ivy. Mom needs to talk to you.”

“Move,” Ivy said coldly, her face impassive.

“Come on, Ivy. Mom hasn’t been well. No matter what’s happened, she’s still your mother – are you really going to be this heartless? Besides, I came here today to apologize to you.”

Emma’s words were polite, but her resentment simmered just beneath the surface. She knew she didn’t have much leverage left in the Windsor family. All she could do now was swallow her pride and keep her head down. Without the Windsor name to shield her, she was no match for Ivy – and now that Ivy had Jamison on her side, Emma couldn’t afford to push her luck. Sometimes, you had to bend to survive.

“Keep your apology. If you really mean it, go turn yourself in at the police station. Then I’ll believe you’re sincere,” Ivy replied, her demand as unwavering as ever.

Emma bit her lip and fell silent.

Jamison, who had caught up behind them, looked at Emma with a steady, serious gaze. “Miss Emma, didn’t I warn you not to bother her again?”

“Mr. Ludwig, this is all a misunderstanding,” Rosetta said, breathless as she caught up, her hand resting weakly on Emma’s shoulder. Her face was pale, her expression pitiable. “I just want Ivy to come home. Everything that happened before… it was our fault. Now that the misunderstanding’s cleared up, come back with us, Ivy. Won’t you?”

She looked at Ivy, her eyes pleading.

But Ivy remained unmoved. “That’s not necessary. I have a home of my own.”

“Ivy, please, don’t be angry. Your father and I – we’re the ones who made all those mistakes. Let us apologize to you, all right? If you tell us where you’re living, we’ll come help you pack and bring you home ourselves. How about it?”

Rosetta forced a smile, humbling herself as much as she could.

Ivy glanced at Emma and easily read the frustration and resentment simmering inside her. But really, what did Emma’s discomfort matter compared to the three years Ivy had spent living a life worse than a stray dog, the times she’d hovered on the brink of death, the public humiliation, the monthly agony that wracked her body? Emma’s grievances were nothing in comparison.

Suddenly, Ivy smiled and turned to Emma. “Oh, I could come back to the Windsor family. But you know, there’s only room for one daughter in that house. If I return, then my dear little sister…”

She deliberately drew out her words, watching Rosetta for a reaction.

Katrina was startled. “Ivy, you’d really go back? After everything they did to you?”

Mr. Windsor, his face conflicted, shot a look at Emma. “Ivy… Emma’s been with us since she was five years old. Seventeen years. She’s like my own. If she had to leave and make her own way… how could she survive?”

“Did you think about that when you kicked me out?”

He fell silent.

“My sister’s not as capable as I am, true. But she’s got a pretty face at least – surely she won’t starve. And if she really can’t manage, there’s always free meals in prison,” Ivy said, cool and unhurried, her eyes fixed on Emma’s blanched, trembling face.

Honestly, Ivy almost admired Emma’s ability to endure. That kind of patience – most people couldn’t manage it. With willpower like that, she could succeed at anything.

The situation ground to a halt; a curious crowd was gathering nearby.

Jamison stood quietly at Ivy’s side, confident she had everything under control.

Rosetta was torn, caught between desperation and indecision. Finally, she turned to Emma and hissed quietly, “What are you waiting for? What did you promise us at home?”

Emma bit her lip so hard it almost bled, saying nothing.

She had promised before: if she could just find Ivy, if she could just bring her back to the Windsor family, she’d do anything – even get on her knees and beg for forgiveness.

Now Ivy was clearly baiting her, waiting for her to admit defeat, to kneel and plead for mercy.

Emma’s mind was in turmoil. The blazing sun above felt like it was searing through her skin, setting her whole body on fire.

Her ears rang, her cheeks felt as if she’d been slapped raw.

After a long, excruciating silence, she swallowed hard. Her face was ashen. Slowly, one knee bent, then the other, and she sank to the ground.

Katrina’s jaw dropped in shock.

In front of everyone, Emma really went through with it.

Jamison’s expression was unreadable; he only glanced sideways at Ivy.

Ivy herself was as calm as ever, utterly composed, not a flicker of emotion crossing her face. The onlookers whispered among themselves, pointing and speculating.

Emma fought back tears, her eyes unfocused, her face frozen and trembling. At last, in a low, shaky voice, she forced out the words: “Ivy… I’m sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn’t have been so petty, shouldn’t have been jealous, shouldn’t have tried to hurt you. Please, I’m on my knees – I beg you, forgive me. Please… come home to the Windsor family.”