Chapter 23
Baillie’s patience finally snapped; his furious roar startled everyone in the room.
Rosetta rushed forward to soothe her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. “Lauren, don’t pay her any mind. She was missing for three years – God knows what she’s been through. The poor girl isn’t right in the head anymore, always rambling nonsense.”
Was this really coming from her own mother? Ivy let out a cold, mirthless laugh and didn’t bother defending herself.
From the moment Lauren had laid eyes on Ivy, she’d been fighting back a wave of unease and aversion. She hadn’t expected Ivy to be the one to start trouble.
She ignored Rosetta’s attempts at comfort, instead fixing Baillie with a sharp glare. “What did you promise me yesterday? You said she wouldn’t be here. You swore you’d make her leave!”
Baillie hurried over, desperate to explain. “Sweetheart, I meant every word. I’ll make sure it happens. Tomorrow – she’ll be out by tomorrow!”
Ivy, unfazed by her brother’s words, turned to Lauren with a mocking smile. “You seem awfully desperate to get me out of the house. What’s wrong, Lauren? Feeling guilty about something? Afraid I might expose your secrets?”
“Ivy, don’t start–” Lauren began, but Ivy cut her off with exaggerated alarm.
“Oh! Or maybe you’re still pining for my brother-in-law? Is that it? You cozied up to my brother just to get into the Windsor family, to be closer to the man you really want? Or is this all some elaborate revenge on Micah? If you can’t be his girlfriend, you’ll settle for being his sister-in-law?”
Ivy shook her head with a theatrical sigh. “Wow, talk about a tragic, twisted love story.”
“Ivy, that’s enough!”
“Say one more word and I swear I’ll slap you!” Baillie threatened, his face red with anger.
Ivy’s words had struck a nerve; now, both Micah and Baillie surged forward, fists clenched, ready to lash out.
Unbothered, Ivy waved a fork at them with a warning. “Keep your hands to yourselves. I’ve got AIDS, you know. Look – see these rashes on my arms? I’m having a flare-up right now.”
She lifted her sleeve and brazenly displayed her forearm to the shocked crowd.
Just yesterday, the doctor had explained her rash was likely from years of malnutrition and a battered immune system, worsened by squalid living conditions. Her skin was so compromised it kept breaking out. She’d been prescribed medication, but in the rush to leave with Katrina that morning, she’d forgotten to apply it. Now, the angry red spots looked especially alarming.
Micah and Baillie recoiled in horror, stumbling backward.
Lauren’s chest heaved with rage. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she lashed out at Baillie, “You just stand there and let your sister humiliate me? Aren’t you going to do something?”
Baillie looked torn. “Honey, she’s sick. I can’t – We can’t touch her…”
“You–” Lauren was so furious she couldn’t get the words out. She stomped her foot hard, her voice breaking. “Baillie! We’re done! I never should’ve come here tonight. This is a nightmare!”
She spun around, sobbing, and ran for the door.
“Lauren, wait! Lauren – Baillie, go after her!” Rosetta frantically urged her son to chase Lauren down.
If Lauren stormed home in tears, the Miller family would be livid, demanding justice for their daughter.
Baillie lunged after his girlfriend, pleading, “Lauren, please, don’t listen to her. She’s not well, you know that. I love you. I’m the one who pursued you – I don’t care about your past.”
“What good does that do me?” Lauren sobbed. “Your family is a disaster. She’s insane and she has AIDS. Who could possibly live like this?”
Meanwhile, Emma had cornered Micah, ready to settle scores.
“So when did Lauren ever have a thing for you? Funny, I don’t remember you ever mentioning it,” Emma snapped, her eyes narrowed in accusation.