Chapter 419
Emma’s hands began to tremble, the anger and humiliation in her eyes burning even hotter. Her lips were split and bruised, so every word would have sent a fresh wave of pain through her. Instead, she pressed them together and said nothing.
But Ivy’s question landed on her like a slap, stirring the storm inside her chest into an even greater frenzy. Emma clenched her jaw, forcing herself to swallow the hate and fury.
“Ivy?” Suddenly, Rosetta’s voice cut in. She looked surprised to see Ivy and Jamison standing there. “What are you two doing at the hospital?”
Ivy turned and finally realized Emma hadn’t come alone. Not wanting anything to do with the Windsors, Ivy shot Rosetta a cool glance, slipped her arm through Jamison’s, and turned to leave.
But Rosetta hurried after her, calling, “Ivy, wait!” She rushed forward to block their path.
Ivy’s expression was cold as ice. “What is it?”
Rosetta glanced nervously at her youngest daughter, then back to Ivy, visibly struggling with herself. “Ivy, Emma’s injuries… Sheridan did this. He’s out of control, drinks too much and turns violent–doesn’t care about our family at all. We’re all still family–how can you just stand by while your own sister suffers? You and Mr. Jamison, please, you should talk to Sheridan… He’d have to show some respect to Mr. Jamison, at least.” Rósetta forced herself to get the words out, even if it made her uncomfortable.
The Windsor family might have treated their adopted daughter as little more than a cash cow, unconcerned with her happiness as long as she was useful–but they needed her alive to keep exploiting her. The memory of Sheridan’s violence last night had left Rosetta shaken to her core. She was terrified that if no one put a stop to him, Sheridan would only get worse. What if he crippled or even killed Emma? She also worried that if Sheridan had no fear of consequences, he’d ignore the alliance between their families, destroying any benefit the Windsors might gain. After all this effort, what would they be left with? Nothing.
So, Rosetta needed Jamison to step in–to put pressure on Sheridan, to remind him that the Windsors had powerful allies. But Ivy couldn’t help but laugh, incredulous after hearing Rosetta’s plea.
“As awful as Mr. Carter is, Emma made her own choice. Yesterday, Micah even tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn’t listen–so what now? One night of regret already?” Ivy arched an eyebrow at Emma, her tone mocking.
“Ivy, that’s not-” Rosetta started, but Emma suddenly yanked her mother back, her voice hoarse and raw, “Mom, stop! She’s just waiting to watch us crash and burn. She’ll never help us.”
Ivy blinked in surprise at Emma’s ragged voice, wondering just what Sheridan had done to her–had he even damaged her throat?…
Rosetta squeezed her daughter’s hand, her tone gentle but urgent. “Emma, don’t be stubborn now. Only Ivy and Mr. Jamison can help you. The Carters won’t lift a finger–do you really want this to go on-?”
“I made my bed. I’ll lie in it!” Emma snapped through gritted teeth.
Ivy clapped her hands slowly, her smile sharp. “Wow, Emma, you really do have a backbone. Make sure you keep it. I’d hate to start looking down on you again.” She was deliberately goading her.
Emma ignored the pain in her lips, glaring at Ivy, rage threatening to spill out. “Ivy, now that you’ve climbed the social ladder, you want nothing to do with your own family. You’ll get what’s coming to you!”
Ivy let her hands fall, her beautiful face unreadable except for the faintest hint of a smile. Her reply was cool and measured. “If karma really exists, I’m pretty sure it’ll come for you first.”
With that, she wrapped her arm around Jamison’s and turned to leave. But after only a few steps, she glanced back, her smile sweet and taunting. “Emma, is marrying into the Carter family really worse than prison? Tell me–do you regret it now?”