Ivy remained calm; this outcome was exactly what she had expected.

“Alright, I understand. Thank you,” she said, her voice steady.

After hanging up, Ivy turned to her best friend. “Katrina, I have a favor to ask.”

Katrina waved off the formality. “Say no more. What do you need?”

“I need you to go to the Windsor house today. Just say you’re looking for me, that you haven’t been able to reach me for a few days and my phone’s been dead.”

Katrina paused, glancing at her with a puzzled look. “What’s going on?”

Ivy explained, “The mechanic called. They confirmed the brakes were tampered with – sabotaged. I suspect Emma, though I have no idea how she pulled it off. I’ve been out of touch for a few days, so she probably thinks something happened to me. She’s likely feeling pretty smug right now. If you go over there—”

“I get it,” Katrina cut in, catching on quickly despite her gentle nature. She was, after all, a law student. “You want me to see how Emma reacts, test her attitude.”

“Exactly. Just play it by ear.”

“Alright.” Katrina agreed, but then hesitated, frowning as a thought struck her. “Shouldn’t you go to the police? Wouldn’t they be able to investigate faster?”

Ivy let out a humorless laugh. “She’s pregnant now. Even if I reported it, even if the police proved she did it, the fact is – I’m still alive, barely even injured—”

Before she could finish, Katrina nodded in understanding. “Pregnancy is her shield. And if the Windsors bring in a good lawyer, she’ll get away with it.”

“Exactly. That’s why I’ll handle this my own way.” Ivy’s lips curled into a cold smile, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

The Windsor household was peaceful for the next two days. Emma spent her mornings humming tunes, her mood visibly lighter.

That morning, Micah had come by to keep her company. He’d planned to take her out for the day, maybe see a movie.

When he learned that Ivy hadn’t been home for two days, he looked genuinely surprised. “Where’s Ivy? Didn’t she tell anyone where she was going?”

Emma’s voice dripped with sarcasm. “She’s always been reckless – how should I know?”

“Do you think something might have happened to her?”

Emma shot him a sharp look, annoyance flickering across her face. “Why, are you worried about her now? Did you forget how she nearly blinded you the other day, spraying that fire extinguisher right in your face?”

Micah’s expression grew awkward, a little guilty. He hesitated, then said, “Whatever happened, you’re all family. And she’s not well. Disappearing like this could be dangerous… what if something happened to her out there?”

Emma snapped, “So what if something did? If she’s gone for good, that’s a relief for her – less suffering.”

Micah stared at her, unsettled. “Emma, she’s your sister. How can you say that?”

“Micah, are you here to spend time with me or just checking if Ivy’s come home?”

Emma’s anger flared. She didn’t bother calling him by name anymore, her face hardening as she stormed upstairs.

“I’m not going out. Leave. I don’t want to see you right now!”

Micah, reminding himself she was pregnant, forced himself to stay calm and apologized quietly, trying to placate her.

Just then, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway echoed through the house. Rosetta and the others thought their missing daughter had finally returned.

But instead, Edna, the housekeeper, entered and announced, “Ma’am, Ms. Lester is here.”

Before she’d finished, Katrina had already stepped inside, greeting everyone politely. “Good morning, Mrs. Windsor.”

She got straight to the point. “I’m looking for Ivy. I haven’t heard from her in days, and her phone’s been off. Is she ill again – has she been bedridden?”