Chapter 54
Emma muttered, “It’s probably nothing good. She went straight to Micah and asked for a million dollars… Who knows what she’s up to.“.
Her words trailed off into silence; no one replied.
Restless, Emma couldn’t stop thinking about the police reopening the old kidnapping case. She felt like a cat on hot bricks and tried again, “Dad, Mom, maybe we should let Ivy move out for a while? At least until after Micah and I have our engagement party. Then she can come back.”
She added quickly, sounding extra eager, “If you’re worried about her living on her own, I can check in on her every day–bring her some food and drinks.”
Rosetta looked surprised. “You’d really do that?”
“She’s my sister, isn’t she? It’s what I should do. Micah was just telling me today that I should be more generous, you know? After everything Ivy’s been through, and now with her illness… we’re still family. If even we turn our backs on her, imagine how lonely she’d feel.”
Emma’s eyes grew watery as she played her part to perfection.
Baillie sighed. “You’re right. My heart aches for her, but lately, she’s impossible to talk to.”
“Okay then, it’s settled. I’ll go help her pack, and when she gets back, I’ll take her to the apartment.” Emma stood up, forcing herself to hide her disgust as she walked toward the live–in maid’s room.
Rosetta turned, worried, calling after her younger daughter. “Emma, are you just going to go in
there?”
Emma answered, “Mom, you can’t catch HIV just by being in the same room. Please stop acting like Ivy’s some kind of monster.”
The sudden change in Emma’s attitude–her willingness to care for her older sister–touched Adkins and Rosetta deeply.
“Looks like Micah’s been a good influence,” Rosetta sighed. “Let’s just hope Ivy understands our
reasons.”
They had no idea that their younger daughter was far more cunning and calculating than they’d ever imagined.
All Emma really wanted was to force Ivy out of the house for good.
Her offer to “check in every day” was just an excuse to fish for information–she wanted to see if the police had made progress with the trafficking investigation.
She couldn’t risk asking Ivy about it at home; that would only raise suspicion.
Emma’s mind was made up, and a thrill of satisfaction ran through her. At last, she had a
perfect excuse to push Ivy out, and even managed to look like the caring sibling in front of her
1/2
14:59
Chapter 54
parents.
She opened the maid’s room door, unconsciously holding her breath.
She’d read all about it–there were only three ways HIV could be transmitted. But stepping into Ivy’s room still made her skin crawl, as if invisible needles were pricking her from every side.
Still, she had to pretend she wasn’t the least bit bothered.
She yanked open the closet and, seeing the sudden abundance of new clothes, felt a fresh surge of jealousy.
“Mom, Ivy’s got a ton of clothes. She must be out shopping every day,” Emma called out as she started packing.
Rosetta, hearing this, came over and stood in the doorway. “Probably. Every time she comes home, she’s carrying bags and boxes!”
As she spoke, Rosetta’s attention landed on something on the desk. She frowned in confusion.
“Emma, what’s that? Looks like it’s covered with a cloth.”
Emma turned from the closet to glance at the desk. “No idea.”
There was a large box on the desk–square, taking up nearly half the surface–covered carefully with a piece of pale lace.
“Is it a jewelry box?” Emma guessed, stepping over for a closer look.
Thinking of Ivy demanding a million dollars from her fiancé, Emma was convinced it had to be some luxury item. Without hesitation, she whipped off the covering.
“Aaahhhh-!”
“Ahh!”
2/2