Tessa had always believed that dirty laundry should be washed inside the house, not aired out in public. Even though Ivy had stirred up her fair share of trouble over the years, taking it to the internet seemed a bit like airing the familyâs dirty laundry for all to see.
Tessa had paid little mind to the gossip until Clara brought it up during her last visit h These past few days, Tessa hadnât found the time to carry out the task Clara had entrusted to her in Ivyâs place.
Now, Tessa was pacing her living room, restless with anxiety.
âIâm back!â Clara announced as she barged through the door, kicking off her sneakers haphazardly.
She crashed onto the couch, and Tessa immediately approached. She stood beside her with a look of urgency on her face.
âClara, thereâs something I need to ask you about.â
Clara internally rolled her eyes but kept her face neutral. She shifted on the couch to face Tessa without bothering to sit up. âJust spill it, Tessa.â she asked.
âItâs about that thing, you know, the one you asked me to do. Iâve been swamped and havenât gotten around to it yet. But I saw what you posted online. Whyâd you have to stir the pot like that? Ivyâs not the same person she used to be, and messing this up isnât going to end well!
Didnât we agree to keep family matters private? By airing our dirty laundry, how do you think people will look at me and your father?â
Clara sat up straighter, annoyance written all over her face, âHold on! What do you mean by airing our dirty laundry? I only told the truth, didnât I? Besides, itâs your own daughterâs actions that got the internet riled up. I just mentioned a couple of the stunts sheâd done all these years. Isnât that a good thing? Tessa, donât you want to land more gigs? Because of what I said, Iâm back on the radar, and advertisers are knocking at my door again. Ivyâs antics dragged me down before, but now, a little honesty has boosted my visibility. Arenât you happy for me? Why are you making me the bad guy?â
Claraâs gaze held a hint of suspicion, and Tessa, feeling her good intentions were being questioned, quickly waved her hands in defense.
âI didnât mean it like that. I just think airing our family issues isnât the best move. I know Ivy has done wrong in the past, but thatâs something for the family to know, not the whole world. Your dad doesnât even know about the posts yet. Imagine his reaction when he stumbles upon the news online.â
Clara scoffed, âSo, youâre putting all the blame on me now? If Ivy hadnât messed up and dragged me down with her, Iâd air out nothing. Dad wonât blame me even though he finds out. Heâll just feel sorry for me. Weâre both his daughters so why should I be overshadowed by her? Just because my biological mom isnât around?â
Tessaâs head shot up as she heard the remark, âHow can you say such things, Clara? All these years, Iâve treated you like my own child, sometimes even at Ivyâs expense. It breaks my heart to hear you say that.â
Tears flowed as Tessa, who was upset and perplexed, slumped onto the couch.
She had been with Finn for many years and, though she might have failed her own daughter, she had never wronged his daughter from a previous marriage.
From the very first day she joined the family, Tessa had gone out of her way to be kind to Clara, hoping to earn a genuine âmomâ from her. But that day had never come.
And now, after all her sacrifices, Clara had lashed out with such hurtful words. How could Tessa not be heartbroken?