Clara sat there with her arms crossed, giving off a âkeep outâ vibe like she was some kind of celebrity.
But Ivy? Ivy was the picture of ease and confidence, sitting across from her, forcing Clara to admit that she was outclassed.
Ivyâs makeup was minimal, her lipstick barely there, and she was dressed in what looked like a high school costume for some low-budget play. Yet she didnât seem the least bit out of place.
âYou seem to be doing well.â Ivy said. Her hands were clasped casually on the table, her demeanor as relaxed as ever.
Well, of course, she was at home here, in this set, while Clara was the outsider.
Clara twirled a brand-new designer watch around her wrist, a smug smile playing on her lips. âArenât you going to ask why I came here today?â
One of Ivyâs eyebrows arched as she said, âIf you have something to say, youâll say it. See, you already canât wait, am I right?â
That composed smile on Ivyâs face was like a red flag to Clara. She hated how Ivy always acted so nonchalant!
Claraâs temper flared, and she yanked her sunglasses off, slamming them down on the stone table.
âCut the act, Ivy. Itâs not like I donât know you.â
Ivyâs eyebrow quirked again; she knew her sister all too well. Just a bit of patience and Claraâs true colors would show.
âAnd what is it that you think you know about me?â
Clara snorted. âThe internet is blowing up over you. Surely even you canât be oblivious to the fact that youâre like the town pariah everyone loves to hate!â
Ivy nodded thoughtfully. âIâm aware of the drama. And I also know that my dear sister here has been fanning the flames while Iâm getting dragged through the mud!â
Clara felt a chill run down her spine. Ivy was still calling her âsisterâ-this was definitely not a good sign.
âI was just riding the wave of the scandal to get a little spotlight for myself. Itâs not like I started the rumors!â
Clara leaned back in her chair, a calculated look in her eyes. âAnd letâs be honest! If you hadnât given me the ammunition, how could I have seized this opportunity? Thanks to you, my endorsements have gone through the roof!â
âBut how do you plan to face the backlash now? Some of the things youâve pinned on me were your doing. I know youâre an old hand at this game, but playing the victim? That really turned my stomach.â
In the past, such accusations from Clara would have sent Ivy reeling with shock and anger.
But now, Ivy could talk about it all with a calm detachment. Their parents, Tessa and Finn, always believed their elder daughter could do no wrong.
Clara acted as if Ivyâs words meant nothing.
âWhat are you talking about? The damage is done. Whatâs this about playing the victim?â
Ivy scoffed internally, saying, âNo one else is here. Why keep up the facade? Havenât you done this for years? Apart from putting on a pitiful act, what else can you do?
But then again, Finn and Tessa are blind when it comes to you. You cry, and they believe every word.â
Claraâs smile held a touch of triumph. âDo you know why they believe me when I cry? Because they love me more. Oh, sister, did you think I was oblivious to what you care about the most?
What a shame that you, poor little thing, will never get the love you crave. Just keep hiding your corner, envying me.â
Had Ivy heard those words before Tessaâs arrival, she might have been hurt. That kind of wound, inflicted by oneâs own parents, never truly heals. It festers, hidden beneath the surface, a gap that could only be filled with even more love.
But now, Ivy didnât need the love of such irrelevant people. She no longer needed their affirmation to know her worth.