Chapter 2483: Chapter 2483

Ivy paused mid-step as she prepared to leave, turning back to look at the woman. “What’s that? You got something to say?”

“I’m… I’m so…”

Even though the sentence hung unfinished in the air, Ivy could guess what the rest would have been.

She simply offered a faint smile, feeling a sudden sense of relief. Whether Tessa truly felt remorse no longer mattered.

The hurt had been done; the years of pain Ivy had endured couldn’t be undone with a mere apology.

“It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s been years,” Ivy said with an air of indifference. “And don’t think your sorry carries that much weight. I just want you to know that my life’s pretty great now. And that’s because I’ve kept my distance from you all. I’ll make sure everything is taken care of for you here, considering you did give me life. But as for the rest, well…”

Ivy didn’t feel she was being cold-hearted; she was just honest. It was this very release from the past, no longer a shadow looming over her, that allowed her to speak so calmly to Tessa, Whatever thoughts Tessa harbored were of no consequence to Ivy now.

Opening the door to leave, Ivy took a deep breath and her smile returned when she saw Balfour.

From this point on, her happiness would be tied only to the man before her, not the specters of past agony.

Balfour stood up to greet her. “How’d it go?”

“It’s okay. She can’t say anything hurtful to me anymore, not even speak without struggling. I just can’t help feeling that the Dunhills are heartless. Not even a decent caregiver, and this hospital… I wonder if she regrets anything.”

This was the last time Ivy would sigh over Tessa’s fate. She held less animosity toward Finn, having long since been disappointed by him. Her father had never treated her fairly, even seeming to despise her presence in the home.

From an early age, Ivy knew her father didn’t care for her.

But back then, she had told herself it didn’t matter. She wasn’t particularly fond of Finn either.

Holding Balfour’s hand, Ivy was ready to depart, discussing their upcoming plans.

Unfortunately, before they could even leave the building, they ran into Clara, who had been waiting for quite some time.

“Ivy?”

Ivy followed the voice and was taken aback; she barely recognized Clara.

“What happened to you?”

Even though there had never been anything between them, seeing Clara so gaunt after just a fortnight was shocking.

Clara let out a bitter laugh. “Well, if it isn’t thanks to you. You’ve caused all this.”

“Do you need something? If not, I’m on my way out.”

As Ivy spoke, she tugged on Balfour’s hand, making it clear she had no interest in a chat with Clara.

“Oh? Seeing your mother like this, in a hospital bed, doesn’t it stir anything in you?”

Ivy turned back with a puzzled glance.

“What are you talking about? And what’s it to you?”

Clara crossed her arms. “How can it not be? She’s fallen ill, and even I, not her real daughter, stay by her bedside. You, her own flesh and blood, aren’t there to show duty but instead bring a swarm of reporters to disturb her. Don’t you feel a shred of guilt?”