Chapter 7

The next day, as per the call she had received from her father the previous night, Ivory had driven back to her family house first thing in the morning. As she arrived at the Remington Manor, she couldn’t help but look at the place she had once called home, strangely, because without a doubt, if looked nothing like the family house she had known. The tall building, once a warm color of beige and brown, her mother’s favorite colors, or at least, the ones she had preferred seeing in her family house, was now a shouting color of dark gray, a color Ivory had no doubt was her step mother’s own preference. Even the gates that protected their property, were now colored a darker shade of gold and black, the very same color combination used on the signet hanging above the gates, bearing the name Remington. Her family mansion now looked like a palace fit for a queen, and Samantha was certainly acting like a queen, as she stood outside, hands folded across her chest as she awaited Ivory. “Always the late and disgraceful child,” She shook her head as Ivory approached. “You haven’t changed, have you?” In the past, when Ivory still craved her love and approval, such words would have hurt. But now, unfortunately, she had come to terms with the fact that her stepmother had no love for her. So, ignoring her, an action that truly stunned Samantha, Ivory walked into the house. She spotted her father, Lionel, seated in the living room, gracefully sipping on a cup of tea. She approached. “Father,” Came to her greeting and she watched as he looked up from his tea. His eyes landed on her, devoid of any emotion they should have held towards her, his real daughter. It stung, but not enough to bring tears to her eyes, after all, behavior like this, was normal. He has been like this ever since her mother passed away and Samantha and Evangeline moved in. He prioritized them over her and constantly took their sides, up to the point that when she once got an A+ and Evangeline got a C+ in school work, she was scolded rather than praised and instructed to never outdo Evangeline. “It’s reached my ears that you’ve been misbehaving as of late,” Lionel began, placing his cup of tea down. “Bullying your younger sister, I never expected such a shameful action from you.” Shameful? Bullying? Ivory wanted to question. In fact, she wanted to lash out at that very moment and ask if her own feelings and side of the story meant nothing. But she knew, doing all that, would be useless. “Is that what she told you, I bullied her?” “Then are you saying our Eva is lying?” Samantha, walking in, asked maliciously. “She’s nothing like you, so don’t try to drag her down and focus more on apologizing to her.” “Your mother is-“ “She’s not my mother.” Ivory’s words had her father frowning. “What?” Looking him in the eyes, she repeated. “She’s not my mother. My mother died twelve years ago.” Samantha’s face quickly heated up with anger, while Lionel was silent, or rather brewing silently. “You-“ “If you called me here to apologize, father,” She began, totally ignoring Samantha. “Then it’s been a waste of both our time, because I will not be apologizing to the likes of Evangeline.” Her father wanted to snap, but seeing her respectfully bow her head, he realized despite her early display, she was still the same girl. Unloved, neglected, and craving love. Love and approval from him; something he called his never-fading trump card. “Then atone in another way, Divorce Gadreel this instant and give him back to your sister.” Ivory was silent for a few seconds before she chuckled. “I should divorce and give him back to Evangeline?” She asked. Although she had every plan of doing so, she didn’t want to give her father the satisfaction of knowing that he was calling the shots, thus, she chose to taunt them. “Are you all aware…do you remember how scared you were of offending Gadreel’s family when Evangeline chose to tuck her tail between her legs and run away? How Y’all begged me, to marry him, in her stead? Now you want me to divorce him?” “What, it’s not like you guys are a perfect married couple,” Adding salt to the wound, how caring! “And besides, Gadreel doesn’t love you. It’s known far and wide that Eva is who he loves. Are you really going to stand between a couple ordained by the Lord himself?” Her father looked remorseless as he uttered those words. Those people, did they really think she had no feelings? That they could say whatever they wanted and she wouldn’t get hurt? Ah, how stupid. Of course they knew. They just didn’t care. “I’m not doing that.” She decided. “And why won’t you?” Samantha spoke up. “Like your father said, you are not some happy couple. I can even bet a thousand stars that Gadreel hasn’t for once had sex with you.” That had Ivory biting her tongue and swallowing the words she had been ready to say. Seeing this, Samantha chuckled. “That’s just to prove to you how much Gadreel loves our Eva. Their love is strong and true and nothing is more wonderful than true love.” “Exactly what your mother is saying. Evangeline is obviously Gadreel’s true love, so don’t prolong this useless fuss of yours any longer.” His true love? Ivory felt her heart sting at those words. Laughing back the burning feeling that had started to make its presence known in the back of her eyes, she turned her attention to her father. “This true love you speak of,” She began, taking a few seconds to arrange her words carefully, as she wanted it to hit her father as deeply as he had hit her. Just like the popular saying; An eye for an eye. “Tell me this, who was your true love? Was it my mother or,” She glanced in Samantha’s direction briefly. “That little mistress of yours?” Lionel’s eyes went wide and anger flashed brightly in them. “You disrespectful little bitch! How dare you ask such a question?! Since your mother failed to educate you right, I need to teach you a lesson for running that mouth of yours!” With that, he raised his hand, about to bring it down on her, but at the last moment, Evangeline’s voice had him stopping. “Father stop!” Everyone’s head turned in the direction of the entrance where her voice had come from and Ivory froze. Because Evangeline wasn’t alone. Behind her, having witnessed whatever part of the drama that had ensued, was Gadreel. What…what was he doing here? Ivory, surprised by his presence, thought. The answer to her question came almost immediately when she saw Gadreel’s hand casually lying on Evangeline’s back. Her chest tightened ever so slightly at the sight, but before she could even register the familiar emotion, Evangeline dashed forward, placing herself between her and their father. “Father, please don’t be so mean,” She pleaded. “I know Ivy can be disrespectful sometimes, but please, don’t hit her.” Having said this, she turned to face Ivory and took her hand before she could even react. “Are you okay, sister?” Her eyes roamed Ivy’s face, searching with a hint of faux concern and a bigger tint of mockery. “Father didn’t hurt you, did he?” If she could smile at that moment and mock the fact that her biological father had almost hit her, because of his stepdaughter, Ivory knew Evangeline would have done so. But right now, she was playing that innocent, angel-like card. And everyone, they were eating it up like fools. Ivory felt a sting in her chest, but it was more from anger than hurt. In one swift motion, she shoved Evangeline’s hand away from hers. “Take your hands off me.” She seethed. Gadreel frowned at this, but made no real effort to step in. He only took a few steps forward, placing himself right behind Evangeline like a knight ready to act at any moment. Ivory saw this and the clench in her chest from earlier returned. “You ungrateful thing!” Lionel scolded. “Your sister just begged on your behalf and you dare treat her like this?!” He sounded livid and Samantha, not missing a beat, was quick to jump in. “We thought you were better than this, Ivory.” She shook her head disapprovingly. “But you’ve just proven to us all that the only thing and person you care about is yourself. I wonder who raised you to be so heartless, because,” There was a pause and she eyed Ivory from top to bottom with disdain before adding. “It sure as hell wasn’t me.” “I stand by my word now, you must apologize to her at once!” Her father demanded. Ivory was silent, speechless to be precise. These people…were they really making her the bad person in this situation? She was the one who had sacrificed years, nursing a man all because her sister had chickened out! She was the one whose marriage had been destroyed by the same daughter they were currently defending! She was the one who was hurting! So why couldn’t they for once sympathize with her? She bit on the inside of her mouth and schooled her expression before her face could morph into a satisfying expression for her enemies. “I won’t be apologizing.” She said, sounding firm and determined despite the vine of pain that had wrapped itself tightly around her heart. “And as for the divorce,” She looked back at Gadreel, holding his expressionless gaze for seconds before adding. “I’m sure Gadreel would gladly fill the lot of you in on that.” Without bothering to excuse herself like she used to, Ivory turned around and attempted to leave. But right after she had walked past Gadreel and Evangeline, a maid suddenly showed up, carrying a tea set, and walked right into her. “Ow,” The tea cups that were carefully balanced on the tray, clattered loudly against the plate and the contents of the hot tea, spilled onto Ivory, staining her clothes and skin. The maid, although surprised and apologetic, made no move to rush in and attend to her, neither did anyone present. Glancing back at the people she had just attempted to walk out on, Ivory found them all standing, without a hint of worry or any sign of corner. And worst of all, Gadreel, that shameless bastard stood in front of Evangeline, protecting her from a tea spill that was feet away, without even thinking to shield her, his wife from the hot liquid. That action alone, was a clear teller that he didn’t care. Her existence, their marriage, and the sacrifices she had made, all of it was just an utter joke in Gadreel’s eyes. He had forgotten not only the promise he made to her, but also her in general. Yet, here she was, stupidly hanging onto that promise, hanging onto the hope that one day, he would live up to it. But it was clear now, that he had no intention of doing so and she…was tired of hanging onto a past that no longer mattered. She was tired of being the fool. Swallowing the pain that stabbed at her throat and blinking back angry tears, Ivory turned without another word spoken and walked out of the house. No one chased after her, she didn’t expect any of them to. Upon arriving at the front gate, she was about to book herself a ride when out of nowhere, a sleek black SUV stopped in front of her. Seconds later, the back door opened and the man, Tall and lean, muscular build accentuated by the tailored black turtleneck and dark slacks he wore, stepped out. His sharp jawline was dusted with a light stubble, giving him a rugged edge that contrasted with his otherwise pristine appearance. Tousled dark brown hair framed a face defined by piercing gray eyes that seemed to see through everything. The corners of his mouth turned down slightly, emphasizing the intensity of his expression as his eyes landed on her. Contrary to his expression, Ivory’s expression showed nothing other than relief for his presence. “Lucien…” She muttered his name as the corners of her lips tugged upward ever so slightly. “V,” Lucien replied, his deep voice laced with a mix of exasperation and concern. He stepped closer, his gaze sweeping over her. The coffee stain, the dark circles underneath her eyes, and the faded light in her once vibrant eyes told him all she needed to know. He exhaled deeply, shaking his head as though chastising himself for not intervening sooner. Without hesitation, he shrugged off his tailored overcoat and draped it gently over her shoulders. The warmth of the fabric enveloped her like a protective shield against the unfair treatment she had just been dished by the people she considered family. Thus, she didn’t protest. Instead, she clutched the coat tightly, drawing it closer. For the first time that day, she felt a semblance of comfort. “Let’s go,” Lucien said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. “Enough is enough.” He placed a steady hand on her lower back, guiding her toward the SUV. Once they were inside, Lucien settled into the seat beside her and angled his body toward hers. The warmth of his presence filled the space between them, but his expression remained serious, almost severe. He folded his arms across his chest, the leather of his watchband creaking softly with the movement. “It’s time to stop playing house, Ivory,” he said, his gaze locking onto hers with unwavering intensity. “You’ve been gone from the company for far too long. It’s time for you to come back and lead Elixiron as its true CEO.”