The Kiss that Sparked it All

“No matter how outlandish my demands were, she had to agree, for fear of being the talk of the town. But no matter what she did, she was still my stepmom.”

Nobody in this family had their happily ever after.

Why should Clara think she’s entitled to everything? And to take it all for granted!

Clara let out a derisive snort, eyeing Ivy with disdain. “You’re getting exactly what you deserve. You know it’s karma, right? All because your mom married my dad.”

Ivy lay face down, paralyzed. She clenched her eyes shut, no longer wanting to engage in anything Clara had to say.

“Why the silent treatment? Feeling guilty, are we? Even you can feel the shame. It’s all down to your wretched mother. So, everything I’m doing to you now is just claiming what should’ve been mine all along. Had you not stolen my spotlight, had you not taken what was rightfully mine, how could you possibly be with Balfour now? Go on, gloat, you bitch!”

At her most furious, Clara grabbed Ivy’s hair and slapped her hard across the face. “There, two slaps that balance the books, perfectly symmetrical, how beautiful. Oh, I wonder what Balfour would think seeing you so pitiful?”

Ivy bit her lip, silent, now utterly confused about what Clara really wanted. If this was just a simple kidnapping to vent her anger, why bring up Balfour?

Clara pulled out her phone and snapped a picture of Ivy in her sorry state.

“Are you going to show him?” A taste of iron filled Ivy’s throat as she said.

“Yeah, it wasn’t my original plan, but seeing you like this, such a spectacle, it would be a shame if I were the only one to enjoy it. Isn’t your pretty face what pleases Balfour? Will he still love you when he sees it all broken?”

Clara was lost in her fantasy, spiraling out of control, forgetting the instructions Mara had given her.

Her initial plan was simple: snap some compromising photos of Ivy with another man and then back off.

They had planned to take photos of Ivy with another man and use them to blackmail Balfour, not only ruining Ivy’s life but also getting enough money to flee the country.

But now, the thought of money seemed less appealing to Clara compared to watching Balfour and Ivy’s downfall.

Instead of fear, Ivy’s response to Clara’s rant was a low chuckle.

“What’s so funny? Are you looking down on me?”

Ivy seemed genuinely amused, struggling to catch her breath from laughter. “No, it’s just… I find it hilarious.” NôvelDrama.Org holds this content.

“What’s so hilarious?”

Under Clara’s pressing, Ivy laughed a little longer before stopping. She looked into the eyes of the crazed Clara without a hint of fear.

“You, of course. How could you think that just a few pictures would make Balfour stop loving me? It’s just I pity you for thinking that way.”

“What did you say? Your life is in my hands, and you dare say I’m pitiful? It seems you’re the pitiful one here, still not recognizing the reality of the situation!”