Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 412: Life’s Unpredictability

Genevieve dragged her exhausted body back to the small motel where they were temporarily staying. As she entered, she saw Ivy asleep in a chair.

Ivy had been waiting for her all day and had eventually drifted off, worn out. Seeing Ivy's pale and haggard face, Genevieve felt a pang of guilt.

Not long ago, Ivy had been like a delicate flower, vibrant and full of life. Now, she looked pitiful and weathered, as if she had been battered by a storm.

Genevieve's heart ached. She had always believed that Ivy and Zachary would live lives of luxury, free from hardship. She never imagined they would end up like this.

"Ivy, have you eaten? I brought some food," Genevieve said, placing a takeout bag on the table.

Ivy stirred, slowly opening her eyes. "Mom, you're back. What happened with my brother?"

"He... he'll be fine," Genevieve replied, avoiding Ivy's gaze. She couldn't bring herself to tell her daughter how much humiliation she had endured that day.

Ivy's eyes fell on Genevieve's swollen, reddened cheeks. "Mom, who did this to you?" she asked, standing up and grabbing Genevieve's arm.

"It's nothing, Ivy. I did it to myself," Genevieve said quickly, covering her face with her hands. She had already gone to the pharmacy for ointment, but the swelling wouldn't subside so easily.

Ivy pulled her mother's hands away, and the severe redness was plain to see. "Mom, don't lie to me. Who did this?"

"It's really nothing. I deserve this. I made so many mistakes in the past. I interfered in someone else's family, ruined their happiness. This is just the bitter fruit of my own actions," Genevieve said, lowering her head.

Ivy didn't know how to respond. She couldn't judge her mother's wrongdoings because so much of what Genevieve had done was for her and Zachary. To outsiders, Genevieve might seem like a despicable homewrecker, but to Ivy, she was simply a mother who had done everything in her power to secure a better future for her children.

Ivy suspected that the slap marks were likely left by the Blake family, especially Kimberly, known for her ruthless ways. Ivy felt anger boil inside her, but there was nothing she could do to change their situation.

They had no money, no status, and Ivy now carried the stigma of being an illegitimate child. Since the scandal broke, she hadn't dared to contact any of her former friends.

past, her life had been filled with conversations about designer collections, upcoming fashion shows, and booking tickets to Paris Fashion

was gone. Her ties to that indulgent, glamorous world had been completely severed. She imagined her old friends

the clouds. Now, she wasn't even worthy of the dirt beneath her feet. Life was

dinner," Ivy said quietly, hating herself for being so powerless. She couldn't protect

Genevieve said, sitting down and opening the takeout boxes. The food was far better than the average meal, but compared to the luxurious

Try it," Genevieve said,

different. She had been pampered her entire

like what our chef used to

know it's not good, but this is our life now. After paying off your brother's debts, I used up almost all my savings. I

jewelry along to sell if we ever ran out of money. But Aurora went through my luggage and took most of it. Magnus

We have to be careful with what we have now. Just bear with it

of extravagance were gone, and there was no way

into her food. She couldn't accept how drastically her life had changed-from

woman.

saw Ivy's silent tears, but there was nothing she could do. She

dinner was over, Genevieve took a hot shower. The motel didn't have a bathtub, massage oils, or scented candles. The bathroom was small and

This was the only time Ivy wouldn't see or hear her tears.

her face as

ordinary life. Driven by vanity, she had thrown herself into the world of nightclub

were rich. Their tips alone could cover her expenses for a month. With her beauty and

as less than objects.

avoided him, but his tips were several times higher than usual.

that encounter battered and broken, but she received a handsome payout.

was no exception, though at the time, he was fit and handsome, wearing a suit with the top buttons undone. He had a