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.

the past, her life had been filled with conversations about designer collections, upcoming fashion shows,

glamorous world had

a princess high in the clouds. Now, she wasn't even worthy of

Ivy said quietly, hating herself for being so powerless. She couldn't protect her brother and had now allowed her mother

boxes. The food was far better than the average

I got you your favorite. Try it," Genevieve said, pushing one of

to this lifestyle. But Ivy was different. She had been pampered her entire life, enjoying only the best of everything. Now,

nothing like what our chef used to make," Ivy complained,

now. After paying off your brother's debts, I used up almost all

sell if we ever ran out of money. But Aurora went through my luggage and took most of it. Magnus listens to everything Aurora says. We didn't

have to be careful with what we have now. Just bear with it and get used to it," Genevieve said, trying

days of extravagance were gone, and there was no

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

woman.

she could do. She sighed inwardly. It

The motel didn't have a bathtub, massage oils, or scented

This was the only time Ivy wouldn't see or hear her tears. She didn't want her daughter to

her face as memories flashed through

live an ordinary life. Driven by vanity, she had thrown herself into

alone could cover her expenses for a month. With her beauty and

a few vile ones who treated women as less than objects. Some were cruel, their desires twisted. For the sake of money, Genevieve

particularly notorious client. Everyone else avoided him, but his

but she received a handsome payout. She

exception, though at the time, he was fit and handsome, wearing a suit with the top buttons undone. He had a