Chapter 69: I Don’t Care
Tom’s eyes darkened.
"I don’t care, sweetie. It means you would have freed me from my chains. But imagine how Winn is going to feel when he finds out about what you have done. Who do you really think can hurt him deeper? Me or you?"
"You are a terrible father." She turned away and walked briskly toward her mother who fussed over cutlery and floral centerpieces. Helping Anna was easier than sparring with the devil she called her father.
By the time the grandfather clock tolled nine, anticipation was already thick in the air. Winn arrived, the front door swinging open. Beside him was Ivy, radiant in a deep green dress.
Anna nearly dropped the napkin she was folding. She rushed to the living room. Before Winn could even say a word, Anna’s entire face lit up. Star-struck, teary-eyed.
"Ivy, this is my family," Winn began. He gestured lazily with a hand, his other resting on the small of Ivy’s back in a way that looked protective and possessive all at once. "You know my dad, my sister, and here is my mother. I apologise in advance if you find her creepy. And everyone, this... is Ivy."
Ivy gave a small, polite smile. "Hello." She looked at Anna then whose face had tears running down them. "Are you... are you alright?" Ivy asked softly, instinctively stepping forward. Her hands trembled just a little, betraying her nerves.
Meeting a lover’s family was daunting enough; meeting Winn’s intimidating clan under Tom’s shadow was another battlefield entirely.
"I’m fine, sweetheart, I’m fine. I just never thought this day would come." She squeezed Ivy’s fingers, then turned to Winn, beaming. "Oh... she’s so pretty. And she has got wide hips!"
"Mother."
"Mum, will you stop embarrassing the guest? Let’s finish with the meal arrangement." Sylvia tugged Anna by the arm. Anna pouted, still gazing wistfully at Ivy.
Ivy leaned closer to Winn, her lips brushing near his ear. "Wide hips?" she repeated, her eyes sparkling with humor despite the faint blush painting her cheeks.
"She believes wide hips mean you’re quite fertile," Winn said dryly, his mouth twitching at the corners. "Look, I apologised in advance already. So you’re on your own."
"It’s okay," Ivy murmured, eyes softening as she studied his face. "I like her." She actually did like Anna’s unfiltered warmth.
Tom walked forward then.
"Mr Kane. It’s nice to see you again."
Tom’s gaze flicked between Ivy and Winn before he tilted his head, lips curving in a condescending smile. "Your secretary... Winn. That’s the best you can do, uhn?"
Winn responded smoothly. "Yes, Dad. My best has always been said to be exceptional. No need to worry." Without giving his father the satisfaction of a reaction, he pressed his palm gently to the small of Ivy’s back and guided her toward the dining area.
"I think I apologised in advance for the wrong person," he murmured under his breath, his lips brushing her ear just enough to make her shiver.
"You don’t have to." Ivy gave a small smile, her confidence returning. "All families have drama."
They entered the dining room. Ivy took her seat beside Winn, grateful for his steady presence.
As the family gathered, the questioning began almost immediately. Anna leaned forward, bright-eyed, desperate to know about hereditary traits—hair color, eye color. Winn groaned softly beside her.
Tom’s questions about her "humble background" were couched in politeness. She met his gaze head-on, answering calmly.
Sylvia and Winn were the counterbalance. Sylvia slid in wry comments now and then, making Ivy laugh just enough to break the tension. Winn’s fingers were simply brushing hers under the table, the occasional glance that said, You’re doing fine.
Ivy realized that the only member of the Kane family she didn’t like was Tom, and the feeling was very much mutual—as far as she could tell. His eyes had carried that cold gleam all through dinner. Every carefully measured word he had spoken dripped with disdain. Ivy didn’t need him to spell it out.
*****
After dinner, Winn had wanted to take her on a tour of the estate. But Anna intercepted, insisting she be the one to show Ivy the estate. Winn had rolled his eyes but surrendered easily, brushing a kiss against Ivy’s temple.
Ivy walked beside Anna, the older woman’s presence soothing.
"You must think I’m crazy," Anna said suddenly.
"What? No. Why would I think that?" Ivy asked, genuinely surprised.
Anna sighed, her shawl slipping down her shoulders as she adjusted it. "I admit my excitement is overwhelming."
Ivy smiled. "What mother wouldn’t be excited?"
"Do you have any family aside from your mother?" Anna asked gently, her eyes kind.
"I know a few of my father’s family," Ivy admitted, "but none from my mother’s."
Anna’s lips curved with sympathy. "It’s a shame about your mum. She raised a fine woman."
Emotion caught in Ivy’s throat. "Thank you, Mrs Kane."
"Nonsense." Anna’s eyes twinkled as she touched Ivy’s hand. "Just call me Anna." There was a fierce warmth in her grip. "Any wedding plans yet?"
"Ugh... we wanted to meet the family first, I guess," she managed.
"Good. There is no time to waste. What kind of wedding do you want?" Anna asked. The woman’s eyes sparkled. A wedding? Hearing Anna say it aloud made her heart thud.
"Uh...I don’t know. Shouldn’t Winn be a part of this conversation?" Ivy stammered. Her instinct was to look around for Winn, to throw him into the line of fire.
"Men don’t care about wedding details," Anna declared with a dismissive flick of her hand. "But if you need any help, any help whatsoever, I am here to help." There was no mistaking it—Anna had already claimed her as family, and the warmth in her eyes nearly made Ivy melt.
Ivy gave Anna a small smile. A part of her wanted to lean into that maternal embrace, to trust this woman who clearly adored her already. But the shadow of Tom loomed too large in her mind, and she knew this family was full of hidden daggers.
She wasn’t sure where she belonged yet—on the inside or still at the threshold, waiting to be tested.