The Stepbrother’s Wager Chapter 08

The Stepbrother’s Wager Chapter 08

After the exhibition ended, Mr. Whitmore Sr. came to see me once.

He looked much older than he had three years ago.

The first thing he said when he saw me was, “Ivy, I’m sorry.”

I said nothing.

He handed me a folder.

“These are the assets that should have been in your mother’s name, along with compensation from

the Whitmore family.”

I did not even look through it.

“My attorney will handle it.”

Mr. Whitmore Sr. gave a bitter smile.

“You can’t even bring yourself to look at me?”

I answered calmly, “Mr. Whitmore Sr., the fact that I’m willing to stand here and speak to you is already the greatest courtesy I can extend to you.”

His face went ashen.

I no longer hated him. Hating him took too much energy.

I simply had no intention of ever seeing him as my father again.

Later, Dylan transferred most of the shares he owned to me.

He sent me an email.

[I know you don’t want this, but the Whitmore family owes it to you.]

[Whether or not you ever accept me as your brother, I’ll make sure no one tarnishes your mother’s

name again.]

I instructed my attorney to accept the transfer.

It was not forgiveness. My mother and I had been entitled to those assets all along.

Ethan also sent me a cashier’s check and a letter.

The letter read:

[Ivy, I’m not asking you to take me back.]

[I only hope that everyone you meet from now on is better than I was.]

I returned the check and did not keep the letter.

Julian asked me, “Are you really not sad about any of it anymore?”

I thought for a moment.

“I still am sometimes, but it no longer hurts so much that I can’t keep living.”

He smiled.

“That’s good.”

Six months later, I decided to stay on and work at the conservation institute.

On the anniversary of my mother’s death, I returned to the small town where she had once lived.

The area had been redeveloped, and the old apartment we had rented was gone.

I planted an apple tree near the spot where it had once stood.

When the wind blew, the leaves rustled gently, like my mother softly stroking my head.

I crouched beside the tree and buried the restored apple-blossom pendant beneath it.

It had once been my most precious possession, only to be deliberately stepped on and shattered.

But I no longer wanted to rely on it as proof that I had once been loved.

My mother had loved me.

That was enough.

Before we left, Julian handed me the small box he had kept for three years.

“Are you ready for something new now?”

I opened it.

Immediately walked

up and slazed thems

both on the cheek

The silver ivy-leaf pendant lay quietly inside. Its silver gleam was faint but pure.

This time, I did not refuse it.

“Thank you.”

Julian looked at me.

“Keep moving forward, Ivy.”

I closed my fingers around the pendant.

Dawn was beginning to brighten the horizon.

Suddenly, I smiled.

Yes, it was time to move forward.