The Kiss that Sparked it All (Ellinor and Theo) novel Chapter 2383

"Clara's always been the sensible one, knowing Mom and Dad work their fingers to the bone, never making absurd demands like Ivy does."

"She'll come around when she grows up."

With Clara's matter-of-fact remark, the family of three resumed their merry dinner as if scolding Ivy had been nothing but a gust of wind.

Only Ivy sat with her head bowed, her appetite gone.

She'd merely made a simple request and was branded an ungrateful child.

But what had she done wrong?

Why should she endure bullying from her class without a word? They never even bothered to ask why she wanted to switch schools. When she'd transferred before, had she ever complained?

When Clara didn't want to transfer, they went out of their way to make sure she was settled comfortably. And when she changed her mind, they promptly found her a new school close to their current home and got her enrolled.

Why did it seem like Ivy's pain didn't matter? She didn't understand why she had to bear it all; it had just become the norm.

Ivy's grievances never counted, only Clara's did.

Ivy vaguely remembered being locked in her room, not given any food for a whole day and night. Only when she admitted her wrongdoing did her mother ease up.

Growing kids get hungry fast, and missing a meal was hard enough, let alone a day and night without food or drink. Her mother sat across from her, watching her wolf down her food, occasionally reminding her to mind her table manners.

Ivy ate quickly until she no longer felt hollow, then slowed down, taking small bites. Finally, she couldn't help but ask her mother, "Mom, am I not your real daughter? Why haven't you ever asked why I fought back?"

Her mother was taken aback, stunned by the question coming from her own daughter's lips.