Chapter 91 Ivy
IVY
Anthony announces that I have a guest—Cain. It’s not at all shocking. It’s been four days since Luca covered the property in irises and each day it’s been another thoughtful gesture.
“His antics aren’t working, so now he’s sending in reinforcements.”
“Luca doesn’t know I’m here. He never knew I was the other time either. That part wasn’t a trick. I knew he needed you. I’ve watched my best friend become an entirely different guy. Ever since that day, he’s been fighting to be a better man for you.”
“Yeah. If only it were that easy. I want to forgive him. I want to get past all of it. I want to be happy. But guess what, life is cruel.”
“You know Decider was the one responsible for my sister’s death, right?
We figured it out when the rules of the last round came out for the sacrifice.
Before that, I’d thought she died just playing the game.
That bastard deliberately put an end to my sister’s life.
I swear to you, Luca never went into that first round expecting it to result in your mother dying. ”
“And yet, that still doesn’t change the fact that she’s still dead.”
“No, it doesn’t. But have you ever made a mistake that you’d give anything to take back?” Cain questions as the conversation with my mother rings through my mind.
“That morning. I’d take back what I said to her.”
“Was your mom a forgiving person?” he asks.
“Yes, too forgiving,” I reply.
“Well, what advice do you think she’d give you? Would she want you to forgive, or would she want you to hold a grudge?”
I’m not answering that. Because the circumstances are different. Would she be forgiving if she knew it’d cost her her life? Sadly, probably so. She’d already forfeited her life by staying with my father so she could raise me.
But I’m not her. I’m not even really her daughter. “I can’t. There’s more to it than that.”
“Agreed. There’s much more to it. Including the fact that he tried to quit playing Mercy after the accident.
He didn’t show up for the first fight at the Tomb that he was supposed to participate in.
When the Keepers found out he wasn’t going to play, they took away his choice.
Forced him to stay in the game. They said once the invitation was accepted, the person had to participate. ”
“He didn’t have to. It was still a decision at that point.”
“They threatened Zachary, right? Said they’d kill him if you didn’t follow their rules.”
“Yes.”
“Luca told the Keepers to kill him because he wouldn’t play.
” Cain keeps a steady eye on me as he explains, “But they threatened to hurt you if he backed out of Mercy. Even they realized you were his weak spot before the two of you had even officially met. Crazy, right? That’s when he decided to put a stop to the entire society.
That’s when he asked me if I’d help him do it.
My intention was only to find out what really happened to my sister.
But the more I discovered, the more I agreed that the whole organization needed to be disassembled.
And that’s what we did, from the inside out.
So, I just thought you should know he was willing to die but wasn’t willing to give you up. ”
Cain leaves my house and hours later, the conversation has me frustrated and unsettled.
It doesn’t matter what my mom would tell me to do.
It doesn’t matter what Luca did after the accident.
Though, the fact that he kept playing because they threatened to kill me really just pisses me off more.
Because he shouldn’t care. And neither should I.
I need to get out of here for a few minutes. However, I’m unable to drive at the moment since my leg is still in a hard brace, and I don’t want to ask Anthony to take me, so I request an Uber and meet the vehicle outside when it arrives.
The driver looks a little confused when he drops me off at a random intersection. He’d really be confused if I explained that it was where my mom died. But I just tell him thanks and get out of the car.
It feels different now. And yet, nothing is. My head might be a tad bit clearer since I’ve had a little more time to accept what I learned about my mother. But none of it truly makes sense to me.
As soon as I look to the cross that my uncle placed, I regret coming here to get some air.
Because the unsolicited gardener has been here too.
There’re irises planted all around. And I can’t help but notice the concrete raised planters that are lining the road, creating a barrier from the traffic.
There’s nowhere I can go to escape him. Everything reminds me of Luca. And I’m sick of it.
I hobble over and sit nearby since I’m already here. I’ve never wanted my mother to tell me what to do more than right now. Because I don’t know where to go from here.