Ivory.

Chapter Four - Until Then, Like it Says

(AN: Its going to get very dark from here. Don't worry, it won't go into detail. Dark subjects are mentioned however.)

(TW: Forced Marriage with a minor, sexual abuse briefly and vaguely mentioned.)
 
"One day, we'll be back to normal."

That's what Ivory told herself. She chose hope. Hope for a life with her mother that she craved.  Maybe, this was all done for a reason. Just, maybe- the fame and glamour needed to fall so the two of them could rise.

But, No. That life wouldn't be happening. Because here Ivory was, standing in the living room of their home- Lucia sat there, a cigarette and wine glass in one hand. Beside her mother, an older man.

Ivory stood in shock, disbelief even. Her mother had just informed her that the man standing in front of her, was looking for her hand in marriage. He had the money to prove it. A stack of money rested beneath Lucia's free hand. She tapped her finger tips on top of the money— like she used to do to Ivory when she was a baby.

It sickened Ivory. And she definitely showed it.

"What?" Ivory finally responded, sounding offended.

"I'm sorry." The old man cleared his throat, taking a step closer to Ivory with his hand out to shake. "Let me introduce myself."

"Leave." Ivory stepped back from the man, demanding him to leave as she gave him a glare.

"Don't be rude!" Lucia shouted from the background. Her mother walked over to her, grabbing Ivory by the arm. "Excuse us for a moment." Lucia proceeded to drag Ivory out of the living room and into their hallway now.

Ivory snapped her head around, "Why the hell are you doing this?!" She was fuming. "Is it because I chose to be who I wanted to be—?! Are you that bitter- that you'd steal my freedom?!"

At this point, that delusional reality that her mother and her would get along again, was ripped away from her. Not that it was Ivory's main concern anymore. All she knew though, this made her despise the woman she called "mother."

"Funny how dramatic you could be when you wanted nothing to do with theater." Lucia snarled, and shook her head. She pulled a cigarette out from her robe pocket now— she seemed to pick up smoking after singing left her life. "I lost my job around a year ago. The money I saved up isn't cutting the rent anymore." Lucia took a drag of her cigarette and pointed to the living room entrance. "That fine gentlemen in there is offering enough to buy a small cottage, someplace I could find peace in after you've publicly shamed me."

"You'd be in peace knowing how miserable a forced marriage was making me?" Ivory asked, mentally cursing herself once she did. What answer did she expect?

After a brief pause, Lucia tapped her foot against the ground rapidly and shook her head. "Yes." She finally responded. "Look I'm no monster. I tried to find a good man, most of them were creeps with even more money— I could have taken their offer but I didn't."

Ivory didn't say anything. She just looked at her mother in disgust. This only made Lucia more defensive.

"You stole the career I worked my whole life to get. All I'm asking for is for you to be married. Wow, big deal. You get to be loved." Her mother shook her arms sarcastically.

"That-" Ivory pointed to the living room entrance, "-is not love."

"Well, be happy that it's better than I'll ever get." Lucia retorted.

"Do you even hear yourself—?"

"Enough!" Lucia shouted, cutting Ivory off. "It doesn't matter what you want, this will happen Ivory Lovelace!" Lucia stepped closer to Ivory now. "Need I remind you Marley law? I have the rights to do this."