Unexpected

You have no choice.

It had been a couple of days since Marjorie and Reece left, they were very much enjoying themselves, shopping in soho and fifth avenue, they'd enjoyed meals together and they were glad to know that everything was running smoothly at the nursery, Ivy seemed to be doing okay at home by herself too.

It was Wednesday afternoon, Ivy had been spending time at home, she didn't have any more school since she was on the last few days of her break before she was supposed to go to college. While she was cooking herself dinner, there was a knock on the door. Ivy walked towards the door and opened it. Her jaw dropped.

"Mum." Ivy said sternly.

"Hello Ivy, I'm not too pleased with you." Clara began.

"Whatever, I'm staying here for the time being." Ivy rolled her eyes.

"You're staying here for as long as you wish." Clara smirked.

"Really!??" Ivy squealed.

"On one condition. Can I come in?" Clara asked.

Ivy nodded and let her inside, the two sat at the dining table before Clara began to speak.

"Unfortunately, we're not allowed to see each other until you're back from college, however I had the choice, either Marjorie would have full custody over you or your aunt would have full custody over you.." Clara started.

"No please!! Let me stay here" Ivy pleaded. "Well please, let Marjorie have full custody, please." Ivy begged.

"Like I said, on one condition.." she smirked.

"What is it?" Ivy asked.

"You pack your things, and you go to Cambridge, you study law, you pass and you become a criminal defence lawyer." Clara demanded. "If you leave tonight, you'll get there in time."

"Why?" Ivy moaned.

"I didn't raise you to work in a nursery, you could at least do me a favour and become a lawyer, I've been telling you this since you were twelve Ivy. I'm doing you a favour, by letting you stay here. If not.. I'll just call your aunt." Clara smirked.

"Fine. I'll go. Get out of this house." Ivy rolled her eyes.

Clara stood up and walked towards the front door. "Goodbye, I'll be here when you're back from college, If you don't pass and get this degree, there will be issues." She chuckled. "You might even end up living with me again." She smirked.

Clara smiled to herself as she left the house, she had just lied to Ivy, Marjorie didn't have full custody, she just needed a way to get Ivy out of working in a nursery.

Ivy sobbed as she packed her things, she really didn't want to go to college. As she carried her suitcase downstairs.. she decided to write a note, so Marjorie and Reece didn't wonder where she'd gone when they arrived home.

She wrote:

𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐞, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐣𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞.

𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐢 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞, 𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤, 𝐢 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞. 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞. 𝐈 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫.

𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐢𝐯𝐲 𝐱𝐱

She placed the note on the kitchen counter, and called an uber to take her to the train station, where she got on the next available train and was on her way to Cambridge.