The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2432
Tessa had always believed that dirty laundry should be washed inside the house, not aired out in public. Even though Ivy had
stirred up her fair share of trouble over the years, taking it to the internet seemed a bit like airing the family’s dirty laundry for all
to see.
Tessa had paid little mind to the gossip until Clara brought it up during her last visit h These past few days, Tessa hadn’t found
the time to carry out the task Clara had entrusted to her in Ivy’s place.
Now, Tessa was pacing her living room, restless with anxiety.
“I’m back!” Clara announced as she barged through the door, kicking off her sneakers haphazardly.
She crashed onto the couch, and Tessa immediately approached. She stood beside her with a look of urgency on her face.
“Clara, there’s something I need to ask you about.”
Clara internally rolled her eyes but kept her face neutral. She shifted on the couch to face Tessa without bothering to sit up. “Just
spill it, Tessa.” she asked.
“It’s about that thing, you know, the one you asked me to do. I’ve been swamped and haven’t gotten around to it yet. But I saw
what you posted online. Why’d you have to stir the pot like that? Ivy’s not the same person she used to be, and messing this up
isn’t going to end well!
Didn’t we agree to keep family matters private? By airing our dirty laundry, how do you think people will look at me and your
father?”

Clara sat up straighter, annoyance written all over her face, “Hold on! What do you mean by airing our dirty laundry? I only told
the truth, didn’t I? Besides, it’s your own daughter’s actions that got the internet riled up. I just mentioned a couple of the stunts
she’d done all these years. Isn’t that a good thing? Tessa, don’t you want to land more gigs? Because of what I said, I’m back on
the radar, and advertisers are knocking at my door again. Ivy’s antics dragged me down before, but now, a little honesty has
boosted my visibility. Aren’t you happy for me? Why are you making me the bad guy?”
Clara’s gaze held a hint of suspicion, and Tessa, feeling her good intentions were being questioned, quickly waved her hands in
defense.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just think airing our family issues isn’t the best move. I know Ivy has done wrong in the past, but that’s
something for the family to know, not the whole world. Your dad doesn’t even know about the posts yet. Imagine his reaction
when he stumbles upon the news online.”
Clara scoffed, “So, you’re putting all the blame on me now? If Ivy hadn’t messed up and
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dragged me down with her, I’d air out nothing. Dad won’t blame me even though he finds out. He’ll just feel sorry for me. We’re
both his daughters so why should I be overshadowed by her? Just because my biological mom isn’t around?”
Tessa’s head shot up as she heard the remark, “How can you say such things, Clara? All these years, I’ve treated you like my
own child, sometimes even at Ivy’s expense. It breaks my heart to hear you say that.”
Tears flowed as Tessa, who was upset and perplexed, slumped onto the couch.

She had been with Finn for many years and, though she might have failed her own daughter, she had never wronged his
daughter from a previous marriage.
From the very first day she joined the family, Tessa had gone out of her way to be kind to Clara, hoping to earn a genuine ‘mom’
from her. But that day had never come.
And now, after all her sacrifices, Clara had lashed out with such hurtful words. How could Tessa not be heartbroken?