Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Prophecy
Ivy tapped her pen against the table and looked at Annie. "So, Annie, you mean even when you stole food... it was only because your brother needed it?"
Annie lowered her head. Her voice was small.
"Yes. I was ashamed. But I had no choice. He had just gone through surgery, and he needed food to recover. I didn’t have anyone to turn to. So... I stole."
Ivy’s eyes showed no judgment. She only nodded slowly.
She scribbled on the paper in front of her, though in truth she wasn’t writing anything. Instead, she paused and asked in a calm voice,
"I also heard something else. Annie, your mother is very troublesome, isn’t she? What are you planning to do about her?"
Annie lifted her head, startled. "My mother?"
"Yes." Ivy’s gaze was steady. "I heard she causes problems. If she keeps following you, she may keep blackmailing you. So, what are you planning to do?"
Inside, Ivy’s thoughts were cold. ’That woman is dangerous. A mother who can record her own daughter’s shameful photos and even use them to threaten her child will never be a good mother. Annie must one day be free from her. If I can guide her, maybe she will cut ties.’
But Annie did not know Ivy’s inner thoughts. She pressed her lips together and said calmly,
"I... I was planning to bring my mother along."
Ivy frowned. "Even though she is troublesome? Even though she may harm you again?"
Annie gave a bitter chuckle. "Instructor Ivy, even if I want to leave her, I can’t. The conditions won’t allow me."
Ivy narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean? Tell me clearly."
Annie sighed deeply. Then she told the truth.
"My younger brother... He needs blood transfusions every single month. And the only blood that works for him is our mother’s. No one else’s. Not even people with the same blood type. Only her. Without her, my brother will die."
Ivy’s heart skipped a beat.
’What kind of disease is this? I have never heard of such a thing. Not even in my last life.’
But she did not show her shock on her face.
Instead, she asked softly, "So that is why you keep her close. But what about later? What is your plan?"
Annie looked down at her hands.
"She also gave one of her kidneys to my brother, saving his life. So even if I want to leave her, it feels wrong. Without her, he would not even be alive right now. So... leaving her is not my choice. It is not up to me."
Ivy tapped her table again.
’So Annie is not foolish. She is smart, but her situation is too hard. This mother has tied her down with blood and guilt.’
After thinking for a moment, Ivy leaned forward.
"Then here is what I suggest. Every time your mother gives blood, try to store some away. Collect it. If you gather enough, maybe your brother won’t need her every single month. At the same time, hire healers, or find a doctor who is good at rare diseases. If that happens, you may finally break free from her grasp."
Annie lifted her head in surprise. For a moment, her eyes shone with hope. Then she sighed.
"I have thought about that too. But... I don’t have enough crystals to hire healers. And even if I had the crystals, the problem is still my mother’s kidney. Without her, my brother won’t survive. Leaving her feels as wrong as leaving the person who saved him."
Ivy nodded slowly.
"I understand. You are loyal. But Annie, let me be honest. Your mother... she is like a ticking time bomb. If she explodes, she may destroy you too."
Annie frowned. "What do you mean?"
Ivy’s eyes sharpened. She spoke with a serious tone.
"Since you asked me, I will not hide it. I know a prophet. He had a vision about your future. In that vision, your mother... she made a recording of you. An MMS. She let others take advantage of you, took photos of you when you were weak. Then she used those things to blackmail you again and again. She asked for money, food, and power. In the end, when you had nothing left to give, you... you could not take it anymore. You died by your own hand."
The room went silent. Annie’s pupils widened in shock.
"That’s impossible! My mother... she would never..." Her voice cracked. She wanted to deny it, but as the words left her mouth, they felt hollow.
She paused. Her chest felt heavy. "Even if she fell below morals, even if she lost her way..."
She stopped, realizing something. Her hands trembled slightly.
"No... There is a chance she could really do it."
Annie froze. Her whole body stiffened as she stared into Ivy’s eyes. For a moment, she could not breathe. Then she whispered,
"Losing everything... Instructor Ivy, does that mean... even my brother?"
Ivy was silent. Her lips pressed into a thin line. Finally, she gave a slow nod.
The nod cut into Annie like a blade. Her chest hurt so badly she thought her ribs would crack. "No... no, that is impossible!" Her voice shook.
Her eyes were wide and wet, as if she was begging Ivy to deny it.
Ivy hesitated. Then she took a deep breath.
"Annie. The prophet said you did manage to take your brother away once. You kept him far from your mother. You protected him. But your mother... she did not give up. She kidnapped him again. After that... your brother died. No one knew how. It was mysterious."
Annie’s lips trembled. "No... stop. Please stop."
But Ivy continued, her voice steady, almost cruel. "After you died, your mother cried. She said she should not have been greedy. But by then it was too late. You were gone. And your brother was gone too."
Annie closed her eyes tightly. Her hands clenched into fists on her knees.
’I never thought of the future. I always thought... the worst my mother could do was take my supplies. At most, she would force me to hand over everything. But... to think she would go further...’