Chapter 272: Chapter 272: Regret

"We are going to depart by the next day; the plan needs to be pushed forward." Ivy’s solemn voice made the heart of the Nightbane tense.

The thought of leaving the country they had lived in for so many years was daunting and heart-wrenching. However, they had decided long ago, wherever Ivy was...they would stay.

Their family of five had already suffered a separation for such a long duration, and it was only right for them now to stick together.

"Alright." The Nightbane readily agreed. However, they didn’t end the discussion; instead, they simultaneously turned to look at Jay.

Jay shifted uneasily under the intense gaze of the Nightbane family and vowed, "I will go wherever Ember is."

Even he was disheartened by his mother’s and father’s deed.

And though he had a soft corner for them, he didn’t want to hurt the Nightbanes and remained silent, deciding to prepare for his parents a way out in secret.

Memories were a weird thing. Once he thought of leaving, he was reminded of the time when his mother bought him a toy while skimping on her own necessities.

Though she was domineering... Jay never forgot about the good times they had spent together.

It was unbelievable how just a few months before, his mother, for his happiness, was ready to kneel in front of the gods and beg for a good future, and just a few months later... even sold him for a few bags of food.

"Alright then. It’s settled. Now let the show begin!" Ivy smirked. Didn’t Ember’s mother-in-law repeatedly taunt her for being poor?

If she doesn’t make Brenda cry blood tears of humiliation, her name won’t be Ivy!

Felix and Ember were excited and immediately changed into the clothes brought by their sister.

When the familiar soft fabric touched their skin, they both sighed in gratitude.

Though their sister had brought many different clothes, the fabrics of the clothes differed. They placed the best and softest clothes for the ’important’ occasions and wore the cheapest and worst qualities first.

Ember gently looked down at the pink dress she was wearing and couldn’t help but hug the soft fabric close to her chest.

"I really love this dress," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine affection. It had been so long since she had worn something this comfortable and delicate.

Hearing her words, Ivy smiled faintly. "If you like it that much, I can get you more," she offered.

Ember immediately shook her head, waving her hands in alarm.

"No, no! I’m already so thankful for this one," she said earnestly.

"This kind of clothing must cost a fortune, and you’ve already done a favor for me. I’m truly grateful, Ivy. Please don’t spend more on me."

Ivy frowned slightly, her voice taking on a firm but affectionate tone.

"It’s not a favor, Ember. It’s a gift from me to you. Don’t think of it any other way."

Ember’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

After all, Ivy hadn’t been pampered by them even for a single day, yet she was still the one taking care of them...providing them lodging, food, and even letting them enjoy the delicacies stored in her temporal storage.

How could Ember not feel a little ashamed?

As the sun began to set, Ivy read the thoughts swirling in Ember’s mind.

"In my past life, I had rarely gone out to search for food; it had always been you who made sure I was fed. You all had looked after me all the time. So no, it wasn’t true that you all had never done anything for me. In fact, you all raised me to the point where I had almost become a spoiled princess, never having to lift a hand myself. To say you had never cared for me would be a lie."

Hearing Ivy’s words, Ember could only smile softly, her eyes brimming with quiet emotion.

Ivy knew this wasn’t something she could fix with a single conversation, so she chose not to press the matter further for now.

Once everyone was dressed, Ivy, Ember, Helena, Victor, Kael, and Felix left the temporal storage, leaving Jay behind. Soon, they arrived outside Brenda’s house.

Ivy and Ember exchanged a knowing glance before Ember straightened her posture and walked in with an exaggerated smile.

"I’m here!" she announced brightly.

Brenda, who had been sitting at the dining table, lost in thought, looked up sharply.

The moment her gaze landed on Ember, her face twisted in anger.

She stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound.

"You!" she shouted, pointing a trembling finger. "Are you the one who took my son away?"

Her eyes widened as if she had just solved some grand mystery.

"It must be you! Who else would dare to steal my son? Where is he? Where’s Jay?"

Ember didn’t respond to the accusation. Instead, she put on a worried expression and asked gently, "Where is Jay? Is he alright?"

Brenda faltered, taken aback by Ember’s reaction.

’So... Jay isn’t with her?’ she was thinking in confusion.

Ember continued speaking, weaving her story carefully.

"After I broke off the engagement, I regretted it deeply. I couldn’t forget Jay... so I secretly took up a risky job behind my parents’ backs. It wasn’t easy, but I earned a huge reward in the end...one hundred kilograms of vegetables, one hundred kilograms of meat, and two thousand kilograms of rice."

Her eyes glimmered with sincerity as she added,

"That’s far more than what you asked for as dowry, Brenda. And now, I’m here to offer it all...if you’ll allow Jay to marry me."

Brenda froze. The scent of fresh vegetables wafted through the air, teasing her senses.

Her eyes widened as she stared at the piles of meat and rice before her. Her hands itched with greed, and regret began to claw at her chest.

’If only I hadn’t driven her away...’ she thought bitterly. ’If I’d just given her a little more time, my son could’ve married her, and we’d be swimming in resources right now.’

Her heart churned with remorse. If she hadn’t let her greed consume her...if she hadn’t held that foolish auction...Jay would never have run away.