Chapter 2 Echoed of La Pella

Ivy's POV Knock, knock, knock. ​The door opened, and Mother Thess walked in. I pulled the blanket higher, exchanging morning greetings, trying desperately to keep her from seeing my puffy eyes. But it was hard to miss. ​"My darling, you're still in bed? This is unlike you. Are you okay?" she asked, stepping closer. "You haven't come down for breakfast, so I decided to come check on you." ​"Don't worry, Mother. I'm just down with a bad headache," I said, my voice shaking. ​"Get some sleep. I'll ask one of the girls to bring you breakfast, and Doctor Josh will get you some medication." ​"Thanks, Mother." ​"When you are fit, we will talk about what you want to do now that you're done with school." ​Immediately after she left, fresh tears ran down my face. Mother Thess and Father Campbell were the only people who truly cared about me. They had named me Ivy when I was dumped at the orphanage as a baby. The only thing left with me was a silver necklace. When I turned eighteen, Mother Thess had handed it to me, saying that one day I might find my true family and the truth. I had kept that necklace locked safely away ever since. Exhaustion pulled me under, and I fell fast asleep. When I woke up later, breakfast and the medicine were sitting on the bedside table. I had no appetite, but I forced myself to take the pills anyway. ​Later in the day, I went downstairs to help with the work around the orphanage-feeding the kids and changing their clothes. I needed a distraction. I needed to forget that night at La Pella. But one month later, the reality of that night caught up with me in the worst way possible. ​I was in the kitchen helping Mother Thess prep food when a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. My stomach churned, and my limbs turned to lead. ​"Are you okay, Ivy?" Mother Thess asked, her voice laced with concern. ​"I feel weak, Mother..." ​Before I could finish the sentence, the floor rushed up to meet me, and I collapsed into darkness. ​I woke up to the sterile smell of antiseptic and found myself lying in a hospital bed. Doctor Josh was standing nearby, telling Mother Thess that the lab results would be ready soon. He patted my hand before walking out, murmuring, "You'll be okay, Ivy." ​Mother Thess sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers gently smoothing back my hair. "You're going to be okay, my dear." ​Five minutes later, Doctor Josh walked back into the room holding a clipboard. He looked at Mother Thess and said, "Can I talk to you for a minute outside, Mother?" ​"Is everything ok with Ivy?" ​"Yes, sure. She's okay." ​I caught a flash of deep shock in Doctor Josh's eyes, though I couldn't fathom what he was hiding. They stepped over to the far end of the room, out of earshot. But the silence didn't last. ​"Mother Thess... based on the results, Ivy is a month pregnant." ​"Pregnant?!" Mother Thess shouted, the word echoing off the hospital walls. She whipped around, staring at me with a look of pure, shattered disbelief. ​"How can this be?" she demanded, her voice cracking. "Ivy, how?!" ​She kept firing questions at me while hot tears streamed down my face. "You hardly ever step foot outside! You don't have a boyfriend! Who did this to you?" ​"It was that night at the graduation party at La Pella," I sobbed, the truth finally tearing its way out of my throat. "Lilian and Danita... they gave me a juice. I became weak, and I ended up in a stranger's room." ​I wiped frantically at my face, my voice breaking. "I woke up the next day and realized I had been with him." Mother Thess froze, her expression shifting from shock to anger. "Who was he? Do you know his name, or anything that can help us track him down?" ​"I don't know him, Mother," I whispered, my chest tightening. "I just know he is a billionaire." ​Her shoulders slumped, the anger draining away into deep, crushing sorrow. She reached out and pulled me against her chest. "I am so sorry, Ivy." "We need to find that stranger, and he has to take responsibility for that night, darling. You have a little life growing inside of you now."Lilian and Danita will pay if found guilty. Feeling the warmth of her arms and seeing how heartbroken she looked for my sake, the guilt nearly choked me. ​"I didn't mean to break my promise, Mother," I cried out, holding onto her as tight as I could as she stroked my hair. Later in the day, I was discharged, and Doctor Josh gave me pregnancy vitamins and medication. We took a cab back to the orphanage. ​Father Campbell was waiting for us, his face dark with disappointment. But before he could lecture me, Mother Thess pulled him aside and told him everything-the spiked juice, the setup at La Pella, and the stranger in the hotel room. His hardened expression immediately melted into shock and pity. ​Unfortunately, we weren't the only ones listening. ​Lilian and Danita had eavesdropped on the whole conversation. As I walked slowly toward my room, they stepped out from the hallway and blocked my path, their faces twisted with malicious delight. Look at that, the orphanage flower is finally pregnant, Lilian said loudly enough for everyone nearby to hear. So you've been sneaking around doing it behind our backs? ​You're cheap and disgusting, Danita added, laughing in my face. The teacher's pet turned into absolute trash, opening your legs for chump change. How desperately did you want to leave the orphanage? Did you really have to sell yourself just to experience a flashy lifestyle outside? ​Oh, what a pity! Ivy is pregnant! Lilian shouted, raising her voice so the rest of the orphanage residents could hear. ​Instantly, whispers broke out all around us. Staring eyes and sharp gasps pierced the air. My world came crashing down all over again. I refused to give them the satisfaction of breaking me. I kept my chin up, ignored their gossips, and shoved past them straight into my room. ​Once the door was locked behind me, I walked over to my desk, picked up the threatening paper with the note-You will regret sleeping in my bed-and stared at it. ​I knew my life, my innocence, and my destiny would never be the same again. ​Down the hall, Father Campbell sent for Lilian and Danita. ​Were you with Ivy at the graduation party a month ago at La Pella? he demanded, his voice stern. I don't want any lies, only the truth. Did you girls drug her? You know if you lie, the consequences will be harsh. ​They immediately denied it, crying and faking tears to look completely innocent. ​Tell the truth now if you know anything about Ivy's pregnancy, Father Campbell warned them, his eyes narrowing. Or if I find out later, you girls will face the law. It is a serious crime to drug someone.