Chapter 4

Ivy was humming a tune as she got ready for work when a knock sounded at her door. "Yes, Aunt?"

"I need you in the living room now," her aunt replied, her tone urgent.

Ivy brushed her hair and wore her flats. She was in a very good mood after spending the night with Silas.

Last night reminded her that she was still a pretty woman who a handsome man found alluring enough to spend the night with

She arranged her bag, humming as she prepared for work without hurry. When she entered the living room, her good mood vanished as she saw her father and Cole. "Dad?" she said, startled.

"I told you I don't want you around me! Why were you asking your brother for money!" her father yelled.

Ivy's cheeks flushed as she glanced between her father and Cole. "I'm..sorry. I just needed something to start up my-"

"I don't care!" her father interrupted. “I asked a million times if you loved that idiot, and you said you did, You gave him everything, and he ruined you." His bitterness was palpable.

That's enough, Patrick," her aunt chided. "She's gone through enough. We're supposed to correct her with love."

"You can do that," her father sneered. "I don't have any more love to give her."

Ivy bit her lip to hold back her tears. She had brought it upon herself; she'd trusted Mason, and he'd let her down. She couldn't blame her father for his anger. "Be kind with your words," her aunt cautioned.

"I didn't come here to be lectured, May," her father said, giving Ivy a look of pure disdain. "I came here to warn you: if you ever disturb your brother for my money again, I'll have you arrested,

Ivy looked away, silent.

"You can keep her now," her father said to her aunt. "She's no longer my daughter. I disown you, disgraceful child."

"Dad..." Ivy's voice trailed as he left.

"I'm so sorry.

so sorry, Ivy. He found our, Cole murmured before following their father.

Ivy sank into the couch, barely holding tears in place.

Her aunt sat beside her and hugged her. "I'm so sorry, my dear," she said softly. "Til talk to your father-he'll-"

"No," Ivy shook her head. "I deserve this,"

"No, you don't," May tightened her embrace. "You trusted the wrong man. It's not your fault, my sweet girl"

Images of Mason and pregnant Cheryl flashed through her mind. She didn't want to dwell on their betrayal, or her father's rejection.

She just wanted to bury herself in work and hold onto the memory of her night with a beautiful stranger.

"I need to go to work, Aunt May," Ivy said, standing up.

"Should I pack you some breakfast? I made toast," May offered.

appetite," Ivy replied emotionlessly.

say, she dashed out of

straight to the locker room. She looked at herself in the mirror, determined. She

at work stopped her "Hey, Ivy. Thu called for you. She's

Ivy replied, plastering

way to the manager's office, wondering how

for her absence

10:14 AM

Chapter 4

she opened

Turn in your

eyes widened. "Fired? Just for missing a

I got a good offer to kick

out

Now, drop

left Tina's office, too stunned to

phone chimed with a message from Cheryl: Happy

day had gone worse than she had expected, she-—a daughter of a restaurateur-was now

restaurant.

Whatever situation she finds herself in, she would embrace it and move forward. Ivy handed in her

She

when a car pulled

have to

man a cautious look. "It's just Ivy," she said bitterly. She was not a Hunter-and probably not a Scott

wants

froze mid-step and

man nodded, pointing

was nothing left for her-she could either go home

follow this stranger to meet

chose the latter.

a towering building, Ivy bit her lip as she stepped out, feeling underdressed for

an elevator. She stepped inside, and soon they reached

to a gold door with a plaque that read Silas

pushed the door opened. It was him-the hazel-eyed stranger,

at him as he stood up and

did Mason ask you to get from me?"

him.

saw the fury in his eyes.

grip. "You think you can charm me and fool

hurting me,"

but didn't let her go.

know

husband. What did he

anything, and he's my ex-husband

yelled, his voice echoing in the room.

information from me, right?"

disgust. He thought she had slept with hims to get something? "You're

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