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.

an appetite," Ivy

she dashed out

mirror, determined. She was done feeling sorry for herself. She was going to prove

at work stopped her "Hey, Ivy.

replied, plastering on a

manager's office, wondering how much

for her absence

10:14 AM

Chapter 4

as she opened the

said flatly. "You're fired. Turn in your uniform and other

Just

offer to kick you "Who paid you to do this?"

out

sharpened. "Miss Cheryl. Now, drop your things

left Tina's office, too stunned to be angry at

her items, her phone chimed with a message from Cheryl: Happy job

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

restaurant.

in, she would embrace it and move forward. Ivy handed in her things, walking out with no single plan

She

car pulled up beside her and a hefty

Scott. You have to come with

"It's just Ivy," she said bitterly. She was not a Hunter-and probably not a Scott anymore. "You'll have to try harder than that," she said, already walking

wants to see

mid-step and turned.

ma'am," the man nodded, pointing to

could either go home and cry

stranger

chose the latter.

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

man led her to an elevator. She stepped inside, and soon they reached a spacious office

man gestured to a gold door with a plaque

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

smiled sheepishly at him as he stood up and

did Mason ask you to get from me?" He

him.

the fury in his eyes.

his grip. "You think you can charm me

me," she

grip but didn't let

flinched. "I don't know what

Mason, your husband. What

anything, and he's my ex-husband now," she explained, trying

voice echoing in the room. "He sent

information from me, right?"

He thought she had slept with hims to get something?

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