Chapter 195

Chapter 195

"What happened there?" Cheryl asked, scooting closer.

Ivy didn't answer immediately; her heart was still hurting. She turned away, gazing out the car window.

"Are you okay?"

The concern in Cheryl's voice got to her. Ivy turned quickly, offering a faint smile. "Yes, yes, I'm good," she said. "I'm... just in shock."

And in pain, but she didn't add that.

Cheryl squeezed her thigh gently. "Sorry. I-" She was interrupted by her baby's

COOS.

She adjusted him, opened her blouse, and gently guided her nipple into his mouth.

Ivy looked away. She knew she was supposed to be uncomfortable with the sight, but instead, she felt moved-awed by the beauty and technicality of it. And maybe, a little jealous.

If there was one thing Cheryl had that she didn't, it was unconditional love. To be loved without fear. To be loved without remorse.

Her thoughts drifted to Aunt May, and her stomach tightened. There was no one who loved her that way. Not Aunt May. Not Silas.

Pain surged through her veins, but she swallowed it. Maybe it was time

"Holy smokes! What happened here?" Jonathan gasped.

have her own baby.

Ivy lifted her head to see what had made him shout. Across the road, a car had collided with a jeep.

The occupants-which Ivy guessed were an old man and some young children- were talking to a television reporter.

"That looks serious," Cheryl said, leaning forward to see.

Ivy glanced at her, surprised she was even aware of her surroundings. Maybe the depression was wearing off, she thought.

"So many reporters," Jonathan said, slowing the car so they could catch everything.

Ivy turned back to the scene, noticing the other journalists vying for the old man's attention.

"If there are this many reporters, the accident must've been serious," Cheryl said. She had finished feeding her son and was tapping his back softly, like a

seasoned mother.

"Absolutely," Jonathan agreed. "Either serious or-"

"An important person was involved," Ivy and Jonathan said in unison.

Ivy's chest tightened. Only one name came to mind/"Theresa."

Quickly, she pulled her phone from her back and dialed Theresa's number. It rang twice before it was answered.

"Hello?" It was Hector.

"Hey, Hector," she said, panic rising in her voice. "Where's Theresa?"

"She's sleeping."

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Chapter 195

The panic intensified. "Is she... okay?"

"Not really," Hector replied softly. "But she's good. Just upset."

Upset. Not hurt. Good.

"Alright," Ivy exhaled, relieved. "Thank you, Hector. I'll call again later?

Ivy." He ended

off the panic. The look in Theresa's eyes

scene had looked believable, even

from her body. Beside her, Cheryl gently rocked

luggage at my

thought crossed Ivy's mind. "What have you

was

some of her

Ivy scoffed. "Yeah."

"I'm calling him Cole."

"What?"

baby," Cheryl said, laying him gently

it was Patrick. Now it was Cole. Maybe

Ivy said with a strained

-o

silent, and guilt crept back in. But before Ivy could address it,

I've hurt you beyond anything

mounting again. "It's okay. Sorry I sounded

"I get it. If anything, I

really," Ivy said, turning toward her. Then

a repeat of Rita and Wills. Not when things were this

And she won't stop insulting me. Why?" "Nothing. He's just

than usual?"

They laughed.

of their laughter. Tears threatened to form, but

joy or reunion. They were tears of death, of grief

as he stretched

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12.07

Chapter 195

Ivy blinked. "Again?"

has colic, hence

Nope.

Maybe it was

besides a child.

announced as he turned

and finish feeding him," Ivy

"Thanks," Cheryl said.

lip, her stomach churning

have

at her,

awakened something in Ivy. Maybe she was supposed

Cheryl had done unforgivable

supposed to pity the newborn.

have been too—or at least

"I understand.

an

relatives she hadn't

paralyze her, Ivy said, "Okay,"

walked inside, trying to ignore the ache building inside

door, she saw

said, hugging

hugged her back. "You left without

I had work." She smiled. "I had to leave

just avoiding

laughed. "Come on." Then she

"What? Why?"

everything, including the incident with Aunt May. "I was thinking

stay until she had a place. Mason is

Ivy," Cole's voice broke as he

to think about it. It hurt

embrace.

tucking her hair behind her ears. "And I

to her about it."

He frowned. "But Ivy-"

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