Bonds

Chapter 66

-Maya’s POV-

My gaze locked on Ivan, a strange mix of emotions swirling within me. He sat sprawled on the floor, a giggling Ivy perched precariously on his lap. Her tiny fingers yanked at his hair, and a genuine smile stretched across his face. He left immediately he received the text promising he would be back. He hadn’t even waited for a reply, his hurried departure leaving a knot of unease in my stomach.

He kept his promise and came back. But here he was, back and seemingly relaxed, his playful interaction with Ivy a stark contrast to his tense demeanor carlier. A part of me, the rational part, knew we still had serious issues to address. The elephant in the room, the one named ‘Alex‘ and his sudden investment in Ivan’s company, loomed large. Yet, watching Ivan with my daughter, a strange sense of peace settled over me.

Suddenly, a familiar tug pulled at my mind, a psychic nudge from Natalia. I sighed, the tension momentarily broken, and opened myself to our mental link.

“He’s really good with her,” Natalia’s voice echoed in my head, laced with a hint of surprise.

My eyes flickered back to the playful scene before me. Ivy, now giggling uncontrollably, tugged on a strand of Ivan’s hair with surprising strength. He flinched playfully, his smile widening. He looked…lighter, more carefree than I’d seen him since everything went down.

“He really is,” I admitted, my voice a soft murmur in our bond. “She called him Daddy.”

There was a beat of silence, then a sharp intake of breath from Natalia. “That’s a big step for Ivy. Trusting him enough to want him to be her

father.

I glanced back at them. Ivy, now nestled comfortably in Ivan’s lap, was babbling away incoherently, a content smile plastered on her face. He, in turn, was completely absorbed in her, his earlier tension seemingly forgotten. Nathan and Nate sat in one corner fake wrestling.

“Nathan seems to like him too,” Natalia added, her voice a low murmur. “And you know what they say someone’s energy is bad. That’s not what’s happening over there.”

about kids. They

can always tell when

“You know I love you and I’ll always tell you the truth,” She continued, her voice firm. “I get that you’re upset about how he used you to get back at Alex. But you know as well as I do that Alex can be an arrogant jerk sometimes. He needs to be put in his place. It just sucks that he

used you as a pawn.”

of anger washed over me, a bitter reminder of Ivan’s manipulative tactics. He’d used my feelings, our

Alex.

now, “I get it. Men like to feel powerful. That’s probably why he didn’t tell you

be careful because he seemed too good to be true,” She continued, her voice laced with a hint of regret. “But

surprising reaction to her words. Pushing them back, I forced a watery smile. “You know I missed

the sound momentarily shattering the peaceful atmosphere in the room. Four heads snapped in our direction, but we

strand of his hair with her tiny fingers, pulling

Chapter 66

Sat,

un

his gaze lingering on mine

90%

sent a wave of conflicting emotions through me. There was anger, of course, at his

I couldn’t

people do stupid things, especially when they’re feeling insecure. Maybe he felt threatened by Alex. No he definitely does. I mean

had that right. Alex, with his alpha arrogance and undeniable charm, could be

Natalia,” 1 protested, frustration creeping into my tone, “how am I sure he won’t do

Natalia soothed, raising a placating hand. “He messed up, big time. But maybe, just maybe,

of where she was going

was the only

“it doesn’t change the fact that he lied to

Alex. But maybe, just maybe, it’s time to let go of the past and move on. Like you

me. Moving on. It was something I desperately wanted, but it seemed so out of reach. Alex was everywhere- in my thoughts, in my dreams, even in the unexpected kiss he

the memory sending a jolt through me. Natalia’s sharp

was that?”

“Nothing,” I looked away.

she pressed, her voice laced with concern, “You’re

down on me. “It’s

accident…He kissed me.”

her eyes wide with surprise. “He kissed