Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 413: It’s All Over

For Magnus, she had broken every limit she had ever set for herself. Genevieve, a clever and calculating woman, had once planned to marry the right man to secure her future. A marriage certificate would have safeguarded her rights.

But Magnus was different. She had been willing to choose him, even without the guarantee of marriage. She believed he would never betray her. Even without a certificate, she had felt secure.

For twenty years, she lived a life of comfort and luxury. But after those twenty years, everything crumbled. She lost it all and returned to the poverty she had once escaped.

She didn't mind being poor again, but her children didn't deserve to be dragged into this mess. Genevieve had already made up her mind.

When she stepped out of the shower, Ivy was already lying in bed.

"Mom, do you think Zach will really be released?" Ivy asked, her voice filled with the innocent doubt of a child.

"He will. I promise," Genevieve said firmly.

"Is Dad going to help him? I knew it! He wouldn't just abandon us after all. We spent twenty years together," Ivy said, still holding on to the belief that Magnus was her father.

Genevieve thought back to how she had knelt for hours in the Montgomery family home, only to be met with Magnus's cold indifference. He had made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her.

"Ivy, listen to me," Genevieve said softly. "When Zach comes back, you both need to change your ways. Get jobs, live honestly.

"Your dad left you two houses. You'll have a place to live, even though it won't

compare to how we lived in the Montgomery family. It's still better than most. As long as you don't waste money, you'll be fine."

"Mom, I understand. Dad still cares about us," Ivy said, assuming Genevieve was talking about Magnus.

"Ivy, no. I'm talking about Paul. After his divorce, he kept a few properties. He left them for you and your brother."

"Him? He's not my dad! If it weren't for his twisted demands, we wouldn't be in this mess!" Ivy snapped, her anger flaring. Her hatred for Paul was second only to her hatred for Aurora.

"Ivy, no matter how you feel about him, Paul is your father. This isn't his fault.

"When I chose to be with him, I knew he had a wife. I was the one who agreed to it. When you two were born, he was genuinely happy.

"But I used him as a stepping stone to get to Magnus. I never thought about how low my actions were or how much harm I caused.

"It's only now, after everything, that I see how cruel I was, how many terrible things I did. I owe Paul an apology. Over the years, he's secretly helped you both in ways you don't even know.

"He's your biological father. If you're ever in trouble, you can ask him for help," Genevieve said, her voice tinged with regret.

had settled for a simple job, married an honest man, and lived a quiet life, it might not have

greed, chasing wealth

The misery she faced

Montgomery is my dad,"

no point arguing. Some lessons could only be learned through hard

Ivy

the Montgomery family's protection, you'll need to learn

Mom! Why wouldn't you be here?" Ivy interrupted, her unease

I can't stay with you forever. One day, I'll have to leave. But it's late now. Go

But exhaustion overtook her, and she soon fell

her daughter's peaceful face, tears welling in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Ivy. I have no other

---

a simple dress, her face bare of makeup. She looked just as she had when he first met her years

he had fallen for it. Now, seeing her again, he

are you doing here?" he

smiled bitterly. When had things between them fallen

Her face was pale and fragile, and Magnus assumed

her head. "Don't worry,

I just wanted to see you

and schemes, he couldn't believe a word

he asked, his tone

know you hate me. I know I deserve everything that's happened. I approached you for money and status. I hurt your wife and daughter. I lied to you

one thing

what's that?" he asked, his

for you. I've

you, I stayed by your side, even without a title. Because I loved you, I accepted that your heart was never mine-that you only stayed with

loved you, I gave up

you. These twenty-two years were the happiest of

speechless. He didn't trust her. "Is

Do you think I'd believe

I just wanted to tell you

for my selfishness. Sorry

just wanted to say

eyes were clear, free of the scheming and pretense he had grown used to. They carried a sorrow that came from seeing the highs

her? Her life was already in ruins. Forgive her? He had

your key," Genevieve said, handing him the house key. "I won't bother you anymore. The children aren't yours, and I don't expect you to treat them as