Chapter 69: Messy Puzzle

There was a long silence on the line before Ethan finally said, "Did you ask her what she meant?"

"No. Everyone—especially my mother and Ivy—insisted I ignore her. That she was just trying to confuse me. Her sister and mother all said that was how she was, always causing trouble but I can’t stop thinking about it. Her voice keeps playing in my head. It felt like... someone I knew. Someone who’s been close to me all along."

Ethan sighed. "Do you want me to look into her? I mean we should know where she’s been since after your wedding to know why she loves you."

Stefan didn’t answer immediately. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to make sense of the storm brewing in his mind.

Ethan was right. If truly she hadn’t been close to him, or hadn’t seen him before, how could she say she was inlove with him? It definitely couldn’t be just by hearing about him from Ivy.

After thinking about it, he gave a short nod, even though Ethan couldn’t see it.

"Yes. Find out where she has been, who she’s been in contact with and everything. Everything you can."

"Alright. I’ll get on it first thing tomorrow," Ethan said.

After they hung up, Stefan remained in his seat, staring blankly at the wall.

Why would Ivy go back to her room just after returning? Though she’d gone there a couple of times in the last six months, it was just to get clothes or bath when he was using the bathroom or getting dressed by Martin. Why had she gone there to sleep?

For the past six months, she had refused to sleep anywhere but beside him—even when he’d told her she didn’t need to stay.

He couldn’t shake the feeling growing in his gut. The kind of feeling that tells you your entire world might not be what you thought it was.

around the mansion, Stefan whispered to himself,

the faint sound of soft footsteps in the hallway. He didn’t move, just stared at the low-burning lamp on

creaked open slowly

figured I’d find you here," Ivy’s voice floated through the

in his seat as Ivy stepped into the study wearing a silky robe. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, and she walked over to him with a small

her hand gently on his shoulder. "Your eyes

sleep," Stefan

his neck from behind and resting her chin on his shoulder. "Come upstairs with me? Let’s go

nod, pushing back the whirl of doubt churning inside him.

took it and let her lead him upstairs. Once in their bedroom, Ivy helped him settle on the bed, then went to switch off the

into his side like nothing was wrong—as

Stefan wasn’t ready to

cutting through

she murmured, her fingers drawing light

you

she was his Ivy, she’d know who. He told himself as he waited

slightly. "I lost my phone, remember? I haven’t been able to get back in touch with

you know. I understand you might not

gave a soft laugh. "Oh, Stefan, you know how it is. Life gets busy. And she never really chats there. I’m hoping she’ll come visit

tongue. "Because you hardly spoke of her, I didn’t realize you two

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