Good Riddance

CHAPTER 1

" What do you mean you used $2 million?! " Ivy slammed her palms on the table, her face twisted in rage.

" Babe, relax this isn't a big deal " Ethan stated without baiting his eyes.

" This isn't a big deal? Ethan you've been spending an awful amount of money lately and it's affecting the company " Ivy responded trying to contain her anger.

" My Company, my money in case you forgot you are just the MD " Ethan pointed out while sipping his cocktail.

" Your Company? I worked my butt off to get us to where we are today and you've almost destroyed everything we've built within 6 months " Ivy snapped.

The maids and butlers watched from a safe distance in awkward silence, this wasn't the first time, heck they've been having heated arguments for months now. If Ethan wasn't womanizing he was busy gambling away their money.

" Can you just stop this nonsense and go to work? Go and make more money that is your job after all" Ethan said.

She grabbed her handbag and bolted out of the house slamming the door behind her, she got into her car and drove off.

Ivy sat in her office staring at a picture on her wall. It was a portrait of her and her father. She moved closer until she came face to face with the picture.

" It's been 5 years pops, 5 years since you made me marry that scumbag " She spoke to the picture, tears swirling in her eyes threatening to fall.

" And I've been wiping my own tears since then " She wiped off her tears right on cue recalling that day like it was yesterday.

( 5 years back )

" Dad I don't love Ethan, you can't possibly make me marry someone I'm not in love with" Ivy turned her back , her arms crossed.

"Ivy, I want the best for you, he is my best friend's son and I know he will take very good care of you. Remember what Mr Ratchford has done for this family, I was a mere Gardener in his house before he took me as a friend " Ivy's father responded placing a hand on her shoulder. Ivy turned around slowly to meet her father's gaze.

" Promise me you'll give him a chance, at least get to know him, the poor guy has been trying his best to woo you, please sunshine "

She couldn't bear to see her dad unhappy and so she agreed to go on a date with Ethan. Ivy was a graduate with a Master's degree in Business administration, she was always top of her class and was a big source of joy to her single dad and it was all thanks to Mr Ratchford her dad's best friend and former boss whose son she was now being forced to marry.

Ethan and Ivy finally went on a date and one date became two and more until they finally decided to put a ring on it and get married. Ethan seemed like a nice guy how bad could it be?

( Present )

" Very bad " Ivy stated, recalling how she had caught him in his office making out with a woman just few months after their wedding.

She sighed and returned to her seat. She buried her head in work until it was time to go home. As she slid into her car, her phone buzzed. She checked the caller ID and immediately picked up, it was her best friend.

"Ivy, girl, you won't believe what I just heard about Ethan...

.....................

Ethan slouched in his chair, nursing a glass of whiskey. He smirked, twirling the liquid in his glass. Let her go to work. Let her clean up his messes. That's what she was good for, wasn't it?

His phone buzzed. A text from Candice, his latest fling. "Miss you, baby. When can I see you again?"

He grinned, typing back a quick response. "Soon, sweetheart. Got some business to take care of first."

The "business" was waiting for him at the high- stakes poker game tonight. Ethan felt a familiar thrill run through him. This time, he was sure he'd win big. He had to. The debts were piling up, and even Ivy's impressive management skills couldn't keep bailing him out forever.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he called out, not bothering to look up.

Johnson, his personal assistant, entered cautiously. "Sir, there's a... situation that requires your attention."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What kind of situation?"

Johnson hesitated. "It's Mr. Vance, sir. He's downstairs. He says if you don't pay what you owe by tonight, he'll... well, he'll go to Mrs. Coleman." (Ivy's surname)

Ethan's grip tightened on his glass. Vance was a loan shark, one of the nastiest in the city. If Ivy found out about this... No, he couldn't let that happen.

"Tell Vance I'll have his money tonight. Double of it if he keeps his mouth shut."

Johnson nodded, a sigh escaping his lips as he left.

Ethan drained his glass, the alcohol burning a path down his throat. He was in deeper than he'd realized. But he'd fix this. He always did.

He pulled out his phone again, scrolling through his contacts until he found the name he was looking for. "Hey, it's Ethan. Remember me?"

Ethan's eyes sparkled as he replied, "Of course, I do! I need your help"

"Please, I need your expertise to decorate my wife's room today," Ethan pleaded. "Make it exceptionally splendid, fit for a celebrity's welcome. And please, hurry!"

As he listened to the response, a slow smile spread across his face. This was it. The big score that would solve all his problems.

Ivy thought she had him figured out. She had no idea what he was capable of. By the time she'd realized, it would be too late. He'd have everything, and she'd be left with nothing.

The interior decorator arrived moments later and worked her magic in Ivy's room. The room was dimly lit and smelled strongly of lavender oil. There were 2 glass on the bed with Ariel red wine beside it, her favorite.

Ethan lurked in the Shadows waiting for her when he heard her car pull up in the drive way. This was it, he just had to put her in the mood and get more money for his big game tonight.

Ivy stepped into the house and was immediately greeted by a trail of red roses. She didn't seem to be amused, her grip tighten around her handbag as she made her way to her room following the trail of the roses.

She walked into her room with a clenched jaw, her eyes darted across the dimly lit room in search of Ethan. He stepped out of the shadows shirtless right on cue, he walked towards her and slowly grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer.

He brushed a strand of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear so lovingly. He opened his mouth to speak when Ivy removed his hand from her waist and gave him a not so gentle push. Ethan looked at her confused.

" Don't you like it? I did this all by myself just for you " Ethan asked,his heart racing. He couldn't risk anything spoiling his perfect plan tonight.

Ivy walked towards him slowly until she came face to face with him. She dropped her bags on the nearby bed and crossed her arms, her eyes swirling with different emotions at a time.

" Ethan.....I want a divorce"