"Who are these guys, Ian? Should I know them?" Ivy asked, puzzled. Ian remained silent as he stared at her. Realization then dawned on Ivy. Tears welled up in her eyes. "These guys crossed Mrs. Holcomb, so she's suspicious of me? Ian, I've kept my distance from you ever since I returned to Haldon because I was worried I'd cause you trouble."Ivy couldn't keep her tears at bay any longer. "I've put up with whatever Sage does to me, but I'm not that forgiving. I feel pain too. I just don't want to make things difficult for you…"Ian, what have I done wrong to make all of you doubt and look into me like this?" she asked with teary eyes. Ian's stern demeanor softened slightly as he noticed the scar on her forehead and her sorrowful expression. "There's no need for you to take this matter to heart since it's not related to you."Her eyes were still misty. "I admit that I used to have feelings for you. But ever since I found out you were married, I've only seen you as a friend. Ian, i
"Grandpa, Zack!" Sage called out gleefully."You're back, Sage." Zachary smiled warmly.Sage walked up to them and took a seat beside her grandfather before she asked Zachary, "Zack, are you here in Haldon to join Maven Corporation?""Zack's going to help us out at Maven Corporation for a year. Then, we'll see how things go," Donald responded. Zachary nodded. "I don't feel like going abroad right now since Grandpa's gone. Luckily, Grandpa Joyner invited me over, so here I am."Sage couldn't help but feel a little sad when she thought about Thomas. "My condolences, Zack. From now on, consider us your family here in Haldon.""Aww look who's all grown up and knows how to comfort people now," Zachary chuckled and teased."Ain't that right," Donald chimed in. "My precious granddaughter's all grown up and knows how to worry about the family business now. She's been clamoring to hire someone trustworthy. She'll finally be at ease once you join the company."Sage smiled. "Of course! B
"Did you invite Ian as well, Grandpa?" Sage asked.Donald smiled and said, "Ian called me this afternoon to ask me how I was doing. I casually mentioned that you'd be dropping by later and asked if he'd like to join us for dinner, and he agreed."Sage was aware that her grandfather didn't want her and Ian to divorce. Otherwise, he wouldn't have inquired about their situation half a month after Linda's birthday had passed. He probably invited Ian over because he thought there was still a chance for them to make things work."How annoying," she brooded. When would Ian sign the agreement? If he dragged this out, Sage was afraid that it would only get harder to get a divorce. She was starting to seriously consider Shane's proposal. Soon, Ian walked in. He looked like he had just come from a formal event. He was dressed in a black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath. He looked calm and composed, even in such formal attire. His commanding presence made him impossible to overlook.
Sage was bewildered. What kind of nonsense was that? It was ridiculous enough that he mentioned Shane. Why did he drag Zachary into this?Ian could tell what she was thinking. He said, "From what I've heard, Zachary's doing pretty well on his own overseas. Why do you think he'd come and work as Uncle Owen's assistant at Maven Corporation?""Didn't he make himself clear just now? Which part did you not understand?" she asked.Ian narrowed his eyes. "He could've gone anywhere if he didn't want to go abroad. Why'd he come all the way to Haldon?"So he was implying that Zachary joined Maven Corporation because of her. She had only met Zachary a couple of times back in Colville, and they hadn't stayed in touch since. Ian must have been out of his mind!"Ian, allow me to remind you that we're about to get divorced. So please stop acting like you own me!" Sage snapped before storming out of the blending room.Ian followed her out, his lips pressed into a thin line. When the couple arriv
Sage hastily interjected, "Grandpa, we don't have any of his clothes here!"Donald asked, "What do you mean? Didn't you buy him a bunch of clothes and stash them in the closet?"Sage was tongue-tied. After all, she did do that. Sage bought him a few sets of clothes just in case he ever stayed over and didn't have any clothes to change into. However, Ian had never stayed at her grandfather's place before."He still has a lot of work to do. He needs to head back to the office," she added."Is that so, Ian?" Donald asked Ian.Sage glared at Ian. She was already annoyed when he showed up for dinner. "Don't you dare think about staying the night here!" she thought.Ian glanced at Sage and told Donald. "I do have some work I need to take care of." But before she could rejoice, he calmly added, "But I can work remotely through video calls.""Alright, then. Don't go back and forth. Just stay here!" Donald decided cheerfully."Grandpa, I want to stay over tonight as well," Layla said.
Sage trudged upstairs. Ian watched her go but didn't follow suit immediately."Go on. Sage's just tough on the outside. But deep down, she's a softie," Donald teased."Thanks, Grandpa." Ian then headed upstairs. He walked over to Sage's room. He noticed that her door was ajar and that she was rifling through clothes in the corner of the walk-in closet.This was his first time stepping into Sage's boudoir. Her room was decorated in a very girlish way, with pink walls, pink bedding, and even a pink vanity. Her bed was covered with various stuffed animals and pillows. There were photos of Sage from her school days on the bedside table. In the photos, her face was still a little chubby, her eyes were crinkled, and her smile was bright and carefree. It was infectious even in photographs.In his memories, Sage rarely smiled so happily. Most of the time, she was somber, guarded, and discontented. She wouldn't laugh heartily or express her anger freely.His heart felt heavy as he though
Her brows knitted together. Wasn't Ivy attempting to frame her? Why did she suddenly have Ronald find a scapegoat?"I've looked into it. Delilah and Ivy did contact each other in private. However, it was Delilah's idea to visit Ivy that night," he said calmly.Realization dawned on Sage. Ivy must've been worried that Ian would suspect her through this incident, so she took the initiative to "clear her name". As expected of the person who killed her in her previous life without her knowing it, Ivy was truly a master manipulator. "So, how would you like Delilah to apologize to you?" Ian asked.Sage frowned at Ian. "Wait, what? Why would I ask Delilah to apologize to me? This whole thing was Ivy's doing. If anyone needs to apologize, it's Ivy."He added, "Ivy and Delilah don't have any financial dealings.""Are you attempting to say Delilah wasn't bought off by Ivy?" she asked with a sneer.Ian knew Sage would be upset, so he patiently said, "I was afraid you'd think I'm biased, s
His eyes flickered, and there was a strange emotion swirling within them. It caused Sage to be stunned for a moment."Sage, Ivy didn't call the cops last time, but desperate people do desperate things. If she decides to press charges against you, you'll be the one who gets hurt," Ian added.Sage came to her senses and looked away. "That's none of your business."He lifted her chin with one hand. "You're my wife. Your business is my business."She pushed his hand away. "I won't be your wife for much longer.""Who said so?" Ian said lowly, "Sage, I'm not used to you living away from home, and it drives me crazy when I see you with other men. I must've developed feelings for you."Sage felt a sharp pang of pain. In her previous life, all she ever wanted was his love. But he never even looked her way. In this life, all she wanted was to get a divorce and be free from him. But now he claimed to have feelings for her? How absurd. She was so pathetic in her previous life."Didn't you