Ivy’s POVThe limo rolled to a stop, the glow of the red carpet lights pouring through the tinted windows. I kept my gaze forward, my jaw clenched tight.This wasn’t the place for tears or anger - at least not the kind anyone could see.“Ivy, are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft enough to almost make me forget why I hated him right now. Almost.“You know why I’m here,” I replied curtly, my tone sharp and biting.He looked down, his face shadowed with shame. “Ivy, I’d do anything to make you forgive me.”I whipped my head toward him, glaring. “You should have thought about that before you took her to bed.”He exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples as if trying to erase his mistakes. “I have no memory of that night. Ivy, I’d never do anything to hurt you.”Silence fell between us, broken only by the frenzy of voices outside and the flashing lights from the cameras. Security had formed a barricade around the car. My heart ached, but my anger was louder.“And yet you did,” I muttered, my
Asher's POVThe moment Ivy's hand shot up in a wave, my stomach twisted. I followed her gaze, and there he was - Dexter. The man who had appeared in her stories countless times, the one draped all over her during that damn vacation.My jaw tightened, fists clenching as she raised her glass to me with a smug smile and sashayed away. It took every ounce of restraint not to lose it right there.She’d brought him here, fully aware of what it would do to me. I wasn’t sure what angered me more - her audacity or his willingness to show up.The sea of cameras and curious onlookers forced me to keep my composure. This wasn’t just about me; if a scandal broke, Ivy would suffer too. Despite everything, I didn’t want that for her.Yet, the thought of her entertaining another man set my blood boiling. I hated how powerless I felt— torn between fury and guilt.I knew what I’d done to her. I had no right to demand loyalty when I hadn’t proven my innocence. But those damning pictures with Taylor were
Asher’s POVI kept my hand wrapped around the glass, red wine bubbling inside. My fingers were cold against the slick surface.My eyes darted across the room; there was a sea of guests chatting loudly, but my gaze found just one person. Another drink slid down my throat, sharp and burning.I had lost count of how many drinks I had; it should have helped dull my senses, but it didn’t. It didn’t dull the irritation simmering inside me.Derrick.The dumbass photographer. The smug, audacious prick. Oh, the nerve of him! It was already bad enough that he was hanging around Ivy throughout her trip. It was maddening that he touched her, even in the slightest.Just thinking about it made me seethe. But he also had the audacity to follow her here and attend my event! Who gave him an invitation in the first place? Ivy? I loved her so much, but damn, she was making my blood boil.I gritted my teeth, my fists clenching tightly as I downed the contents of my glass. Grabbing a fresh glass of wine f
Asher’s POVI hated the way her face fell in disappointment when she saw me. I hated the frown on her face that caused her forehead to crease.I wanted to scoop her up in my arms and kiss the frown away.“Flower, I—”“My name is Ivy,” she cut in, her voice stern. “And I’m asking, what is this about?”I sighed, closing the distance between us. “If I hadn’t told the lie that Janine was calling for you, would you have come?”“You very well know I wouldn’t!” she spat in disgust and made to storm off, but I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to me. “Don’t walk away from me,” I said through clenched teeth.Shock flashed across her face; she hadn’t expected me to react this way. But it was done—I was done playing the cool guy.She tried to wriggle free from my grasp, but I held firm. “Let go of me or—”“Or what?” I cut in.“What?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.I pulled her closer, pressing her against me. “If I don’t let go of you, what will happen?” I challenged her. “Seriously, t
Asher’s POVJanine’s face looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She was in a crouching position, her hands unbuttoning the pants on...He turned to look at me with apologetic eyes. “Luca!”“Asher, I’m sorry...” he began.“Janine, will you get on your feet and fix your clothes!” I yelled in anger. I was filled with utter disgust, seeing my sister in that position and, of all people, with my own friend Luca.She sighed and proceeded to fix Luca’s pants.I raked my fingers through my hair. “His hands are working, Janine! I think he can fix his pants by himself.” I turned to look at Luca, my eyes narrowing at him. “Or can you not?” I barked. My heart was pounding in my chest, and my fists were clenched by my sides.Janine opened her mouth to protest, but he hushed her. “It’s okay, baby. Let it go...”Baby? I saw red in that instant, the muscles in my jaw tightening. Now, I was raving mad. “What the heck is going on here?” I barked.Janine’s eyes widened, her fac
MaxThe smell of fresh coffee hit me as I pushed open the door to the little café.Ivy was perched on a stool by the window, her shoulders hunched, eyes focused on her phone, scrolling, engrossed in whatever it was she was staring at.She didn’t see me walk in - at least, not at first. Well, she wasn’t supposed to. I had actually stalked her and followed her here.I crossed the room; there were only a few people in the café. The café was located on the top floor of a high-rise building, exclusive to top celebrities.I slipped into the chair across from her. She finally looked up, her gaze turning sharp, annoyed.“Ivy,” I said her name like it was the sweetest thing ever. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”She sighed, setting her phone down deliberately. She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right?” Her tone was flat, detached. “What a surprise!” she exclaimed sarcastically, picking up a book on the table and flipping the pages open.I knew where she was going with this, but I wouldn’t give her th
Taylor.I was sitting on the large couch in my bedroom, staring off into the distance. It was supposed to be my time of solitude, a time to sit with my thoughts, and it would have been if Max hadn’t been hunched over and pacing from one corner to the other.His frame was rigid, clenching his fists at his sides, thumping his foot against the floor. It was clear he wanted my attention.He hadn’t said anything yet, but that’s what he wanted, and I couldn’t be bothered. I was plagued by my own thoughts.I stretched out my legs and laid down, blocking out Max completely. I brought my fingers to my mouth and began to bite down on my nails.I had played my cards quite early, much earlier than I had planned to. Ivy had forced my hand when we got into that big fight, and she said all those horrible things to me.I didn’t see it coming; I didn’t expect her to react in that manner. I was so mad, I couldn’t think clearly. The moment I got off the phone with Max, I sent the pictures to her with a
IvyI glanced at the text I had just received moments ago. It was a simple, sweet message that read: “Meet me at Amore Hotel. I have a surprise for you.” Just like the first time I read it, it made me blush hard. I turned off the ignition and got out of the car. The hotel stood grand and familiar, a place Max and I had visited many times before. I twirled around and shut my eyes, savoring the gentle caress of the chilly night breeze against my skin.My thoughts ran wild, imagining what kind of surprise awaited me behind that door. Max was never one for grand gestures, so this was a first. Giddy and full of excitement, I walked towards the receptionist. “Hi…”She looked up at me with a wide smile. “Hello, Miss Whitfield.”Of course, she recognized me. This was Max’s and my getaway spot. He didn’t like his studio apartment, so we usually spent our time together here.My smile widened. “A reservation was made?”“Yes, Mr. Max Martin,” she confirmed, glancing at her computer. “Your usual s
Taylor.I was sitting on the large couch in my bedroom, staring off into the distance. It was supposed to be my time of solitude, a time to sit with my thoughts, and it would have been if Max hadn’t been hunched over and pacing from one corner to the other.His frame was rigid, clenching his fists at his sides, thumping his foot against the floor. It was clear he wanted my attention.He hadn’t said anything yet, but that’s what he wanted, and I couldn’t be bothered. I was plagued by my own thoughts.I stretched out my legs and laid down, blocking out Max completely. I brought my fingers to my mouth and began to bite down on my nails.I had played my cards quite early, much earlier than I had planned to. Ivy had forced my hand when we got into that big fight, and she said all those horrible things to me.I didn’t see it coming; I didn’t expect her to react in that manner. I was so mad, I couldn’t think clearly. The moment I got off the phone with Max, I sent the pictures to her with a
MaxThe smell of fresh coffee hit me as I pushed open the door to the little café.Ivy was perched on a stool by the window, her shoulders hunched, eyes focused on her phone, scrolling, engrossed in whatever it was she was staring at.She didn’t see me walk in - at least, not at first. Well, she wasn’t supposed to. I had actually stalked her and followed her here.I crossed the room; there were only a few people in the café. The café was located on the top floor of a high-rise building, exclusive to top celebrities.I slipped into the chair across from her. She finally looked up, her gaze turning sharp, annoyed.“Ivy,” I said her name like it was the sweetest thing ever. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”She sighed, setting her phone down deliberately. She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right?” Her tone was flat, detached. “What a surprise!” she exclaimed sarcastically, picking up a book on the table and flipping the pages open.I knew where she was going with this, but I wouldn’t give her th
Asher’s POVJanine’s face looked like she had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She was in a crouching position, her hands unbuttoning the pants on...He turned to look at me with apologetic eyes. “Luca!”“Asher, I’m sorry...” he began.“Janine, will you get on your feet and fix your clothes!” I yelled in anger. I was filled with utter disgust, seeing my sister in that position and, of all people, with my own friend Luca.She sighed and proceeded to fix Luca’s pants.I raked my fingers through my hair. “His hands are working, Janine! I think he can fix his pants by himself.” I turned to look at Luca, my eyes narrowing at him. “Or can you not?” I barked. My heart was pounding in my chest, and my fists were clenched by my sides.Janine opened her mouth to protest, but he hushed her. “It’s okay, baby. Let it go...”Baby? I saw red in that instant, the muscles in my jaw tightening. Now, I was raving mad. “What the heck is going on here?” I barked.Janine’s eyes widened, her fac
Asher’s POVI hated the way her face fell in disappointment when she saw me. I hated the frown on her face that caused her forehead to crease.I wanted to scoop her up in my arms and kiss the frown away.“Flower, I—”“My name is Ivy,” she cut in, her voice stern. “And I’m asking, what is this about?”I sighed, closing the distance between us. “If I hadn’t told the lie that Janine was calling for you, would you have come?”“You very well know I wouldn’t!” she spat in disgust and made to storm off, but I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to me. “Don’t walk away from me,” I said through clenched teeth.Shock flashed across her face; she hadn’t expected me to react this way. But it was done—I was done playing the cool guy.She tried to wriggle free from my grasp, but I held firm. “Let go of me or—”“Or what?” I cut in.“What?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.I pulled her closer, pressing her against me. “If I don’t let go of you, what will happen?” I challenged her. “Seriously, t
Asher’s POVI kept my hand wrapped around the glass, red wine bubbling inside. My fingers were cold against the slick surface.My eyes darted across the room; there was a sea of guests chatting loudly, but my gaze found just one person. Another drink slid down my throat, sharp and burning.I had lost count of how many drinks I had; it should have helped dull my senses, but it didn’t. It didn’t dull the irritation simmering inside me.Derrick.The dumbass photographer. The smug, audacious prick. Oh, the nerve of him! It was already bad enough that he was hanging around Ivy throughout her trip. It was maddening that he touched her, even in the slightest.Just thinking about it made me seethe. But he also had the audacity to follow her here and attend my event! Who gave him an invitation in the first place? Ivy? I loved her so much, but damn, she was making my blood boil.I gritted my teeth, my fists clenching tightly as I downed the contents of my glass. Grabbing a fresh glass of wine f
Asher's POVThe moment Ivy's hand shot up in a wave, my stomach twisted. I followed her gaze, and there he was - Dexter. The man who had appeared in her stories countless times, the one draped all over her during that damn vacation.My jaw tightened, fists clenching as she raised her glass to me with a smug smile and sashayed away. It took every ounce of restraint not to lose it right there.She’d brought him here, fully aware of what it would do to me. I wasn’t sure what angered me more - her audacity or his willingness to show up.The sea of cameras and curious onlookers forced me to keep my composure. This wasn’t just about me; if a scandal broke, Ivy would suffer too. Despite everything, I didn’t want that for her.Yet, the thought of her entertaining another man set my blood boiling. I hated how powerless I felt— torn between fury and guilt.I knew what I’d done to her. I had no right to demand loyalty when I hadn’t proven my innocence. But those damning pictures with Taylor were
Ivy’s POVThe limo rolled to a stop, the glow of the red carpet lights pouring through the tinted windows. I kept my gaze forward, my jaw clenched tight.This wasn’t the place for tears or anger - at least not the kind anyone could see.“Ivy, are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft enough to almost make me forget why I hated him right now. Almost.“You know why I’m here,” I replied curtly, my tone sharp and biting.He looked down, his face shadowed with shame. “Ivy, I’d do anything to make you forgive me.”I whipped my head toward him, glaring. “You should have thought about that before you took her to bed.”He exhaled heavily, rubbing his temples as if trying to erase his mistakes. “I have no memory of that night. Ivy, I’d never do anything to hurt you.”Silence fell between us, broken only by the frenzy of voices outside and the flashing lights from the cameras. Security had formed a barricade around the car. My heart ached, but my anger was louder.“And yet you did,” I muttered, my
Asher’s POVI stepped into the family mansion. The air inside was warm, with the scent of freshly prepared food wafting from the dining room.There, sprawled at the table like she owned the world, was Janine - her legs propped up on the polished surface, as if she had no idea what decorum meant.Servants bustled around her, setting plates and dishes on the wide table, their expressions carefully neutral.“If it isn’t my evil little sister,” I stated, arching a brow at her casual insolence.She turned to me with a giggle, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Hello, my favorite big brother!” she chirped in a sweet tone of voice.I rolled my eyes all the way to the back of my head.Before I could reply, Marcus strolled in, a bottle of wine dangling from his hand. “I heard that, Janine,” he said in his usual unbothered manner.Janine rolled her eyes dramatically. “It’s no secret that Asher is my favorite. You never really had my time, Marcus,” she retorted with a teasing grin.Marcus slid i
Ivy’s POVThe wineglass hovered near my lips as I froze. Slowly, I turned to face him, my smirk faltering as my gaze locked onto the storm brewing in his eyes.“Can we talk?” His tone was calm, but the tension in his jaw betrayed him.I arched an eyebrow, letting a flicker of defiance cross my face. “What do you want?” I kept my voice even, but my heart clenched in frustration at his audacity.Marsha glanced between us, visibly uncomfortable. “I’ll… give you two a moment,” she murmured before turning to leave. Miles followed her out.But then Asher stepped closer. Too close. His presence loomed over me, the space between us shrinking until I could feel the weight of his gaze. I swallowed. “I don’t know where to start from, Ivy,” he said, his voice low and firm. “I’m really sorry, about...”I tilted my head, taking a deliberate sip of my wine, savoring the burn as it slid down my throat. Setting the glass down on the counter, I met his gaze head-on. “What part are you actually sorry fo