Zack's eyebrow quirked, his eyes narrowing at her, trying to comprehend what she meant. Of course, he knew what she wanted to end, the awful situation devouring their tranquility. But what begged the question was what she planned on doing. How did she want to end it? Whatever it was, it didn't seem to be a good idea as she was certain he would disagree. Zack's gaze softened as he stared at her for a while, not knowing how to calm her down and relax without dwelling too deeply on her past ordeal. "Ivy, your safety is my priority, so get some rest and let me handle this," he said, his voice calm and gentle. Ivy shook her head weakly, her jaw still clenched. Zack, seeing her reaction, knew she wasn't ready to yield to his words. He let out a frustrated sigh. "Just come here." He sat upright and wrapped his arms around her. "Relax and don't worry. Focus on making a full recovery." Ivy remained silent with an unshakable resolve. Despite Zack assuring her of handling the situation,
The news of Ivy's accident has spread like wildfire. The media never gave up on finding updates on her health. They swarmed the hospital, and the management was fed up with their pestering. They would roam around the premises, sometimes of the day, checking to see if anyone related to her exited or entered the hospital so they could get an interview. A blue car halted at the parking deck, the media were alert as their eyes shifted to the new arrival. They immediately recognized the car's driver. Susan stepped out, her mind a blur as all her focus was on Ivy. Ever since the news of her accident, she had been trying to reach her, and now when she discovered the hospital she was admitted to, she rushed down to see if she was alright. Due to her being unsettled, she didn't realize a swamp of reporters was gathered at the entrance, all coming over to her direction. She was surrounded by the crowd and had no way to squirm away, so she opted to play along, give answers, and hurry to see I
Now that her mind has drifted to Louis, she began pondering about his current state. She totally forgot to ask Zack about him as she was so focused on how to get on with her plan and solving the situation."When will you be discharged? You seem fine now." Susan's voice jolted her from her thought. She snapped out of it and decided to reserve the questions she had for Zack."Yeah, you seem very okay," Anna chimed in as they both stared at her waiting for her reply."I don't know yet," she responded. "Maybe within the week, I would love to be discharged as soon as possible."Although Ivy responded to their questions, Anna sensed Ivy's mind was elsewhere. Her terse smile quickly faltered, and she couldn't help but notice the constant subtle surveillance from one of the bodyguards. Every few minutes, someone would discreetly peer in their direction, making her increasingly certain they, especially Susan, were being monitored. She couldn't hold back her inquisition anymore. Her curiosity w
Ivy sighed silently; she knew Susan was right. There was someone else who would stop her from doing anything reckless, and that's Zack. But that won't make her change her mind. She was firm on her decision, not regarding the risk to be taken. She just had to wait for her full recovery and discharge before getting ready to execute whatever she planned on doing. Susan stayed bedside her for quite some time; they changed the topic, happily chatting before Zack arrived. The moment Zack stepped into the room, Susan gathered her belongings, flashing Ivy a warm smile. "I should get going now, take care, okay?" As she left, Zack's serious expression softened. He sat on the bed, wrapping his hands around Ivy. Ivy was growing accustomed to the newly developed intimacy and connection between them, and she was truly grateful for having someone like Zack by her side. Cuddling her made her feel relief. "You will be discharged tomorrow. A personal nurse will assist you at home," he said, his voi
Zack would have disconnected the call, but the caller's words played on his mind; they clearly insinuated a hostile undertone. "Who are you?" he asked, his memory not reflecting the caller's voice.Silence followed in the background; it was both irritating and suffocating. Deep lines etched his face as he listened to the silence until his patience ran out."Answer me. How did you get this number?" he demanded, expecting a response soon, but there was none. The call disconnected from the other end, followed by a series of sharp beeps.He placed the phone away from his ears, his knitted brow quirked, his mind trying to ascertain who the mysterious caller was, but no matter how deeply he thought about it, he still couldn't recognize him. It seemed the caller certainly knew him."What does he want?" Ivy asked, her eyes penetrating through Zack; she overheard a bit of the conversation.Zack's contemplative gaze wandered. "I don't know; he's just another troublemaker," he replied, not sure
With a sudden gasp, Ivy's lips parted, and her eyes sparkled with astonishment. She had completely forgotten it was her birthday; the date slipped her mind amidst the chaos of her current worries. But now, a warm flutter erupted in her chest, and her fingers intertwined with unbridled joy. "Oh, Zack... that's incredibly sweet of you..." she whispered, her voice barely audible yet brimming with emotion. "Thank you." Zack's face radiated satisfaction, his smile still stretching as he offered her the bouquet. Ivy accepted it, her own smile unwavering, feeling truly blessed in this moment. A surge of warmth coursed through every fiber of her being, leaving her breathless. When was the last time someone surprised her with such a thoughtful, dramatic gift on her special day? She couldn't remember; the particular date to her was just like every other day for the past nine years. "Shall we?" Zack gestured toward the plaid mat and nice treat waiting for them. "Of course..." Her hands intert
Ivy's body led the way, her mind at ease, letting her longing take over into a sync of appetency. Her fingertips lickishly traced his arm up to his neck. Gripping his hair, she spared no space between them; they were not inches apart as they basked in proximity.Zack was taken aback by the sudden kiss but was quite responsive at the same time. His hand crawled up to her waist, pressing her body against his hard chest, her heartbeat pulsating against his as their lips locked with burning lust.The feeling he had suppressed for long, buried under the abyss, finally erupted like a volcano spewing a torrent of emotions he could no longer contain. He explored the depth of her mouth, his tongue skillfully reveling in every sweetness, leaving her breathless and wanting for more. Consumed by sheer pleasure, his hold on her waist tightened. He squeezed her soft flesh with gentle yet insistent pressure, sending tingles of electricity all over her body.He suddenly spun her around and pressed he
Ivy understood the particular discussion was unavoidable. She would have to explain herself now at this moment as Zack seemed insistent and wouldn't accept any deviation from the main subject. "Please... I don't like the silence..." Zack said, ambiguously commanding her to begin speaking. Ivy shifted closer, ready to comply. "Okay, here it goes..." She listed her suspects and explained how she planned on fishing out the culprits, with the help of the detective and security team. Zack listened silently, fighting the urge to interrupt her halfway through her explanation, his brow furrowed in distaste, clearly not liking the idea at all. "Ivy... that's...." "Risky... I know," she cut him off, completing the statement. "It's quicker that way. I know my enemies' motivations, and I can use that knowledge to my advantage..." Zack shook his head in disapproval. "No, I disagree. It's too much of a risk..." he said firmly; he couldn't bring himself to let her carry out such a hazardous pl
As Ivy's screams echoed through the cemetery, Steve's face turned pale as he had become the center of attention. Ivy's words about him being a killer sent the mourners murmuring, whispering among themselves. Zack continued holding Ivy back, with Irene later stepping in. The fire in Ivy's eyes continued to burn fiercely, something Steve had never seen in her eyes before. This wasn't the same sweet, innocent daughter he used to know; he usually compared her to her mother, but Ivy had proved to be different—a drastic gap that sent his head spinning. He could no longer keep his cool; neither could he stand the scene unfolding, so he silently slipped out of the crowd, casting a brief yet menacing gaze at Ivy. "Ivy, please! Stop!" "You are not thinking clearly..." Zack and Irene's words faded into the background as Steve made his way to his car and slid into it, as though trying to shut himself off from the world. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered inside him. Ivy
The sky was a deep, foreboding gray, as if it too were mourning the loss of Judy. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth as Ivy walked behind the hearse, her eyes fixed on the polished wooden casket adorned with a spray of white lilies, Judy's favorite flowers.As they reached the gravesite, the mourners gathered around, their faces etched with grief and sorrow. But Ivy's eyes were fixed on one person alone, one person she wished she could crush, melt, break, or kill if it wasn't against the law. Steve stood in front of everyone else, his face showing the grief more than anyone else. Many would relate, after all, it's his sister that died, but Ivy saw through that facade. It seemed Steve enjoyed killing; he should start bracing himself for his own death!"Ivy. Ivy! Snap out of it, okay?" Zack called, pulling Ivy from her thoughts. "Don't cause a scene, at least not now."Ivy didn't even realize her face was scrunched like a ball that had been crushed by a hydraulic press. She
Ivy trudged through the front door, feeling emotionally drained. The image of Judy’s lifeless body repeatedly flashed before her eyes as she blinked back the tears that had threatened to fall.She felt like she was drowning, unable to escape the overwhelming ache that had settled in her chest. It stung so much that she could hardly breathe. With a shaking hand, she reached for the sofa, collapsing into it, craving the comfort that it should offer, but it never came. All she felt was numbness that refused to go away. The pain of losing a loved one... it was so familiar, so daunting, bringing back old painful memories. Judy was gone just like that? Now she was nothing more than a memory, one she wished she could bring to life once again. Tears flowed down her cheeks, having lost the will to fight them.She took a deep breath and pulled out her phone to call Zack, the one she could lean on.Zack picked up on the first ring, his voice sweet and casual. "Hey, how are you?"Ivy sniffled, tr
The courtroom erupted into chaos, and Steve's face turned beet red with anger and frustration. He abruptly stood up and stormed out of the room. Ivy watched him go, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her. She felt a sense of vindication, knowing that Jeremy had been found guilty, sooner Steve will be next.Ivy pushed the thought aside and turned to Zack, a smile spreading across her face. "We did it," she whispered, her eyes shining with tears. Zack grinned back, pulling her into a tight hug. As they hugged, Ivy's mind began to wander to Judy. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The call from the hospital had seemed so urgent, so real. What if it wasn't a ruse? What if Judy was hurt? Ivy's smile faltered, and she pulled back from Zack. "I need to go to the hospital," she said and Zack's expression changed from celebratory to concerned. "What's wrong?" Ivy hesitated. "I don't know if the call from the hospital was real or not. But I need to check. What if Jud
The courtroom was packed as Ivy and Zack took their seats behind the prosecutor's table. Steve arrived shortly and sat across from her, his eyes cold and calculating. Ivy's heart raced as she avoided his gaze, focusing instead on the prosecutor, who was shuffling through his notes.The judge, a stern-looking woman, entered the courtroom, and the bailiff called the room to order."This court is now in session," the judge declared, her voice firm and commanding. "The case before us today is the state versus Jeremy Hale. Mr. Prosecutor, you may proceed with your opening statement."The prosecutor, a tall, imposing man with a confident smile, stood up, surveying the courtroom before beginning his statement."Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the case before us today is a heinous crime. A young woman's life was almost cut short due to the reckless actions of the defendant, Jeremy Hale. We will present evidence that shows his actions were not only negligent but also intentional."Ivy felt a
The ride to the court felt like an eternity; it was as though the car was moving at a slow pace, which wasn't the case at all. Ivy let out a big gush of air, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She was determined to see justice served, but the news about her aunt's accident weighed heavily on her heart.She glanced at Zack, who was seated beside her, his expression a mask of calm determination."Hey, you okay?" Zack asked, noticing her gaze.Ivy nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit nervous."Zack's eyes narrowed slightly. "I can tell by the way you're playing with your nails."Ivy's expression faltered for a moment as she stared at her hand and realized she had indeed been fidgeting with her nails. She dropped her hand, feeling a slight flush rise to her cheeks. "I guess I am a bit more nervous than I thought," she admitted, trying to laugh it off.Zack smiled reassuringly and took her hand in his. "It's okay to be nervous, Ivy. This is a big day. But you're prepare
Ivy stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her blazer for what felt like the hundredth time. She took a deep breath, exhaled deeply, and nodded to herself. Today was the day she'd finally face Jeremy in court and put him to justice.The door creaked open, and she turned around to find Zack dressed in a crisp, navy-blue suit, his tie perfectly knotted. He caught her eye and smiled, his expression confident."You okay?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close."Yeah, I am..." Ivy responded, her voice low but laced with steel. "I'm ready."Zack smiled softly, spun her around, and enveloped her in a reassuring hug. "You're going to do great."Ivy's warm smile faltered as she leaned into the comfort of his shoulders. The silence between them was soothing, filled with the gentle sound of his breathing. But the shrill ringtone of her phone pierced the calm, jolting her upright.She pulled away, her eyes locking onto the screen as she hesitated. The number was unkn
Ivy sat on the edge of the bed as Dr. Harrison examined her. Meanwhile, Zack watched anxiously from the corner of the room, his heart pounding in his chest. "Well, let's see," Dr. Harrison said, his brow furrowed as he checked Ivy's vitals. "Your blood pressure seems a bit low, and you're a bit pale. Have you been experiencing any other symptoms?" Ivy shook her head. "Just nausea and this… this bleeding from my nose." Dr. Harrison nodded thoughtfully. "And when was your last period?" Ivy hesitated, suddenly remembering she hadn't really considered that. "I… I'm not sure. Maybe a week ago?" Dr. Harrison's eyes widened slightly. "Mr. Anderson, I think we should run some tests. Just to be sure." Zack's heart sank. "What kind of tests?" Dr. Harrison hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Well, given Ivy's symptoms and the missed period, I'd like to rule out a few possibilities. We'll need to do a blood test and a pregnancy test." Ivy's eyes widened in disbelief. "A pre
ONE WEEK BEFORE THE TRIAL The blanket stirred, ripping like a wave, as Zack and Ivy's bodies moved in sync. Their lips were pressed tightly together, their breath mingling in the quiet room. Ivy had her hand wrapped around Zack's neck, deepening the kiss. Her soft moans filled the room. But just as they were getting lost in the moment, the shrill ring of Ivy's phone shattered the intimacy. Ivy pulled away, reaching for her phone on the bedside table, but when she saw who the caller was, she cut the call and let out a frustrated sigh. “Judy again, isn’t it?” Zack asked, irritation creeping into his voice. Ivy nodded and slumped back on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Judy had been blowing up her phone nonstop, sending her a barrage of texts and voicemails. It had become increasingly annoying by the day, and Ivy felt like just meeting with her and giving her a piece of her mind. On the other hand, she didn’t feel like it, as she knew Judy wouldn’t stop apologizing. “I