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
"It's 7 AM and everything is still not ready?" Xavier, the butler, admonishingly yelled at the maids lined up in the dining room. His wrinkled brow quirked in displeasure as he vehemently scolded them for being gastropodous with their duties. "Where is Stella? Cooking should have been done by now." The maids exchanged knowing glances, their faces drooped to the floor without replying to the yelling old man. "I asked a question," Xavier hollered, his voice echoing throughout the whole place, exasperated by their silence. One of the maids exhaled deeply, slowly raising her head, her lips twitching as she found it difficult to respond. In the end, she replied anyway, "Stella and the others were already done with the meals, but Emelia wasted it all." "How?" Xavier asked, expecting more of an explanation, but they were interrupted by a morning visitor. "Xavier, it's too early to be yelling like this. I wonder why he hasn't come downstairs by now from your loud scoldings." Bryan said
The couple emerged from the room, their hands intertwined as they made their way to the dining room for breakfast. Zack gallantly pulled out the chair for her, his lips grazing her neck with gentle kisses. Ivy's cheeks flushed, her lips curling up in a soft, tender smile. "Someone is trying to score points, I see."Zack let out a throaty chuckle as he sat across the table, his gaze never faltering from her adorable face. "It's turning red again."Ivy playfully frowned, trying to contain the hue visible on her cheeks. "Don't start." She looked away and placed her gaze on the meal before her. She held her cutlery, taking off the cover from the mouthwatering dishes. With her eyes closed, she inhaled the sweet smell of grilled bacon as her fork clicked on the chinaware.Just as she was about to get a taste of her crispy bacon, one of the maids suddenly burst in, jarring the dining table and rattling the chinaware. Some glasses shattered on the marble floor, splattering sprays of water ben
Ivy's eyes widened as Emelia's concise whisper sent shockwaves to her core. Her heart was slowly racing in her chest, bringing her back to the same dreadful feeling she felt a few days ago."Who among them did it? Tell me..." she asked in a whisper, her inquiring gaze fixed on Emelia.Emelia's face scrunched up in discomfort, hesitant to answer. She slowly shook her head, her eyes scanning the whole place while her chest heaved. "I can't say who... but don't eat anything from the kitchen."Ivy couldn't understand why Emelia was making the subject more sensitive than it should be. Why couldn't she just point out the person? Or perhaps she was being threatened? Because Ivy couldn't find a better reason why she looked so afraid. She was practically trembling!"Emelia, who is it? Let me know so I can—""No, don't..." Emelia hushed, waving her hand frantically. "Don't retaliate now. It will only worsen the situation."Ivy's brow furrowed, realizing Emelia might know more about the situatio
Ivy's eyes widened in horror at the sight before her. Water cascaded from the wall like a miniature waterfall, pooling on the floor in a gleaming and treacherous sheet. Worst of all, precariously perched on the wall was the electric socket, its wires dangling ominously, threatening to snap free and plunge into the watery abyss. One spark, one misstep, and the entire room would become a deadly trap, electrifying the water and anyone who dared to enter. Instantly, she knew this was a countdown to disaster. "Oh my God." Ivy's voice was barely a whisper, her eyes fixed on the socket as if willing it to stay put. She took a cautious step back, her mind racing with the implications. Who could have done this? And why? The water, the socket—it was all too sinister to be a mere accident. She felt a chill run down her spine as she realized she was completely alone in the villa, with no one to turn to. Zack was gone, Emelia was nowhere to be found, and the staff seemed oblivious to the dang
"Where is Emelia?" she asked, standing up from the sofa, her gaze darting around the tons of maids lined up. The staff all exchanged glances, her eyes speaking volumes of obliviousness. Silence filled the room, with each of them unwilling to answer. "Are you all deaf?" Zack yelled, his gaze fierce with seething anger. He glanced at Xavier, whose eyes were rolling on the floor as if searching for an escape from the chaos. "Xavier..." At the mention of his name, he seemed to electrify his body. His limbs, helplessly laying by his side, stiffened; his head sprang up as his eyes widened with confusion and alarm. "Y... yes, sir..." Zack continued staring at him, expecting a response. His gaze was firm and piercing, sinking deep into him. Xavier blinked profusely as he had totally forgotten what the case was. "I told you to get all the staff; is this all of them?" Zack asked without breaking eye contact. Xavier's lips twitched as his eyes scanned all the individuals present.
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
FEW DAYS LATERIvy sat in the therapist's office, fidgeting with her hands as she tried to process the events of the past few weeks. Firstly, discovering her father was alive, then his repulsion, then the truth behind her mother's death. She sighed. It was all too overwhelming—Zack was right, she needed help if she wanted to dive into the road of vengeance. She had to be emotionally stable to handle the heat. That's why she had agreed to visit a therapist, as the nightmares were becoming unbearable. Ivy couldn't shake off the feeling of helplessness that had consumed her for so long.Dr. Thompson, a middle-aged woman with a kind face, took a seat across from her with a warm smile on her face."Welcome, Mrs. Anderson," she greeted, and Ivy returned the smile, forcing her lips to curl up.She looked up at Dr. Thompson, who was watching her with a compassionate gaze, and she asked, feeling a sense of desperation wash over her, "Where do I even start?"Dr. Thompson leaned forward, her eye
"Ivy, Ivy," Zack called softly, standing at the door to their bedroom. Ivy had locked herself in again and refused to answer.It made Zack wonder if he had been too pushy, too insensitive. He knew Ivy was strong and capable, but he also knew that she was still vulnerable, still hurting from her past. And it was like a thorn to his heart to see her suffering.He hoped that she would forgive him, that she would understand that he was only trying to help. But as the minutes ticked by, Zack couldn't shake the feeling that he had made a mistake—one that might take some time to repair."I'm sorry, Ivy," he whispered. "I promise to listen to you, to understand you. Please, just let me in."Zack paused, hoping that Ivy would respond, but there was only silence. He sighed, feeling a pang of regret and worry. He didn't want to lose Ivy, not even for a moment. He wanted to be there for her, to hold her, to comfort her.He tried again, his voice softer, more gentle. "Ivy, please. Don't shut me ou
Once the kitchen was spotless, Ivy and Zack got to work cooking up a storm together. They chatted and joked, with Ivy doing most of the work, supervising Zack on what to do."I'll start chopping the veggies," Ivy said, picking up a knife and heading to the cutting board."What do you need me to chop?" Zack asked, standing beside her."Can you chop the bell peppers and onions?" Ivy replied, starting to chop some broccoli.Zack nodded, taking the knife from Ivy and beginning to chop the bell peppers and onions. The sound of sizzling vegetables and the aroma of stir-fry filled the air as they worked together.As they chopped and cooked, Ivy felt a sense of calm wash over her. This was what she needed – a normal, quiet evening with her husband, away from the drama and stress of her family's secrets. She wished every day could be like this, problem-free.But as they cooked, she couldn't help but think about her conversation with Irene earlier that day. She knew she had to tell Zack about i
Upon hearing Irene, Ivy recall what she had gone through a few months ago with Jake's situation. The danger, fear, and anxiety all came flooding back. Her eyes glazed over as she stared blankly into space. Was she ready to face that kind of situation again? It seemed her father's cruelty was beyond her imagination. "Having second thoughts?" Irene's voice cut through the fog, snapping her back to reality. "It would be better if we don't do anything rash, at least not now." Ivy shook her head in disapproval. She refused to sit back and do nothing while he had threatened her about Jeremy's trial. Upon drifting to this thought, she tugged on Irene's sleeve and forced her to sit back down. Irene didn't resist Ivy's pull but sighed in frustration. "We can't just sit back and do nothing, Irene," Ivy continued. "He's threatening me with Jeremy's case." Irene's brow furrowed in confusion. "Jeremy's case as in—wait." She paused, her eyes widened in shock. "Jeremy is back!" Ivy nodded a
Ivy refused to sit back and let things unfold before her eyes. Though she hadn't recovered from the trauma of her past, she had to take action.Ivy concealed her plan from Zack and her decision to investigate on her own. She needed Zack, but there were actions to be taken without Zack's help.So, the next day as Zack left the office, Ivy put on a brave face, not wanting to arouse any suspicion and also to avoid the retort of a therapist. She waited until Zack was out of sight, and with a sense of purpose and trepidation, Ivy dialed Irene's number.The line went through, and Irene's voice sounded with a hint of irritation."What do you want now?"Ivy ignored Irene's icy tone and got to her point."Let's meet up at the French bistro," she said flatly, leaving no room for protest.Irene chuckled at Ivy's slightly commanding tone, intrigued by whatever reason Ivy might have."What do you want?" Irene repeated, exasperation creeping into her voice."I'd rather discuss that in person, and I
As Zack swept her into their bedroom, Ivy's heart skipped a beat, racing with anticipation. She felt the wall against her back as Zack's strong hands pinned her in place."Late noon sex won't be so bad after all," Ivy teased as she felt Zack's hands cradle her hips, lifting her higher, his fingers digging gently into her skin.Ivy was breathless as her body was pressed closer to Zack's, their faces merely inches apart. The movement sent a thrill through her, and she felt her body responding at all turns."I'm glad you like the ideas," Zack finally spoke, a soft whisper in her ears, as he held her suspended, her hips at his mercy.Ivy's lips parted slightly, her body leaning into him. Her heart throbbed. Instinctively, she found her hand already wrapping around Zack's neck, pulling him close.She knew she should probably pull back, as it wasn't their usual position, but she couldn't help herself. She was drawn to Zack, and she didn't realize it at first, but she needed him right now. H
"Yeah, I don't see tears on your cheek," Susan said, her voice laced with sarcasm as she gently wiped away the tears streaming down Ivy's face.Ivy's eyes widened in embarrassment, and she quickly looked away, trying to compose herself.Susan's expression softened, and she wrapped her arms around Ivy, pulling her into a warm hug. "It's okay, Ivy. Let it all out. I'm here for you."Ivy's resistance crumbled, and she buried her face in Susan's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. Susan held her close, whispering words of comfort and reassurance as Ivy finally allowed herself to release the emotions she had been bottling up for so long.As Ivy cried, Susan stroked her hair, murmuring softly, "That's it... Don't worry about the time; we have all day."After what felt like an eternity, Ivy's sobs finally subsided, and she pulled back from Susan, her face red and puffy from crying. Susan handed her a tissue, and Ivy blew her nose, feeling a little more composed."I'm sorry," Ivy said, her voic