Zack hastened to meet her, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief wash over him like a wave. Just a few minutes ago, he had been worried sick, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios, his heart heavy with fear. But now, as he saw her walking toward him, safe and sound, his anxiety melted away, replaced by intense joy. As they met, they enveloped each other in a tight, desperate embrace, neither willing to pull away. Ivy's face lit up with a radiant smile, the warmth and comfort of his embrace seeping into her body, calming her nerves and soothing her fears. Zack held her close, his arms wrapped tightly around her, as if he'd never let her go again. He breathed in the scent of her hair, feeling his heart swell with love and gratitude. Ivy, too, clung to him, her hands in fists in his shirt, her face buried in his chest. She felt the steady beat of his heart, the warmth of his skin, and knew she was home. For a long moment, they just held each other, savoring the warmth and safety
A handful of people were scattered throughout the spacious room, their eyes drawn to the couple like magnets, their gazes fixed on the two lovers with a mixture of curiosity and fascination sensing the palpable connection between them. But the moment Zack's gaze shifted to them, they immediately looked away, pretending to be oblivious to their presence. His gaze returned to Ivy, his wry smile etching his face. With his hand still on her waist, he peppered kisses on her forehead, totally disregarding Bryan, who was right beside them. Speechless, he turned around, walking back to wherever he had come from. After the lovebirds were satisfied with their public display of affection, they wrapped their hands around each other's shoulders, leaving the premises. "When are we having our vacation?" Ivy asked, her face radiating with a warm smile, her joy never faltering. "Right now," Zack replied, guiding her toward the limo parked up ahead. Ivy's brow furrowed as she glanced at him incre
The sound of giggles filled the serene haven, carried away by the cool and gentle breeze that spoke volumes of a cozy ambiance. Softly swaying palm trees and vibrant beach flowers danced in harmony, as if serenading the joyful moments unfolding on the pristine shore. Ivy's legs swayed triumphantly, her arms wrapped around Zack's neck as he carried her toward the secluded bungalow up ahead. Her face brimmed with joy, a wide smile spreading across her face as the warm sunlight cast a golden glow upon them, infusing the air with a sense of warmth and comfort. Zack's face was lit with a warm smile, aligning with the soft gaze as his eyes were locked on hers. Their gaze never faltered as they made their way to the building beckoning them ahead. He laid her down on the couch on the veranda, his movement slow and gentle. Ivy still had her hands wrapped around his neck as he crouched down beside her, their faces mere inches apart. As they were locked into an affectionate stare, the c
Meanwhile, at one of the police headquarters where Jake was imprisoned, a grey Lamborghini squeaked in, the sound of tires squealing under friction as the engine came to a halt. Slowly, the gull-wing door swooped open, and a man stepped out, his branded shoe plunking on the ground as he made his way to the entrance. After adjusting his glasses, he walked through the single door, approaching the correction officer. With a warm smile, he gestured for a handshake, his eyes narrowed in feigned delight. "Good morning, officer," he greeted, his hand still stretched out. The correction officer glanced at his hand, his eyes wandering over him. After a short moment of silence, he finally took his hand, returning the pleasantries, not really seeing the need for such needless salutations. "Good morning. How may I help you?" Chris's smile widened, his emerald eyes piercing deep into the officer as if trying to see through him. "I am here to see Jake Black," he replied, his sly smile neve
We've earned ourselves the front page of the celebrity gist." Ivy squealed with delight, her body bobbing enthusiastically as she perched on Zack's lap, her weight pressing gently on his muscles. Wrapping her hand around his shoulder, she showed him the magazine, her eyes sparkling with contained excitement. Zack skimmed through the front page, his lips curling into a slight smile as he read the headlines: [Ivy and Zack Found Smooching in Museum: Fake Marriage or True Love] It seemed a paparazzi had captured photos of them at the museum; their kissing stunt had been portrayed for the curious netizens. Their marriage seemed like a fake alliance, loveless and convenient in the eyes of the public. Ivy's smile brightened as she bubbled with delight. "For the first time, I feel truly happy to be in the main headlines." Zack took his eyes off the magazine, his hand wrapping around her waist. "That's because my name is right beside yours..." he purred, his hand framing her cheeks as he
Ivy's face lit up in a bright smile, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Hubby, do you want a baby now?" "Not...now though," Zack replied, staring at nothing in particular. "I asked because I have never envisioned myself having kids; I didn't think I'd ever love again." He smiled softly, his lips brushing against hers as he pulled her close to himself. "You are my miracle." Ivy's smile faded a bit when she saw the look in his eyes; his expression was slightly serious, and his voice was genuine. She couldn't help but wonder what had transpired in his life before they met. She gently kissed his forehead, her lips poised with sincere affection. "If I am your miracle, then you are my safe haven," she said, her gaze softening and flickering with sincerity. The connection between them was palpable, increasing with each passing day; her heart beat in sync with the memory of their encounter and past notion of 'convenient marriage.' Fate took a drastic turn, using challenges and obstacle
"We want to watch a movie; where is the popcorn?" Ivy asked, bouncing up and down on the couch, excitement radiating from her. "Ah, you want the sacred movie snack?" Zack teased, hiding the popcorn behind his back. "Well, I'm not sure if you deserve it..." Ivy discreetly peeped from the corner of her eyes. "Okay, now you want to tease me? With popcorn?" She pouted, her arms crossed. "Okay then..." She stood up from the couch, walking towards their bedroom. "...wait, where are you going?" Zack asked, still holding the popcorn behind his back, a hint of confusion on his face. "I'm going to get the most epic movie snack ever!" Ivy declared, her voice dripping with drama. "Something that will make your precious popcorn look like mere crumbs!" Zack chuckled, intrigued by her sudden move. "What's that?" Ivy stopped at the bedroom door, turned around, and gave him a sly grin. "You'll see... or should I say, you'll taste!" With that, she disappeared into the bedroom, leaving Z
As the couple approached the airport exit, the automatic double doors, made of gleaming glass and stainless steel, slid open with a soft whoosh, revealing a warm glow of sunlight. The doors framed a vibrant scene: a bustling curb lined with taxis, ride-share services, and private cars, their drivers eagerly awaiting passengers. Beyond the vehicles, a clear blue sky stretched out, dotted with only a few wispy clouds.They both stepped through the doorway, feeling the temperature shift from the cool, air-conditioned terminal to the gentle warmth of the outside air. Ivy had her hand intertwined with Zack's; her usually wide smile she gave off during the vacation had dissipated and was replaced by a slight wry smile. Knowing what awaited her—the fight for her career, new plans for her major breakthrough, and, of course, the new profound relationship with her partner.She glanced at Zack, a flutter spreading in her chest as she reminisced about the wonderful moments they spent together. G
Susan's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself and hurried around to the driver's side of the car. "Okay, Ivy, let's get out of here," she said softly, starting the engine.Meanwhile, Anna merely stood by, observing as Ivy's car disappeared into the distance. It appeared that her pleasant chat with Ivy would need to be postponed, as it was clear that Ivy had her own issues to address. Anna sighed and shook her head, feeling a pang of concern for Ivy. She had no idea what was going on but made a mental note to reach out to Ivy later and check in on her.As she turned to head back to her own car with her PA, she noticed a figure watching her from across the parking lot. It was a man, and the moment their eyes met, the man turned away and hurried out of the parking lot."I think that's a paparazzo," her PA suddenly spoke up from behind her, having also noticed the man."Or a journalist," Anna remarked. "Either way, we should be careful," Anna continued, her eyes scann
Ivy blinked incredulously as she stared at her father. Was he being serious? "You want me to lie under oath and perjure myself to save Jeremy's skin?" she spat, her voice trembling with rage.Steve's expression remained impassive, as though nothing else mattered to him. "I'm not asking you to lie, Ivy," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "I'm asking you to... refrain from testifying for the sake of our family, and I promise I'll make sure that after Jeremy serves just a few years, he will never bother you again."Ivy laughed in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? After everything he has done, you want to manipulate the whole situation and lighten his sentence?"Steve's face darkened, and for a moment, Ivy thought she saw a flicker of anger in his eyes. But then, his expression smoothed out again, and he spoke in a tone that was almost... reasonable."Ivy, listen to me. Jeremy made a mistake, okay? He's sorry for what he did, and he's willing to face the consequences. But if you testi
Susan's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly nodded and signaled to the host that Ivy was ready to continue. Ivy took a deep breath, smoothing out her dress and pasting a bright smile on her face. She was determined to get through this, no matter what.As she walked back onto the stage, the audience applauded again, and Ivy waved, her smile never wavering. The host greeted her warmly and introduced the next segment of the show. Meanwhile, Ivy's eyes scanned the audience, her gaze locking onto her father and aunt, who were still sitting in the front row.Instantly, Ivy's anger and resentment simmered again, but she took a deep breath, determined to keep her cool. She was going to get through this, and she was going to make sure that her father and aunt didn't ruin it for her. They really had guts showing up here; whatever the reason, it didn't seem good.With a newfound sense of determination, Ivy refocused on the show, answering the host's questions with poise and confidence. She
Two days flew by in a whirlwind of preparations for the talk show. Ivy's days were filled with rehearsals, interviews, and wardrobe fittings. Susan was a constant presence, guiding Ivy through the process. Zack, on the other hand, kept a low profile, but Ivy could sense his eyes on her, watching her every move. It was as though he was scrutinizingly waiting for any mishap.As the day of the talk show approached, Ivy's nerves began to fray. She had always been comfortable in the spotlight, but this time felt different. She couldn't shake the feeling that facing an audience was a terrible idea. It wasn't supposed to be the case, but with everything that had happened lately, she needed time to heal. The nightmare and recollection had been haunting her; it worsened, and it was taking a toll on her appearance.Her eyes were always moist from crying late in the night despite her resolve not to shed tears. She couldn't brush off the pain, grief, and guilt that was eating her up.With thought
Zack shot out of bed and made his way to the door. Meanwhile, as Ivy watched him go, she felt a sense of trepidation. Who could be visiting her now?As Zack opened the door, he spoke in a low tone to Xavier. Ivy couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but she could tell that Zack was not happy.After a moment, Zack turned and walked back into the room, his expression grim as he locked eyes with Ivy."It's your manager."*****Meanwhile, Susan had already made herself at home in the living room, sitting on the couch, sipping a glass of water that Xavier had offered her.As Zack entered the room, Susan stood up, a bright smile plastered on her face. "Zack," she said, extending a manicured hand. "It's so good to see you."Zack's expression remained grim, and he ignored Susan's outstretched hand. "What are you doing here, Susan?" he asked bluntly.Susan's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. "I came to see Ivy, of course," she said matter-of-factly. "I've been tr
Zack and Ivy exchanged glances, wondering who it could be. But then Ivy began to have a sinking feeling in her stomach. "I can take a rough guess," she said, slumping back on the bed and mouthing, "Judy." Zack's expression hardened, and he quickly got up from the bed and strode out of the room. "Let her in," he instructed Xavier, and Xavier nodded and hastened down the stairs. Zack followed suit. Judy was allowed in shortly meanwhile Zack had already taken a seat in the living room, his expression twisted in annoyance as he locked eyes with her. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice flat, as if bored by her presence. Judy's eyes were soft and gentle, scanning the whole room, expecting to see Ivy, but there was no sign of her. "Where is she?" Judy asked, her voice slightly trembling, her eyes scanning the room again as if hoping to catch a glimpse of Ivy. Zack's expression remained impassive, his arms crossed over his chest. "She's not available to see you right now,"
Zack's arms wrapped tightly around Ivy, holding her close as she sobbed uncontrollably. He knew a storm was raging within her. He had somewhat expected she would feel broken, but this—it was way more than he had anticipated. She wasn't just broken; she was shattered. The pain and anguish that ravaged her face was evident.Zack held her close, trying to absorb some of the pain that seemed to be tearing her apart. The truth behind her emotions seemed to be consuming her.Ivy's sobs slowly began to subside, and she pulled back from Zack, her eyes red and puffy from crying. She looked up at him, and for a moment, their eyes locked in a silent understanding."Ivy," Zack whispered, his voice barely audible. "I'm sorry about your mom. Irene told me everything."Ivy's eyes searched Zack's face for a moment before she wiped her tears. "She did?"Zack nodded and took her hands in his, his eyes locked on hers. "Whatever happened was devastating, and I'm extremely worried about you." He hesitated
Ivy tossed and turned relentlessly in her bed, her eyes fluttering open to a scene that felt all too real. She was standing in her living room, but it wasn't the warm and cozy space she knew. It was cold and tense, with police officers looming over her dad."Mr. Steve, I'm afraid with the evidence we found, we need to take you in for questioning," one of the officers said, his voice firm but polite.Steve's face was pale with shock, his eyes wide with fear. "What evidence?" he demanded, his voice trembling.The officer hesitated, his expression unreadable. "We can't disclose that right now. But we do have enough to arrest you on suspicion of murder."Steve repeated, his voice shaking, "Murder? No... I didn't kill anyone."The officer's expression remained stern. "Steve, please turn around and put your hands behind your back. You're under arrest."Ivy watched in horror as the officers handcuffed her dad and led him away. She tried to scream, but her voice was frozen in her throat.She
Irene stepped into her house, closing the door behind her as if trying to shut out the world. She stood still for a moment, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings as if seeing them for the first time.Everything around felt hollow. If she knew recollection of the past would cause her this emptiness, she wouldn't have done it. Now she felt like she had traveled back to the past experiences she wanted to shut out for so long."Hey, why are you back so late? It's midnight," Dave sprang up from the couch, but then he noticed the distant look in Irene's eyes. "Irene?"Irene didn't respond. She just walked past him, her feet carrying her on autopilot to the bedroom. Dave's eyes followed her, concern etched on his face."Irene, what's wrong?" he asked, getting up from the couch to follow her.Irene stopped in front of the bedroom door, her hand on the doorknob. She turned to face Dave, her eyes empty and haunted."Nothing," she said flatly, "just tired."With that, she slammed the door