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
The looming landscape of the villa stretched out before them like a giant cloud beckoning them ahead. The admirable view caused a warm smile to plaster on Ivy's face. From the car window, she watched the endless stream of moving scenery as they approached their home a short distance away. "Go without me; I'll be back soon," Zack said as the car halted at the villa driveway. Ivy turned to him, confusion etched on her face. "Where are you going? I thought we were heading home together." Zack's expression was distant, his eyes fixed on some point beyond the horizon. "I need to take care of something. I'll catch up with you later." Ivy's smile faltered, feeling a pang of concern. "Is everything okay?" Zack's gaze snapped back to hers, a reassuring smile spreading across his face. "Of course, everything's fine, I promise. I just need to attend to something. Go ahead; I'll be back soon." Ivy nodded hesitantly, still feeling uncertain. "Okay then, come home early; don't keep me waiting
Susan arrived shortly; Ivy was just climbing down the stairs, a welcoming smile spreading on her face. "I'm glad we don't have to deal with tight security any longer," Susan said, settling on the plush sofa, her eyes scanning the room. Ivy responded, her voice low and distant, "Yeah, me too." She then sat beside Susan, her wide smile fading. When their eyes locked again, they exchanged a silent sense of euphoria, their faint smiles never faltering. "I am so happy you're finally free, Ivy. We don't have to worry about your safety anymore," Susan broke the silence, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Yeah..." she said slowly, nodding, her mind a bit distant. "Everything that has happened so far has been terrible, and I can only hope a battle as intense as that doesn't resurface again." She mused, her voice barely above a whisper. Susan placed her comforting hand on hers, giving her a reassuring smile. "Hey, nothing like that will happen again. Now is the time to think of some
Ivy led Susan into the garden, where daffodils and wildflowers bloomed amidst a lush lawn. The sweet scent and vibrant colors enveloped them, creating a serene atmosphere just as she suggested for a comfortable discussion. Susan stood in awe, admiring the design of the garden. She couldn't contain her amazement as her eyes kept darting around the whole place. "Seriously, Susan, we came here to talk, not wonder..." Ivy chuckled, nudging her toward the plaid mat on the lush lawn. "Come on, make yourself at home." Susan's gaze landed on the plaid mat; then it shifted to the whole garden, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Ivy, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ivy, who had already settled on the mat, frowned, confusion etched on her face. "What..." Her voice dipped with curiosity. Susan crossed her arms, her smile ambiguous. Ivy's eyes narrowed, trying to figure out her hint. Then she finally remembered. "Picnic." "Took you long enough," Susan teased, her eyes sparking
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