Under the soothing coolness of the night breeze, Kate's feet dragged across the pavement, each step heavy with the weight of her sorrow. Tears brimmed in her eyes as the doctor's devastating words echoed in her mind that left her heart shattered. "Your mother's health has deteriorated; she won't last much longer unless you act quickly. We need funds to continue with her treatment." "What do you mean by 'need funds'?" she snapped, her voice laced with confusion. "There is a particular amount being sent to the hospital every month for her treatment, so what are you saying?" She had rushed down to the hospital upon receiving a message that her mother was in very critical condition, only to be met with a shocking revelation. "Her treatment has been put on hold since two months ago," the doctor had replied, sounding oblivious to the fact that Irene had promised her that her mother's treatment was being taken care of. Kate's mind reeled as the doctor's words replayed again like a cruel
Ivy agreed to meet Kate at a quaint café the next morning, intrigued by the desperation in Kate's voice. Though her skepticism lingered, Ivy detected a hint of genuineness she couldn't ignore. She hadn't fully bought into Kate's sudden change of heart; Irene and Kate's friendship had been unbreakable for centuries. Yet, Ivy's curiosity was piqued. What had driven Kate to betray Irene? Ivy couldn't quite grasp the reason; her mind continued racing with possibilities. As she settled into bed, her thoughts swirled with questions: "Is Kate truly willing to take down Irene, or is this another twisted game?" "What secrets has Kate uncovered, and at what cost?" The meeting would reveal more, but Ivy's instincts whispered that Kate's defection was more complex than met the eye. Ivy donned a black hoodie and sunglasses, disguising herself from the paparazzi and avoiding unwanted attention since the news of her leaked photos and video was still viral. She arrived at the café early, choo
Ivy's eyes widened at the shocking information. Joan is working for Irene? It can't be! How come i never suspected anything? "Is what you're saying true?" Ivy asked, her eyes fixed on Kate as if searching for any sign of deception, her voice laced with incredulity and a hint of vulnerability. "I mean, how is that possible? She's been by my side all this time." Kate's expression turned somber. "Irene has a way of manipulating people, Ivy. She's been using Joan to feed her information. Joan and I used to meet while you were filming 'Tomboy Donna.'" Ivy's gaze dropped, her mind racing with memories of Joan's dedication and supposed loyalty. "What proof do you have?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Kate didn't immediately respond but instead pulled out her phone from her bag. "Message recordings. Irene's been paying Joan to spy on you, like I said." Ivy's eyes scanned the messages, her heart sinking with each passing sentence. Ethan's words, seemingly innocuous, now
As Ivy pulled out of her parking spot, a black Lamborghini pulled up at the entrance. "So, where are you going with this?" a low, smooth voice asked from the driver's seat. Beside him sat a tall, imposing figure with sunglasses, watching Ivy with an air of curiosity. A sly smile spread across his face, his lips curling upward as he rested his elbow on the window. "Definitely going somewhere..." he finally replied, his gaze still fixed on the fading taillights of Ivy's car. Then his phone vibrated in his pocket. Taking out his phone, he chuckled as his eyes scanned the message he received. "Are we just going to keep watching from a distance without doing anything?" the driver asked again, curiosity etched on his face as he locked eyes with the man beside him. The man's eyes flicked to the driver, a hint of amusement present. "I am a very patient man," he said, his voice low and smooth. "We're just getting started." "Started with what?" The driver raised an eyebrow, his curiosi
Zack's question made Ivy's brow furrow, her eyes clouding with confusion. She was taken aback, her words faltering."It...can't be..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't remember... any time..."Her sentence hung in the air, unfinished, as her mind wandered into the depths of her memories. Her gaze drifted, lost in thought.Yet she couldn't piece together any fragment of her memories related to his question."Zack, why would you ask that?" Ivy's voice was laced with a mix of curiosity and wariness. "I've been investigating, and I found out that the photos weren't fabricated," he said before adding, "They were real. He took your nude photos."Ivy's frown deepened. "What?"Zack's pause was palpable, as if weighing his next words carefully. "It seems... they had it for a long time."Ivy's eyes widened as her mind raced with implications. "But why did they use it now?" she asked, her voice higher than intended. "Irene had been desperately seeking a way to ruin my c
As Ivy stood at the kitchen counter, she decided to make the most of the leisurely evening in the kitchen. She had tried shaking off the earlier conversation with Dave, taking her mind elsewhere to avoid letting her anger get the best of her. As she reached for a spice, Zack stealthily slipped into the kitchen, his footsteps silent on the tile floor. Without warning, he glided behind her, his hands wrapping around her waist in a gentle, possessive grasp. "Hello, wifey," Zack whispered, his breath brushing against her ear. "Something smells amazing in here." Ivy's hands stilled as her body stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden proximity. "Zack! You scared me." She breathed a sigh, her eyes sparkling in surprise. Zack's chuckle vibrated against her ear as his grip tightened on her waist. "That's the idea," he whispered, his lips grazing her earlobe. Ivy's tension dissipated, replaced by a warm flutter in her chest. She leaned into his embrace, feeling the stress of the d
Ivy's eyes fluttered open, her mind foggy from the remnants of sleep. But as she reached out, expecting to find Zack's warm body beside her, her hand met empty sheets. Disoriented, she sat up, scanning the dimly lit room.With no sign of Zack, she threw off the covers and got out of bed, listening intently, but the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the ticking clock on the nightstand."Zack?" she called out, her voice barely audible, but there was no response.She then padded across the room, going straight to Zack's study, expecting to find him there since the room seemed to be his quiet spot, but he still wasn't there."Or did he leave early again?" she murmured, glancing at the wall clock. It was midnight, so it could be possible he was off to something.Knowing he might still be in the house, she sauntered out of the corridor, heading for the stairs. But her eyes caught a glimpse of a particular door, half-open. It was the same mysterious room she had entered the other da
Zack nodded slowly, acknowledging her request. "I had called Susan to release a public statement or grant an interview with the media and explain on your behalf." He paused, ensuring Ivy understood. "But that's just damage control. The real plan is to track down the hacker, gather evidence, and submit it anonymously to law enforcement."Ivy's lips curled up in a smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "So you contacted my manager behind my back, sneaked out of the room at midnight, and returned to your interests you had abandoned for years—all of that just to help me." Her smile grew wider as her heart swelled with gratitude. Looking into his eyes, his determination to protect her was palpable.Zack just nodded, wrapping his hands around her waist and pulling her close.In the silence, Ivy's mind drifted. She felt cherished, protected. He'd always been there for her, even when she didn't know it. Even at the start of their marriage, he had always been there; he would emerge out
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