The news of the billionaire and once-famous actress marriage was still hot on the search buttons. Many would have doubted their marriage, but since the words came from the billionaire himself, it was a confirmation beyond doubt. Many view her as a seductress, seducing the billionaire just to gain wealth. Since the rich heir wasn't good enough for her, she found a way to cling onto his uncle. But many still wondered how? She was attractive but there were other women with better social standing that came from a reputable family; she doesn't even have a good background. She was just an actress who backed out, out of the blue with unknown reasons and since then they never heard anything about her; within a few days, she was involved in a scandal with her as the hot topic with the Anderson family. It was truly something to gossip... "How did she end up with him?" "So he really wasn't gay after all..." "At first, we thought she was miserable, but now she is the luckiest woman on eart
The Anderson family was known as legends in the perfume industry for more than decades, producing expensive and the best fragrance across the country. As the founder, Roy Anderson, he was old and the company was presently run by the eldest son, Albert Anderson, the father of Dave, with the second eldest son, Henry Anderson, as one of the shareholders. Zack, being the youngest, built his own business empire from scratch to gain his achievements rather than living off someone else's company. Although he invested from his shares and expanded his business far and wide, gaining wealth from multiple businesses. His wisdom in performing business was one of the many things Roy Anderson loved about him. But one thing that made him upset was that he cared too much about money and his business that he never considered marriage as an option. So when he picked the statement 'my wife,' he was overjoyed that he told him to come over for a family dinner to celebrate, even though he didn't inform them
The onlookers' eyes widened at the sight in front of them. The public display of affection was too surprising to believe. Are their marriage really based on love? Ivy's head was placed on Zack's shoulder as her hand was hooked around his arm, slowly walking to the living room like they were alone in their world. Zack, in turn, had a slight smile on his face as he approached the eyes that were darting back and forth between the two. The sound of glass shattering made everyone turn their gaze, "I'm sorry, I…" "Are you okay, Donna bring the first aid box quickly!" Henry, seeing her bleed, had to call the maid for help. Albert saw her blood dripping on the glass table, quickly took out a handkerchief from his pocket. Irene stretched her hand so he could help her wipe off the blood in her hand, but his next action made Ivy release her restrained snort… Albert wiped the blood on the exquisite glass table instead! Irene was too stunned that she left her mouth wide open in surprise
Ivy looked down at her plate. "They died when I was still a teenager." As she said this, she squinted at Irene, who had a fake smile on her face. "That's so sad to hear." Irene could only play along, pretending to be touched by her story. Dave frowned as his eyes darted between the two sisters. They just repudiated their relationship in front of the family. Do they plan on disowning each other? Or did they decide to cut ties after everything that happened? Roy noticed the exchanged glares between the two women and suspected they must know each other. "Have the two of you met before?" "No." They both denied in unison, still retaining their fake smile... 'What the.....' Dave couldn't understand why they were doing all this. He knew the three of them had their issues,so furrowed his brows, readying himself to say what he felt at the moment... "Will the both of..." He cleared his throat as he noticed Irene's gaze. He understood that he shouldn't interfere. It was obvious who wo
Albert gave up on the question; he could see their resemblance, but they still declared they were not related. Dwelling on the conversation would be useless. The purpose of the family get-together was finally achieved. Roy got to see the beautiful woman that made his wish for his youngest son come true. In his eyes, they were the perfect match, even if Ivy was younger than him. Both couples left the mansion at the same time. As they made their way to their respective cars, Dave couldn't help but steal glances at the two whose hands were still intertwined as they walked towards their car. He had a lot to say to Ivy; he never knew she had such guts to marry from his family, his uncle of all people... The perfect opportunity to ridicule her surfaced. Zack's phone rang, and he could tell it was important as he left her to answer the call. "I forgot something; I'll be right back," he told Irene, who was busy on her phone. She ignored him as her eyes were fixed on the screen. Dave wa
That's too extreme, Ivy," Irene frowned. Having escaped from Henry's muffle, she said abruptly walking up to Ivy, but she stopped in her tracks when her eyes met Zack's glare."And how is it extreme?" Zack responded in Ivy's place, taking a step forward and crouched slightly to meet Dave's height. "You heard her. Kneel."His powerful presence made Dave's knees weaken, and he gave in with a thud. His knee touched the ground, only then did Ivy release her restrained smile."I'm sorry, Ivy," Dave said with his head lowered as he forced himself to produce each word. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would apologize to his ex."Aren't you taking this too far?" Albert couldn't stay silent watching his son get bullied, well, that's what he thought. He knew there was nothing he could do to stop his younger brother but had to say something at least.Zack ignored him and held his wife's waist, leading her to the car as the driver opened the door for the both of them. "Don't ever let t
Irene paid her a visit at the apartment as promised. It took Kate roughly five minutes for her to open the door. Irene, seeing the expression plastered on her face, knew something must have gone wrong. Whatever it is, she was going to find out....Without coming in, she asked, "Tell me the real reasons you haven't posted that video, Kate."Kate sighed. There was nothing she could do to avoid the question. "I'm sorry, I don't have it anymore.""What?!" Irene closed the door behind her and sat on the sofa. "What the hell of a joke is that?"Kate sighed again. She had been sighing since the start of the day. Here comes the hard part. She would have to explain how it disappeared and listen to how she chose to fix it, because she knew Irene would stop at nothing to achieve what she wants."Zack Anderson made me delete it. I swear it's the truth. He knew about the video and I don't know how..."If Kate had told her those exact words before the family get-together, she would have doubted. Sh
The woman happened to be a friend to a reporter, so she texted him the audition location and who she saw. At first, she was doubted; how would an actress who had been blacklisted by three different agencies have the nerve to attend an audition, especially after being involved in a recent scandal that was still circulating all over... For the woman to prove it was true, she took a selfie making her back face Ivy's direction, capturing herself and a glimpse of Ivy's side view. Ivy might have put on a slight disguise, but it wasn't enough to conceal her distinctive features as her overall features are easily recognized. Her dimples were clearly visible on her face even when she wasn't smiling. Just the movement of her lips was enough to summon the indent. Number 41 was called; it was the girl's turn to audition. Ivy could only wish her good luck on her arrogance; she should prove it out there and not to her face... When the girl entered the audition room, she was told to act out a scen
Zack stared at his tablet for what felt like forever, hesitant. He was finally going to see the one who was behind his accident. But now the weight of the moment pressed down on him. He knew this call could change everything, reveal a face he might recognize, or a stranger he would despise. He wasn't sure he was ready for either.Ivy was by his side, squeezing his arm tightly and encouraging him to do it. "Come on, Finn made this possible for you, so... let’s get it over with," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and nudging him to tap on the screen."Alright," he said finally, but as Ivy attempted to speak, a loud cry came out from the room."Lucas again," she growled and got up, placing a soft kiss on Zack's cheek. "Be right back."With that, she left, and Zack decided to get it over with as Ivy had said. He tapped on the screen, and there just what he had feared stared right back at him.Those familiar emerald eyes..."Chris. So it was really you," Zack whispered, disbelief
THE NEXT MORNING, Ivy and Zack made their way downstairs, luggage in tow, with Lucas giggling in his stroller. Lucas was babbling excitedly, clearly sensing the adventure ahead, and Ivy couldn't help but smile at her little boy's enthusiasm. Although she was still a bit hesitant about leaving, Zack's and Lucas's enthusiasm was infectious.But she had to agree a vacation would benefit them all.Just as they were about to head out the door, Xavier, their butler, rushed in, looking flustered."Wait, please!" Xavier exclaimed. "We have a visitor."Ivy's eyes narrowed, her smile faltering. "Who is it?"Xavier hesitated before responding. "It's... your..." Before he could finish, a voice cut in."Zack has woken up all this time, and you didn't bother informing us," Henry walked in, the old man right beside him.The moment he set eyes on Zack, he went straight to him and hugged him tightly. "I'm so glad you're okay, son..."Zack, caught off guard, returned the hug, a mix of surprise and conf
"Ivy, remember when I took Roy outside?" Zack said, and Ivy frowned. "Yes, of course." "I thought... I thought I saw Chris. Briefly. Just a glimpse." Ivy's eyes widened in disbelief. "Chris? But... he hasn't called since that day..." "Exactly," Zack said, his brow furrowed. "But what if... what if... I don't know...?" Ivy shook her head, dismissing the idea. "Zack, that's impossible. Didn't you say he was an imposter?" "I'm starting to doubt that 'imposter' theory," Zack said. "It's too convenient the way he operates in the shadows... it's shady." Ivy's eyes narrowed, having a hard time processing everything. If he wasn't an imposter, then why hadn't he reunited with Zack? Why was he hiding? "What if... he has a vendetta? Against you?" Ivy sprang from the bed, her head filled with fear gnawing at her. She knew what it felt like to be wanted dead, and now Zack, this childhood friend... if it's true, then it's even worse than she imagined. "Maybe we should tell Finn every
"Lucas, I'm home!" Zack announced as he stepped into the familiar warmth of their living room. Ivy smiled and quickly got beside him. "Careful, Zack," she cautioned, her hand lightly touching his arm. "Remember, you're still recovering." "Now you want me to be treated like a fragile piece of glass, huh?" Zack said with his usual smirk, and Ivy couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Yeah, that's what you are right now." Zack smirked, closing the short distance between them. "Is that so?" Ivy stepped back, a blush creeping into her cheeks. "Zack, this isn't the right place to... you know, do your usual thing..." She then said with gritted teeth, "Maria and Lucas are coming." Zack turned to find Maria smiling his way. She bowed slightly and then placed Lucas on the ground. "There he is," Zack said, his voice softening as he knelt down. He extended his arms, a wide, welcoming smile on his face. "Come here, buddy. Daddy's home." Lucas hesitated, his gaze shifting between Zack and
"Zack, tomorrow's a big day. Lucas is hitting nine months," Ivy said, her voice soft as she gently ran her hands over Zack's. "Can you believe it? Nine months already?"She tried hard to grin, but what came out was a pathetic smile. "I... started him on complementary foods, you know. He seems to really like mashed sweet potatoes with a little cinnamon. He makes the funniest face when he tastes something new, but sweet potatoes are definitely his favorite."Ivy chuckled, despite knowing that Zack couldn't hear her. The sound was more for her own benefit, a way to release some of the tension and sadness that had been building up inside.But as she looked at Zack's still face, her expression shifted. Her smile faltered, and her eyes welled up with tears.Ivy's sigh turned into a sob, and she buried her face in her hands, letting the tears flow.She had hoped Zack would wake up before their son turned seven months, but now he was nine months, still trapped in this limbo.He didn't get to
SIX MONTHS LATERIvy's hands trembled as she held the phone, Bryan's voice sounding at the other end."Ma'am, we found him last night," Bryan said, his tone gentle but firm. "The driver who hit Zack. We've got a positive ID."Ivy's breath caught in her throat. Six months of waiting, wondering, and fighting for answers. Finally, she was going to get some justice."Who is it?" Ivy asked, her voice barely above a whisper.There was a pause before Bryan responded, "Marcus Thompson. The police are bringing him in for questioning. They're going to push him hard to see if he'll talk."Ivy's grip on the phone tightened. "Will he talk?""There's a good chance he might," Bryan said. "Thompson's got a history of criminal activity. He's been in and out of jail for various offenses. If the police can leverage that, he might be willing to cooperate."Ivy's mind was racing. "How soon can they get him to talk?" She wanted to wipe that smug look off Albert's face.Bryan hesitated before responding, "W
Ivy's car halted in front of the Anderson mansion. It was the early hours of the morning, and Ivy decided to seize this opportunity to get answers.She slammed the door behind her, took a deep breath, and stepped into the mansion. She didn't bother to knock before entering.A sliver of light spilled out from the lounge, the air thick with the smell of stale liquor."Albert!" Ivy yelled, scanning the whole place. "Albert, where are you?"Footsteps sounded, and Henry appeared coming down the stairs, draped in a robe and his hair a bit messy."It's too early to yell," he said, but as his eyes landed on Ivy, a frown settled on his face."What are you doing here?""Where is Albert?" Ivy asked, and Henry's brow deepened."Ivy, why are you here? Shouldn't you be sitting with Zack at the hospital?""Where is Albert?" Ivy's expression turned serious, the one that tells you, "I'm losing my patience."Henry's eyes lingered on her for a moment before finally pointing to a corner."Turn left."Wit
"I never should have let you leave." Ivy whimpered, squeezing Zack's hand, as if trying to coax life back into his fingers. "I should have forced you to eat breakfast... maybe... maybe..."She choked on tears trickling down her cheek... "maybe you would have escaped it..." she sniffled, trying to hold back her tears, but it was no use. The dam broke, and she let out a heart-wrenching sob, her body shaking uncontrollably."How long are you going to stay like this, huh? How long before you wake up..." she mumbled. "It's only been a few hours, and I can't keep seeing you like this..."He had always been the strong one, the rock that held her together when she broke down. But now he was the one who was broken, and she was left to pick up the pieces. All she could do was hope he would wake up sooner.Ivy's sobs slowly subsided as she wiped away her tears and took a deep breath.Her chest tightened, but she pushed through, squeezing his arm with all the strength she could muster."Please w
"Shhh, baby, it's okay," Ivy murmured, pacing back and forth in the room with the crying Lucas in her arms. "Mommy's here." The nanny, Maria, sat on the couch, watching them with concern, occasionally standing up and sitting back down on the couch in frustration. Lucas's cries only intensified, his small body writhing in discomfort. He was unusually fussy, refusing his bottle and arching his back in distress. Ivy had tried everything – changing his diaper, offering him a pacifier, singing lullabies – but nothing seemed to make him calm down. Maria got up and approached Ivy. "Let me try, Mrs. Anderson," But Ivy shook her head. "No, I've got him. I just need to... figure out what's wrong." She continued to pace, trying to rock Lucas to sleep. "What's wrong, my little one?" she whispered, her heart throbbing slightly. Lucas usually didn't cry this way for this long. She glanced at the clock, wondering if she should call Zack and tell him about Lucas's behavior. But it would b