Following Zack and Bryan's quick departure from the room, Smithson positioned himself with his back turned, engrossed in thought, intentionally ignoring Ivy. Meanwhile, Ivy remained standing in the suffocating silence, completely taken aback as she fixated incredulously on her father's distant figure. It would be false if she denied her conflicting emotions — a mix of happiness upon seeing her father alive and well, yet also frustration toward his callous and neglectful behavior. Ivy exhaled deeply and closed the distance between them. "Ignoring me," she began, her voice low and controlled, but her displeasure was palpable. "It seems to be the habit you've learned over the years." He still didn't respond nor turn to look at her, but his expression, away from Ivy's eyes, remained blank and emotionless. "You changed your name from Steve to Smithson so I shouldn't recognize you. Why?" Ivy asked, slowly eating up the short distance. "I asked a question that requires an..." She sighed
As soon as the meeting with her father, now apparently just known as Smithson, concluded, Ivy excused herself, citing a need for fresh air to clear her head alone. Zack, still concerned about her encounter with Smithson, offered to accompany her. Ivy reassured him she was fine and would meet him back home. With a deep breath, Ivy instructed her driver to head over to Judy's residence, but her heart continued racing with anticipation as they approached their destination. As she arrived at the cozy suburban home, Judy's welcoming smile greeted her as soon as the door opened. The warmth and love radiating from that smile was a stark contrast to her father's cold demeanor. "Aunt Judy," Ivy said, embracing her aunt tightly. "Ivy, sweetie, what brings you here?" Aunt Judy asked, concern etched on her face. "You didn't tell me you were coming." Ivy hesitated, unsure where to begin. "Well, I just came to visit." She chuckled, obviously failing in her facade. Judy's eyes narrowed s
"Your mother's death, your father's abandonment… it's all connected, but it was not his fault," Judy said, her voice low and mysterious. "He… he was arrested for your mother's death, but he is innocent. He was finally freed when the real truth was discovered… Irene misunderstood everything that happened that night. It was asthma that killed your mother."'Asthma killed your mother.' That was major news that Ivy knew well, but the other news about her father being suspected as the murderer was really off-putting. Regardless of that thought, Ivy nodded in understanding. "Well, that explains why Irene thought he was a murderer. How come no one told me he didn't die but was falsely accused and sent to jail?" She paused, recollecting her thoughts. "So you knew he was alive all this time, and you didn't tell me?" Judy sighed, her expression thoughtful. "I'm sorry, Ivy. He wanted it that way, and... I... um..." Ivy's gaze was fixed intently on Judy's face, containing a mix of both di
After rereading the ominous text, Judy tossed her phone aside and massaged her temples in frustration. She sighed and stared at the oven where the cookies were baking, the sweet aroma filling the air, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside her. Judy's mind raced with worries about Ivy's safety and the mysterious messenger's threats.She glanced at Ivy, whose eyes were fixed on her phone, innocent and oblivious to the danger lurking outside. Judy's heart swelled with protectiveness; she had to keep Ivy safe. At all costs, even if it meant lying to her.The timer beeped, breaking Judy's reverie. She removed the cookies from the oven and set them aside to cool. As she turned to face Ivy, a determined look was etched on her face."Ivy, sweetie, I think it's time we talked about something," Judy said, her voice measured, trying to sound casual despite the gravity of the situation.Ivy looked up, curiosity sparkling in her eyes. "What is it, Judy?"Judy hesitated, unsure how much to
Ivy's eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight before her. Her mind struggled to process the sudden arrival."Jeremy?" Ivy whispered, her voice trembling with surprise.Jeremy's piercing gaze locked onto Ivy, his expression unreadable. "Ivy," he said, his deep voice low with no hint of surprise.Judy's grip on Ivy's shoulders tightened, her eyes darting between Jeremy and Ivy as her heart hammered in her chest. "Jeremy, please, I'm begging," she whispered, standing up from the sofa and instinctively pulling Ivy gently beside her.Ivy, still stunned, was even more confused by Judy's behavior; it seemed she was trying to protect her from Jeremy, but he was her stepbrother, whom she thought she would never see again. In fact, she had even forgotten about his existence until now.Jeremy's gaze shifted to Judy, his expression unyielding. "I told you to make her leave in five minutes, and you didn't," he replied, his tone dripping with tension as he shrugged casually. "It's too late."
Ivy's eyes felt like they were going to pop out of her head as she processed Jeremy's words. Her father killed her mother? But Aunt Judy had already explained it was a misunderstanding, or was it not? Her mind was reeling with shock, horror, and denial."How... is ...that true?" Ivy stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Dad didn't kill my mother. And besides mother would never... she didn't stab you!"Jeremy's grin returned, and he leaned forward, his eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, but she did, Ivy. And now, it's time for you to pay the price."Ivy's skin crawled as Jeremy's words dripped with venom. She felt a wave of nausea wash over her, and her vision began to blur as her eyes welled up."No... no, this can't be," Ivy muttered, shaking her head. "You're lying!" She hated the suffocating feeling of discovery; she hated to believe what Jeremy had said, but she couldn't help it. Things weren't making any sense."Ivy, don't listen to him! He's a monster!" Judy's voice cut thr
"I know about that night, Judy!" Ivy fired back; her emotions were all over the place. "It was during that time that I lost my parents, so how did I not know about what Jeremy is talking about?"Her voice reverberated through the room and echoed off the walls, filled with pain, confusion, and desperation.Judy's face contorted in anguish as she slowly shook her head. "Ivy, sweetie, I—""No, Judy!" Ivy interrupted, her hands clenched into fists. "I need to know the truth. What happened that night? What did my mother do to Jeremy? And my father, did he really kill my mother..." She choked on her words, stepping back as she pulled her hair in anguish.Jeremy's smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming as if feeding off Ivy's distress."Ah, Aunt Judy, don't be shy. Tell Ivy the whole story. Tell her how her precious mother tried to kill me."Judy's gaze darted between Ivy and Jeremy, her expression torn."Ivy, please understand—""Understand what?" Ivy demanded, her voice rising. "That my moth
"Drop your weapon," one of the police officers commanded, their guns stretched out as they slowly approached Jeremy.Jeremy's head snapped toward the detective, his eyes widening as he slowly put down the knife.Ivy immediately seized the distraction and quickly ran to Zack's side.Meanwhile, Judy sprinted toward the door and stood beside Ivy."Ivy, you're okay?" Zack asked, his voice trembling with concern as he wrapped a protective arm around Ivy's shoulders.Ivy nodded, still trying to process the events that had just unfolded. She felt a sense of relief wash over her as she gazed up at Zack. She was more than grateful for having someone reliable like Zack. She was aware that if she picked up the call and let Zack hear what was happening on her end, he would suspect something was wrong, and indeed she was right."I'm okay," she replied, nestling deeper into his arm, her pounding heart now slowing down to a more manageable rhythm. As she leaned into Zack's warmth, she felt a sense o
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