Hi,guys. Sorry for the late update. I haven't been feeling too well lately. But I'll try to update regularly when I get better.
Ivy sank in a breath and covered her face with her palm. "You gonna have to stop teasing me." Zack released a soft chuckle, "I can't promise that, wifey...." Ivy shook her head and relaxed on the bed; their small argument had made her head throb slightly. "Please Bryan, when they find Susan, inform her I'm here. I don't want her to grow anxious..." Ivy said as she massaged her head gently. "Yes ma'am." Bryan nodded and left the room. A few hours later, the detective arrived with two other police officers. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Anderson. I'm Detective Finn," he smiled softly, extending his hand for a handshake. Ivy returned the smile and took his hand. "Nice to meet you, detective..." "We've come to collect your statement to confirm the events leading up to the kidnap. I hope you have recovered enough to answer our questions," he asked, still with the same smile. "Sure..." She replied, and he began. She answered all the questions in detail, then he revealed their investigation.
Susan, is it serious?" Ivy asked, her voice laced with concern as she gazed at Susan's furrowed brow and deep lines etched on her face.Susan lifted her phone, the screen glowed with the harsh light of the news article. Ivy's eyes scanned the headlines, her gaze lingering on the bold font:[Ivy's Diva Antics: Actress Refuses To Return To Set, Delays Production]Ivy rolled her eyes at the article and slumped back on the plump headboard. "I thought it was news about my abduction.""But it's been less than a day since we left the set, how could they publish fake news...?" A frown still settled on Susan, obviously displeased by the media tactics. Ivy, on the other hand, knew it wasn't just the media behind her scandal; someone else was fueling the media scrutiny toward her."After you complete your role in this production, I'll get you signed under an agency..." Susan said, still upset. She then called director Tim to explain the reason for Ivy's absence from the set, of course excluding
"Zack, where are you?" Her voice was met with silence. "He really left me all alone." She then facepalmed herself. "Yeah, I'm the one who actually pressured him to leave, and I'm complaining..." She collapsed on the bed and shut her eyes to get to sleep, she knew he would return soon. A day later, Ivy was ready to be discharged from the hospital. There were no complications as it was a mild dosage. But before she left, she paid Edmond a visit. The room was dimly lit with soft beeping sounds from the machine used to monitor his vital signs. Her eyes were drawn to his pale face, his features relaxed in a coma-induced slumber as her heart ached with concern and empathy. "I hope you won't fire him when he wakes up." Ivy glanced at Zack, who was sitting beside her before returning her gaze to Edmond. "Anything you want, wifey..." Zack responded leisurely, leaning on the corner of the room, his eyes pinned on her as she stood beside Edmond's bed. He then glanced at his wristwatch. "It's t
Ivy bit her lips, blankly staring at the screen, unable to respond. She let out a sigh in frustration. "I've had enough teasing for one day, let's just go home," she said and made her way to the door. "I thought you said you wanted a few more minutes..." He chuckled and followed her out of the room. They both arrived outside; Bryan was already waiting for them at the parking deck beside the car. He opened the door to the back seat for both of them and hopped into the front seat. "Here is your phone, ma'am," Bryan passed Ivy her phone. Ivy collected it, not really expecting to see her old phone again. "I thought I'd lost this, thank you." "The detective found it in your manager's car," Bryan informed her and started the car. Ivy unlocked her phone, the first pop-up on the screen was tons of notifications and missed calls from one particular contact. 'ANNA' She then remembered they had exchanged phone numbers after shooting their last scene before her abduction. She dialed
Bryan's loud outcry sent them into a state of fright. The sudden jarring interruption shattered their tranquility. A truck had crashed into the Rolls Royce, and the collision pushed the car backwards, slamming them into another car behind them. It was too sudden for Bryan to react in time, while Ivy on the other hand already did what she could think of at the moment. She gripped onto Zack, nestling into him and holding onto the collar of his suit so tightly that her knuckles almost turned white. Her heart hammered in her chest as terror enveloped her senses. All she could hear was the sound of glass shattering all over as her eyes were shut tight. 'No, no... not again, not again.' She screamed repeatedly in her head as her body stiffened, freezing in place while she still held onto Zack. "Ivy..." Zack encircled his arms around her in a tight embrace trying to comfort her as he could sense her tight muscles due to fright. "It's alright, you're safe...." With all his words, her
"XAVIER!" Zack hollered his name, looking at the stairs, as he knew Xavier would descend the flight of stairs to meet him. "Yes... Sir..." Xavier walked towards him, hanging his head low. "Why did you let him in without telling me first?" He glared at him, obviously angry. Ivy wanted to calm the tension but refrained as she noticed the guest was nonchalantly sipping his wine, relaxing on the exquisite sofa as if shutting himself out of the argument. "Sir, I'm sorry, but he... he..." The butler stammered, giving the guest a pleading look, as if sending an unspoken message across. Won't he say something at least? He was in trouble because of him. "He what?" Zack snapped, but it seemed Xavier couldn't explain how he had let the guest in. Zack's gaze fell on the guest again, then he crossed his arms. He usually doesn't welcome visitors into his villa. "How did you make him let you in, old man?" Roy burst into a fit of laughter, placing his glass of wine on the table. "Are
The dusk came, and the villa located at Azure Hill Estate was cozier than before. The sound of China wares and champagne glasses clicking, coupled with the harmony of soft laughter and the warm glow casting on them added to the delightful vibes. Well, the sound of laughter was mostly coming from old man Roy and Ivy; as for Zack, a small smile would once in a while tug up his lips but would immediately disappear after. But truly he was enjoying the wonderful moment with his wife and father; this feeling was something that hadn't felt in a long time. He had left the grand mansion in his early twenties after the issue with his brother Albert; since then he hardly called them, not to mention visits. He only attended the family dinner at that time just because he wanted to teach Dave a lesson and give Ivy the satisfaction of seeing her ex regret. "Belle, haven't you ever wondered what Zack's childhood was like?" Roy brought up another conversation that didn't go well with Zack. A scowl
Meanwhile, Irene was exiting an upscale restaurant. Her hair was tied up in a bun, her dimples were clearly visible on her cheeks as a faint smile played on her lips. She wore a red turtleneck gown that fully accentuated her figure, plump chest, and slightly curvy hips. Her face gleamed with confidence as she approached the Maybach parked ahead. Ethan was by her side, decked in a tailored suit which made him look smart and stylish. He elegantly opened the door to the back seat for her with a smile on his face. "Gosh, you look so much like her, even the figure looks the same," he said in a whisper as they got into the back seat. "The resemblance is too frightening; those sets of exercises really paid off." Irene smiled, observing her face in a mirror she took out of her purse. "Debbie's skills seem to be improving with each passing day." "Yeah, it's so hard to tell the difference between you and Ivy," Kate, who was seated in the back seat, chimed in as she stared at the pleased look
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
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