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
The question hung in the air, thick and heavy. Ivy’s breath hitched as Nadia’s words landed like a direct blow. The anger that had fueled her outburst at the cemetery now mingled with a chilling dread. She looked at Nadia, really looked at her, seeing the raw grief and desperate need for answers reflected in her tear-filled eyes. This wasn't just about her own loss anymore; it was about Nadia's too. "I…" Ivy started, but her voice seemed lost. She wanted to deny it, to protect Nadia from the harsh reality, but the lie wouldn't come. How would she even explain that? She had let her anger take over, and now she had Nadia hearing her accusations. "Answer me. Is it true?" Nadia pressed firmly, her voice trembling... Ivy froze, her eyes wandering over Nadia's face. Her anger was long gone, now replaced by uncertainty. Should she tell her? But there was no proof yet, and she didn't want Nadia to get involved. "Ivy, answer me. 'Cause it seems like an accident to me. Why would you acc
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