The property was not available for sale until recently, when his estate cleared the house. The process bogged down because they’d exhausted searching for an heir before dismantling the estate. It turned out he had no heirs, so the firm handling his estate is dismantling it and distributing the money to various charities.” “Poor man. That’s a pity. I guess he built this place with the idea that he’d find someone and start a family.” Ivy eagerly absorbed her surroundings as they moved from one room to the next. Dismantling the estate could explain why the home appeared so empty. The executors probably sold the furniture and artwork first.The estate manager informed me. Now, here’s a private elevator. It’ll take us to the basement, second story, or the attic. He incorporated every luxury he could find or have custom-made. Price wasn’t a problem for him.” Ivy remembered the St. James boating accident on the news. He’d gone out to catch swordfish alone on a yacht s
“Okay, dinner is over, and Geoff is not interested in playing his video games or watching television. So, I’ve set him up in his room with an e-book, and he’s seeming happy enough.” Parker said. He walked down the corridor to the living room. The conversation didn’t continue as he’d expected. Because Kathy sat on the sofa with her head back and her eyes closed.Parker casually tidied up the remaining dinner items before joining Kathy on the couch, turning the television on low. He knew this wasn’t normal for either Geoff or Kathy. They went through a nightmarish experience of which Parker hadn’t seen either respond to in any significant fashion. What disturbed Parker was not the knowledge they’d escaped a kidnapping attempt, but Kathy experienced far worse. She’d learned how to protect herself to an extreme. Which, in Parker’s estimation, went beyond protecting herself by investing in self defence training. Kathy used that training to regain control
“Can you explain what you remember? "Knowing where the emotional landmines are would make things easier," Parker tried humorously. What Kathy heard, however, registered in her mind as a criticism of her situation. Which made little sense in their current conversation.“What? I'm unsure about the information you're looking for.Despite Kathy's reluctance, he persisted in asking for more information. She struggled with the flashes of memories. Kathy avoided thinking about what happened. It didn’t help her or anyone else if she remembered it.“What part of your past is messing with you because of what just happened? What happened back then? You can tell me.” He asked her. Then he remembered how demanding it sounded and he corrected his error. “That is, if you’re okay with speaking about it.” “Oh, umm, that makes more sense. I had a run-in years ago with a real jerk. It was excessively dramatic, and he struggled to accept rejection for a long time. The attack ju
Ivy struggled with a clasp on a necklace. Heath entered the bedroom. “Look at you. You’re beautiful. Here, let me help.” He dropped a long mailing tube on their bed and took the necklace from her. Heath clasped it in easily. He’d arranged an appointment for her hair and makeup after work and now she dressed in an evening dress he’d bought her.Her hair rested in a knot on the top of her head, ringed with curls. She wore more makeup than she would in a year, but it wasn’t obvious. She saw a face in the mirror that she didn’t recognize. “There. Now, the car is waiting. If you’re ready, we’ll go. Oh, I have something for you.” Heath gave the tube to her. “They took time to create it, but it arrived just in time.” Her sapphire dress swished around her legs.“Who’re they? What did they make?” Ivy still had times when she let her fear his surprises. “You said you have one cane. I found something better for these occasions. Open it and tell me if you like.” Ivy watche
Monica stewed in her hatred most of the day. She’d caught word the hard way from Ivan how angry he was because the two idiots sent to kidnap the snot-nosed brat did not do their job. They now sat in jail after they’d seen a judge. Of course, Ivan screamed at her and upped the amount of money he wanted from her. She could have gotten that money if the bitch minding that brat hadn’t been a bitch with anger issues. Was she aware of her ability to fight back? Who was the fearful woman? What scared her? Monica learned her lesson and stored the information for later. She was glad she hadn’t relied on those idiots and made other plans. She slipped into the fundraiser with the idea that she’d have Heath’s parents distract him away from Ivy. Monica wanted to lead Ivy away from the scene personally. While everyone watched the floor show between Heath and his parents. Monica would finally address the issue with Ivy. Ivy survived the hit
Heath couldn’t believe his parents. Bringing Monica to the fundraiser, no less. Then his mother pulled this. “What grandson? Beth, what are you talking about? Heath, what have you done? How could you have an illegitimate child and betray your wife like that?” His father was surprised, as usual, by his late awareness. He questioned everything and appeared foolish in the process. “Oh, shut up. Father, you’re clueless as ever. I never betrayed that gold digger you shoved on me as a wife. My son is Ivy’s boy, and he came into existence before you forced me to marry Monica. If you’ve conveniently forgotten, I planned to marry Ivy before Monica destroyed our relationship with lies and false evidence your wife helped create. We can lay our family’s hardships at the feet of Monica and your wife. No, don’t go there. I have proof.” Heath felt his anger and frustration burn in his chest like a poisonous, twisted nest of vipers. He couldn’t stop himself from la
Ivy lay bound to a board. She struggled through the pain and discomfort. It happened again. How could something so terrible happen again, and become worse? But this time, Heath was with her, by her side. She could feel him holding her hand. Ivy remembered the fall and the pain. Seeing Monica fall past her screaming. Monica hitting her head on the marble stair's edge and slid down to the floor.Ivy couldn’t stop the sobs that came from her. She’d seen the blood pooling beneath Monica’s head. She never expected this to happen. Monica used online platforms and private gatherings to threaten and slander people. She didn’t kill people.Now Monica was dead, and Ivy didn’t know if she should feel responsible because of how she taunted Monica. Ivy hesitated to ask Heath if it was over, wanting to focus on how her life would change.“Hey, you’re on the way to get medical attention, love. It’s okay. Hang in there. It’s only a matter of minutes.” Heath’s voice said this through the haze of pain
“Well.” Parker slowly leaned back an inch. “That went well, wasn’t it? However, before we potentially regret it because of the circumstances, let’s pause and reflect on our success.” He said this to Kathy. A cocky half grin settled again on his lips. The man knew restraint and control. Damn it. Kathy enjoyed the surprise kiss, and she didn’t want it to end. She’d been enjoying the feel of a man finally getting far enough to kiss her. Many dates ended before the first kiss. The last kiss she’d received left so much to be desired that she didn’t dare try to describe it beyond. It was colossally disappointing. She sat with a man who gave off confusing signals, as if they were speaking different languages. But she’d be willing to learn his language because Parker knew how to kiss. Kathy licked her lips, wanting to remember his taste and smell. She’d never met a man whose taste blended so well with his scent. He smelled of cloves and tasted of cinnamon a