“That’s crazy Heath. Of course you’ll stay here with me. Where would you live? You’re being silly and emotional.” Emotional? Only she could be emotional. No, Heath knew this was her way of controlling her world and the people in it. “I said no. I’m done with you. The only reason we married was because you claimed you were pregnant. Which you weren’t, and don’t lie about it. I have the proof. That’s fraud, Monica.” Heath never raised his voice or his hand to her. After what happened with Ivy, he would never yell at a woman again. But that didn’t mean he had to put up with be manipulated and made to feel like less of a person. “It wasn’t a lie. I really thought I was pregnant.” He didn’t buy that for a minute, not when she stood there as if she owned everything and him. Monica believed she had the upper hand if she acted like she had the upper hand. “You weren’t, and you knew it.” Monica had pressed the pregnancy issue with his parents rather
Heath drove for a while, thinking to himself. There was no way he could rent a hotel room because he’d fear Monica would find him and sick the paparazzi on him. If he wouldn’t call his father to try to find another property to stay at. His mother would find out and Monica would beat it over to that property to move in with him or again inform the paparazzi of his whereabouts. He knew she’d done it before. In her need to make him look like a villain, she’d called them on him when he started proceeding to divorce her. Before that, she’d called them on several of his social circle to get even for some imaginary slight.Roughly an hour later, Heath found a place to park near Ivy’s home and he walked up to her apartment door. He had to work his jaw in the elevator because he ground his teeth in anger at how easy it was for anyone to get to Ivy and Geoff. Heath knocked on the door and waited for the door to open. It didn’t. He could hear the clunk of a cane on the floor behind
“Did you move in alright? Is he accepting your excuses yet?” A deep male voice, thick with a Russian accent, demanded answers over the telephone line. The deep voice didn’t allow for any resistance. He wanted answers now, not excuses.“He was eating out of my hand before this, but not anymore. Now he’s turned on me and doesn’t want to hear anything I have to say. I don’t know where to go from here.” Monica griped, wanting to be told what she was doing wrong so she could correct it. She’d spent so many years gathering money and wait for Ivan. First for him to arrive in this country and then get out of jail. He’d been lucky that the authorities hadn’t sent him back to Russia. Now all Monica did was play her husband and in-laws for money these days. She couldn’t enjoy herself, because she was too busy trying to scrape together money to make the love of her life happy. She’d been so desperate to keep him happy that a year ago Monica started dating other foolish rich men to ge
Ivy sat at the dining table stunned as she tried to figure out how Heath manipulated Geoff into backing her into a corner. How could she not allow this without looking like a monster to her son? Geoff wanted his father here. Heath must be here to see if he could find her failing as a parent to use it against her in the court of law. It’s the only thing she could see logically being the explanation. It would be a pipe dream, a very slight pipe dream he wanted her as well. He’d believed until a few days ago that she’d cheated on him. There must be ground rules. She needed to set some sort of boundary. Or better yet, a series of boundaries. But she didn’t know where to start with it. Bills, they’d never spoke about bills before. How do you talk to a trust fund kid about bills without sounding like you’re a gold digger or begging for their money? He better not expect her to socialize with him again. Ivy wasn’t interested in being his date for anything, and he better
“I think he’s finally asleep.” Ivy walked into the living room. “Though what you said about him knowing things from conversations with my friend, then I can’t be sure he’s not listening.” “Is he often like that?” Heath asked Ivy. “I mean ready to gather and use any information he can to get his own way.” They sat face each other across the living room with coffee. “If you’re asking if he’s driven like you? I’m afraid I see more of you in him with every passing day. His ankle was from not watching where he was walking, and he went over on a transition between solid pavement and rubber chips. Sound familiar to anyone you know?” “It distracted me and didn’t realize I was so far out on the patio at the ski resort.” “Yes, I know. You were on your phone talking to Monica.” Ivy could see Heath hadn’t remembered that part or that she knew why he’d walked away from her so quickly. “Ivy, I told you it was work. How did you know i
“They sent him by ambulance because I couldn’t get to the school fast enough.” Ivy countered and Heath read into her words she blamed him for delaying her from leaving the museum.“I’m not blaming you for that. The school should have enough people in the yard watching all the students.” Heath wasn’t interested in letting the school off the hook. He’d be looking into other reported incidents like this at the school. Heath suspected this wasn’t the first or the last.“Heath, there are twenty thousand students in that school. It’s the best in the area and they are doing the best with what they have.” Ivy saw what she wanted to see in the school system, but he’d heard horror stories and knew any positions in Geoff’s chosen profession would select candidates from better schools than any in this area. He dealt in facts, not privilege.“Good God. How is Geoff supposed to learn in a crowd like that? They’re herded like cattle. A number in the system that gives us them money to misspend.” That
“Love, I understand. I won’t say it’s not tempting as hell not to pick up the challenge and see if you’ve changed or developed any new interests. But I’m not ready to put you or Geoff in a position where Monica can claim she deserves something because I cheated on her with you. That’s the last thing I want. However, I pose we see how this goes and when Monica is finally gone and can do nothing, we revisit this idea of a second chance.” Heath had no intention of holding back. After this conversation and his divorce was final, he’d consider there was no holds barred between them. But there’s nothing that said he couldn’t flirt and tease her. Warm her up to the idea before then. “Heath, it’s late and I hate it when you and Geoff have your mind set on something and expect everyone, including me, to go along with your plan with no questions asked or objections made.” Heath smiled at that; there she went, calling him out before he said anything about what he thought of this, or
Ivy worked in her room on her bed rather than in her office space. Memories of doing hours of homework like this flooded her memory. After about twenty minutes like this, she remembered why she put the desk out there in the small dining room. Her muscles and joints weren’t pleased with this position for working. But she had to get the budget finished. She could see the end of it. Right now, she’d finished plugging in the numbers and started cross referencing the numbers for accuracy. Then the mathematical review. Several hours into this, her eyes were going cross-eyed, and she could feel her body stiffening up. But trying to keep her mind off what Heath said and knowing he slept right now, near to her. He’d said a lot and done things she wasn’t sure she should have let slide as she had. Now she couldn’t forget his kiss. She cursed herself out for falling back into old habits that ended up in failure. Ivy prided herself on not repeating the same t
In the school cafeteria, Jimmie Marks cornered Geoff to taunt him with the information he got over the last few weeks about him. Jimmie was told that Geoff was poor and his mother married his dad for his money. “So, you got a stepdad. It still doesn’t count. Your dad didn’t want your mom or you.” Jimmie tried to mess with Geoff and embarrass him in front of everyone who heard him. He’d heard from his housekeeper’s son all about Geoff because he’d gone to school with him. Maybe he was a little jealous because his family hadn’t been invited to the Allerfords summer house for their yearly party. “He’s my real dad not my stepdad. It wasn’t that he didn’t want me or my mom. Don’t you read or listen to the news? You’re so stupid. My ex-stepmom lied to my dad and made him think my mom didn’t want him. She then made it, so my mom had to leave. My mom had enough of the nonsense and left. When she did that, she didn’t tell my dad where she went. His mom and dad made him marry my ex
“Wait, is Alice dating him?” Heath missed a lot because he wasn’t in the trenches like Ivy. It didn’t surprise her he was unaware of Ed’s search for a wife among the female staff. Ivy kept brushing him off, knowing if he chased her, then he wouldn’t chase any other woman. He was a nice guy if the woman wasn’t his wife. Or at least that’s how Ivy saw it. “He’s trying to make his moves on her, that’s obvious. I don’t think he’ll fool her. Maybe she can fix his mistaken beliefs. I lacked the time or interest to try. So, all the power to her if she tries. Though I think she’d be wasting her time.” Ivy leaned back in her seat and explained. She tried to act like she didn’t feel the tension coming from Heath. Ivy couldn’t believe he felt so threatened by what she’d just said. His concern for Alice was decent, she guessed, because Alice was her friend and co-worker. “I’m glad to hear you say that. You had me worried there that you thought I didn’t apprecia
Ivy settled in the limo’s backseat, heading home. What a change to taking the train. It didn’t matter that she didn’t go home at once. It was nice to have someone drive her in comfort. The dark interior and gentle lighting somehow made everything easier. Heath liked them to pick him up as well. The three of them would go home. Kathy didn’t use her beat up old car anymore, because Heath insisted, she use the car he’d bought as a family car to transport Geoff safely. With Parker’s help, Heath had Kathy using a member of their security team to mail her packages and pick up her packages from her post office box. Ivy had to admit Parker played dirty by sending her a glitter bomb she’d opened after she got back to her studio. She called Ivy furious claiming Parker admitted to sending it to prove to her that anyone could send her a bomb. Kathy still felt outraged, even though she understood the point. Ivy could understand her outrage, even though the point
Geoff enter his new school. He realized his insignificance among the other kids in school, but this time, he wasn’t alone. Three kids he met at the cottage a few weeks back were with him. They were his friends; they said to him. He’d accept it because his dad said he needed to make friends to learn to be like him. “Thanks for bringing me, Kathy. We know where we’re going.” Kathy blinked at Geoff in surprise. Geoff desired to appear as a helpless child, needing help to navigate the school corridors. “Okay, quick check then. Have you got your bag, water bottle, lunch, phone, and hat?” “Yup.” Geoff said. He insisted on wearing a fedora he found as his dad unpacked a box of old clothes. “Okay, then go seize the day and try to avoid getting in trouble. Don’t forget your security is in the parking lot. No leaving the school grounds without them and they’ll bring you home. Parker is with your dad today and I’m getting my workroom se
Heath watched Ivy lose her confrontational nature, and that sexy hidden kitten came out to play. He loved it, because when this happened, she had no limits. He panted as she opened her blouse to reveal she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her hands moved to his waistband and Ivy had the air kissing his cock in moments before she was kneeling between his thighs, sucking on him like he remembered she used to do. His eyes devoured the sight of Ivy’s glistening lips bobbing on his hardening shaft. “Babe, slow down or the enjoyment will end too soon. You know I’ll want a good long taste of you too. God, you remember how good that is,” Heath said. He felt himself gasped as her small teeth nipped at his foreskin. His thighs shook a little. She’d barely gone down on him, and he wanted to lose himself. “Enough. I hope you have got no panties on either, or I’ll rip them apart to get to your cream.” Ivy resisted when he tried to pull from her mouth. She teased him by hol
Ivy and the other wives could head off for several potential disasters. Finally, she witnessed Heath’s efforts to make the day of a dream come true. Thankfully, the wedding planner realized how dated and difficult achieving this was to arrange. In the end, Heath got what he wanted, and Ivy understood him better. He’d kept a storage space of things he couldn’t part with that she’d left behind when she’d left. One of which was a dream book all about her dream wedding. She’d made the book about a decade before she met Heath in her teens, like many girls. So, it was out of date by the time she’d met him. The only reason he’d known about the book was she’d found it one day and told him about it. But she’d forgotten about it. With help from her new friends and the planner, they could achieve their goals. Ivy got stronger and walking became easier. She returned to work and life continued. Geoff now seemed content with his two reliable parents.
The weekend had been going well. The men didn’t disappear, as Ivy believed. They’d stayed close to the house and the kids. Ivy learned that this was normal. The men in Alec’s circle tended toward wanting to foster family bonds and friendships with people who had similar interests. The men all found they disliked how their parents raised them, and this was their answer to their problem. “You don’t know how glad we are. It’s you here and not her. Is it okay if we mention her? I don’t want to make you feel awkward.” Ivy sat outside on the patio after a rather enjoyable dinner. Heath had stayed true to his word, and the men were watching the kids play beside the lake. “It’s fine, I guess. Some argue I don’t consider her as much as she considers me. So, please understand, I probably won’t have much to say about her.” “You’re not angry at her for messing up your life?” “I’m sorry? Messing up my life. How? Everyone has r
Ivy couldn’t believe how present Heath became. Present for Geoffrey and herself, that is. He’d planned everything and stunned her when he revealed how he’d remembered her dream wedding one evening. He’s changed from the man who only cared about marriage paperwork. But what had Ivy scratching her head was he’d written it all down and he wanted her to review it to ensure her wishes hadn’t changed. Or she preferred a newer style. Her preferences and opinions now took a precedence they never had before. Heath ensured that she and Geoff enjoyed the best at the Allerfords’ beachfront event. Heath went with Geoffrey shopping for clothes, as well as for school supplies. Geoff looked like an entirely different child, right down to his expensive new haircut and running shoes. Ivy initially dismissed it, as Geoff naturally outgrows clothes and requires haircuts. That happened to boys his age. She’d finish but clothing in one size to buy
“Really?” Geoff was sure his dad would have limits. Geoff just needed to figure out what they were. His dad would surely appreciate his lack of tantrums and materialistic desires. At least not yet, anyway. Perhaps when he discovered what other children possessed. But right now, he enjoyed having his own gaming space and a lot of rooms to himself. Stop using the dining table for art and having to clean up before and after meals. “In the past, I used to dictate and control you and your mother’s actions and choices. Now is different and your mom and I decide together. But I have the connections and influence, so I’m the one that makes things happen. The young man will prioritize school, grades, and friendships. Learn from me to network and build connections for your family’s future. Remember the job I’m taking over from your grandfather?” They both wrinkled their noses when a member of the hospital staff pushed a cart by them with something smelly in it.