Chapter 2: A life for a Life

Chapter 2: A Life for a Life

That night, a sleek black sedan pulled up to Ivy’s apartment. The driver, silent and efficient, navigated the winding streets of the city before coming to a stop in front of a mansion that looked out of place—ancient yet grand, like something from another time. Its towering gates opened with a soft click, revealing an estate that radiated a serene elegance, the kind of place where time seemed to stand still.

Ivy stepped out, her heels clicking sharply against the stone driveway. A man, middle-aged with a neatly trimmed mustache and impeccable posture, greeted her. His presence was formal, yet warm.

“Madam, welcome,” he said with a slight bow, his smile pleasant. “I’m Finch, the butler.”

Ivy nodded politely, offering a small smile. “Thank you, Mr. Finch.”

Without another word, Finch led her into the mansion. The interior was equally striking—luxurious, yet steeped in tradition. As they ascended the grand staircase, he gestured to the second floor.

“This way, Madam. The master’s quarters are just up ahead. You’ll be staying there, as well.”

Ivy followed him, her mind racing. She had agreed to this arrangement—becoming a substitute bride—but this wasn’t part of the plan. She had never expected to find herself living with a stranger, let alone in a place like this.

When they reached the door, Finch opened it for her. The first thing Ivy noticed was the sharp scent of disinfectant that stung her nose. The room was pristine, almost too pristine—decorated with bright red symbols celebrating the wedding, yet it didn’t feel festive. In fact, it resembled more of a sterile hospital room.

At the center of it all lay a man—Rowan Hale. He was the legendary entrepreneur who had once ruled New York City’s business world, but now, his body lay still, frail and motionless. His features were striking, almost unnervingly perfect, but his pale skin and shallow breaths betrayed his condition. The soft beep of a heart monitor was the only sound that confirmed he was still alive, barely.

Ivy stood frozen for a moment, staring at him, her mind piecing together the story. Rowan Hale—the man who had everything, now reduced to a shell of himself.

She approached cautiously, instinctively reaching for his wrist. His pulse was faint, irregular—like a candle flickering in the wind. Ivy couldn’t deny it—his condition was dire. It would take more than a miracle to save him now.

But she was here, and that counted for something.

Sighing quietly, she unzipped her small bag and pulled out a silver needle case. Her hands moved with practiced precision as she sterilized the needles, selecting one carefully. This was the only skill she had—acupuncture.

With steady hands, she began the delicate work, targeting key points on his head—Fengchi, Yintang, Baihui. Each needle went in with practiced precision, her focus unbroken. This wasn’t just a job for her; it was the only thing she knew how to do in this unfamiliar world.

Time passed, unnoticed. Hours seemed to blend together, and by the time the clock struck 7:30 a.m., Ivy was exhausted. But there was a small shift—Rowan’s pulse had steadied, just slightly.

As Ivy finished cleaning her tools, the sharp sound of the door bursting open startled her. She jumped, her heart racing, and turned quickly, her hand instinctively reaching for something to steady herself. The familiar voice calling her name froze her in place.

“Ivy? Is that really you?”

The voice was unmistakable. Too familiar.

Ivy’s stomach churned as she turned toward the door. There, framed in the doorway, stood Justin—Rowan’s brother. His expression was a mixture of shock and confusion, but beneath that, Ivy could sense a flicker of something else. Something she couldn’t quite place. The last person she had ever expected to see in this room, in this place, was him.

Her breath hitched, and her pulse quickened. Seeing him here, in this sterile, clinical room, brought a flood of unwanted memories rushing back. Memories of their time together, of his promises, and of the painful betrayal that followed. It was as if she could feel the weight of the past pressing in from all sides.

Justin must have noticed the change in her expression because he hesitated, his eyes darting nervously between her and Rowan, lying motionless in the bed. His gaze flickered to her hands, still holding the acupuncture needles, and then to Rowan’s still form.

“I... I didn’t expect to see you here,” Justin muttered, clearly uncomfortable with the tension in the air. His voice wavered slightly, as if he wasn’t sure whether to approach or retreat. “What are you doing with him?”

Ivy’s jaw tightened, the muscles in her neck straining. Her voice came out colder than she intended, each word a blade cutting through the silence. “What does it matter to you?”

Justin shifted uneasily on his feet. He hadn’t expected her to be so cold, so distant. It wasn’t the response he had been hoping for. But he pushed forward anyway, trying to regain some of the confident facade he always carried.

“Ivy... I know things got messed up between us, but... you’re still my girlfriend, right?” His eyes searched hers, hopeful but uncertain.

Ivy’s heart skipped a beat at the words. Still my girlfriend? The audacity. She met his gaze, her eyes narrowing into sharp, icy slits. The anger that had been simmering inside her bubbled to the surface. She crossed her arms over her chest, her stance defensive. “Boyfriend?” she scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “Don’t make me laugh. Did you forget you had a girlfriend when you were sleeping with my sister?”

His confident, carefree demeanor faltered at the words. His face flushed, and guilt flickered in his eyes. She had found out. Of course, she had. Chole had always been too free with her secrets.

“You... you found out about that?” he stammered, clearly struggling to find his footing.

Ivy took a step toward him, her body moving with purpose. She had no patience left for his excuses. She was done. “What did you think, Justin? That I’d just forget everything? That I’d forgive you because it was ‘just a mistake’?” Her voice had risen now, every word filled with the sharp edge of fury. “You really think I’d take you back after everything you did?”

She moved past him toward the bed, the distance between them growing as her anger intensified. She was no longer willing to entertain his lies. “Get out of my way,” she said, her voice cold, final. She didn’t care who he was anymore. The brother of the man who had once ruled a business empire didn’t matter to her—not now, not after everything.

Justin stood frozen for a moment, his face a mask of confusion and frustration. Then, in an attempt to regain some semblance of control, he reached out and grabbed her arm, his grip firm but not overly forceful. “I’m sorry, Ivy,” he said, his voice low and pleading. “I made a mistake. I swear I did. But I love you. Please, give me another chance.”

Ivy’s blood boiled at his words. Love? He didn’t love her—he had never loved her. He had only wanted her until something shinier, something new, came along. “Another chance?” Her laugh was dry, mocking. “You think I’m stupid, don’t you?” She pulled her arm free from his grasp, stepping back with a fierce, disgusted look on her face. “A man who cheats is nothing but filth. And don’t ever, ever call me baby again. From now on, you’ll address me as sister-in-law. As you damn well should.”

His face twisted, the anger bubbling up now. His mouth opened as if to retort, but Ivy cut him off, her voice rising with the venom she could no longer keep contained.

“Don’t you dare try to play the victim here, Justin. I’m done with you.”

But Justin wasn’t done. His fists clenched, his jaw tightening as he fought to keep his composure. His voice was low and filled with resentment as he shot back. “Filth? And what about you?” He sneered, his eyes narrowing in a way that made Ivy’s skin crawl. “Chole told me everything—that you haven’t been ‘pure’ for years. I didn’t mind that you were second-hand, but now you want to look down on me?”

The insult hit harder than Ivy expected. Her stomach dropped, and for a moment, she was speechless. The weight of his words threatened to crush her, but she wouldn’t let him see it. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her falter, even though his words sliced through her like a knife.

Ivy took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with the effort to stay composed. She straightened her back, raising her chin as she locked eyes with him. “Get. Out.”