Chapter 5: Gold Digger

Chapter 5: Gold Digger

Ivy felt the sting of Rowan’s rejection, her heart tightening painfully, but she refused to let it show. She simply turned and walked away, the weight of the moment pressing down on her as she left the room. His coldness didn’t surprise her, but it still hurt. After all, they were strangers bound by a marriage neither of them had chosen.

In the quiet of the hallway, Ivy wondered what it would be like if their roles were reversed. If she had woken up in a hospital bed, told she was married to someone she didn’t remember, would she feel the same confusion and resentment? It was hard to imagine, but it made her understand why he pushed her away.

Shaking the thought from her mind, Ivy focused on the present. She took a seat on the sofa in the living room, the silence around her almost suffocating. Her mind already raced ahead, planning the three days she had left. This marriage wasn’t permanent. She wasn’t going to let it last any longer than necessary.

Though Rowan was awake, his recovery wasn’t complete. The doctors had done their part, but Ivy knew better. His physical strength was still fragile, and there were subtle signs that his healing had only just begun. She was here to make sure he recovered properly—not just for the short term, but to ensure he regained full health. She couldn’t afford to let him push her away, not when his recovery still depended on her care. But once her three days were up, she’d leave quietly, without looking back.

Nearby, Mr. Finch had been quietly observing her, and he assumed her silence meant she was upset. He approached her cautiously, his tone gentle.

“Ma’am, please don’t be sad. Your husband isn’t a bad man. He just… doesn’t show his feelings much. In time, you’ll see he’s better than he seems.”

Ivy nodded, keeping her expression neutral. She didn’t want to correct him, but she appreciated the sentiment. “Thank you, Mr. Finch. But I’m fine. Really.”

The steward smiled, relieved to hear that. “You should know, Grandpa really appreciates you. Without you, the young master wouldn’t be awake right now. You’ve done so much for this family. Please, don’t let his coldness get to you. I believe, in time, he’ll come to see how important you are.”

Ivy forced a small smile. She wasn’t looking for gratitude. She had done what any doctor would have done. But she stayed silent, not wanting to explain herself further.

---

In the grand living room, Rowan’s grandfather sat with his jaw clenched, his patience wearing thin. The tension was palpable, and his voice cut through the silence, sharp as a knife.

“What did you just say to me?” he demanded, his fury barely contained. “You think you can just walk away from this? Ivy saved your life! She’s your wife now, and you will treat her with respect!”

Rowan met his grandfather’s glare, his voice unwavering and cold. “If superstitions could save lives, there wouldn’t be any need for doctors. I didn’t agree to this marriage, and I won’t stay in it. I’m filing for a divorce.”

The old man’s hands clenched into fists, his anger barely controlled. “How dare you speak to me like that! You ungrateful boy! As long as I draw breath, you will not even think about divorcing her. Do you understand?”

Rowan remained calm, his voice firm. “Grandpa, I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me my entire life. But this time, I’m drawing the line. I won’t go through with it.”

The older man’s eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with disdain. “Is this about that girl? Nina?” He spat her name as though it was poison. “You wasted three years of your life on her, and for what? This family will never accept her.”

Rowan’s calm exterior finally cracked, frustration seeping into his voice. “Nina is the only woman I will ever marry. If I can’t be with her, then I’d rather stay single forever.”

The old man’s anger exploded, his booming voice echoing through the house. “You fool!” he shouted, storming toward the door in frustration.

Before leaving, his fiery gaze softened when it landed on Ivy, who had been standing quietly in the doorway, watching the heated exchange. His tone shifted, almost fatherly. “Ivy, don’t let that fool upset you,” he said gently. “I’ll always stand by you.”

Ivy offered a small, polite smile, her voice calm but distant. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. I’m all right.”

Though her face was composed, Ivy’s thoughts were already made up. She was only here for three days. Once those days passed, she would leave—quietly, without looking back.

The old man approached her, patting her shoulder reassuringly. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a sleek black card. “Here,” he said, holding it out to her. “Take this. It’s just a small gesture of my gratitude for everything you’ve done.”

Ivy blinked, startled by the unexpected offer. “No, Grandpa. I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”

“Nonsense!” he insisted, gently slipping the card into her hand before she could protest again. “One day, when you and Rowan have children, this entire family will belong to you. Think of this as the first step.”

Ivy stood there, the card feeling heavier than it should have in her hand. She nodded quietly, thanking him, but in her heart, she knew she wouldn’t keep it. She would return it discreetly before she left.

Though Rowan was awake, his recovery wasn’t complete. The doctors had done their part, but he still needed her assistance. She was here to ensure he healed properly—not to be a part of his life beyond that.

---

When Ivy entered Rowan’s room, the atmosphere was suffocating, thick with tension. Her eyes immediately found him, sitting against the headboard with a cold, detached expression that made her feel like an intruder in his world.

His gaze met hers as she entered. Slowly, it shifted downward to the black card still clutched in her hand. His already icy expression darkened further, his eyes flashing with something close to fury.

“So this is your real plan, huh?” he spat, his tone harsh. “You’re a gold digger.”

End of Chapter