A CHANCE AT REDEMPTION Ivy’s POV I barely registered Rowan’s words. My entire body went cold, every instinct screaming for me to grab my bag and bolt out the door. But I forced myself to stay still, gripping the edge of my desk like it was the only thing keeping me in control. “Gone?” Rowan’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and urgent. “What do you mean, gone?” My throat tightened as I stared at my phone, my fingers trembling over the screen. “His teacher just texted me. He didn’t get on the bus after school. No one knows where he is.” My pulse pounded in my ears. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not Noah. Rowan crossed the room in two strides, his hand settling on my arm with surprising steadiness. “We’ll find him,” he said firmly, his eyes locking onto mine. “I promise. We’ll find him.” The calm in his voice pulled me back from the edge, just enough for me to breathe. I nodded, though my mind was racing with worst-case scenarios. I grabbed my phone and dialed the sch
DIVORCE ON SURPRISE IVY'S POV "I want a divorce." Rowan’s voice echoes through the sitting room as he throws what look like divorce papers onto the desk in front of me. Tonight is supposed to be our third anniversary, and I’ve prepared all his favorite dishes—only for him to come home and shatter my world with these documents. "I don’t understand. If this is a prank or some kind of test, you got me. Please, tell me this is just a joke," I plead, approaching him cautiously. Even in my distress, I can’t help but notice his intoxicating scent. His face is contorted with anger, and I’m at a complete loss. Rowan’s eyes bore into mine, cold and unforgiving. "Do I look like I’m joking?" Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I reach for him. "Rowan, please don’t do this. I’m begging you." He steps back, his expression hardening further. "Name your price, sign the damn papers, and leave." I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. Does he really think I married him for his money? I
IVY'S POV I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN I still can't believe Bella is back, and to make matters worse, Rowan chose to bring her home at my lowest moment. "I think we should grab some coffee," Bella suggests, feigning innocence as if she weren't the catalyst for my world crumbling around me. As if this isn't exactly what she wanted; to replace me as Rowan's wife. I don't dignify her with a response. Instead, I toss my keys to Rowan, my voice cold and resolute. "You'll never see my face again." Grabbing my luggage, I turn my back on the life I've known for the past three years. I don't even glance at the car Rowan's grandfather gifted me. I want nothing tying me to the Douglas family any longer. I'm done with them all. As I walk away from the mansion, Rowan's voice stops me in my tracks. For a fleeting moment, I wonder if I've forgotten something. "You didn't include anything in the divorce papers about compensation," he calls out. I whirl around, my eyes blazing with
LEAVING EUROPE IVY'S POV "Mommy, I wanna see Daddy," Noah says, his big grey eyes looking up at me, so full of hope it breaks my heart. It's been seven long years since I left Los Angeles, since my life there fell to pieces. I swore I'd never go back, not when there's nothing left for me there. But here in Europe with my best friend Sarah, things are better. Easier. Today is Noah's seventh birthday, and I promised him he could make a wish. I thought for sure he'd ask for his favorite sandwich cake, or maybe a trip to Wonderland Park with Sarah. But no. He asks for something else entirely. "That's my wish," he says, his little voice so certain. "Oh honey, you gotta pick a different wish," I tell him, trying to keep my voice light. Noah's always asking about his daddy, wanting to meet him. But how can I explain what a monster his father was to me? How he threw me away like garbage? "But why can't I see Daddy? You said I got grandmas and grandpas. Why can't I meet them?"
BACK HOME IVY'S POV The flight from Europe to Los Angeles took forever, almost a whole day. I didn't plan on staying long, so I only packed a few things for me and Noah. I didn't want to spend more time here than I had to. When we finally got off the plane, everything looked so different from how I remembered it seven years ago. Nicer, somehow. We grabbed our bags and Noah couldn't stop bouncing with excitement. He's always wanted to be a pilot, says they get to travel the world and see so many places. I never argue with him about it. I just want him to be happy. I got us a cab to the hotel I booked. I wasn't about to stay at my dad's house, not when I knew I wasn't welcome there. Plus, I figured some of my aunts and uncles would be around. I didn't need them looking down their noses at me. It took me two days to work up the nerve to see my mom. She kept calling, asking if I was coming, but I couldn't bring myself to pick up. When I finally got to the house, I rang the d
MEETING ROWAN'S POV The sun glaring through the windows when I wake up, Bella curled up next to me with her hand on my chest. She reminds me so much of Ivy sometimes. It's been seven years since Ivy left, seven years since I got Bella back, but I still feel this emptiness inside. Like Ivy's still here, haunting me. I know I messed up, treating her the way I did. But part of me just can't let it go, can't believe she didn't love me for my money. "You love her," a little voice in my head whispers. "Shut up," I growl back. "I could never love her." But even as I say it, I know it's a lie. Ivy got under my skin in a way no one else ever has. After I divorced her, I thought she'd come crawling back in a year, tops, begging me to take her back. But she didn't. Last I heard, she was in Europe, chasing that fashion designer dream of hers. I hate it, hate the thought of her out there, building a life without me. Even if she's not mine anymore, I don't want anyone else to have her. Sh
A FAMILIAR FACE Ivy’s POV The effect that Rowan’s presence had on me lingered long after I left the funeral. His voice, his eyes—everything about him ripped open wounds I thought had long since healed. I pressed my fingers to my temples as I walked, trying to push away the memories clawing at me. I shouldn’t have come. I should have stayed home, and kept my head down like I have done for the past seven years. Now, I was falling apart, and I hated it. The cemetery was mostly empty now, the last of the mourners leaving in small groups. My heels crunched against the gravel path as I made my way toward the exit, my heart still hammering from seeing Rowan again. But just as I reached the iron gates, a quick movement caught my eye. A black sedan stood a few yards away. The tinted windows made it impossible to see inside, but something about it made my stomach tighten with dread. I picked up my pace. Then, a sharp crack split the air. Gunfire. Instinct took over. I dropped to
The Unanswered Question Rowan’s POV I couldn’t get the image out of my head. Ivy, standing outside gripping that little boy’s hand like her life depended on it. The funeral had already been a disaster from the moment I laid eyes on her. Seeing her again after all these years had been enough of a punch to the gut, but the kid? That was something else. Something else I didn't expect. Could it be…? Because if my math was right—if the timeline made any damn sense at all— No. I couldn’t go there. Not yet. I slammed the car door shut and sat behind the wheel, gripping it tighter than necessary. My mind kept circling back, trying to fill in the blanks. Ivy had disappeared after our breakup, cutting all ties. I’d searched for her, reached out more times than I cared to admit, but she’d vanished like smoke. No trace. And now she was back. With a kid who looked— No. Focus. I needed answers, and I needed them now. If it's possible that, that kid is mine, there's a lot I ne
A CHANCE AT REDEMPTION Ivy’s POV I barely registered Rowan’s words. My entire body went cold, every instinct screaming for me to grab my bag and bolt out the door. But I forced myself to stay still, gripping the edge of my desk like it was the only thing keeping me in control. “Gone?” Rowan’s voice cut through the silence, sharp and urgent. “What do you mean, gone?” My throat tightened as I stared at my phone, my fingers trembling over the screen. “His teacher just texted me. He didn’t get on the bus after school. No one knows where he is.” My pulse pounded in my ears. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not Noah. Rowan crossed the room in two strides, his hand settling on my arm with surprising steadiness. “We’ll find him,” he said firmly, his eyes locking onto mine. “I promise. We’ll find him.” The calm in his voice pulled me back from the edge, just enough for me to breathe. I nodded, though my mind was racing with worst-case scenarios. I grabbed my phone and dialed the sch
CONFRONTING BELLA Rowan’s POV Bella’s apartment smelled like expensive candles and desperation. She stood by the window, her back to me, arms crossed tightly over her chest. The sunlight spilled across her polished hardwood floor, casting her in a cold, unflattering glow. I closed the door behind me with more force than necessary. “What do you want Rowan Douglas?” “I want to have a word with you.” She didn’t turn around. “A word? Now you want a word?” Her voice was sharp, dripping with sarcasm. “Funny. You’ve been too busy chasing after Ivy to talk to me for weeks.” I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. “Cut the games, Bella. I warned you to stop messing with Ivy. Why did you bother her?” That got her attention. She spun around, her eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?” “Vanguard. The leaked designs. The timing of their knockoff release,” I said, each word biting. “It all points back to you. And I’ve got the emails to prove it.” Her expression flickered—just for a second—b
DINNER FOR THREE Rowan’s POV The table was set—casual but thoughtful. A bowl of pasta, fresh salad, and garlic bread sat in the center, steam rising into the warm air of the kitchen. I wiped my hands on a dish towel, glancing at the clock. Ten minutes until they arrived. I couldn’t remember the last time I was this nervous. Business meetings, tough negotiations—I could handle those with ease. But waiting for Ivy and Noah to walk through my door felt like I was preparing for an ambush. I wasn’t even sure how I convinced Ivy to agree to this dinner. Maybe it was pure desperation, or maybe she saw something in my eyes earlier when we talked—something that made her want to give me a chance. Either way, I wasn’t going to waste it. The knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts. Showtime. I opened the door, and there they were. Ivy stood just outside, her hand resting on Noah’s shoulder. She looked hesitant, her eyes flickering past me and into the house. Noah, on the other hand
A MOMENT OF TRUTH Ivy’s POV The apartment was unusually quiet, except for the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock. It filled the silence between Sarah and me, almost like it was counting down to something inevitable. She sat across from me on the couch, one leg tucked under her, her sharp eyes studying me like she knew I was about to spill something big. “Alright,” Sarah said, tilting her head. “You’ve been pacing for the last five minutes, and I’ve already watched you open and close your mouth at least three times. Just say it.” I stopped in my tracks, chewing on my bottom lip. My palms felt clammy, and my heart was racing. I had no idea where to begin, but the weight in my chest refused to let me keep quiet any longer. “It’s Rowan,” I finally blurted out, sinking onto the couch beside her. “I can’t stop thinking about him.” Her eyebrows shot up. “Rowan?” she repeated, her voice cautious. “As in the Rowan? The one who—” “Yes,” I cut her off quickly. “That Rowan.” Sarah folded
BREAKING POINT IVY’S POV The boardroom buzzed with a nervous energy I couldn’t quite place. My investors sat around the long table, eyes on me, waiting for answers I wasn’t entirely sure I had anymore. I swallowed the lump in my throat and smiled through it. “Thank you all for being here,” I began, clasping my hands together tightly to keep them from shaking. “I know there have been… setbacks recently, but I want to assure you that the launch is still on schedule. The designs are ready, and the marketing team is already preparing the final campaign strategy.” A couple of the investors nodded, but most of them looked skeptical. I could practically hear their thoughts. Another crisis. Another excuse. How long until this business collapses? I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t. I’d worked too damn hard to get here. Just as I was about to continue, the glass door to the boardroom swung open. A woman I vaguely recognized—short hair, sharp suit, and a notebook clutched in her hand—w
WARNING GABE’S POV I found him leaning against his car, hands stuffed in his pockets, staring up at the darkened windows of Ivy’s house. There was something about the way he stood—too casual, too comfortable—that set my teeth on edge. He had no right to stand there like he belonged, like he hadn’t left her to pick up the shattered pieces of her life. I took a deep breath, my boots crunching against the gravel as I closed the distance between us. His head lifted at the sound, and when his eyes met mine, I saw the flicker of recognition, then caution. “Gabe,” Rowan said, his voice calm, almost too calm. “Didn’t expect to see you here.” Right back at you asshole. “Yeah, well,” I crossed my arms, standing tall. “Figured it was about time we had a little chat.” Not that it was my plan to talk to him. I came to see Ivy and Noah but his appearance just set me off. His brow arched. “A chat?” Was I supposed to repeat myself? What was it with this rich pricks? “About Ivy,” I said fla
NOAH'S BIG QUESTION Ivy’s POV The soft hum of the TV was the only sound in the living room, but I wasn’t paying attention to the cartoon flickering on the screen. My eyes were locked on Noah, who was sprawled out on the couch with his tablet in his lap, his little face furrowed in concentration. He hadn’t said much since we got home earlier, and I couldn’t blame him. After everything that had happened over the past few days—after everything with Rowan—I wasn’t sure how to begin untangling it for him. “Mom?” His voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Yeah, sweetheart?” He set the tablet aside and sat up, his serious expression catching me off guard. “Can I ask you something?” I smiled, trying to push down the anxiety curling in my chest. “Of course. You can ask me anything.” He hesitated for a second, then looked at me with those wide, honest eyes of his. “Why isn’t Rowan around? Like… in our lives?” The question hit me like a punch to the gut. My breath caught, and for a secon
PRESSURES FROM THE PAST Ivy’s POV I sat in my office, glaring at the email on my screen like it might burst into flames. I read it again, hoping I’d misunderstood. Nope. “Vanguard launches new summer collection.” My collection. Their press release was bold, complete with photos of the exact designs I’d planned to release next month. The different shades of soft colors, and unique styles on the dresses—every single detail—identical to my sketches. I clenched my fists. Bella. It had to be her. Only a few people had access to those designs, and one of them included my former employee and mentee, Eric. The son of bitch betrayed me and leaked my other designs to her. It hadn't been too long that I caught wind that he was the one responsible for Vanguard stealing my designs before they even got the chance to see the world. And it had happened again. But by God, this will be the last time. Not if I can help it. My pulse thudded in my ears. I needed to act fast, but legal actio
A BATTLE OF WILLS ROWAN'S POV It's been a few days since I found out that I have a son and all I could think was how I could get to know him. Obviously, I knew that was going to be a new level of difficult seeing how Ivy is trying to make sure that we don't get I stay away from the boy. It's not like I blamed her or anything. It was my fault after all. I was the one that tossed her out for a stupid reason. It was Saturday evening and I didn't have it in me for any social calling. So, I sent the servants away and sat in the living room while flipping through TV stations that barely held my attention. Lost in my thoughts, I barely notice when someone knocks on the door. I was about to call for one of the servants to come get the door but then I remembered there was no one around. With a grunt, I went to get the door. The moment I opened the door, my system was hit with shock that I almost fell to my knees. The usual floral scent of Ivy filled the air, robbing me of the ability