Mason listened to Ivy's story with growing interest, eager to know more. It was human nature, regardless of gender, to be curious, and expressing it was completely normal."So, what happened next?" Mason continued probing, certain that the story didn’t end there. He needed to understand everything Ryan had done in order to step in if necessary, just in case Ryan lost control and went too far."I refused both of them and wanted to go home alone," Ivy said candidly, showing no hesitation in sharing the details. "But they insisted that the three of us should have dinner together. I was trying to find an excuse to escape, but luckily, you showed up just in time. Thank you so much.""That’s all?" Mason asked skeptically. He found it hard to believe that things were as simple as Ivy made them sound. "There must have been a reason why they reacted that way. I mean… you know what I’m saying."Mason wanted to clarify just how far Ryan had gone. His friend was impulsive, especially when it came
Romantic relationships between two people are already complicated; adding a third person only doubles the trouble—sometimes even triples or quadruples it. Not everyone is happy being at the center of a love triangle, and Ivy was the perfect example of that.Her life had been completely turned upside down ever since Luke and Ryan appeared. The peaceful years she had once enjoyed vanished without a trace. Please, someone, bring them back.A week had passed in the blink of an eye. Time moved fast, yet for Ivy, it crawled by unbearably slowly. For seven exhausting days, she had been tormented by the constant attention of two persistent men. Luke wouldn’t stop texting, inviting her to dinner, movies, or casual outings, while Ryan Blake appeared before her at every turn, relentlessly showering her with flirtatious remarks that were both dull and overly sentimental.Dealing with both of them made her feel conflicted, guilty, restless, and filled with an inescapable sense of unease.All these
After Mason returned to his work, Ivy could no longer focus on the unfinished tasks before her. In truth, they weren’t all that important, so she didn’t bother. Her mind was overwhelmed with endless thoughts, leading her to a final decision. The best choice for everyone was for her to leave.Deep down, Ivy didn’t want to be the reason for anyone’s distress. Both men deserved happiness in love, but that happiness didn’t lie with her. How could a woman who no longer cared for her own future bring joy to someone else? Fate had brought them together, but when fate ended, it was up to people to let go. Every gathering must eventually come to an end. In life, separation was inevitable. No one would blame her for this… right?Having made up her mind, Ivy immediately drafted her resignation letter. Once finished, she placed it neatly on her desk and left the company without waiting for the end of the workday.The afternoon passed in silence. Ryan didn’t see Ivy bring in his coffee, but he was
Jena had just stepped out of her workplace when Ryan pulled up. From a distance, he had already spotted her. Her bold, striking outfit caught the attention of many, not just Ryan. Without hesitation, he jumped out of his car and rushed over before she could speed off on her motorcycle."Hey, Jena!" Ryan’s voice rang out clearly amidst the bustling surroundings.Just as she was about to mount her bike, Jena heard someone call her name. She turned her head, her eyebrows slightly raised behind her helmet’s visor, uncertain about the man approaching her.One, two, three seconds later, Ryan stood right in front of her."You're Jena, right?" he asked, still catching his breath. "Ivy’s friend— Ivy Green."What kind of weird question was that? He clearly knew who she was, yet he still needed confirmation? Was Ryan just overly cautious, or what? Then again, making sure you had the right person wasn't entirely unnecessary. After all, the world wasn’t short of people who looked or dressed alike,
Ivy wasn’t foolish enough to go to Jena, making it easy for others to track her down. She didn’t meet Jena in person, only called to inform her that she would be traveling for a while. Despite Jena’s persistent questioning, Ivy firmly refused to reveal her reasons. In the end, knowing her friend too well, Jena had no choice but to accept Ivy’s decision and let her choose her own path.Thinking too much made her exhausted. Ivy sighed, her eyes fixed on the scenery ahead. She was currently at the train station, sitting in the waiting area for her departure. This trip was entirely impulsive, and she had chosen her destination at random. She wasn’t sure why she made such a decision—perhaps because she didn’t know how to deal with the unwavering determination of the two men who claimed to love her.She felt drained, caught in the complex web of relationships between Luke and Ryan. She truly didn’t know how to put an end to it all. She had been angry, had pushed them away, but neither was w
"See the mess you've caused?" Ivy didn't intend to be harsh, but she had to voice her frustration. "Do I have some kind of grudge against you? Why do you keep following me? Tell me, why?""Because I love you." Ryan declared once again without hesitation. This time, he successfully drew the attention of those around them. He had accidentally raised his voice a little too much, causing an unnecessary scene. But if that mistake could lead to something good, he didn't mind at all."Why, Ivy?" This time, it was his turn to ask, putting her in a difficult position. "Why did you leave when I love you?"Ivy shook her head, denying it immediately. "You don’t love me. It’s just a desire."Ryan gently took her hands, determined to prove his feelings."It’s not like that, Ivy. What do I have to do to make you believe my feelings are real? Tell me, I’m willing to do anything...""I'm sorry. I can't accept your love."Ryan's eyes instantly darkened, and a sharp pain gripped his heart. Was this what
"I want to go home now," Ivy said as they pulled away from their embrace."Of course, we'll go to my apartment," Ryan responded cheerfully.Ivy raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why are we going to your apartment?""Because I want to be with you. Your house is too far, and I'm exhausted from running around looking for you."Ivy froze, completely taken aback by Ryan's response. The first part sounded touching—maybe even enough to make someone feel happy—but the second part? It was downright infuriating. Was he bragging about his efforts? Expecting praise for something that didn't deserve recognition? Did he think he had already won her over? He should stop daydreaming in broad daylight. Ivy still had plenty of tests for Ryan. She couldn’t just nod in agreement and let things unfold naturally. She didn’t fully understand Ryan yet—sometimes, he was so lacking in tact that it made people lose their good impression of him.She couldn't let Ryan misunderstand what her agreement meant. Gritti
He leaned against his car, staring straight at the two of them.It was clear that Luke had been standing there for a long time, just waiting for her.This was an incredibly awkward moment.Just as Ryan’s lips brushed close to hers, Ivy unconsciously mumbled his name.“Luke.”Hearing another man’s name, Ryan immediately halted, his sharp gaze locking onto her.“Ivy, you…”Realizing that she wasn’t looking at him but rather at something outside the car, Ryan quickly followed her gaze. Not far away, Luke stood in plain sight, his expression filled with hurt as he witnessed the woman he loved with another man.Luke’s presence was a warning sign. Ryan’s instincts immediately screamed for caution, forcing him to stay alert, even ready to stop anything bad from happening.“Ivy.” As if afraid she would walk toward Luke, Ryan turned back and tightened his grip on her hand.“Drive safely. Good night.” Ivy turned to him with a soft smile, her voice calm yet meaningful. “See you.”With that, she
That night, in a dark corner behind the school, Luke was ambushed.He hadn’t seen it coming. No one had ever dared to lay a hand on him this way before. But tonight, the darkness became a hiding place for the cowardly.A metal rod swung up from behind. Luke only heard the whoosh of the air before a sharp pain hit the back of his head, blurring his vision.He collapsed to the ground, but before he could react, another punch landed hard in his side."Damn it..." Luke staggered, trying to stand, but was kicked violently in the chest.A shout echoed through the silence."Ivy..."His voice barely left his throat when a figure rushed toward him.Ivy.Without hesitation, she kicked the person who was about to strike Luke again. Her movement was quick and precise, causing the attacker to fall to the ground. The remaining attackers froze for a moment before realizing that, despite being a teacher, Ivy was not someone to be easily bullied.She grabbed Luke’s arm, helping him to his feet."Are y
After several failed attempts, Luke still didn't give up and was determined to get back at Ivy. Knowing she often went to the storage room after school to collect teaching materials, he came up with a plan to lock her inside and teach her a lesson.One late afternoon, as the sunset painted the sky red, Luke quietly followed Ivy. When she entered the storage room, he quickly moved to shut the door behind her. However, before he could do so, a strong push from behind made him stumble and fall inside the room. The door slammed shut behind him, and the sound of the lock clicking shut echoed coldly.In the dim light, Luke heard footsteps fading away and a soft giggle. He realized that someone else, possibly someone with a grudge against him, had played a prank on him."Who's there?" Ivy's voice called from the corner of the room, wary."It's me, Luke," he replied, trying to stay calm."What are you doing here?" Ivy asked, moving closer."I... I came to check if you fell into my trap," Luke
The cafeteria of the juvenile detention center was always noisy and bustling at lunchtime, filled with those who didn’t care about the rules. In the middle of the crowd, Luke and his group were mocking a weak boy, knocking his food tray to the ground.“Pick it up, or do you want me to help you lick it clean?” One of the guys sneered.The sound of cruel laughter echoed as the poor boy bent down to pick up the crumbs, his hands trembling in fear. His eyes were red, but he bit his lip tightly, trying not to let the tears fall. The crowd around them stood by, some with their arms crossed indifferently, some laughing mockingly, but no one spoke up to help. A few others looked away, as if afraid that if they interfered, they would become the next target.Ivy had just entered, and the scene immediately caught her eye. A surge of anger rose in her chest, making her grip her food tray tightly. She hated this kind of bullying—hated the silence of those who only watched. With a deep breath, she
Mason and Tegan officially became husband and wife after a journey that was anything but rushed. At first, their marriage was merely an arrangement, not born out of love. But instead of letting the distance between them grow, they chose to take the time to understand each other, little by little, day by day. What started as simple conversations became the threads that connected them, and even their disagreements helped them see each other more clearly. Love did not come from obligation but from the moments they shared—quiet yet profound.On their special day, beneath the soft glow of the sunset on the beach, they exchanged vows in the presence of family and friends—those who truly wished them happiness. Gentle waves kissed the shore like a soothing melody, and the ocean breeze carried the sound of joyful laughter. When Mason took Tegan’s hand, their eyes met, speaking volumes without words. This was no longer just an arranged marriage—it was a choice of the heart.…One gentle morning
Ryan sat silently in the large armchair in the spacious living room, his eyes unconsciously drifting over the family portraits hanging on the walls. They captured the glorious moments of his lineage—lavish parties, strategic handshakes. But no matter how many times he looked, he couldn’t find himself in any of them.The sound of hurried footsteps interrupted his thoughts. His father, William, entered the room with his usual commanding presence. His face was stern, his sharp eyes fixed on Ryan. There was no need to guess—Ryan knew this conversation was inevitable."Ryan, you must understand that your marriage to Jena is not just a personal matter. It concerns the family's honor, the interests of the entire corporation," William’s deep voice carried weight with every word.Ryan lifted his head to meet his father’s gaze. There was no hesitation in his eyes, only a firm and unyielding determination. "I understand that very well. But I cannot marry someone I don’t love. I refuse to live a
Under the fading twilight, the soft melody from Ivy and Luke’s wedding still echoed behind, mingling with the laughter of the guests. But Zoe had no intention of staying any longer. This event had not gone the way she had hoped. Ivy had truly become Luke’s, and Ryan could do nothing but stand there, silently witnessing it all.Clenching her lips tightly, Zoe left the banquet in silence. She knew for certain that Ryan was drowning in despair and disappointment at that very moment. This was the perfect opportunity to approach him, to feign sympathy and understanding, and slowly make him forget Ivy and turn to her instead. If she was patient enough, she believed she could have Ryan.However, just as she stepped out of the wedding venue, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of her, blocking her path. Zoe frowned as she recognized Mason."Get out of my way," she snapped, trying to sidestep him, but Mason stood firm like an immovable stone, his sharp eyes locking onto hers."Zoe, stop t
Amidst the whispers, the stares, and the uproar of a hall shaken by shocking news—her world suddenly fell silent.There was only him.Only his gaze.Only his words, reaching the deepest part of her heart."I'm an imperfect woman," Ivy confessed bravely."I'm also a man with many flaws," Luke responded immediately."I'm older than you," Ivy continued."I like mature women.""I can't have children.""I don't care where the children come from, as long as you're their mother.""You’re hopelessly stupid.""I love you, Ivy. Even if the whole world turns its back on you, I will still stand by your side. So, please, don't doubt my love."Luke gently tightened his grip on her hand, his eyes unwavering as he continued to pour out his heart."Ivy, please give me a chance," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I don't ask for anything more than to fill the emptiness in your heart. I know you've suffered too much, endured too many losses that have made you unwilling to love or trust anyone agai
As announced, the wedding between Luke and Ivy took place the following morning. Ryan had initially refused to attend, unable to accept the reality, but in the end, he relented under Mason’s reasoning and forced himself to be there.The wedding reception was held at one of the most luxurious restaurants in the city. The venue was dazzling, adorned with fresh flowers and bathed in the warm glow of crystal chandeliers. Everything had been arranged overnight, a testament to the immense power of Luke’s family.Guests dressed in extravagant attire raised their glasses in celebration, but behind their polite smiles, whispers spread like wildfire, igniting a wave of speculation.On the large screen in the center of the hall, a series of images appeared—photos of Ivy intimately interacting with various men. One showed her holding hands with a man at a café, another captured her linking arms with someone as they left a hotel, and one even depicted her embracing a stranger in the dark.The enti
Before leaving, she suddenly paused and turned back to glance at the table beside her—where Ryan still sat, the wine glass in his hand trembling slightly under the warm glow of the lights.She tilted her head slightly, a gentle smile gracing her lips, yet it carried an unmistakable hint of provocation."Oh, right, Ryan," she spoke slowly, her voice soft but laced with sharpness. "I’d like to invite you to my wedding tomorrow. After all, we used to know each other. It would feel incomplete without you there."Ryan tightened his grip on the glass, his knuckles turning white. His eyes darkened, as deep as an abyss, yet his face remained composed, forcing an air of indifference.Luke said nothing, merely pulling Ivy away with effortless ease.Zoe, sitting beside Ryan, sneered as she noticed his tense expression."What’s wrong? Didn’t you always claim you didn’t care about her anymore? Then why are you so mad? I’d bet Ivy did that just to get back at you.""Shut up."Ryan’s sudden outburst