FOUR YEARS LATER.Time flew by faster than anyone could expect. Four years ago was Morgan's wedding with John but now, they are parents of a three-year-old child, Khloe who was a friend of Tessa. They were present with Ivy in her orphanage, she began the orphanage three years ago and she named it after Ivan. The orphanage had children in it, they were well-fed and always happy. They loved Ivy so much because she always brought gifts anytime she left her office to see them. Ivy had people supervising the kids and their education. She also owned a school that one of Morgan's friends was running. The school was where children in the orphanage went to and it was also close to them. Ivy had given many children to parents who were willing to adopt and she made sure to do proper investigations before giving a child to any parent. She still tried to visit the child in those parent's houses to see how the child was faring, and if the kid was being mistreated or not. Just in three years, t
"What the hell?" Tarquin exclaimed, his jaw clenched in anger. He stood in the bedroom, staring in disbelief at the contents of the suitcase that had just been delivered to him. Inside were several women's undergarments and clothing - obviously not his own belongings. He fumed as he tried to wrap his head around what had happened. His assistant had been sent to pick up his luggage from the airport, so how could this have happened? He wondered if his assistant had made a mistake, or if something more sinister was at play. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he picked up the phone and called his assistant. "Get up here, now," he barked, his voice cold and commanding. There was a moment of hesitation on the other end of the line, then a stammer, "Yes, sir." Tarquin ended the call without another word, his mind racing. Who had taken his belongings? And what were they doing with his things? He had to find out what was going on, and fast. In the meantime, he had to figure out what to
Ivy closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to wrap her mind around what had just happened. She looked down at the suitcase again, but the contents were still the same: someone else's belongings instead of her own clothes and underwear. "How did this happen?" she wondered aloud. It was hard to believe that she had accidentally picked up the wrong suitcase at the airport. She was usually so careful about these things. Cursing under her breath, she searched through the contents of the suitcase, hoping to find some clue as to who the suitcase belonged to. Then, with a sigh of relief, she spotted an ID card tucked into a side pocket. Maybe she could find a way to get in touch with the owner and sort this whole mess out. But her relief was short-lived, as she saw that the ID was completely devoid of any contact information. Just a name and an address in a city she'd never heard of. She groaned in frustration, wondering what to do next. She closed the box and kept it s
The taunting look on Tarquin's face said it all; he was the boss and he had ordered Ivy to leave his company. Ivy knew this wasn't the time to be rude so she went on her knees and started pleading but he refused to give her a listening ear nor hear her out. Ivy refused to leave when he asked her to leave his office to get ready to be sued in court. Tarquin also promised to tarnish her image with his influence so she would never be able to get employed by anyone. Ivy didn't even know what to do, because she didn't have any money with her. She just moved into the country, "How will I survive and cope when everything is already turning out like this?" She quietly asked herself. "I'm sorry sir," Ivy pleaded with a shaky voice for the hundredth time, but Tarquin refused to listen. He stood up from his desk and put on his suit when a young lady came to inform him of the board meeting which was about to begin. "Before I return, throw this thing out of my company," Ivy heard him say to hi
Prepared and dressed to leave, Ivy took a long last look on the wall mirror in her room. Tarquin’s assistant John had contacted her that morning stating that Tarquin wanted to meet with her and sent an address. Ivy had been nervous after the call, she was afraid that he was going to take her to meet his lawyer and didn't want to honor his invitation at first but she later changed her mind, preparing for whatever it would turn out to be. She had spent the previous night drowning her sorrows in a bottle of wine, but the call from John that morning had given her a strange sense of strength and resolve. She knew she didn't have a lawyer or the money to fight this, but she was determined to face Tarquin head-on and talk this out like adults. They were both at fault, and she was ready to accept responsibility for her part in it. It wasn't going to be easy, but she was ready to face whatever came next. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, encouraging herself for the difficult
As Ivy paced back and forth, her heart was pounding in her chest. Today was the day she was going to get married, and she couldn't deny that she was terrified. She was scared of what marriage to Tarquin would mean. She remembered how she'd tried to act tough and challenge him, only to have him turn into a devil right before her eyes. In a moment of panic, she had signed the contract, but immediately regretted her actions. She had begged Tarquin to cancel everything, but he had refused. Now, she was stuck, and she didn't know what to do. Tarquin had made it clear that she wasn't getting out of this, and that there was no turning back. The deal was done, and she would have to live with the consequences. He told her to keep her copy of the contract safe, because without it, she wouldn't be able to leave the marriage. She sat in the room, watching as a team of maids fussed over her. It was a simple court wedding, but it felt like the biggest production. She didn't understand why they w
On hearing Ivy say stop, Tarquin somehow felt nervous that she was going to reject him in front of the guests and cancel the wedding. He clenched his fists, already thinking of how to deal with her if she had the nerve to do so. "I need to use the restroom," Ivy said and excused herself. One of the workers in the court followed her out to show her where the restroom was located. Tarquin signaled John to come over, John quickly did and he whispered in his ears. "Ask some of the guards to guide the restroom and stand by at every exit in case she wants to run away," John nodded, receiving his command before leaving to mobilize the guards to do so. Ivy thanked the worker who showed her the restroom and walked into one of them. Everywhere around the restroom was very quiet and calm, she slumped on the floor not minding her dress being messed up, and allowed the tears that had already gathered to flow down. She was regretting everything, the circumstances that brought them together, th
On getting home, the ankle pain had stopped and the swell had gone down a bit, making it easy for Ivy to walk inside. She headed straight to her room to take a bath and change. When she first got in, she saw a room decorated with lots of flowers which left her surprised. There were rose petals on the white bed, and a red bulb lit the place, blending with the white interior which made the room look beautiful. When she got into the bathroom, she saw Rose petals filled inside the bathtub. Ivy wondered who might have ordered all of this. She knew that Tarquin would never do it, she thought about his Mom, she was the one she thought. Ivy sighed, Mrs Caroline might be thinking they were going to consummate the night of their wedding but unknown to her Tarquin left while they were heading back home to wherever he had in mind and hadn't returned. Even if he didn't, he wasn't showing any interest like he was the type who loved intimacy and would want her at least to be intimate with him e
FOUR YEARS LATER.Time flew by faster than anyone could expect. Four years ago was Morgan's wedding with John but now, they are parents of a three-year-old child, Khloe who was a friend of Tessa. They were present with Ivy in her orphanage, she began the orphanage three years ago and she named it after Ivan. The orphanage had children in it, they were well-fed and always happy. They loved Ivy so much because she always brought gifts anytime she left her office to see them. Ivy had people supervising the kids and their education. She also owned a school that one of Morgan's friends was running. The school was where children in the orphanage went to and it was also close to them. Ivy had given many children to parents who were willing to adopt and she made sure to do proper investigations before giving a child to any parent. She still tried to visit the child in those parent's houses to see how the child was faring, and if the kid was being mistreated or not. Just in three years, t
Months later.John and Morgan had suspended their wedding for a long while because of Ivan's death. They wanted Ivy to be in her right mind when everything was planned.It was the day of the wedding and Ivy was with a makeup artist who was dolling Morgan up.Morgan was already wearing her wedding dress and it was really beautiful. Ivy had helped her choose it and she was also chosen as her bride's maid."The makeup is turning out so beautiful." Ivy smiled, looking at Morgan who was truly gorgeous.Everything made her glow, from her dress to her hair and makeup, Morgan was perfect."Ivy, where is Tessa?" Morgan asked and opened their lips a little for the red lipstick to be added."She's with your mom who has been more than excited about everything," Ivy replied."I don't even know who's getting married between her and me," Morgan said, causing them to laugh."Stay still." The make-up artist instructed after laughing."Yeah, your mom is so sweet. When Tarquin and I decided to redo our
Tarquin was rushed to the hospital and so were the kids. Ivy refused to be admitted, so they only ran some checkups on her and treated her burns.After the treatment, she went to the waiting room and cried, being concerned about her husband and children.Ivy's hands were on her chest, she was feeling so scared and agitated. Tarquin was in danger as well as the twins, she was afraid of losing any of them."Please survive for my sake, please don't leave me." Ivy cried and her hands transferred to her face. "I love you all so much, don't leave me. I won't be able to bear it.""Please, don't leave me." Ivy cried and coughed boisterously.She grew up without a family, she thought her life was perfect till she met Tarquin who turned her world upside down. The arrogant and cold imbecile who became the most wonderful person in her life.The kids he gave her were the only reason why she didn't kill herself, why she didn't stop striving to stay alive. They were the reason why she wanted to meet
The Jones' home.Tarquin had called Ivy when he stayed a while in the office. It was unusual for her to not answer his calls. He called her a few more times but then he got no response, he ran like a madman to the house.Reaching there, he beeped his car horn numerous times for the gates to be opened but nothing happened.Tarquin got out of his car and went to the gate. To his horror, as he pushed it, it opened without much effort.He went inside and saw the guards on the floor, dead. His heart pounded greatly in his chest and it felt like his world was going to crumble before his face.Quickly, he ran into the house but there was no one. He saw the drops of blood and panicked the more."Shit, I shouldn't have left them alone!" Tarquin cried out and gripped his hair in regret.He wanted to stay back with his family, at least one more day before resuming work but he listened to Ivy. He thought that she was feeling a bit suffocated around him, that's why she told him to leave.He respec
Warehouse.Annabel took them to an abandoned warehouse that used to belong to her family. She tied Ivy up in that place and placed the twins on the bare and cold floor.Ivy didn't try defending herself too much because she was scared that Annabel would do something terrible to her children.The twins were crying on the floor and Annabel was annoyed with their cries."Oh shut up! Little brats." She spat bitterly. "It's because of you and these fools that I wasn't able to complete my mission."Ivy wanted to speak but her mouth was sealed, so she made muffled sounds."You wanna talk? What do you want to say, do you desire to beg me for your life or say your last prayer, which one?" Annabel asked with a smirk.Ivy nodded disorientedly, she had to say something, anything that could save her life and that of her children. She loved her kids so much and she preferred dying than seeing them get hurt.Annabel decided to fulfill her wish and make fun of her. She sauntered to Ivy who was tied to
The Jones' home.It was early in the morning and Ivy woke up early to make breakfast for Tarquin and herself but to her surprise, Tarquin was already in the kitchen making breakfast."That smells yummy." Ivy grinned and walked to him."Thank you, I'm making it with lots of love," Tarquin said, affectionately.Ivy smiled and pecked him on the cheek. He gave her a boyish smile and continued cooking."This is going to be delicious and you're going to lick your fingers once you dig in," Tarquin said."You mean that I would lick my plate till there's not even a single drop of sauce on it?" She raised an eyebrow, waiting for his reply."Yeah, there will also be a certain urge to even eat the plate too." Tarquin teased her.Ivy laughed and smacked his back playfully."Stop exaggerating."Tarquin chuckled and leaned closer to kiss her lips. Finally reaching her, he pressed his lips on hers and they both smiled."Are you feeling comfortable with that thing in you?" Tarquin asked, referring to
California.John and Morgan were walking on the side of the road, their hands were locked and they were talking.Morgan had been working for more than a week in the bank and it wasn't easy but he was already getting used to it."I hope no one mistreats you there, they have the right to hurt my baby," John said, feeling a little worried about her.Morgan smiled at him and swung his hands."They treat me well, especially my colleagues. Although I've met some impatient customers, everything has been fine. One of the colleagues collected my number and added me to a WhatsApp group, it's been so much fun.""I'm glad that you're enjoying it there. '' John beamed.They hadn't seen each other since she started working, so he hadn't had the chance to properly ask about her work experience."Morgan, if anyone harasses you there. Just tell me and I will dash there to bash their faces." John said and she laughed."I trust you. I know the lengths you can go for me and I can assure you that I've not
Italy~ Florence.Emma was eating with Fredrick, he had been a constant visitor to majorly satisfy her urge but he liked her.He had not related his feelings to her but he planned to."I don't feel like eating anymore, I don't have an appetite." Emma sighed and dropped her spoon.Since she found out about Ivy being alive, She had not been happy since then. It made her sad that her enemy was alive, she hated Ivy so much because she had ruined her plans from the beginning.It was because of Ivy that Tarquin became a little distant. It was also because of Ivy that she went to prison. If she hadn't intervened then Tarquin would have been paying for her crimes."Damn her!" Emma shrieked and banged her fists on the table, she had this anger surfing in her every time.She was like a volcano that kept erupting without warning."Damn who? What are you talking about?" Fredrick asked.He knew exactly what she, speaking about he only feigned ignorance."It's none of your business, I just need you,
Annabel, who was behind a tree, looked away from where Ivy was."You have guards, that was a clever move from Tarquin, a really smart one." her smirk slowly changed into a frown.It wouldn't be wise for her to contact anyone other than Emma. It was only Emma that she contacted when she escaped from the police.Annabel had overheard Morgan panicking about the coffee, this made her incredibly suspicious about their knowledge of her deeds.To be safe, she decided to leave the house, a night before the wedding.She didn't call Emma at that time but waited for the next day to see what would happen. She entered a cab and told the driver to stay a little bit far from her house.It was surprising to see the cops at the house and John with them. She had made a good decision by running away.Shelodged into a hotel, wore a disguise, and also used a fake identity.After a while, she started monitoring Tarquin and to her shock, she saw Ivy.Ivy was alive. She never expected it to turn out like tha