Chapter 63: Words From A Bitter Heart?
As Ivy stepped out of the car, her phone rang. She reached for it in her bag while pushing the door open.
“Hello,” she said, answering it.
“Hey, are you back?” Silas’s voice crackled through the phone.
“Yes. Just walking in,” Ivy replied as she headed upstairs.
“How did it go?” Silas asked, his curiosity evident.
“Well…” Ivy drawled as she entered her room. She pulled off her heels and dropped her
bag on the bed. “Sonia invited me for the party tomorrow.”
“No way!” Silas shrieked with excitement. “How did you do that?”
“I don’t know,” she admitted, walking over to the window. “It just happened.”
“That’s so cool, Ivy. Thank you,” Silas said softly.
“It’s not over yet,” she reminded him. “I still have to convince her fully. But going to the party is a good start, right?”
“Absolutely,” Silas agreed. “I can’t wait for it to be done. Thomas would be so thrilled.”
“I’m happy to help,” she said. She could already imagine Mason’s face when she
showed up at his party.
“I’ll see you when I get home,” Silas said. “Before I forget,” he added. “Gabriel isn’t available to bring the documents today. Can you go over and sign them?”
“I’ll love to,” she replied, feeling delighted.
“Great. I’ll call you when I hear from Thomas.”
“Alright. Talk later,” Ivy said, hanging up.
She turned and her eyes landed on her wedding ring on the table. She picked it up, twirled it between her fingers and slipped it on. She then leaned against the window, taking in the view below.
“Guess it’s time to see you,” she muttered.
Ivy walked into the closet, pulling out her box of photography equipment. She dusted off a camera, clicked it to see if it was still working. Its flash momentarily brightened the room. Satisfied, she straightened up, hung the camera around her neck and wore her pink flip–flops.
Ivy made her way to the garden. a williamthalaborate decorations that had been Successfully unlocked! on her wedding day, it still felt romantic, bedation
She approached the huge apple blossom tree, admired it, then she took several pictures of it.
1/4
Chapter 63 Words From A Bitter Heart?
She stepped back, adjusted the angle, and clicked some more. Checking the pictures, she chuckled softly. “Still got it.”
Just as she turned toward the fountain, her phone rang. She hung the camera around her neck and reached for it. It was her aunt May.
“Hello, Aunt May.”
“My sweet girl. How are you?” May asked, her tone tinged with concern.
“I’m very well. And you?”
“Good… and not so good,” May muttered.
Ivy’s stomach tightened. “What’s wrong?”
May sighed. “I’m so worried for you. Patrick just publicly destroyed our family.”
Relief washed over Ivy, and then it was replaced with anger as she remembered how her father and Cole had treated her. “That’s his loss.”
“Oh, don’t say that, Ivy. I know he’s stubborn, but he means well. He just has a terrible way of–”
“No, Aunt May,” Ivy interrupted her. “He doesn’t mean well. How can a father find it easy to disown his child?” she said, her chest tightening. “I confronted him, and it didn‘ t go well. I’ve made peace with it, Aunt May.”
“No, please,” May pleaded, her voice wobbling. “You can’t do that, Ivy. Give him time, I’ll talk to him-”
“There’s no more chances,” Ivy said. Her lip curved into a frown even though her aunty couldn’t see that. “I’m done giving him chances. He made his choice already.”
May went silent and Ivy could bet she was crying. The thought softened her anger.
“I’m sorry, Aunt May,” she murmured. “But I can’t keep waiting for him to change. I love this family, but it’s too hard right now. I’ve to see the truth for what it really is, and I’m keeping my distance.”
May sniffed. “I understand.”
Ivy’s heart cracked at her aunt’s tone. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, love. I understand you,” May said. “Will you come see me sometime? You know I miss you.”
“I will. Soon,” she promised.
“Can’t wait. I love you.”
“I love you too, bye,” Ivy said, ending the call.
She stood still, waiting for the pain to dissolve. As much as it hurt to admit, she knew she was right. It was time to protect herself.
A wicked thought crossed her mind: maybe she should publicly disown him as well, so
2/4
Chapter 63. Words From A Bitter Heart?
the world will know it wasn’t one–sided.
She shook her head, shaking the thought away. There was no point giving him that pleasure. Like Cheryl, she would ignore him too.
Taking a deep breath, Ivy snapped a couple more photos of the tree before heading back inside. She was on her way upstairs when Silas texted her:
‘You can go meet Thomas now.‘
She hurriedly entered her room, refreshed and then went downstairs to meet Bud. He was standing next to the car.
“Hey, Bud. We’re going to Thomas’s office,” she told him.
“Yes, ma’am. Your husband called me,” Bud replied with his usual unreadable expression, as he opened the door for her.
“Alright then,” Ivy said, slipping into the car.
Ivy’s mind was so occupied that she didn’t notice when they got to Thomas’s office. She couldn’t seem to shake off May’s sad voice, or the tiny guilt that found its way to her heart. She was heartbroken too, but she knew she had to put a stop to the toxic behaviors.
“We’re here, ma’am,” Bud announced, parking the car properly.
“Thank you, Bud. I’ll be quick,” she said, coming out of the car.
Inside the building, a receptionist guided her to Thomas’s office.
She used the elevator and stopped at the last floor. When it clicked open, she went to Thomas’s office, remembering the direction from there.
“Hey, Ivy. Come on in,” Thomas said as she entered. “Sorry to drag you all the way here.” “It’s okay, I don’t mind,” she replied, moving to him. “How are you? And Rosie?” “We’re good, thanks,” Thomas replied, gesturing to a chair opposite him. “I need you to sign these documents,” he indicated.
Ivy sat down, took the pen he offered, and signed.
“Here and here as well.” He flipped the pages.
“All done,” she said, handing the pen back.
“Nice,” Thomas said, packing the papers. “I’ll send the papers over when all parties have signed. Thanks for coming, and congratulations.” Thomas extended his hand. “Thank you,” she smiled, receiving it. She stood up. “See you later.”
Thomas stood up as well and opened the door for her. “Bye.”
“Bye,” she smiled as she left.
Ivy clicked the elevator, and it hummed to life. Excitement coursed through her as she couldn’t wait to begin the next phase of planning.
3/4
Chhap 63 Words From & Be He
As the elevator descended, it stopped and let in a lady holding a white box. She looked unkempt, and her eyes were red like she had been crying.
My watched her silently as she pushed the button.
“Are you okay?” she asked gently.
“Yes,” the lady said, though totally unconvincing. “I’m just glad I’m out of this shit hole.”
Ivy blinked. “Shit hole?”
The lady turned to hy. “Are you a reporter?” She didn’t wait for Ivy’s answer. “Get this now: Thomas Stone is capable of fraud–he’s everything you all say he is. He lies, he steals, and he ruins people’s lives.”
Ivy’s heart sank. What was she talking about? Before Ivy could ask, the elevator doors opened, and she stormed out.
Ivy tottered out of the elevator, her heart wrenching with a heaviness she couldn’t put into words.
Thomas ruined people’s lives. The words echo in her mind. Was this true? Or were just
