Ivy''s breath Etched with


    Took a step back


    "Oh, you thought I came here to be friendly?? Kim pressed, her eyes shif you Now scram and let me feed my


    ich determination. "No, dar


    doing it before now


    random er make her feel


    Her shock doubled and twisted into anger as the watched Kimi set the table She might be Ss''s contract wife, but the wat le regardless, and she would stupid:


    "You need to leave," Ivy said calmly, controlling the anger in her chest Kim paused and then turned to her "What did you say?"


    Ivy stepped forward, her voice stronger this time "You need to leave"


    Kimughed as she stirred the bowl with a metal spoon. "You must be joking. I just told you why I''m here here, you should go."


    "Real love?" Ivy sneered, and Kim''s brow raised in surprise. "Would someone who truly loved him do what you did Kim blinked, her voice shaking. What exactly are you talking about?" she stuttered, trying to feign surprise


    The shakiness in Kim''s voice gave Ivy the urge to continue "Ohe on," she said, pulling out achar and sitting down." You know what I''m talking about, you getting your freak on with Dn


    Kim gasped, dropping the metal spoon on the floor. Her cheeks turned red as she covered her mouth in shock "How w


    how did you know that?"


    Ivy chuckled. "If you are truly Ss''s real love, would he tell me about you and Dn? Or have you forgotten what you did?" she paused, waiting for Kim''s response, but when she didn''t say anything, Ivy continued. "You should be happy we made you stay in our house after everything"


    Ivy''s heart fluttered at the statement. She had just called this ce her home. The emotions deepened in her heart, but because she was angry at Kim, at Ss, she shoved it away


    Kim whined, her cheeks growing even redder. "You_how-"


    "Just get your stuff and leave Ivy interrupted her. "You''re doing too much with the food."


    "You can''t tell- Kim was interrupted again by the opening of the door as Ss walked in..


    Ivy watched as Kim immediately put on the most pitiful look, her eyes suddenly glistening with tears as she limped over to Ss


    "Ss," she said, cing a hand on his chest. "Your wife.. she she trailed off, resting her head there


    Ivy''s heart plummeted at the sight. For a brief moment, jealousy boiled in her, but it quickly turned it into anger.


    Ss held Kim and took her to sit down. "What happened?"


    Kim sniffed before she spoke. "I was trying to be nice and appreciative by making you your favorite."


    "You didn''t have to Ss said softly


    The concern in his voice made Ivy''s anger increase. She stood up and faced Kim. "Kim dear, I only told you not to stress yourself. You shouldn''t cook looking like she allowed the word linger. "It''s not safe"


    "That''s not what you said, Kim cried. "You don''t want me here and I get it. You are Ss''s wife and I have no intention of breaking you two apart. I was just trying to be nice."


    Ivy bit her lip to stop herself from lunging at Kim for her lies. She wasn''t trying not to react, but the anger inside her made it harder to stayposed


    Instead, she gave her a tight smile. "It was really nice to put a face to the name. Too bad I won''t be seeing you again, but take care," she said and left the room.


    Ivy was pissed but also at the bottom of the emotions was jealousy. Why did she feel like Kim was stealing Ss? Why did she have the urge to fight her for him? And why the hell did she want Ss to choose?


    She shook her head, throwing away the thoughts. She couldn''t do this to herself, she couldn''t afford to


    As she took a step upstairs, she heard Ss''s


    "vy?"


    Sessfully unlocked!


    She turned, looking at him in the eyes for the first time that morning. "Good morning," she smiled. "Aren''t you supposed to be eating your favorite food?"


    She saw the difort in his eyes as he stepped closer. "I am sorry about that." "Of course, s, she saul drily. Don''t let me disrupt your beautiful meaning" "You can never disrupt my day, you


    The sincerity in his voice, the look in his eyes stined something in the pg of her stomach. Before the emotions could find their way into her heart, she tumed and went to her room


    "What''s wrong with you?" she mastered, feeling a blush creep up her face.


    She had barely had time topose herself when the door opened and Ss walked in Quickly, she turned to the window. determined to hide her expression "Ivy," he said softly, making her shudder. "I messed up by allowing her to stay. I know I''m sorry"


    She didn''t answer him, she just stood still


    "Baby" he said, moving closer. "You can''t keep avoiding me."


    Because she knew he would step even closer and try to touch-which she was terrified of at the moment-she quickly answered him Tm not avoiding you."


    "Is that why you gave me attitude all through the night?"


    "I don''t know, Ss, she said, folding her arms across her chest.


    She waited, bracing herself for his embrace, but when he didn''te over, she rxed


    "I have spoken to a detective about what you asked. He''s ready when you are." Ivy turned to face him. "You have?"


    "Yes." He smirked, and she realized he had said that just to make her look at him.


    A flush crept onto her face when she realized it, but she went along because helping Geo was more important.


    "Thank you," she said softly.


    "You''re wee, Ss smiled.


    She saw the look in his eyes and knew he was about to make a move, so she walked to her bed. She cleared her throat to steady her nerves. "I will give him a callter today."


    "Alright, Ivy."


    She nodded, the silence stretching out and making her a little ufortable, ".. I''ll go through the candidates list today and set out dates for interviews."


    Ss came close, the intensity in his gaze stirring pleasure inside her. "Ivy..." he said, reaching for her arms.


    Her anger thawed the instant he touched her, and she melted in his arms. He pulled her closer and took her lips in a deep


    kiss.


    She wrapped her hands around his neck, weing him like a long lost friend. He pressed himself against her stomach and her knee weakened at her own vulnerability. She moaned against his lips, heat burning between her legs. Ss pulled away slowly, his hand still on her ass. "I''m sorry. You got so mad you didn''t even look at the gifts I got you." She chuckled. "Ipletely forgot." "Come," he said, taking her hand and leading her to the table. "Check them out."


    Ivy opened the boxes one after the other, her eyes widened at each thoughtful gift. She brought theptop to her chest. Thank you."


    He gave a half smile. "You''re wee. When you get back from home," he said,


    his hand dropping to her breasts. "Let me treat you to a nice dinner, as a way of saying sorry."


    Ivy tilted her head, her nipples already hard from his touch. "I would love that-


    She didn''t get to finish because Kim barged inside.


    "Ss. Please, I need your help!" she sobbed


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