Chapter 106: Treat Her Like A Fool.


    ning


    talking about?"


    Te frown on Botes face deepened as the moved closer knew you were weird when you kept visiting No billionard''s


    by Md Valley "


    luat makes no sense, Rite I came here to talk to you"


    "La sped "You know Booze Haven is here. Thats why you carrie I was ur perfect excuser


    Try''s heart broke at thi


    ness in Potals fone. I came to see you, Pita, because


    about you?


    Brown red but the quickly regered mino fool, Ivy she said, her voice shaking "Go away please"


    "a please" ty said reaching for her arm "Lets talk"


    Though it was shaking her head she didnt go inside 7''m just being careful, ly"


    "I understand" Ivy said with a riod, then curiosity took over "What did you read about me?


    Rita


    "A lot of things" answered "Including the fact that you have a drinking problem, which is why your first marriage


    Ivy burst intoughter, unable to control herself.


    Rota looked at her weirdly "What''s funny?"


    "I''m sorry" she said, raising her hand as if to stop theughter, but she keptughing. She knew this was Mason''s doings, and she found it funny that he had nothing else to talk about "Can I please see the article?"


    Rita''s eyes narrowed in confusion, but she pulled out her phone from her pocket, scrolled through it, and handed it to Ivy Ivy read the article andughed again. It highlighted her struggles with alcohol, false ims about rehabilitation, and how it had affected her marriage to Mason.


    Thousands of people had seen it, and she wasn''t surprised that they-including Rita-believed it. The only surprise was that Cheryl had said all that, not Mason.


    "It''s all a lie," she said, giving Rita back her phone. "She is nothing but a liar." "Do you know who said that? Rita asked


    "Yup, that''s my ex best friend who got engaged to my ex-husband, and they''re expecting a child," she replied.


    "Oh, Ivy Rita gasped. I''m so sorry."


    "It''s okay," she smiled. "Thanks"


    "Do you want toe in?" Rita asked. "It''s okay if-"


    "Oh, I''ll love it too!" Ivy interrupted her


    "Cool Come on in Rita said, opening the door.


    Ivy signaled Bud from afar, letting him know she was going inside. Bud honked the car and she waved at him.


    Rita''s home was cozy with modern decorations. There were two couches in the living room and a tube of toys close to the


    window.


    "Wee to my house," Rita said, gesturing.


    "It is beautiful," Ivy smiled. "Thank you for inviting me."


    Please have your seat. What can I get you?"


    "Water is fine, I already had a big burger," Ivy replied.


    "Alright. I''ll be right back," Rita said and disappeared into a room.


    Ivy sat on the ck couch and crossed her legs. She looked around the room, wondering why Rita was so afraid to let her in. The room didn''t look unsettled or as if Rita had been changing homes.


    However, Ivy noticed that there were only two picture frames. One showed the little boy as a baby, and the other looked more recent, with him and Rita.


    A door opened and the small child entered with


    "Hi, Ivy said in a small voice.


    Sessfully unlocked!


    "H" he smiled just as Rita returned with a ss of water.


    "I see you''ve met Ryan, Rita said, setting the ss on the small table.


    "Oh hi, Ryan Ivy said, bringing the boy closer. "How are you?"


    Tm fine Ryan said shyly, cing his hand on Ivy''s thigh


    "This is your aunt log" Rita smiled at him


    "He''s so cute," Ivy said with a smile. "Is he


    A sudden knock at the door interrupted her. She watched as Rita''s eyes wavered with fear at the sound. Rita stood up abruptly, her shoulders tensed as her eyes moved from Ivy to the door, then back to Ivy again


    Ivy frowned, rmed by Rita''s reaction. "Is everything okay?"


    "Yes, yes. Everything is fine," Rita said, forcing a tight smile. Til be back"


    Ivy nodded, watching as Rita walked away cautiously Something felt wrong but


    she shoved it off as she turned to Ryan How old are you?"


    *Four." Ryan gestured with his fingers.


    "Wow, you''re so big" she eximed and heughed.


    "My daddy says that too," Ryan said, jumping


    "That''s so cool"


    "My daddy is a doctor. He came home yesterday" Ryan said proudly. "Mornmy was really happy."


    "That''s great," Ivy smiled. "Do you miss him?"


    Before Ryan could respond, Rita returned to the living room with the youngdy


    Ivy had met before. Rita was smiling now, looking rxed.


    "Ivy, this is Ally, Ryan''s babysitter she introduced.


    "Hey," Ivy smiled.


    "Hi, nice to meet you again," Ally said and turned to Rita. "She came here some


    days ago."


    "Oh," Ritaughed. "Come Ryan, go y with Ally."


    Ryan waved at Ivy as he went to Ally.


    "I''lle visit again," Ivy smiled, waving as he left. "He''s so cute."


    "Thank you," Rita said, sitting on the other couch. "Now tell me, what happened between you and your ex-best friend?"


    Ivy leaned back on the couch and told Rita everything, except about her contract marriage with Ss. Thinking about it now, she felt stupid for having told Cole and their father about it. It was dumb of her to seek their validation that way. "Oh, that''s a lot, Ivy. I''m sorry" Rita said softly.


    "It''s fine. I''m better now," Ivy smiled. "So, tell me about you and Ryan''s Dad."


    Rita crossed her legs and averted her eyes. "Well, Ryan''s dad iste, I''ve been taking care of him alone."


    Ivy blinked. Ryan had just told her his father came home yesterday-how could he be dead? "When-"


    "Ryan has asthma," Rita blurted out.


    "Oh," Ivy paused. "I''m sorry."


    "It''s okay. He''s had it since he was two, and I''ve tried my best to manage it."


    "I''m so sorry to hear. How can I help?" Ivy asked.


    "We''re Rita was cut off by the ring of her phone. She jumped from the couch, looking ufortable as she reached for it. "Uhmm, can we continue this another time? I have work."


    "Oh," Ivy said, standing,


    "We''ll see again soon," Rita said, opening the door


    "My regards to Ryan, Ivy smiled despite being wary of Rita''s behavior.


    "Yes. Bye," Rita said, shutting the door.


    Ivy sighed, making her way to the car. She was confused and bothered, but


    decided to shake it off and look forward to dinner with Ss instead.


    o see Monica in the living room, looking worried.


    But when she entered inside, she e was surprised to


    "What''s happened?" Ivy asked, moving closer, "Hey, Ivy," Monica smiled


    hesitantly. "Kim... fell down the stairs."


    Ivy''s heart plummeted. "Oh no. Where is she?"


    "She''s been in the hospital for hours now. Mr Stone is with her."


    Knowing that Ss had been with Kim for hours made her stomach churn, but she


    tried not to show it.


    (1 pick the tried again and


    yet no response


    ponded to.


    was angry, but


    ratory Acting on her anger by marched to her closet and began to pack all of


    Sitas''s clothes


    Netedy ver


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