It was already the next morning when I got home. I pushed the door open and found Lucas sitting on the couch, clearly waiting for someone.

"Where were you last night?" His voice came at my back, sharp.

I didn't bother to answer. I kicked off my shoes and headed for the stairs.

"Ivy. I'm asking you a question."

Lucas's eyes swept over me, from head to foot, and landed on the side of my neck.

On my pale, clean throat was a mark that hadn't been there yesterday. A kiss mark, dark and unmistakable, still fresh.

Something flickered behind Lucas's eyes. Without a word, he lifted a hand and ran his fingers over the mark.

A sting flared along my neck. I smacked his hand away.

"Christ, Lucas, it's barely seven in the morning. What's your problem?"

"Out all night. And then you walk in here wearing that."

"Ivy. As your husband, I think I'm entitled to an explanation."

I looked at him like I'd heard a joke.

"Husband? Are you serious right now, Lucas?"

"Tell me one thing in this marriage that looks like a marriage."

"And as for being out all night," I shrugged, deliberately casual. "I don't mind telling you. I'm sleeping with someone."

"Sleeping with someone?" He repeated it low, as if he wanted to grind the words between his teeth.

I met his eyes without flinching. "That's right. You get to spend your life pining after Seraphina, and I'm not allowed to go find love of my own? Seraphina's back. Sign the divorce papers. Clear the way."

I pulled the folder out of my bag and tossed it at him. It hit him in the chest.

I'd drafted the papers on the drive home. I was done. I didn't want to spend one more minute inside this ridiculous marriage.

If it hadn't been for Edmund Sterling, we would never have ended up here. Lucas had wanted one Mrs. Sterling, and it was never me.

I'll admit it. I used to be pathetic where he was concerned.

All it had taken was the handkerchief he'd once handed me when I was hurt, and I'd carved the name Lucas Sterling into my head.

Unlike the rest of them, he hadn't mocked me. He'd always been mild with me, polite, and when he happened to cross paths with me he'd ask after how I was doing.

He was the only one who'd remember, on Seraphina's birthday, to have something set aside for me too.

In a house of cold eyes and casual cruelty, those small gestures of his had felt like real kindness. I'd been grateful for them.

So when the Sterling family went bankrupt, I pulled out everything I'd saved.

I sat up with his sick grandfather when Lucas was burned out and stretched thin. I joined that ragtag company of his when they couldn't even afford a decent office, went to the work dinners he couldn't stomach, and drank myself into a bleeding ulcer so he wouldn't have to.

Edmund Sterling's one dying wish was that the two of us would end up together. Lucas honored it.

It was also the day Seraphina left the country.

On our wedding day Lucas got blind drunk. He didn't even finish his vows before he walked out of the ceremony.

That was the day I learned that there was only ever one woman in his heart, and it wasn't me.

He said I'd cashed in his gratitude to trap him. He said I'd been the reason Seraphina's condition had flared up again, that I was the reason she and the man she loved would never be together.

So Lucas made sure I didn't get to be happy either.

Every divorce filing I submitted, he killed. Every job opportunity that came my way somehow fell apart. No freedom. No social life.

He wanted me to sit inside this hollow marriage he'd been cornered into for the rest of my life. He wanted me stuck there. Forever.

"Huh. At least you know what you are."

Lucas's fists closed and unclenched around the folder. Then, abruptly, a dry laugh broke out of him.

"But when did I ever say I was letting you go?"

"You made this bed, Ivy. You're sleeping in it. Whether you like it or not."

"And from now on, don't let me see another mark on you. Ever."

He looked away with something close to revulsion, like he couldn't stand to say more. He took the folder and walked out with long, quick strides. From the back, it honestly looked a little like he was running.

I couldn't figure out what game he was playing now. I didn't want to. I went upstairs and crawled back into bed.

When I woke up, there were a few unread messages waiting on my phone. From the Ashfords. They wanted me at the house. Something to discuss.

That was novel. Since when was I, the outsider, invited to weigh in on Ashford business?

I arrived at the estate at dusk, timed down to the minute. The moment I stepped into the foyer, the Ashfords' faces settled into disgust.

"Taking your time, aren't you? Making your own parents wait. Real gracious of you."

I ignored her and walked into the drawing room, cutting straight to the point. "If there's something to discuss, say it. I have places to be."

Catherine's brow snapped together. She jabbed a finger at my face. "Watch the tone, Ivy! No upbringing at all. Not worth one hair on Seraphina's head!"

I didn't even look at her. I just nodded along. "You're right. I had no mother or father worth the name. Of course I can't compare to your precious Seraphina."

Catherine went pale with rage, mouth already open for another round. Richard caught her arm and pulled her back.

He smoothed his face into something resembling a smile. "Ivy. I know you have reason to resent your mother and me. But however you feel about it, we're still family."

I raised an eyebrow. For him to actually say that out loud, there had to be something he wanted badly. I was curious enough to wait.

When I didn't bite, he continued on his own.

"Seraphina was diagnosed during her trip home. Acute liver failure. The doctors say she needs a transplant immediately. They're looking for a matching donor."

"And?" I said.

Catherine couldn't wait for him to get there. "And what do you think? You donate part of your liver to Seraphina. For God's sake, Ivy, we raised you. It's time you paid some of it back. It's half a liver. It grows back. And Seraphina doesn't have time to wait on your attitude!"

"Don't be selfish, Ivy!"

So that was it. All of this was still, always, for Seraphina. I should have known these two didn't have a single decent intention.

I rolled my eyes at both of them. "Why should I? If it's so easy, why don't you donate?"

"You. You see? I knew it! An ingrate to the bone! A little favor and you can't even do that. Heart of stone!"

When I still didn't cave, Richard's voice dropped.

"Ivy. Agree to save Seraphina, and we'll have your name changed back. We'll acknowledge you as our daughter. Publicly."

He said it like he was handing down a gift from on high. Like I should drop to my knees in gratitude.

I'd seen enough of how shameless these two could be. I didn't even bother laughing. I stood up and walked out.

And at the door I ran straight into two people coming in. Lucas, and the Seraphina I hadn't seen in three years.