Ivy

I woke up the next morning with a queasy stomach and a pounding headache. Squinting my eyes hard against the blinding sunlight shining against it, I pulled up the covers, trying to bury myself underneath the sheets, settling deeper into sleep. A wave of awareness washed over me and my eyes snapped open. I was in bed. How did I get here?

Ignoring the throbbing in my skull, I pulled myself into a seating position, running my hands through my hair in attempt to smooth it and looked around. I was definitely in an hotel room, my clothes had been stripped off me and there was no one in sight. I checked my body for any signs of violation and discovered to my relief that I didn't feel that peculiar sensation of being used.

Memories of the night before began to flash through me and I grimaced, my cheeks heating up. I had fled my mom's fundraising event, gotten drunk and a stranger had brought me here. Though I had tried to seduce him into bedding me, he had strongly refused, unwilling to take advantage of me in that vulnerable state. That was also surprising. Most men would have given in an instant.

Stifling a yawn, stretching my stiff muscles and slipped out of bed. Even my bag and phone had been neatly placed on the bedside table and I found a note tucked underneath it. Curious, I picked it up and read it.

"Sleep well -J" It said and my lips twitched, not quite forming a smile. He didn't even bother to leave his full name. I checked my phone, unsurprised at the number of missed calls I had gotten from my mother. Rolling my eyes, I called her, keeping the phone far away from my ears as I waited for her to pick up. She answered after the second ring and immediately began yelling into the phone.

"Where have you been!? I've been calling you for ages! Get yourself back into the house right now if you don't want...!" I ended the call, dropping the phone onto the bed. I rubbed my eyelids, groaning.

I needed a shower.

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After spending an ungodly amount of time in the bathroom washing up, I eventually stepped out with a towel wrapped around my waist and hair. Checking the hotel wardrobe, I was pleased to find some clean dresses, mostly brand new ones as they still had tags on them. I immediately slipped into one, as I combed out my hair, waiting for it to air dry, I ordered my breakfast.

The meal soon arrived and I wolfed it down, mindless scrolling through my phone as I ignored my mom's calls. I didn't know why she was being so persistent this morning. She never used to care enough to call me in the past. Once I was through eating, I packed up all my things and hot ready to leave. Keeping a note in my bag, I stepped out of the room and made way to the receptionist's table. I offered to pay for my stay in the hotel but she informed me that the gentleman who had checked me in had paid for my time in the hotel.

"Oh.... " I mumbled, trailing off. That's... Rather thoughtful of him. "Did he leave a name? Something I can contact him on, perhaps?" I asked and she shook her head.

"Only the inital, J." She answered, smiling at me. Just like in the letter. Awkwardly thanking her, I turned around and left the building. Calling on a cab, I felt my phone ring again. I let out a deep sigh and picked it up.

"Ivy!" She yelled the instant it went through. "How dare you hang up the phone on me!? Where did you go? " She screeched as a taxi stopped in front of me. I opened the back door, slipping into the car.

"I'm on my way home just like you requested. Why are you still bothering me!?" I muttered, giving instructions to the driver.

"You have 30 minutes to show up at this house or you won't like what I'll do to you." She threatened and I rolled my eyes. To hell with that. The driver began to move and I ended the call.

"Take your time, please." I said as I leaned back on the seat, closing my eyes.

I finally got home an hour later to meet my mother pacing restlessly at the grand porch. She stopped when she saw the taxi drive into the building, her face contorting into an ugly scowl when she saw who it was. Paying the driver his fare, I made my way into the house but I was immediately double crossed by my mother.

"And where do you think you're coming from, young lady?" She seethed, glaring at me.

"None of your business. I left your party when I saw I wasn't invited."

Clarissa raised her hand to hit me but instantly stopped herself, rethinking her decisions. "You'd better warn yourself. I swear if you appear on the news again, I won't take it lightly with you." She growled, erasing the distance between us as she stepped closer. I looked down at her, cocking my head to the side.

"Is your fiance coming over? Is that why you have your knickers in a twist?" I asked. She opened her mouth but no words came out. I hissed. "I'm going to my room. I need to rest. Let me know when he arrives." I muttered, side stepping her.

Grabbing a snack from the kitchen, I headed straight to my room and plopped into my bed. Even if he arrived, I had no intention of seeing who it was. They could all go to hell.

Hours passed and soon enough, there was a knock on my door. The door opened and a maid peeked in. "Miss, your mother calls for you downstairs."

"I'm not interested... " I murmured, not looking up from my phone.

"Please miss, she says it's important. I'm not allowed to leave here unless you're following me." The maid said in a respectful yet pleading tone. I sighed, but ultimately stood to my feet. Ru

"Okay, fine." I said, running a hand through my hair as I followed the maid downstairs. I met my mother in the living room, flashing a full-toothed smile at a tall man beside her. The moment I stepped into the room, I froze. My gaze locked on his.

"Oh... There's my daughter I was talking about. Her name is ivy. Ivy meet Julian, my fiancé," My mother introduced me, but I barely paid her any attention as I stared at the tall, heavily built man.

Why did he feel so familiar? Composing himself first, he walked towards me, stretching his hands for a shake.

"Nice to meet you... Ivy" He muttered, in that rich velvety voice of him and I felt a shudder go through me.

I caught a whiff of that rich sandalwoood and citrus scent from last night and gasped softly, all the blood draining from my face, my heart skipping multiple beats. It was the same scent that had clung to me when I woke up this morning. The one that had filled the hotel room.

No.

No. This isn't happening. My skin burned like it remembered him before my mind could. I kissed this man. I touched him. I begged him... And now he's hers?

He's my mother's fiancé!?

Julian's Pov

No way this is happening.

Is this some kind of twisted karma the universe is playing on me? The same woman I had rescued from a bar and almost slept with is standing in front of me, being introduced as my fiancée's daughter. It was hard to believe.

She stood in front of me, her electric blue eyes still wide in shock and disbelief. It was clear she recognized me and was doing a terrible job trying to hide it. Finally glancing at my outstretched hand, she pursed her lips and took it, not giving any response.

Her hands were small and soft against mine, and I felt her flinch, electricity zapping through us at the contact. Pulling away a moment quicker, I glanced back at Clarissa.

"Wow... She is a beautiful lady. I didn't expect her to be so grown," I said in a steady voice, putting some needed distance between us as I took several steps back.

"Oh... Did I fail to mention that?" Clarissa said with a chuckle, reaching to wrap her hands around my arm as she stood beside me. "Well, she is. She just moved in recently. Had some trouble at work and needed to lay low for a bit," Clarissa explained, a genial smile on her face.

Ivy's gaze moved from me to her mother's, and her eyes narrowed, filled with anger and contempt. She was yet to say a word.

"Have... you told her about the engagement?" I asked when the silence became unsettling. Clarissa nodded, beaming at me before turning to her daughter.

"Yes, I have. She's quite happy for me," she said, giggling as she rested her forehead on my arm, and I stiffened as I turned back to Ivy. That didn't look like the expression of a daughter happy for her mother. I cleared my throat, making to speak.

"As you already know, I am Julian Ashford, and I'm engaged to marry your mother. I hope I can receive your blessings," I said with a tight smile. She glared at me, a muscle ticking in her jaw.

"When is the wedding?" she suddenly asked, her voice curt.

"Um, soon. We're yet to pick a date."

She glanced at the both of us yet again. "Good. I'm happy for you." Turning around, she started to leave the room. "I'm going out."

"No, you aren't," Clarissa immediately shot out, running to reach her. "We're having dinner together, remember?" she asked, reaching for her hands. Ivy jerked her hands away, narrowing her gaze.

"I don't like what the chef whipped up," she forced through clenched teeth, her voice thick with loathing. Throwing a sideways glance at me, she added, "I'm sure you would enjoy your intimate time together. Now, if you'll excuse me..." Her voice trailed off as she exited the living room, her steps hurried as she climbed up the stairs. We stood there in surprise, watching her go.

She returned a while later, already having a change of clothes, her dark hair flying across her shoulders as she rushed out of the house, slamming the door behind her a bit too loud. Clarissa turned to me, an embarrassed smile on her face as she made her way towards me.

"She always had a rebellious streak to her, but she'll fall in line eventually," she said as she stood in front of me. I glanced at the door she had just stepped out from, then at Clarissa.

"That's Edward's daughter, right?" I asked, and she nodded, letting out a sigh as she rubbed her arms. The weight on my chest became heavier. I had almost slept with my dead best friend's daughter. Oh God.

"Was it hard raising her?" I asked carefully, watching as the expression on Clarissa's face contorted into one of sadness.

"Well, it wasn't going to be easy, now was it?" she added with a dry chuckle. "But I did struggle for a bit."

"You did your best. She seems to have turned out fine," I muttered, and she beamed up at me.

"Really? I'm glad you think so."

A comfortable silence settled between us as Clarissa looked at everything but me. Eventually, she managed a peek, a light flush staining her cheeks. "You're staying for dinner, right?" she asked almost hesitantly.

I nodded, placing my hands into my pockets. "Yes. There are very important things we need to discuss," I said, feeling tension creep into my system. She straightened as well, the ease in her features disappearing.

"It's about your money laundering activities disguised as charity. The man you're working for now is the man I've been hunting down for decades," I announced, and she stiffened, her face blanching.

"H-he is?" she stuttered. I nodded, my voice grim.

"Yes. I believe he's the one responsible for Edward's death," I announced, and the atmosphere thickened. I heard Clarissa swallow.

"Oh... Please, have a seat."

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The conversation was long and heavy, and by the time we got to the end, I was already exhausted. As one might have expected, the marriage wasn't borne out of love or commitment but of duty. I had dedicated the past two decades of my life to finding the people responsible for my best friend's death and bringing them to justice, and was down to my last victim.

Unfortunately, I had found out that he had ties with Clarissa, and further investigations made me discover she was Edward's mistress and mother to his only daughter and heir. Knowing the operation would put both of them at risk, I found Clarissa and offered to protect them. She had offered the deal of marriage, pending the time I would be done with the operation. We would live as husband and wife.

What I hadn't counted on was almost sleeping with the said daughter. Well, I was glad I held back that night, or else I would be regretting it right now. Speaking of her-where the hell was Ivy? She had stepped out all day, and it was already evening. I hoped she wasn't drinking herself to stupor. Once the marriage documents were finalized, I would begin to keep an eye on her.

Deciding to wait for her, I took a bottle of premium wine from a rack, pouring myself a glass and seating at the barstool provided. Long minutes passed, dusk became twilight, and Ivy hadn't resurfaced. Clarissa tried to wait as well but had to retire early. Ivy didn't return home until past midnight.

She sauntered in, reeking of alcohol and sweat-but thankfully, no sex smell. I didn't know why that made me feel relieved. Standing at the door, I watched as she drunkenly made her way in, still holding a bottle of whiskey, slurring a tune. She stiffened when she felt a presence, her eyes slowly moving up to meet mine. The drunken haze in her eyes cleared when she realized who it was, a frown framing her lips.

"You're still here?" she asked, hiccuping.

"Yes, I was waiting for you," I muttered in a calm voice. "You're late." I growled. She hissed, trying to walk past me.

"Don't need to do that. Get... out of my way." She growled, already close. She tripped over herself and I caught her just before she planted her face to the ground. She slapped me with her free hand. My head whipped to the side, the side of my cheek burning with the sting.

"Get. Your. Dirty. Hands. Off. Me."

Ivy's Pov

I glared at Julian's turned face, my chest heaving, tears burning my eyes. I was fuming-and positively so.

I still couldn't believe this. I didn't want to believe this. The same man that had acted like my white knight in shining armor just the day before was engaged to marry my mother of all people!? What kind of cruel joke is the universe playing on me?! No amount of alcohol had been able to get the information out of my system, and frankly, I didn't think anything could.

Julian let me go after I had steadied myself, slowly turning to face me. There was remorse in his eyes but also resignation. It landed on me like a ton of bricks, and I bit back a whimper.

"I didn't know who you were. I had no idea you were her daughter," he murmured truthfully, the tenderness and guilt in his voice making me waver.

My lips trembled, but I refused to cry. For what reason, exactly? The fact that I didn't get to sleep with him or that he was now my mother's fiancé? Maybe it was both.

Suddenly exhausted, I sucked in a deep breath, stepping away from him. His hands flexed as if trying to reach me, but he stopped himself just in time, a shadow crossing his eyes. I didn't want to think about this anymore. Side-stepping him, I stumbled my way up the stairs, making it to my room. The cool wood of the door pressed into my back as I slid down it, my legs too shaky to stand. Slipping from my hands, the whiskey bottle clattered to the ground, forgotten.

Unbiddenly, memories of the night before rushed through me and I shuddered, wrapping my hands around myself. The way he'd kissed me, the way I'd clung to him, the desperation in our touches... He didn't take me that night, but this? This burned worse. The tears I had been keeping at bay all day finally filled my eyes, spilling out. I buried my face in my hands, sobbing quietly.

What's up with my life? Why am I so unlucky?

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I woke up with a head-splitting headache in the morning. My entire body felt like lead, my stomach filled with nausea. Groaning, I buried myself into the pillow, trying to shut out the throb. Incredibly thirsty and hungry, I wanted nothing more than to run into the kitchen and fill my stomach, but I couldn't move a limb. Aside from that, I didn't think I wanted to see anyone.

I stayed on the bed, staring into nothingness, but the headache only worsened, and the hunger pangs were too much to ignore. Forcing myself to stand, I trudged to the bathroom and washed, running cold water all over my head. Raising my head up, I stared at my reflection in the mirror and cringed.

My hair was a mess, my makeup had smeared all over my face thanks to my sobbing, and I looked like I had just walked out from a catfight. Miserable was an understatement of how I felt and looked.

I remembered my altercation with Julian the night before and grimaced, my cheeks flushing. That had been so unnecessary. But then, I wasn't thinking straight.

Letting out a sigh, I stripped out of my clothes and stepped into the shower, washing off the mess of the day before. Once I was thoroughly cleaned and I felt slightly better, I stepped out and dried myself, slipping into a fresh set of clothes. Putting my hair into a ponytail, I collected a pack of hangover pills from my wardrobe and stepped out of my room, making my way to the kitchen while secretly praying I wouldn't find anyone there.

The gods in heaven didn't answer that prayer because as I approached the dining area, I could hear my mother laughing and Julian's deep voice as he spoke to her. Moths exploded in my chest, my entire body prickling. It was too late to turn back. Clenching my jaw, I walked past them, heading straight to the kitchen.

They instantly stopped talking and I could feel their gazes following me.

Clarissa was the first to speak. "Oh... When did you return?" I pulled out a bottle of water from the fridge, popped out some pills, and threw them into my mouth, washing them down with the water.

"Julian was up waiting for you, you know?" she continued, and I cast a sidelong glance at them. Julian held my gaze, tensing. Clarissa chuckled, misreading the tension as silence instead of suffocation. "Already playing the role of a good stepfather." She murmured, gazing at him fondly.

"I doubt I'll be much of an influence..." Julian said as he slowly looked away from me, giving Clarissa a tiny smile. "She's all grown up and perfectly capable of handling herself. I was just concerned."

Yeah, and we almost fucked two days ago.

"That's true, but Ivy also needs a father figure. It's what she has been severely lacking in her life," my mother said.

I slammed the water bottle hard on the kitchen counter, my anger exploding. Turning to her, I narrowed my eyes. "I am perfectly fine. I don't need anyone playing the role of a father figure. Besides, isn't he supposed to have left the house already?"

"Actually, he'll be moving in soon. He's staying with us," Clarissa announced matter-of-factly. I froze, my eyes widening.

"W-what!?"

She let out a coy smile as she laid her head on his shoulder. I caught his tension. "Julian might be wealthy, but he's spent the last twenty years living like a pilgrim. Which means he doesn't have a home he calls his. He wants to settle down now, but at the moment, he'll be staying with us."

Ah... come on!

"I'll be out of your hair, I promise you. You wouldn't even know I'm here," Julian tried to assure me, but it was landing in all the wrong ways. A mirthless chuckle escaped my lips, and from the corner of my eyes, I could see Clarissa snickering.

"The two of you are unbelievable!" I screamed and stalked out of the room, my initial plan to get food forgotten. Julian's stare trailed me throughout, and a prickle of awareness went through me. I debated going out but realized I was already running low on cash and would just spend the entire day drinking.

Screaming into a pillow, I pulled at my hair, trying to think of what to do to get out of this place when a knock came on the door.

"Get out!" I yelled at whoever was behind it. When no one answered, I stood to my feet and walked toward the door, pulling it open. No one was behind it, but when I lowered my gaze, there was a tray filled with food waiting for me. I paused, staring at it in surprise.

When the delectable scent hit my nose and my stomach growled in response, I immediately picked it up. Looking around to see if anyone was around, I brought it into my room and started eating. The entire meal was gone in a matter of minutes. As I drank water to wash it down, I realized that my foul mood had cleared.

I shrugged, deciding to stay holed up in the room instead. Evening rolled by and I was getting increasingly bored. Pacing about my room, I stared out the window to see Julian going on a walk with my mother.

My face contorted in disgust watching my mom giggling at whatever he was saying, clinging to him like a slug. Anger began to simmer within me at the sight. What does he even see in her? She's all plastic. I know I am better than her.

Plus, Clarissa doesn't deserve to be happy. Not after what she has done to me. Not after ruining my life. I scoffed at my proud thoughts, feeling disdain toward myself. How could I still want him again after all of this? He's marrying her. My mother.

A sinister idea dropped into my mind and I almost smiled as I watched them. What if I ruined their engagement? These two would never be married. My mother still doesn't know I had almost slept with her fiancé, and it's clear even with the way he hides it that he still wants me. It was there in his eyes last night, in his actions. I am seducing Julian. Those two would never be together.

I kissed him once. I'll do it again.

This time, I won't stop.