Chapter 4 Keeping Up Appearances

(Ivy)

I almost laugh out loud.

For just a second, genuine panic flashes across his face.

“I asked James to bring it over if the service was done today so we could swap cars.” He’s already on his phone texting.

I nod like I believe him. “Great idea.” I step out of the car.

I start for the front door. Nash grabs my arm and pulls me back.

He spins me into him and gives me a deep, passionate kiss. I can’t avoid it. I don’t enjoy it but I keep my cool.

“Wow, what did I do to deserve that?”

“Just being you. But I’m sorry I smudged your lipstick.”

Ah, I see he’s buying himself time so whoever he texts can get Piper out. Well, that’s good because I need Piper to be out before I go in.

If she sees me now the reception surprise on divorce day will be over before it begins.

“I’ll go to the bathroom first and fix my makeup.”

“I just need to talk to James. I’ll meet you in there shortly.”

“Take your time. It’ll take me five minutes at least.”

I head inside.

“Mrs. Hawke is waiting for you in the sitting room,” the housekeeper says with a smile.

“I’ll just use the bathroom first.” I say as I head that way.

“Certainly, Ma’am.”

The moment she disappears toward the kitchen, I quietly double back.

The guest powder room overlooks the front driveway. It has a high window. I stand on the toilet to see.

I see Piper and Nash’s security man. She argues with Nash and hits her fist onto his chest.

He picks her up, puts her into the back seat of the SUV.

He slams the door shut and locks it with the fob before she can get out.

“Get her out of here,” I read his lips as he turned to his security man and gave him the fob.

I slip back to the family bathroom.

I quickly fix my face, then stroll into the sitting room.

“Eleanor. Hi. Nash is on his way in, he had to make a call.”

Eleanor looks up with a polite smile. “We’ll move into the family dining room.”

Two teacups sit on the coffee table between us.

One still has a fresh lipstick mark around the rim. I recognize the same color Piper had on.

I eye them deliberately. “Oh, I hope I’m not interrupting anything. Is someone joining us for dinner?”

“No. Just us.”

Eleanor’s phone rings.

She answers it. “Nash,” she says. “What on earth are you doing?”

She listens for quite a few minutes before glancing briefly in my direction.

I notice her face is slightly redder than before.

“Very well,” she says. “We’ll start without you. Try and hurry.”

She ends the call.

“Nash has been delayed by a call with an overseas client,” she says smoothly.

“Fine.” I say as we head to the table and sit.

Nash’s father Owen Hawke walks in, loosening his cufflinks.

He smiles at me. “Ivy. It’s good to see you.”

“You too, Owen.”

“Working too hard again?”

“I probably am.”

“You and me both.” He gives me a wink as he goes to kiss his wife on the cheek.

He squeezes my shoulder before he walks to the other end of the table to sit.

“Ivy… I want to talk to you before Nash gets here,” Eleanor starts.

Here we go.

“You’ve dedicated your life to your career.”

“And you should be proud of that,” Owen says. “You’ve become one of the finest surgeons in the country.”

“Thank you.”

“No one is questioning Ivy’s career prowess.” She pauses. “But Nash wants a family.”

“You’ve put children off for years,” she says.

“Nash and I made that decision together.”

“Perhaps.” She pauses for a second. “But you are both thirty-two, if you don’t see yourself having children…You should let him go.”

“Eleanor, for goodness sake. Stay out of our son’s marriage!”

“It’s fine, Owen,” I say and then I turn back to Eleanor. 

“I probably should,” I say calmly. “But do you really think Nash would let me go?”

She doesn’t answer.

“You know how he is.” I say and begin to eat my starter.

“If you won’t give this family a grandchild,” she says coldly, “there are plenty of women lining up to have Nash’s baby.”

I remain silent.

“Perfectly suitable girls,” she adds.

Suitable meaning they have the right look, they know how to keep up appearances.

She thinks I’m completely in the dark about what her son has done.

Owen clears his throat. “El, I think perhaps that’s enough.”

“I’m just saying that Nash wants a child and he should be able to have one. Even if it’s not with Ivy.”

Nash strides in, shrugging out of his suit jacket. “Mother, be quiet. Ivy is my only wife. The only child I’ll ever want is Ivy’s and if she says no then, so be it.”

Eleanor looks down at her dish and doesn’t argue. Interesting.

“Son, good to see you.”

“Good to see you too, Dad.” Nash smiles at me. “I’m starving. Let’s eat.”

I force myself to smile.

Then I changed the subject. “There’s something Dad asked me to mention.”

Three pairs of eyes turn to me. “He’s hosting a family celebration this Sunday and asked me to invite Eleanor and Owen.”

I continue, “Nash will be there with me, of course.”

Owen smiles warmly. “That’s very thoughtful of David.”

“What’s the occasion?” Eleanor asks.

“He’s keeping it a surprise,” I reply. “You know how he is with grand gestures.”

“Oh, I do love a surprise,” Eleanor says with a pleased smile. “We’d be delighted.”

“Lovely.” I smile back.

Something tells me you’ll remember this one for the rest of your life.

“I’d better make sure the chef hasn’t overcooked the lamb.” She rises from her chair and leaves.

“Look out Chef,” Owen quips. “I’ll grab us a bottle of red before she can say no.” He leaves the table and heads off.

Nash looks at me almost as soon as they are gone. “I was just on the phone to Jack Donovan, that’s why I was late.”

“Oh? Your mother said an overseas client, not your business lawyer.”

“She must’ve been mistaken. Ivy, I need to say something.”

“Okay… go ahead.”

“He said you’ve been buying property under your own name.” He studies my face carefully. “Asked if I knew.”

I blink at him with wide eyes. “Damn that nosy bastard.”

“That's why I pay him so well.”

“Jack ruined my surprise.” I pout dramatically.

“Surprise?”

“For our tenth anniversary. You know I always like to do something special. This was going to be my biggest yet. Now he’s ruined everything.”

I force some tears to well in my eyes.

“Ivy, what are you talking about?”

“The big house in the suburbs,” I smile innocently. “I wanted it to be a fresh start for us. For a new chapter in our lives.”

His expression softens. “And the other properties across the country?”

“Investments.” I shrug. “They’re all cosmetic flips. Buy them cheap, renovate them, sell them. They were for practice…”

“Practice? For what?”

“A new career so we can start a family…”

His eyes light up and he launches around the table. “Really? Oh Ivy, I can’t believe it!”

Neither can I because it’s not true.

I’m moving all my things across the country as soon as this divorce is finalized. I’ll be selling the house he thinks is our new future.

He takes me in his arms. “A fresh start. Nothing would make me happier.”

“But, can we keep it private?”

“I’m not saying one word, especially not Mom.”

He lets me go and goes back to his seat.

In one week’s time, I’ll be living on the other side of the country. With my own portfolio and a new job.

“I’m sorry.” He says. “I was wrong.”

I reach across the table and put my hand on his. “It’s okay. I should’ve realized Jack would flag it to you.”

He squeezes my fingers. “Just lately, you’ve been distant. I thought I was losing you.”

If only you knew.

“Now you see I’ve had a lot on my mind.”

His whole face brightens. “Why wait until our anniversary?”

I tilt my head. “What do you mean?”

“Let’s move now.”