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Author: Sharon
last update publish date: 2026-04-25 01:46:46

Ivy's Pov

I had told Sarah that she was talented and that her voice mattered more than the bad things that happened. She said it didn't matter because no one would want to read about someone like her. I was sure that everyone wanted to have the possibility of seeing the world through her eyes.

I felt like I was finally a tool for something good in this village.

I wanted to tell her I didn't care about the rules of the application. I only wanted her to feel proud.

But how ironic my life had
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  • Beneath His Rules   135

    Ivy's Pov I pushed the screen door open and stepped onto the porch. He froze, his head snapping up to look at me. He looked tired, but his eyes were clearer than I had ever seen them. "Ivy," he said. He sounded like he had been holding that name in for a long time. "What are you doing here?" I asked. I had told Marcus that I was done with my past, but I didn't feel like I was telling the truth anymore. He was sure I could move on, but seeing Dominic there made my resolve feel like it was melting. I felt like I was no longer just a tool for my own independence. "I came to see you," he said, walking slowly toward the porch steps. "I had told my therapist that I might be too late, but he said it didn't matter how long it took as long as I showed up. He was sure that if I was honest, you’d at least hear me out." My eyes stung as I tried to keep from tearing up as he reached the bottom step. I could hear the sound of the wind in the trees, a distant lawnmower, and the chirping of c

  • Beneath His Rules   134

    Dominic's Pov The taxi tires crunched against the gravel as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. "That will be fifteen dollars, sir," the driver said, looking at me through the mirror. "Keep the change," I said. I handed him a twenty. "You look like you're about to fight a war or get married," the driver joked. "Which one is it?" "Maybe both," I replied. I felt like I was just a tool for my own nerves as I watched the car pull away. I wanted to tell the driver that I didn't care about the money. I only wanted to know if the house at the end of the block was really hers. But how ironic my life had turned out. Before, I was also just a tool for my family's reputation—their ego and their heart—from being broken by the truth of who I was. Only this time, I had a real idea of what I was fighting for. And at least with this walk, I was the one moving my own feet. I was not forced into this encounter. My eyes stung as I tried to keep from tearing up as I started walking down toward t

  • Beneath His Rules   133

    Ivy's Pov I was standing by the window, watching the mail truck drive away from the curb. "Ivy, is that the mail?" Marcus asked from the couch. "I think so," I said. "I'm going to go get it." "You look like you've seen a ghost," he said. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine. I just... I think it’s from him." I walked outside and felt the cold air on my face. I had told myself that I was ready for this, but my hands were shaking as I pulled the letter out. He was implying in his last message that he would come if I asked, and now the paper was right here. I felt like I was just a tool for my own nerves for a long time. I wanted to tell the world that I wasn't the same girl he left behind. I only wanted to show him I was strong now. But how ironic my life had turned out. What was happening now was exactly how I wanted my new chapter to start. Before, I was also just a tool to save his feelings—his ego and his heart—from being broken by the truth of our situation. Only this time, I

  • Beneath His Rules   132

    Ivy's Pov The morning sun hit the kitchen table, and I sat there staring at a blank piece of paper. "Do you want some more coffee, Ivy?" Marcus asked, leaning against the counter. "No, I’m good," I said. "I think I’m just going to write this letter now." "You sure? You've been staring at that page for twenty minutes," he noted. "I'm sure. It’s just hard to find the right words. He was implying in his last message that he’d wait forever, but I don't want him to wait forever." "Well, just tell him the truth," Marcus said. "He needs to hear it from you." I had told myself that I wasn't pure enough for a happy life anymore. But then I realized it didn't matter. I was sure that I wanted to have a possibility of a future with him. I felt like I had been just a tool for my own sadness for a long time. "Should I tell him to come here?" I asked. "Do you want him here?" Marcus asked back. "I think so. But I want to go slow. I don't care about the big romantic gestures. I only want

  • Beneath His Rules   131

    Ivy's Pov I reached for a carton of eggs, making sure none were cracked. "Do we have enough milk, Ivy?" Marcus asked from the next aisle over. "I think so," I called back. "I checked the fridge before we left." I was acting calm compared to the turmoil within me as I stood in the middle of the store. Everything about the morning led me to one thing: I was finally out in the world again. "Ivy? Is that... is that really you?" I froze. I stood before a massive display of red apples. I turned around slowly. "Chloe?" I said. "Oh my god, it is you. I heard you moved away," Chloe said. She was fidgeting with her purse. "I did. I'm back for a bit," I replied. My hand on the cart tightened. "You look different," she said. Her eyes swept past my face. "I mean, you look good. Healthy." "I am healthy. Finally." "Ivy, look," Chloe stepped closer. "I’ve thought about you a lot. About high school." "You don't have to do this, Chloe. It's fine." "It’s not fine! I was a tool for tho

  • Beneath His Rules   130

    Dominic's Pov I sat in the airport terminal, staring at the gate. Everything my heart told me led me to one thing: I had to get back to her. "Is this seat taken?" a man asked, pointing to the chair next to mine. "No, go ahead," I said. I was acting calm compared to the turmoil within me. "Heading home or leaving it?" he asked. "Heading toward a chance," I replied. I felt the small velvet box in my pocket. I wanted to tell him I didn't care about the miles. I only wanted Ivy. "Flight 402 to Ivy’s city is now boarding," the intercom blared. I stood up. "That’s me." "Good luck with that chance, buddy," the man said. "Thanks. I’ll need it," I said. I felt like I was just a tool for my own hope now. I walked down the tunnel and met the flight attendant at the door. "Welcome aboard, sir. Seat 22B is just down the aisle." "Thank you," I said. My eyes stung as I tried to keep from tearing up. It was finally happening. I sat down and squeezed my eyes shut as the engines start

  • Beneath His Rules   80

    Dominic's Pov I was in the study all morning making preparations. The knowledge that Victor Shaw was the stalker gave me a clear path forward. I knew his name and his motives, which was the most important thing. He was not just some random threat, he was a professional extortionist who worked for

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-30
  • Beneath His Rules   83

    Dominic's Pov I stood in the study long after Ivy walked out of the room. The air was cold and heavy around me. My hand still felt the shape of her small body where I had held her tight against my chest. Her confession was running through my head over and over. I am pregnant, Dominic. The shock o

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-30
  • Beneath His Rules   79

    Ivy's Pov I was back in my room after my mother finally left the house. The house felt strangely empty and quiet now that she was gone. Dominic had not come up to check on me for a few hours, which was good because I needed the time to be alone and think about what I had to do next. I sat on the

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-30
  • Beneath His Rules   82

    Ivy's Pov It was almost midnight when I finally heard the front door open downstairs. I got off the bed and ran to my door. I stood there listening to the sound of his footsteps on the stairs. He sounded slow and heavy. I heard him walk into the study, and the door closed hard. He was back, and I

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-30
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