Ivy waited the whole day, but the boss didn't return. The long day was boring as she was told to only roam around the living area and her room. She accepted the hospitality, as it was a lot better than roaming the streets with no place to stay.
She was about to sleep when the butler knocked on the door. "Miss, could you please come outside.""Sure," Ivy replied as she came out of the room."Well um…," he hesitated before letting it loose. "He said you should leave before he comes back.""But I want to thank him," she explained."I'm sorry, miss, you have to go," he ushered her out of the room."Please let me stay, I have nowhere to go, please," she pleaded."Miss, let me show you to the door," the butler insisted."Let me spend the night; in the morning, I'll leave. Please," she rubbed her hands together, pleading."You have to understand, I don't own this place; I am only following orders," he said apologetically."Plead with him," Ivy still insisted on staying."Miss, please this way," he was fed up."Please, can I…," she sighed, "never mind." She had to accept the fact that she was now a beggar, all thanks to Dave.They were almost at the entrance before a man appeared. The man's presence halted Ivy's movement as she was forced to take a good look at the figure that made her stop in her tracks. He was dressed in a designer suit; his elegance was on a whole different level compared to other men she had seen before. It had the capability to leave every woman stunned and captivated at his presence that matched the description of a powerful king."Why is she still here? I thought I made it clear I wanted her gone before I return," his monotonous voice resounded through the place and brought Ivy back to the present."I'm sorry, sir, she…," the butler was about to explain before Ivy cut him off."Hi, I am Ivy Hale; it's a pleasure to meet you," she brought out her hand for a handshake. The charming king ignored her like she didn't even exist."Xavier, escort her out," he ordered and went inside."Yes, Sir. Miss, please leave; don't make me use extreme means; it will be better if you go now. He has a temper," the butler explained while showing her the door.Ivy's mind was conflicted; she had other reasons why she wanted to talk to him, but he was not a nice guy. Not nice one bit. He didn't even let her thank him. She sighed then took one step towards the door in defeat. She stopped, then closed her eyes, hesitated to take another step but finally did. She was only one step away before she turned around and suddenly ran back inside, leaving the butler stunned.She followed the direction of the rude man, his bedroom was wide open as he was speaking to someone through the phone. Ivy hid behind the door, listening to the conversation."I'm busy, don't have time for chit-chat," The caller from the other end said. "So you can't even attend the family dinner. Did we offend you?""No," he replied as he was taking off his tie."Or is it because I told you to never return home without a wife?" the caller asked.'A wife.' Ivy took down everything.The rude man sighed, "yes.""So you haven't found one?" the caller asked, displeased."Here we go again with me needing a wife."'Need a wife.' She frowned."Son, you have to get married, you are getting old. Do you want me to die before I see my grandchildren?" he sounded like a weak old man."You have an elder son; give up on me," he replied."Zack,"'So that's his name.' Ivy was still listening."What's your problem with women?""I'll hang up now," he said, ready to end the call."Wait, wait, wait, wait. Fine, if you don't want to get married, don't call me father anymore," the caller said."Are you disowning me?" Zack frowned."Yes," the caller hung up.Zack tossed his phone on the bed, not fazed by his father's words. He was about to unbutton his shirt before an uninvited guest appeared from nowhere."Please let me spend the night.""Why are you still here, GET OUT!""So rude." She didn't say that out loud. "Please.""Do you want me to call security?" He sounded serious, as he picked his phone."No, please, I am homeless. Please let me stay a little, please.""You have no shame, do you?" He said in contempt."Yes, you are right, I don't, I don't, okay, please, you have no idea what I've been through," she said with teary eyes."Your problem," he replied as he attempted to shut the door behind her.Ivy wasn't letting go; she held the door with all her might, Zack let go, and she fell but stood up immediately."Pl…""Go away," Zack refused to let her speak before he cut her off.Then it struck her; she wondered where this boldness was coming from, but she was thankful she had it; if not, she wouldn't be able to move on."I heard you are looking for a wife over the phone. Let's get married," she proposed.Zack stared at his tablet for what felt like forever, hesitant. He was finally going to see the one who was behind his accident. But now the weight of the moment pressed down on him. He knew this call could change everything, reveal a face he might recognize, or a stranger he would despise. He wasn't sure he was ready for either.Ivy was by his side, squeezing his arm tightly and encouraging him to do it. "Come on, Finn made this possible for you, so... let’s get it over with," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and nudging him to tap on the screen."Alright," he said finally, but as Ivy attempted to speak, a loud cry came out from the room."Lucas again," she growled and got up, placing a soft kiss on Zack's cheek. "Be right back."With that, she left, and Zack decided to get it over with as Ivy had said. He tapped on the screen, and there just what he had feared stared right back at him.Those familiar emerald eyes..."Chris. So it was really you," Zack whispered, disbelief
THE NEXT MORNING, Ivy and Zack made their way downstairs, luggage in tow, with Lucas giggling in his stroller. Lucas was babbling excitedly, clearly sensing the adventure ahead, and Ivy couldn't help but smile at her little boy's enthusiasm. Although she was still a bit hesitant about leaving, Zack's and Lucas's enthusiasm was infectious.But she had to agree a vacation would benefit them all.Just as they were about to head out the door, Xavier, their butler, rushed in, looking flustered."Wait, please!" Xavier exclaimed. "We have a visitor."Ivy's eyes narrowed, her smile faltering. "Who is it?"Xavier hesitated before responding. "It's... your..." Before he could finish, a voice cut in."Zack has woken up all this time, and you didn't bother informing us," Henry walked in, the old man right beside him.The moment he set eyes on Zack, he went straight to him and hugged him tightly. "I'm so glad you're okay, son..."Zack, caught off guard, returned the hug, a mix of surprise and conf
"Ivy, remember when I took Roy outside?" Zack said, and Ivy frowned. "Yes, of course." "I thought... I thought I saw Chris. Briefly. Just a glimpse." Ivy's eyes widened in disbelief. "Chris? But... he hasn't called since that day..." "Exactly," Zack said, his brow furrowed. "But what if... what if... I don't know...?" Ivy shook her head, dismissing the idea. "Zack, that's impossible. Didn't you say he was an imposter?" "I'm starting to doubt that 'imposter' theory," Zack said. "It's too convenient the way he operates in the shadows... it's shady." Ivy's eyes narrowed, having a hard time processing everything. If he wasn't an imposter, then why hadn't he reunited with Zack? Why was he hiding? "What if... he has a vendetta? Against you?" Ivy sprang from the bed, her head filled with fear gnawing at her. She knew what it felt like to be wanted dead, and now Zack, this childhood friend... if it's true, then it's even worse than she imagined. "Maybe we should tell Finn every
"Lucas, I'm home!" Zack announced as he stepped into the familiar warmth of their living room. Ivy smiled and quickly got beside him. "Careful, Zack," she cautioned, her hand lightly touching his arm. "Remember, you're still recovering." "Now you want me to be treated like a fragile piece of glass, huh?" Zack said with his usual smirk, and Ivy couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Yeah, that's what you are right now." Zack smirked, closing the short distance between them. "Is that so?" Ivy stepped back, a blush creeping into her cheeks. "Zack, this isn't the right place to... you know, do your usual thing..." She then said with gritted teeth, "Maria and Lucas are coming." Zack turned to find Maria smiling his way. She bowed slightly and then placed Lucas on the ground. "There he is," Zack said, his voice softening as he knelt down. He extended his arms, a wide, welcoming smile on his face. "Come here, buddy. Daddy's home." Lucas hesitated, his gaze shifting between Zack and
"Zack, tomorrow's a big day. Lucas is hitting nine months," Ivy said, her voice soft as she gently ran her hands over Zack's. "Can you believe it? Nine months already?"She tried hard to grin, but what came out was a pathetic smile. "I... started him on complementary foods, you know. He seems to really like mashed sweet potatoes with a little cinnamon. He makes the funniest face when he tastes something new, but sweet potatoes are definitely his favorite."Ivy chuckled, despite knowing that Zack couldn't hear her. The sound was more for her own benefit, a way to release some of the tension and sadness that had been building up inside.But as she looked at Zack's still face, her expression shifted. Her smile faltered, and her eyes welled up with tears.Ivy's sigh turned into a sob, and she buried her face in her hands, letting the tears flow.She had hoped Zack would wake up before their son turned seven months, but now he was nine months, still trapped in this limbo.He didn't get to
SIX MONTHS LATERIvy's hands trembled as she held the phone, Bryan's voice sounding at the other end."Ma'am, we found him last night," Bryan said, his tone gentle but firm. "The driver who hit Zack. We've got a positive ID."Ivy's breath caught in her throat. Six months of waiting, wondering, and fighting for answers. Finally, she was going to get some justice."Who is it?" Ivy asked, her voice barely above a whisper.There was a pause before Bryan responded, "Marcus Thompson. The police are bringing him in for questioning. They're going to push him hard to see if he'll talk."Ivy's grip on the phone tightened. "Will he talk?""There's a good chance he might," Bryan said. "Thompson's got a history of criminal activity. He's been in and out of jail for various offenses. If the police can leverage that, he might be willing to cooperate."Ivy's mind was racing. "How soon can they get him to talk?" She wanted to wipe that smug look off Albert's face.Bryan hesitated before responding, "W