Chapter Five: Collision of Worlds

"Have you been taking your medicine?"

Mother's worried voice startled Ivory. She flinched, only regaining her thoughts when she saw her worried face. "Ivory, are you okay?"

She didn't meet her gaze. "I-I am fine, just a little tired from the flight."

She didn't look convinced. Mother went to the refrigerator and brought out a glass of water. Ivory reckoned she must have followed her after noticing her shakiness.

"I am not having another episode," she grumbled as Mother handed her the water.

"You look worse than that. Did you get hit by a trailer or were you mauled by a dying carcass?" Her brows puckered. "You look very ugly."

"Mother!" Ivory chided, quickly bringing out the mirror to check her face. Her heart was beating loudly from anxiety. Did she get uglier?

"Relax, I am just saying that your expression looks ugly. My precious is the most beautiful woman in all of America."

Despite her reassurance, Ivory still quickly checked herself in the mirror. Her face was entirely different than it once was.

Before, she could be considered an average-looking woman. Her skin was always cracked and less smooth, her olive eyes held a dullness that she hated.

But now, the face staring back at her was exceptionally beautiful. Her skin was soft, her once short hair was grown long, her eyes were bright and lively, and her skin had an ivory tint to it.

Spending a whole year in that sunny place made the ivory in her skin stand out.

"Ivory." Mother sounded worried now, her soft hand grasped hers over the kitchen counter. "I know you still haven't told me everything about what happened to you then, but..."

"I know, Mother. It's not that I don't trust you."

"Then do you not like Gabriel?"

At the name, she tensed, finally remembering something. "You said his son is coming. I better get ready then." She quickly made her way out of the kitchen.

She headed to the spiral staircase that led to her room. The room was donned in red and gold. From the walls painted a bright gold, to sparkling red marble tile.

And finally, the L-shaped couch by the left.

She walked to the shower, stripped off her clothes. Then she filled the bathtub with cold water and stepped into it.

The cold water made her relax. Her eyes closed. For a little moment, she let herself think of the past.

Of the time Axel and she were together. He didn't love her, but he wasn't cold to her either. Then that night.

'Do you love me?'

She remembered the way he had looked happy.

What happiness?

What truthfulness?

He had only done it to fool her. Her nails dug into her palms. How she wished she could turn back time. Her foolish self would never have trusted him.

With a groan, she buried herself into the water, trying to get rid of the awful memories.

After bathing, she headed to the mirror to take a glance at herself. Her whole body had changed from giving birth and she experienced postnatal trauma.

Even though the doctors tried to get rid of it, there was still a little mark from the acid beneath her collarbone.

Though it was little, the mark was there.

She shook away the thoughts and headed to the room to get a change of dress. She picked a white long sleeve and baggy trousers.

Though the urge to dress impeccably was there, she didn't dwell on it. Gabriel's son could still be someone else. Axel wasn't the only billionaire named Riggs.

Now she was regretting not paying more attention to him. For five years, she had made sure to block any news that had to do with him.

Despite taking over Mother's company, she never left home or appeared in public until a year ago when she went to the Sahara desert.

She didn't think that counted.

Sighing, she made her way downstairs, stomach coiling in anxiety. Luck had been on her side for a whole five years. Why couldn't it be on her side once more?

On arriving downstairs, the kids were dressed neatly. Esme had her red hair, while Elona had a bright maroon that had made her refuse to hold her after she was born.

Now the guilt still ate her up.

Esme was held by Gabriel who played with her, while Elona had her gaze on the stairs, waiting for her.

Her eyes brightened when she saw Ivory and the pang of guilt hit her again.

She almost gave her away.

She forced a smile and picked her up. "Hey."

"Mummy." Elona shyly looked down, cheeks flushing. "I-I got you something." She brought out a little paper. Ivory took it and she immediately buried her head in the crook of her neck.

Before she could open the paper, Mother walked in. "He's here." Her smile was nervous. She quickly held Gabriel's hands. "I hope he likes me," she whispered.

"You will do just fine," he comforted. Amidst all the buzz, Ivory was the only one whose heart was plummeting.

Why couldn't he just ignore all of this?

When did he suddenly reconcile with his father?

The door opened and Helen walked in. Ivory knew it was him before he came into her view.

The mint scent that engulfed the whole place was enough to confirm her suspicion.

It was him.

Axel Riggs.

The father of her children, the same man who tried to get rid of them.

She couldn't breathe. Her body wouldn't move. Tears blurred her eyes, but they weren't tears of joy.

They were tears of fear, of hatred.

Pleasantries were exchanged. Mother chittered on, but her voice was muffled.

Seeing the familiar figure, she noticed he had changed. He looked leaner, and his hair had grown to reach his shoulders. Stubble dusted his jaw.

His jawline was sharper. Though this only enhanced his good looks. When those grey orbs finally settled on her, he froze.

His gaze flickered in recognition and he paled. "I—"

"This is my daughter, Ivory." Mother's voice cut him off. "Ivory, this is Axel Riggs, your soon-to-be stepbrother," Mother offered.

Ivory quickly looked down to hide her tears. If Mother saw them, she would be worried.

"Mummy, why are you crying?" She had forgotten that she was holding the ever-observant Elona.

"M-mummy is fine, I just—"

"Ivory." Axel's shaky voice cut her words short, and the next thing she knew, a figure shot past her, and she was pulled into strong arms.

Mother's gasp covered hers.

For some reason, she froze, barely able to fathom what was happening, but when she realized it, fury bubbled through her.

He tried to kill her babies!

He almost killed her!

He ruined her face and self-esteem!

How dare he hug her?

How dare he pretend like nothing had happened?

Everything became a blur and all she could think of was making him feel the same pain. Before she could stop it, her palm lifted and landed on sharp skin.

"How dare you!"

The crisp slap resonated through the large house and Mother's gasp brought her hazy head back to reality.

Her wide eyes mirrored his.

Axel was looking at her as if he couldn't believe she did that. Mother's eyes were wide, but then tears blurred them.

Oh no!

Elona hugged her neck tighter and she could hear her sniffing.

Oh no!

What had she done?