CHAPTER 2

IVY'S POV

I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN

I still can't believe Bella is back, and to make matters worse, Rowan chose to bring her home at my lowest moment.

"I think we should grab some coffee," Bella suggests, feigning innocence as if she weren't the catalyst for my world crumbling around me. As if this isn't exactly what she wanted; to replace me as Rowan's wife.

I don't dignify her with a response. Instead, I toss my keys to Rowan, my voice cold and resolute. "You'll never see my face again."

Grabbing my luggage, I turn my back on the life I've known for the past three years. I don't even glance at the car Rowan's grandfather gifted me. I want nothing tying me to the Douglas family any longer. I'm done with them all.

As I walk away from the mansion, Rowan's voice stops me in my tracks. For a fleeting moment, I wonder if I've forgotten something.

"You didn't include anything in the divorce papers about compensation," he calls out.

I whirl around, my eyes blazing with hurt and fury. "For God's sake, Rowan, when will you realize that I didn't marry you for your damn money? Maybe it's time you open your eyes and see the truth. Go, be with the love of your life, the one who's always held your heart..."

Rowan cuts me off, his tone dripping with disdain. "Spare me the dramatics, Ivy. Enough of your lies." He pulls a check from his suit coat, thrusting it toward me. "Here's a check for ten million dollars. That should keep you afloat until you find another rich man to sink your claws into."

Every fiber of my being screams to reject his "generous" offer, to prove once and for all that his money means nothing to me. But I need to make him see how wrong he's been about me all along.

I push the check back into his hands, my voice shaking with emotion. "Keep your money, Rowan. I never want to see you again."

Something flickers in his eyes—pity, perhaps? "I don't want you ending up on the streets, Ivy."

His sudden concern is laughable. How many nights did I fall asleep waiting for him, only for him to leave me on the couch when he finally stumbled home? Why start caring now? What does it matter to him where I end up?

"That's none of your business anymore," I snap. "Go back to the love of your life and forget you ever knew me."

I hail a taxi, throwing myself inside as the tears I've been holding back finally break free. The past three years have been nothing but a waste, a cruel joke at my expense.

Lost in my misery, I barely register when the taxi pulls up to my father's mansion. It's not my favorite place, but for now, it's my only option. My family has never been the warmest or most accepting, especially compared to the Sharps. I've always been the black sheep, the disappointment.

It's one of the reasons I jumped at the chance to marry Rowan when his grandfather proposed the idea, even with Rowan in a coma. I thought it was my ticket to a better life, to finally being seen and loved. Instead, it only made things worse.

My parents were horrified when I chose to wed a man clinging to life by a thread. They saw it as a disgrace, a betrayal of their values. And my brother... He's hated me for as long as I can remember, and my marriage to Rowan only deepened his loathing.

The day I moved into Rowan's house, my brother told me I was dead to him, that he wished he never had a sister like me. It broke my heart, but I had no choice. I had nowhere else to go.

The only person who's ever truly been there for me is my best friend, Sarah. We've been inseparable since childhood, but Rowan's jealousy and controlling nature forced me to cut ties with her. He couldn't stand the thought of me having anyone else in my life.

With a heavy heart, I ring the doorbell, steeling myself for the inevitable rejection and scorn. But I'm out of options. I need my family, even if they've never been the supportive, loving type.

My brother answers the door, his face contorting with shock and disgust at the sight of me and my bags. He doesn't say a word—not that I expected him to. With a dismissive hiss, he leaves the door open, his silence speaking volumes.

I step inside, my voice small and broken. "Dad? Mom?"

They both look up, their surprise quickly morphing into disappointment. "Ivy? What are you doing here?" my mother asks, her tone making it clear I'm not welcome.

The story spills out of me in a jumble of tears and choked sobs. But even as I pour my heart out, I can see the judgment in their eyes. They don't feel sorry for me. They think I've brought this upon myself.

"And you thought coming here was your best option?" my father scoffs.

I look at him, desperation clawing at my throat. "Where else am I supposed to go?"

My mother's face hardens, her words cutting me to the bone. "We can't have a loser like you under our roof, Ivy. You need to leave. Now."

I turn to my father, pleading. "Dad, you can't do this to me. I'm your daughter!"

But there's no mercy in his gaze. "You heard your mother. If your husband divorced you, he should be the one taking care of you. I won't have you in my house when you can't even fight for what's yours."

It feels like the ground is giving way beneath me, like I'm being swallowed whole by the enormity of their rejection. With shaking hands, I gather my bags, my steps heavy as I walk away from the only home I've ever known.

I'm truly alone now, with nowhere to turn. Except... there's one last glimmer of hope. Sarah. I don't know if she'll take me in, if she can forgive me for abandoning our friendship, but I have to try.

Digging through my purse, I find my phone and dial her number with trembling fingers. She picks up on the first ring, her voice bright and warm. "Ivy? Is that you?"

"Hey, Sarah," I manage, trying to keep the tears from my voice. "Are you home right now?"

"Yeah, I am. Why? Is everything okay?"

I take a shuddering breath. "Can I... can I come over? Please?"

"Of course, honey. You know you're always welcome here."

Relief washes over me, so strong it nearly brings me to my knees. "Thank you, Sarah. I'll be there soon."

As I end the call, I realize I haven't told her the truth about what's happened. About Rowan, about Bella, about the ruins of my life. But for now, just knowing I have somewhere to go, someone who cares... it's enough.

With a heavy heart and a tiny spark of hope, I make my way to Sarah's, praying that this isn't the end, but a new beginning born from the ashes of my shattered dreams.