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Heart under fire
publish date:
2026-03-30 21:30:00RONAN POV
Parkview Mental Health Centre.The place I’d been coming to in secret for the past three years.A place my father paid a fortune to keep quiet… because in the Hale family, weakness was a scandal.I never missed a session. Not once.Today was no different.I’d had to cancel my date with Ivy to be here. Dad insisted on coming with me, standing beside me like a reminder that my life wasn’t really mine. I didn’t have a choice.Ed
Latest chapter
Where the ice melts Hidden hand
IVY POVThe first file was worse than I expected.Sports compliance case. High-profile athlete. Alleged contract breach, endorsement fallout, media vultures already circling. If this went wrong, it wouldn’t just be a courtroom loss... it would be front-page humiliation.“Cute,” I muttered under my breath.Harrington hadn’t given me busy work.He’d given me something explosive.I flipped open the second file.Intellectual property dispute between two tech companies. Billions at stake. Aggressive opposing counsel. Multiple jurisdictions are involved.He didn’t want to see if I could survive.He wanted to see if I could dominate… crashFine.I kicked off my heels under the desk, tucked my legs beneath me, and started mapping timelines on a legal pad. Dates. Clauses. Breach points. Weaknesses.Thirty minutes in, I forgot to be nervous.An hour in, I forgot I was new.
Where the ice melts Nowhere feels safe
IVY POVMorning came too fast.For a split second, I forgot where I was. The bed was softer. The room unfamiliar. Sunlight streamed through massive windows instead of my tiny Chicago blinds.Then it hit me.New York.First day.Kirkland & Ellis.…Manhattan branch.I shot upright.“Oh, my God.”I grabbed my phone from the nightstand—6:42 AM.Not late. Thank God cos are not repeating the mistake of yesterday.I slipped out of bed and walked toward the windows. The city was already awake… yellow cabs slicing through traffic, distant horns, the low hum of ambition in the air.Today wasn’t just about showing up.Today was about making a statement.If Steven thought I was a transfer inconvenience, fine.I'm about show them the sharpest inconvenience he’d ever met.I opened my suitcase and laid everything out on the bed.Black tailored trousers.Struc
Where the ice melts The real target
IVY POVAlright,” Max said, clapping his hands once. “You’ve stared at my penthouse long enough. You’ve drooled over my wealth. Now let me feed so you don't faint on me.”“Please,” I groaned, leaning back in my stool. “Finally. After everything today, I need some carbs.”He laughed and walked over to the kitchen island. I swung my legs on one of the bar stools, taking it all in. This kitchen alone was bigger than my whole Chicago apartment. Marble counters. Cabinets hiding God knows what. A wine fridge that probably cost more than my car.“So,” I said, watching him roll up his sleeves, “are you ordering something crazy expensive, or are you actually gonna cook?”He gave me a look. “Excuse you, grandma. Just in case you've forgotten, I can cook.”“I know you can cook. But when was the last time you actually used this kitchen?”“Two years ago. But I boil water every now and then,” he said, smirking.I laughed so h
Where the ice melts Silence
IVY POVAs the plane finally touched down, my heart raced.My bag slung over my shoulder, I navigated through the crowded airport, my mind buzzing with everything ahead… and one person I hadn’t seen in over a year.There he was. Max. Leaning against his car, casual as ever, but with that grin that could make my knees weaken even after all this time. My chest tightened. I hadn’t seen him since last year… work had kept me in Chicago, and I hadn’t been able to make the trip.“Hey, my little poison,” he said the moment I stepped outside. His voice was warm, teasing, but something in his eyes softened when he saw me.“Max,” I breathed, surprised by how fast the words caught in my throat. I couldn’t help it…I ran toward him, and before I realized it, I was hugging him like I hadn’t breathed in a year.“You really made me wait hours just to pick you up,” he chuckled, holding me at arm’s length to look at me. “God, it’s been too long.”
Where the ice melts Too late
IVY POVMonday was already off to a disastrous start. I woke up to sunlight streaming through my blinds, groggy and disoriented… and then my phone lit up with notifications.12:00 PM.My stomach dropped. My flight was for 10:00 AM. Fuck!“No… no, no, no!” I scrambled out of bed, throwing the covers aside. My bag was still packed from the night before, at least that part was easy…but I had no time to breathe.I ripped off my pajamas, barely thinking, and hopped into the shower. The water was freezing, the clock ticking louder in my head with every second. I scrubbed quickly, trying to make it count, but the panic made my hands shake.Towel around my shoulders, I tore through my closet, grabbing the first statement outfit I could find. Suit jacket, pants, blouse… throw it on, Ivy, throw it on! My hair was still damp, so I grabbed the hairdryer, yanking at it as I ran around the apartment, my suitcase rolling behind me.I s
Where the ice melts Beneath what’s shown
IVY POVI walked back to my office, my heels clicking against the marble floor, and sank into my chair. My inbox was already full, files stacked up, but I had work to do… preparing everything to hand over to the person who would take over my current cases.Kai popped his head in, looking curious. “Everything okay? You look… pissed.”I gave him a small smile, still buzzing with adrenaline. “Blake won this round, Kai. But it’s just a round. I won't let her win the war.”I pulled out my phone, fingers hovering over Max’s number. My thumb hovered for a second, then I typed quickly:“Hey… I’m coming to your city.”Sent.My heart skipped. Relief, somehow excited I get to see Max and Zoe, and a little nervousness mingled together. This was more than what I expected… this was my life, my next challenge, and maybe… just maybe, a chance to finally prove to Steve my he should make me managing partner.I set my phone down,
Where the ice melts Eyes on me
IVY POVThe next morning, I woke to the sound of soft lips on my forehead.“Good morning, sweetheart,” he whispered, his voice low and warm.Did he just call me… sweetheart?“Morning…” I mumbled, still half asleep, my heart skipping a beat.Before I could e
Where the ice melts The ultimatum
IVY POVHe slammed his cock back into me, and I cried out, arching into him as he moved faster, harder. My back hit the sheets with every thrust, and a desperate, shaky moan ripped from my lips.His hands were on me, gripping both my breasts, thumbs brushing over my nipples as h
Where the ice melts Tangled loyalty
IVY POVHis lips met mine again, slower this time, like he was savoring it. Not rushing. Not taking. Just… feeling me. My breath tangled with his, my hands clutching his shirt as if letting go might undo this moment.He rested his forehead against mine once more, his thumb brushing m
Where the ice melts No turning back
IVY POV“Water,” he said hoarsely.I jumped up right away, grabbed a bottle from the table, and twisted the cap open. My hands were shaking a little as I brought it to him.He took a few slow sips, then frowned. “Fuck… I hate drugs.”I huffed softly. “They’ll m
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