“Can you explain what you remember? "Knowing where the emotional landmines are would make things easier," Parker tried humorously. What Kathy heard, however, registered in her mind as a criticism of her situation. Which made little sense in their current conversation.“What? I'm unsure about the information you're looking for.Despite Kathy's reluctance, he persisted in asking for more information. She struggled with the flashes of memories. Kathy avoided thinking about what happened. It didn’t help her or anyone else if she remembered it.“What part of your past is messing with you because of what just happened? What happened back then? You can tell me.” He asked her. Then he remembered how demanding it sounded and he corrected his error. “That is, if you’re okay with speaking about it.” “Oh, umm, that makes more sense. I had a run-in years ago with a real jerk. It was excessively dramatic, and he struggled to accept rejection for a long time. The attack ju

Monica stewed in her hatred most of the day. She’d caught word the hard way from Ivan how angry he was because the two idiots sent to kidnap the snot-nosed brat did not do their job. They now sat in jail after they’d seen a judge. Of course, Ivan screamed at her and upped the amount of money he wanted from her. She could have gotten that money if the bitch minding that brat hadn’t been a bitch with anger issues. Was she aware of her ability to fight back? Who was the fearful woman? What scared her? Monica learned her lesson and stored the information for later. She was glad she hadn’t relied on those idiots and made other plans. She slipped into the fundraiser with the idea that she’d have Heath’s parents distract him away from Ivy. Monica wanted to lead Ivy away from the scene personally. While everyone watched the floor show between Heath and his parents. Monica would finally address the issue with Ivy. Ivy survived the hit

Ivy lay bound to a board. She struggled through the pain and discomfort. It happened again. How could something so terrible happen again, and become worse? But this time, Heath was with her, by her side. She could feel him holding her hand. Ivy remembered the fall and the pain. Seeing Monica fall past her screaming. Monica hitting her head on the marble stair's edge and slid down to the floor.Ivy couldn’t stop the sobs that came from her. She’d seen the blood pooling beneath Monica’s head. She never expected this to happen. Monica used online platforms and private gatherings to threaten and slander people. She didn’t kill people.Now Monica was dead, and Ivy didn’t know if she should feel responsible because of how she taunted Monica. Ivy hesitated to ask Heath if it was over, wanting to focus on how her life would change.“Hey, you’re on the way to get medical attention, love. It’s okay. Hang in there. It’s only a matter of minutes.” Heath’s voice said this through the haze of pain

Heath disconnected his call to Parker and Kathy. Luckily, there was one positive thing in his world. His son was safe and so was his best friend. Now he waits to learn if his beloved will regain the ability to walk. It didn’t matter to him whether she could. What mattered was how she felt about herself and how she lived her life. Heath understood Ivy couldn’t live the life his mother and grandmother did. She couldn’t fill her days with luncheons and charity work. Ivy needed her art, antiques, and books to restore. She has a team that adds diversity by working in the field. Parker showed him files and reports on several projects she’d worked on. He’d also spoken to Kathy and found out how she’d pulled off single motherhood, too. Kathy took care of Geoff while she was away. Yet another reason Heath felt he should protect and help Kathy out with her safety, life, and maybe her career. He couldn’t waltz in and take Ivy and Geoff away from her. Or her away from Ivy and Geoff. Their friend

Elizabeth reached her limit with these people. Her son and husband both hated all the work she did for them. She sacrificed everything for the family she married into. Including sacrificing her family for the privilege of being Mrs. Allan. Despite her efforts to rectify one mistake, they refused to forgive her.Despite warnings from both her and Rowan, a woman came close to death because of her proximity to her son. Elizabeth’s lack of warmth and empathy was clear.She’d not chosen Ivy because of her appearance, being poor and frumpy. Heath needed a woman who fit the role of an asset. Who could embody a discerning eye for quality? A woman with beauty and sophistication. Ivy had neither. She looked nothing like that now with her son in the photo Heath sent her.Elizabeth needed to get a grip on herself. She found a seat in a nearby waiting room. Now two women were in surgery. One to walk, the other to live.The guilt wracked her when she heard the footsteps of several people entering t