Chapter 21

Julian's POV…My heart stopped, then it slammed violently against my ribs.It wasn’t Ivy. The person lying inside the bag was a middle-aged man. His face was pale, like he had died a long time ago. His eyes were half open, lifeless, staring into nothing.I staggered backward slightly, my hand flying to my mouth. Oh God.Dark stains spread across the front of his shirt.Blood. A lot of it.For a few seconds, my mind went completely blank. A body. I was staring at a real body.The words the supermarket worker had said earlier echoed loudly in my head.Someone was killed.There was a murderer on the streets tonight.I looked down again at the man inside the bag.This body didn’t belong to Ivy. Which meant Ivy was still out there. Somewhere. Alone.And possibly in the same streets as a killer.A wave of dread washed over me so suddenly that I had to brace my hand against the wall of the alley to steady myself.Where could she be?Why wasn't she answering her phone?My mind raced through a

Chapter 22

Julian's POV…I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep wouldn’t come and every time I closed my eyes… I saw him.The figure that was standing in the alley… watching me. I opened my eyes again with a sharp breath and turned my head to the side.Damn it.I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand across my face.Why did I even care that much? The question came suddenly.Why did I go that far?Why did I risk walking into a dark alley… in a street where a murderer could be hiding… just because Ivy wasn’t home?I frowned slightly. It didn’t make any sense.She was just… I stopped the thought halfway.Just what?A worker?Someone staying in my house? Then why did it feel like more than that? I shut my eyes again.And this time, a different memory replayed.Her sitting there in the living room, looking so distracted and lost.“Where were you?” My own voice echoed in my head.You will leave this house tonight. I exhaled sharply and rubbed my forehead.“Maybe I was too hard on her…” I muttered u

Chapter 23

Ivy's POV…Julian watched me in disbelief, after I had finished narrating everything to him. “You think your step mother is the murderer?" He asked and I nodded. “That's a serious accusation, you know Ivy? You can't just conclude that because you had a fallout with her," “It's not just about having a fallout with her," I said. “Nothing like this has happened before, well, since I started living here. Then all of a sudden, she shows you one day and someone is killed," He sighed and shook his head. “I understand the point you're trying to make, but we can't just jump to conclusions and then report her to the police. Our assumptions could be wrong,”My shoulders fell. He didn't trust me enough to believe me and I was sure of what I was saying. "Besides, I saw someone”I raised my head and looked at him. Was that fear I saw in his eyes?“He was putting on a mask and he was…" he paused and looked directly at me. “He was watching me," “He?" I asked. “Yes. It looked like a man. I also

Chapter 24

Ivy's POV…I quickly snatched my shirt away from her hold and glared at her. Who does she think she is to threaten me?She let out a little laugh and looked away. “Don’t," she looked at me. “Don’t underestimate me. My good side is only reserved for Mr Trahan," I watched her closely. She sounded so venomous.“So you've just been waiting to replace his wife after she left?" I said. “Don't play the saint here. You know what you're doing. You left the house and then pretended to be in trouble so everyone would worry about you huh?" She eyed me. “I won't fall for that," “You're using subtle moves to get into their lives. To make them accept you. You act all innocent and nice to Tracy so she'll put in a good word for you to her father," she added.“I'm not like you," I snapped. “That's your motive, but not mine. I'm only here to work and sorry if my presence is ruining your plans and Caroline's," She scoffed. “I've been in this house for the longest. Longer than any staff at all. I dese

Chapter 25

Ivy's POV…I stared at him in surprise. “Can I join you?" He asked again. I nodded slowly and moved away from the door so he could enter. He shut the door as he entered and I moved towards Tracy who was already sleeping. I sat down on the chair next to the bed. Julian sat on the edge of the bed. “She's asleep already," he said. I didn't say anything. I was just watching him. “I'm sorry if it seems like I'm intruding in your time with her…”"No sir,” I shook my head. "You're not intruding at all. She's your daughter. If I'm with her and you want to see her… I can just go,” I said. He smiled softly and looked away. My breath hitched. Why did he look so handsome as he did that and why did my heart flutter?"I'm so happy that Tracy feels comfortable with you now,” he said. "Me too,” I said. I looked at her sleeping soundly on the bed. She was such a beautiful little girl. She looked so peaceful as she slept."She's never felt this way with anyone before after she left,”"She?”

Chapter 26

Ivy's POV…I watched him in surprise. Susan wasn't Tracy's mom. The words rang in my ear. It was kind of making sense to me now. I knew there was something suspicious about their relationship. “Mm hmm," he hummed in response to my question. “So, what about her real…" I was cut off by the ringing of his phone. He reached into his pockets and grabbed his phone. No. No. No. Not now. This was a bad time for any interruptions. I was about to ask something very important and a phone call just had to ruin that. He looked at the screen, then at me. “I'm so sorry, but I need to take this call. It's urgent," he said as he stood up. “I'll see you later," He walked towards the door and opened it. But before he left, he stopped by the door.“Ivy," he called me. “Hmm," my brows shot up. “You have an amazing voice," he said and smiled. “Thank you sir," I smiled as well. He walked out and shut the door. I sat there on the chair, still staring at the door. I was feeling two things at the m