Chapter 211
“One scoop of milk, pour in water, shake, test temperature,” Ivy murmured as she prepared Cole’s formula. Monica had taught her how to do it, and she was surprised she’d gotten it right on the first try.
She placed the bottle against her check. When it felt just right, she dropped it on the table and went to carry Cole.
He cried the moment she lifted him.
“Easy now, food is here,” she whispered, picking up the bottle.
Slowly but steadily, she fed him, her heart pounding as she watched him suck on the teat.
His slow breathing, the way his tiny hand held her finger, the fluttering of his eyes, all softened her. And in that vulnerable moment, she wanted to keep him forever.
The realization hit her hard: she actually liked little Cole despite everything.
He wasn’t just Mason’s child; he was Cheryl’s child–the baby she had once wanted to put everything on hold for, even before he was born.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
“Hey, Ivy.” It was Theresa.
“Come in,” she said.
Theresa stepped in and noticed her expression. “Oh, Ivy. Are you okay?“.
Ivy looked away. Theresa sat beside her and Cole, rubbing her back gently.
“It’s… a lot,” Ivy whispered.
“I completely understand,” Theresa replied softly. “But you know, you’re under no obligation to care for him.”
“I know,” Ivy said. “I just… can’t hate him…”
“Which is normal. He was supposed to be your godson, and then everything got messy. Don’t feel guilty for loving him. You’re only human, Ivy.”
Ivy swallowed, Theresa’s word sinking in. She was only human and little Cole was an innocent baby. Setting the almost empty bottle on the table, she lifted him to her shoulder to burp him.
“You’re a natural,” Theresa teased.
Ivy laughed.
Cole let out a loud belch, making them both laugh again. She laid him gently on the bed, where he cooed softly before drifting off to sleep.
“Where’s Silas?” Theresa asked.
“He’s working downstairs.”
Theresa’s cheeks turned red. “Did he tell you about the… lawsuit?”
Ivy turned to her. “What lawsuit?”
Theresa told her about the reporter’s case.
Ivy’s eyes widened. “I’m so sorry, T.”
“Yeah…” Theresa said, looking away.
Ivy’s heart dropped. “There’s more, right?”
“Oh, Ivy,” Theresa’s voice cracked. “I agreed to settle outside of court… but that has led to more problems.”
Ivy’s stomach twisted with fright. “What is it, T?”
Theresa stood up, her blush deepened as she began to pace. “There’s an online petition to revoke my medical license, and the board of doctors is leaning into it.”
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1:04 PM
Chapter 211
“Oh goodness,” she gasped, standing up.
“I lost control once, Ivy and it’s about to ruin my life.”
Ivy wrapped a hand around her and Theresa collapsed into the embrace. “I’m sorry.”
She held Theresa until she sighed, and she finally straightened up.
“Thank you,” Theresa said quietly.
“What are we supposed to do? There has to be a way to change the narrative.”
“I don’t know,” Theresa replied with a shrug. “I can’t think right now.”
Ivy gently squeezed her hand. “I understand.”
They stood in silence, holding hands. Ivy knew how important Theresa’s career was to her, and it filled her with pain.
Theresa returned to the bed, and Ivy followed.
Theresa sighed. “I know the board won’t immediately say anything. It might not even be revoked. But cancel culture is real, and I don’t want that.”
Then let’s fix it,” Ivy said, racking her brain. “What about issuing a public statement? That way, you get to tell your side of the story. Or even a private interview?”
“That’s a good idea,” Theresa replied, “but it’s too direct.”
Ivy nodded. “Yeah.”
She knew they had to do something, but she didn’t know what.
Before either of them could say more, the door flew open, and Aria rushed in.
Theresa jumped to her feet. “What’s wrong?”
“Beatrice is downstairs, and she’s causing a scene,” Aria said, her forehead beading with sweat.
“Beatrice?” Ivy asked, standing as well. “What is she doing here?”
Theresa’s expression shifted. “What the hell did you do this time?”
Aria flinched, her cheeks flushing, but she said nothing.
“Speak!”
Aria flinched again, stepping back. “I released her nudes online.”
Ivy blinked. “Aria!!”
“You don’t fucking learn!” Theresa snapped, her eyes blazing. “Why the hell would you call attention to yourself again after everything?!”
Ivy was stunned into silence. From the bed, little Cole stirred. She turned to Aria, lowering her voice. “Where is she?”
Aria bit her lip. “In the hallway.”
Theresa stormed out the room, and Aria followed behind her. Ivy locked the door slowly, just in time to see a maid coming down the stairs.
“Hey, can you help me watch the baby until Monica arrives?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the maid replied with a bow.
When Ivy reached the hallway, she saw Beatrice screaming at the top of her lungs. Theresa was trying to speak, but Beatrice’s voice was louder.
Ivy stepped forward. “Hey, Beatrice! Calm down!”
Beatrice paused, panting and glaring at Aria, who was hiding behind Theresa.
“Thank you,” Ivy said, then nodded to Theresa.
Theresa turned to Beatrice. “I understand-”
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Chapter 211
“Your fucking sister is crazy!” Beatrice snapped.
“You released my sex tape first, it’s payback!” Aria spat.
“I didn’t! After you had me arrested, I deleted everything,” Beatrice countered. “I gave the officers everything I had!”
“Well, I wasn’t sure. I don’t believe you.”
Theresa and Ivy exchanged looks.
Theresa sighed. “I’m sorry, Beatrice.” Then she turned to Aria. “Apologize to her.”
Aria blinked. “What? She-”
“Now!”
Aria muttered her apology.
“We’ll find a way to get them off the internet,” Theresa promised.
Ivy stood still, her stomach tightening. Aria knew it was Rosie who had released the tape. Beatrice had already reported to the police that her phone had been hacked.
Why then did Aria do it?
The thought twisted Ivy’s stomach with discomfort, but before she could speak, the maid came to her.
“Your phone is ringing, ma’am,” she said, handing it over.
Ivy raised a brow as she collected it. “Where’s the baby?”
“Ms. Monica is with him now, ma’am.”
She took the phone. Jade was calling. “Hey, Jade.”
“Hello ma’am… You need to come.”
Her heart dropped. “What’s happened?”
“Someone dumped a trailer full of animal dung at the office entrance.”
Anger surged through Ivy. Only one person could’ve done that–Rosie.
“I’m coming,” she said, ending the call.
Without another word to the women still arguing, Ivy went outside. When she couldn’t find Bud, she chose three other guards and had them drive her to her company.
The drive was fast.
Even with four blocks away, the stench hit her. Her stomach clenched when she saw the huge mess ahead.
“Just park here,” she told the driver.
Ivy stepped out, covering her nose with her sleeve as she moved forward. The pile of dung was as tall as her front gate, with flies buzzing everywhere. She nearly gagged at the sight when she saw some men in full attire dismantling the lump.
Jade approached, wearing a face mask. She handed one to Ivy.
“I called those men to clean it up,” Jade said. “They’ve been at it for over thirty minutes, but it’s barely moving.”
Ivy groaned as she put on the mask. Her stomach roiled.
“Some community members came by to express their displeasure,” Jade added. “You’re being fined for environmental pollution.”
Fury burned inside Ivy, but the stench overpowered her sense of her reasoning. Something had to be done about Rosie–this had gone too far.
The cleanup took over two hours, and even when the men finished, the smell lingered. Ivy had to send everyone home for the day.
When she got home, she rushed to her bathroom to scrub the stench off. When she left the bathroom, she froze.
3/4
1:04 PM
Chapter 211
Silas was lying on the bed, his face swollen, bandages tied around his arm.
She ran to him, her heart pounding. “Oh my God, babe, what happened?”
“No…thing,” he replied weakly.
She blinked. “This isn’t nothing. You clearly-” She paused as the realization struck. Her eyes widened. “It is Thomas, right?”
Silas looked away, and that was enough.
Anger surged inside her, swift and sharp. “It’s time someone put that man in his damn place!”
Without waiting for a response, Ivy stormed into the closet, dressed and left.
AD
