A Billionaire Hires an Actress to Be His Fiancée, and What Happens Changes Everything
A High-Stakes Charade
Inside the estate, Ivy was introduced to a flurry of staff. There were housekeepers, chefs, and Sebastian’s assistant, Claire. Claire seemed to have every detail under control.
“Claire will help you settle in,”
Sebastian said as they walked through the grand foyer.
“Your room is on the second floor. There’s a wardrobe waiting for you, but if there’s anything else you need, let her know.”
Ivy nodded, her mind spinning as she tried to take it all in. The ornate chandeliers, the floors, the towering ceilings were overwhelming. But she wasn’t about to let it show.
Claire led her to a spacious bedroom decorated in soft neutral tones. A walk-in closet filled with designer clothes awaited her.
There was also a vanity table stocked with high-end makeup and accessories.
“This is ridiculous,”
Ivy muttered under her breath. She ran her fingers over a silk gown hanging on the rack.
Claire gave her a knowing smile.
“You’ll get used to it.”
That evening, Ivy joined Sebastian for dinner in the dining room. The table was large enough to seat twenty and felt cavernous with only the two of them.
“So,”
Ivy said, breaking the silence as she cut into her steak.
“What’s the story?”
Sebastian set down his glass of wine. His sharp blue eyes met hers.
“We met at a charity event last year. You were volunteering and I was a guest. We started talking and one thing led to another.”
Ivy raised an eyebrow.
“And why would someone like me catch your eye?”
Sebastian’s gaze didn’t waver.
“Because you’re real, genuine, and different from anyone else in my world.”
The honesty in his words caught Ivy off guard. She quickly masked it with a smirk.
“You really are good at this, aren’t you?”
Sebastian’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“I do my best.”
As the evening went on, Ivy couldn’t help but notice moments when Sebastian’s polished exterior slipped.
There was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes when he talked about his grandmother. He observed her quietly, as if trying to figure her out.
For a man who had built walls around himself, there were cracks. Ivy, against her better judgment, found herself wanting to know what lay beneath.
The next morning, Ivy found herself seated in Sebastian’s office. It was a spacious room with towering bookshelves and sleek furniture that radiated wealth.
Sebastian sat across from her. His sharp blue eyes were focused as he slid a folder across the desk.
“This,”
He said,
“is our story.”
Ivy picked up the folder. Her brow furrowed as she flipped through the neatly typed pages. It detailed everything about their whirlwind romance.
It included how they met and an elaborate proposal at a vineyard in Napa Valley. There were dates, locations, and even doctored photographs.
“You’ve really thought of everything,”
Ivy said, her voice tinged with disbelief.
“Details matter,”
Sebastian replied, leaning back in his chair.
“People in my world will scrutinize everything. If even one detail feels off, the entire charade falls apart.”
Ivy set the folder down, crossing her arms.
“And you expect me to memorize all of this in two weeks?”
Sebastian’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“I expect you to be convincing. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you, Miss Reed, it’s that you thrive under pressure.”
Ivy smirked, leaning forward.
“You don’t know the half of it.”
The days that followed were a whirlwind of preparation. Ivy’s mornings began with etiquette lessons led by Claire.
She was taught everything from proper table manners to navigating conversations with the elite.
“Always maintain eye contact,”
Claire instructed during one session.
“It conveys confidence. And remember, don’t over-explain. Simplicity is elegance.”
“Right,”
Ivy said, balancing a book on her head as she walked across the room.
“Because nothing says confidence like carrying a novel on your skull.”
Claire sighed, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes. Afternoons were spent rehearsing the story with Sebastian.
They went over every detail, their first meeting, their supposed inside jokes, and even the pet names they would use in public.
“You’re terrible at this,”
Ivy teased one afternoon as Sebastian stumbled over calling her “darling.”
“I don’t usually resort to terms of endearment,”
He replied dryly.
“Well, maybe if you smiled more, people would believe you’re in love,”
She shot back. Sebastian gave her a rare smirk.
“Is that so?”
“Yes,”
Ivy said, leaning back against the couch.
“Try it. Show me your madly in love face.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. His piercing blue eyes locked onto hers for a moment. He softened his expression and relaxed his lips.
Ivy’s breath caught. She quickly looked away, feeling her cheeks flush.
“See,”
She said, her voice more clipped than she intended.
“Much better.”
In the evenings, Ivy joined Sebastian and his grandmother for dinner. The elder Greer was sharp as ever. Her pale blue eyes scanned Ivy with interest.
“So, Ivy,”
Margaret said one night, her voice warm but probing.
“What made you fall for my grandson?”
Ivy hesitated, glancing at Sebastian. He gave her an almost imperceptible nod, urging her to stick to the story.
“It was his kindness,”
Ivy said, her tone genuine.
“He’s so different from how people describe him. When we met, he didn’t treat me like someone beneath him. He made me feel seen and valued.”
Margaret’s gaze softened, but her smile held a trace of skepticism.
“Well, that certainly doesn’t sound like the Sebastian I raised. He must truly care for you.”
“He does,”
Ivy replied, her eyes meeting Sebastian’s for a moment.
The tension between them felt real even to her. Despite the progress, Ivy couldn’t ignore the lingering doubts as the gala approached.
The more she got to know Sebastian, the more complicated her feelings became. He wasn’t just the cold billionaire she had imagined.
There were moments when he was thoughtful and vulnerable. It caught her off guard every time. One evening, they practiced dancing in the ballroom.
“This is starting to feel too real,”
She admitted, her voice barely audible over the music. Sebastian’s hands tightened slightly on her waist as they moved.
“It has to feel real or no one will believe it.”
“That’s not what I mean,”
Ivy said, pulling back to look at him.
“What happens after the gala? When this is over and your grandmother expects a wedding?”
Sebastian’s expression flickered. It was a rare crack in his polished exterior.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“That’s not a plan,”
Ivy pressed.
“That’s avoidance.”
Sebastian stopped, his piercing blue eyes searching hers.
“You’re right,”
He admitted after a moment.
“But I’ve spent my entire life planning everything down to the last detail. For once, I’m willing to take things one step at a time.”
The honesty caught Ivy off guard. She didn’t know whether to feel comforted or more uncertain than ever.
As the gala loomed closer, the pressure intensified. Sebastian and Ivy spent nearly every waking hour rehearsing and attending fittings.
But beneath the polished exterior, tension simmered. Their conversations grew sharper, charged with unspoken emotions.
It all came to a head during dinner with Margaret. The elder Greer seemed determined to dig deeper into their relationship.
“You’ve done a wonderful job keeping this quiet,”
Margaret said, slicing into her lamb.
“No one in the family had any idea you were seeing someone, Sebastian.”
Sebastian offered a tight smile.
“I prefer to keep my personal life private, Grandma.”
Margaret turned her attention to Ivy. Her pale blue eyes twinkled with curiosity.
“And you, my dear? How does it feel stepping into such a different world?”
Ivy hesitated, glancing at Sebastian. They hadn’t rehearsed this part.
“It’s overwhelming at times,”
She admitted, her voice steady.
“But Sebastian has been incredibly supportive. He makes it easy to feel at home.”
Margaret raised an eyebrow. Her gaze flicked between them.
“Supportive? That’s not a word I’ve often heard used to describe my grandson.”
“People don’t know him the way I do,”
Ivy replied, a hint of challenge in her tone. Sebastian glanced at her, his eyes unreadable.
“I see. Well, I suppose we’ll all get to know each other better at the gala.”
Later that evening, as they practiced their dance routine, the tension boiled over.
“You need to be more careful with your answers,”
Sebastian said, his tone clipped as he guided her through a turn.
“I wasn’t exactly handed a script!”
Ivy shot back, her blue eyes flashing.
“If you want me to be convincing, you need to trust me to do my job.”
Sebastian stopped mid-step. His hands dropped from her waist.
“This isn’t just about you. If this falls apart, my grandmother’s heart is on the line. Do you understand that?”
Ivy crossed her arms, her jaw tightening.
“And what about me? I’m the one risking everything to play this role. Do you think I want to walk into that gala with a target on my back?”
Sebastian’s gaze softened, but his tone remained firm.
“No one will hurt you. I won’t let that happen.”
The words hung in the air heavier than expected. For a moment, Ivy saw the vulnerability behind his carefully constructed walls.
It wasn’t just his grandmother he was protecting; it was himself. The day before the gala, Ivy found herself in the garden.
She needed a moment to breathe and clear her mind. She wasn’t alone for long. Sebastian approached, his steps slow and deliberate.
“You’re avoiding me,”
He said, his voice low.
“I needed space,”
Ivy replied without looking at him. He stepped closer.
“This isn’t easy for me either, you know.”
Ivy turned to face him, her blue eyes searching his.
“Then why are you doing it? Why go to all this trouble instead of just telling your grandmother the truth?”
Sebastian hesitated, his jaw tightening.
“Because she doesn’t have much time left. This is her last wish, Ivy. I can’t take that from her.”
The rawness in his voice caught Ivy off guard. She had seen glimpses of the man behind the billionaire, but this was something deeper.
“I’m sorry,”
She said softly. Sebastian shook his head.
“Don’t be. You’re the one making this possible. And no matter how this ends, I won’t forget that.”
That night, Ivy found a note slipped under her door. It was written in Sebastian’s precise handwriting.
“You’re not alone in this. I’ll make sure you’re ready for whatever comes next.”
For the first time since she arrived, Ivy felt a sense of calm. She wasn’t just playing a role anymore. Somewhere along the way, this had become something more.
The day of the gala dawned. The Greer estate was alive with activity. Ivy stood in her guest room, staring at the array of gowns.
Each dress was more extravagant than the last. She ran her fingers over a deep emerald gown. Its beaded bodice shimmered in the morning sunlight.
Claire appeared in the doorway, clipboard in hand.
“The stylist is ready for you downstairs,”
She said, her tone brisk but polite. Ivy nodded, taking a deep breath.
“Let’s do this.”
The stylist, Marco, clapped his hands in delight when Ivy entered the sitting room.
“Ah, the leading lady has arrived! We are going to transform you into the belle of the ball.”
Ivy couldn’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm.
“No pressure, right?”
Marco grinned.
“Darling, pressure is what makes diamonds.”
The hours that followed were a whirlwind of hair, makeup, and fittings. Marco styled Ivy’s blonde hair into a sophisticated updo with soft tendrils.
Her radiant blue eyes were accentuated with subtle makeup. Her lips were painted a delicate rose color. She finally stepped into the emerald gown.
Marco stepped back, his hands pressed to his chest as if he might swoon.
“Perfection!”
Ivy turned to the mirror. For a moment, she didn’t recognize the woman staring back. She looked stunning.
The gown hugged her figure perfectly, the color bringing out the brilliance of her eyes.
“Wow,”
Ivy whispered. Marco smiled knowingly.
“See? You were a diamond all along.”
Downstairs, Sebastian waited in the foyer, pacing. As the clock ticked closer, his nerves began to creep in.
When Ivy descended the staircase, every thought in Sebastian’s mind evaporated. She looked breathtaking.
Sebastian cleared his throat, trying to compose himself.
“You look incredible,”
He said, his voice uncharacteristically soft. Ivy smiled, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“You don’t look too bad yourself.”
Sebastian was dressed in a classic black tuxedo. His piercing blue eyes held an intensity that made Ivy’s stomach flip.
“Are you ready?”
He asked, offering her his arm. Ivy hesitated for a moment before slipping her hand into the crook of his elbow.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The drive to the gala was quiet. Ivy stared out the window at the city lights.
“This isn’t just about pretending anymore, is it?”
She asked quietly. Sebastian’s jaw tightened.
“No,”
He admitted after a moment.
“It’s not.”
Ivy’s heart raced, but she didn’t press him further. When they arrived, the flash of cameras greeted them. Ivy gripped Sebastian’s arm tighter.
“Smile,”
Sebastian whispered, leaning closer.
“You’ve got this.”
Ivy took a deep breath and forced a confident smile as they stepped onto the red carpet. The photographers shouted their names.
“Tell me something,”
She murmured through her smile.
“What happens if I trip in these heels?”
Sebastian chuckled, his lips curving into a rare genuine smile.
“Then I’ll catch you.”
Inside the venue, the grandeur was overwhelming. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow. Elegantly dressed guests sipped champagne.
Ivy felt like an impostor, but Sebastian’s steady presence was a comfort. Margaret was the first to approach them.
“You look radiant, my dear,”
She said, taking Ivy’s hand.
“Thank you,”
Ivy replied, her smile genuine. Margaret turned to Sebastian.
“You chose well, Sebastian. She’s lovely.”
“I know,”
Sebastian’s gaze flicked to Ivy, a small smile tugging at his lips.
The rest of the evening was a blur of introductions and carefully rehearsed stories. Ivy charmed the socialites and won over Margaret’s friends.
She even managed to keep Sebastian’s toughest critics at bay. But as the night went on, Ivy noticed something unexpected.
Sebastian wasn’t just playing his part. He was genuinely attentive. His usual guarded demeanor was replaced with a quiet openness.
He laughed at her jokes and touched her arm lightly when they spoke. He looked at her as if she were the only person in the room.
It was intoxicating, but it also terrified her. For a moment, it felt almost natural, like she truly belonged in Sebastian’s world.
She was talking with Eleanor when Sebastian appeared at her side. His hand gently rested at the small of her back.
“Excuse us,”
Sebastian said smoothly, guiding Ivy toward the edge of the ballroom.
“What’s wrong?”
She asked, her voice low.
“Nothing. I thought you might need a breather.”
Ivy smiled, grateful for the escape.
“You’re surprisingly thoughtful for a billionaire tycoon.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
“Don’t let that get around. It’ll ruin my reputation.”
They stopped near a balcony door. Sebastian leaned against the doorframe, his gaze fixed on her.
“You’re doing well tonight,”
He said, his tone softer than usual.
“Thanks. It helps having a good partner.”
Sebastian tilted his head, his expression unreadable.
“You’ve done more than I expected. My grandmother is thrilled, and everyone believes we’re happy.”
The way he said the word “happy” made Ivy’s stomach twist. She looked away, unsure how to respond.
The moment was interrupted when Margaret approached.
“There you two are! I was just telling Eleanor how lovely you are together.”
Ivy’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she recovered.
“Thank you, Margaret. That means a lot.”
Margaret’s gaze softened.
“I know this wasn’t easy for you, Sebastian, but I’m so proud of the man you’ve become. Your parents would be too.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened. For a moment, Ivy saw the pain flicker in his eyes. He nodded, his voice steady.
“Thank you, Grandma.”
Margaret reached out, her frail hand resting on Ivy.
“And you, my dear. You’ve brought something special into his life. Don’t let him scare you away.”
Ivy laughed nervously. She glanced at Sebastian, whose expression had softened into something almost vulnerable.
“We’ll do our best,”
Ivy said finally, her voice gentle.
As the night wound down, Ivy found herself standing by the bar. She had survived the gala, but the weight of the evening lingered.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Sebastian’s voice broke through her reverie. He looked more relaxed than she had ever seen him.
“Just thinking about how different this world is from mine,”
Ivy admitted.
“It’s a lot to take in.”
Sebastian nodded, his gaze thoughtful.
“It is. But you handled it better than most people I know.”
Ivy smiled faintly.
“You know, this whole thing started as a job, but tonight it felt real.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened. For a moment, he said nothing.
“Maybe it was,”
He replied quietly.
The ride back to the estate was silent and charged with unspoken words. Ivy stared out the window, her mind racing.
What had Sebastian meant? Was it just another layer of the charade, or was there something deeper beneath his controlled exterior?
When they arrived, Sebastian walked her to her room. His posture was unusually stiff.
“Good night, Ivy,”
He said, his voice low.
“Good night,”
She replied, her heart pounding as she closed the door.
Alone, Ivy leaned against the door. She tried to make sense of the emotions swirling inside her.
The line between reality and pretense had blurred so completely. She no longer knew where one ended and the other began.
The next morning, Ivy woke to a knock on her door. It was Claire with her clipboard.
“Good morning, Miss Reed. Mr. Greer asked me to inform you that he’d like to speak with you in the garden.”
Ivy nodded, her stomach twisting with nerves. When she arrived, Sebastian was waiting.
The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across his sharp features.
“You wanted to see me?”
Ivy asked, her voice tentative. Sebastian turned to face her.
“Yes. I wanted to thank you for last night. You were incredible.”
Ivy smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in her expression.
“I just did what you asked me to do.”
Sebastian stepped closer, his gaze unwavering.
“You did more than that. You made them believe in something I thought was impossible.”
“And what’s that?”
Ivy asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“That I could care about someone again,”
Sebastian admitted, his voice raw.
The words hung between them, heavy with meaning. Ivy’s heart pounded as she searched his face for any sign of an act.
All she saw was sincerity.
“Sebastian,”
She began, but the words caught in her throat. He stepped even closer.
“I know this wasn’t what you signed up for, but I can’t ignore what I’m feeling anymore. Can you?”
The garden fell silent. Ivy stared at him, her heart hammering. His words echoed, stirring feelings she had tried to suppress.
But before she could respond, Claire arrived.
“Mr. Greer? Your grandmother is asking for you.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened slightly, but he nodded.
“Tell her I’ll be right there.”
Claire hesitated, glancing at Ivy before retreating. Sebastian turned back to Ivy.
“We’ll finish this conversation later,”
He said softly.
Ivy nodded, watching as he walked away. Her mind raced with questions. Was he serious or was it another layer of their act?
Later that day, the estate buzzed. The gala had been a success. Margaret was basking in the glow of her grandson’s happiness.
Guests from the night before stopped by for brunch. Everyone was talking about the couple who had stolen the spotlight.
Ivy found herself navigating the social minefield with ease. The training had paid off, but something else was driving her performance now.
“You’re becoming quite the star,”
Sebastian murmured as he took the seat beside her. Ivy smirked.
“Maybe I should start charging for autographs.”
Sebastian chuckled, a rare sound that softened his features.
“Don’t let it go to your head.”
As the brunch wore on, Ivy noticed Margaret watching them with a knowing smile.
“Ivy, my dear,”
Margaret said when she approached.
“May I have a word with you?”
Ivy followed Margaret into the library. The air was thick with the scent of aged books and unspoken tension.
“You’ve done well, my dear,”
Margaret began as they sat.
“Last night was remarkable. But I’ve lived long enough to know when something isn’t quite as it seems.”
Ivy’s breath caught. She forced herself to remain calm.
“I’m not sure I understand.”
Margaret’s gaze didn’t waver.
“You and Sebastian. There’s a story there, one I don’t think I’ve been told.”
Ivy hesitated. Margaret’s perceptiveness was unnerving.
“We care about each other,”
Ivy said carefully.
“But it hasn’t been traditional.”
Margaret smiled faintly.
“Love rarely is. Whatever brought you here, I’m glad it did. My grandson needs someone like you who challenges him.”
Ivy’s chest tightened with guilt and hope.
“Thank you, Margaret. That means a lot.”
“Just promise me one thing. Take care of him. He’s not as strong as he seems.”
Ivy nodded, her throat tight.
“I promise.”
When Ivy returned to the garden, she found Sebastian waiting.
“Everything all right?”
He asked with concern.
“Yes,”
Ivy replied.
“She just wants you to be happy.”
Sebastian’s expression remained guarded.
“And are you?”
The question caught her off guard. Ivy hesitated.
“I don’t know,”
She admitted. Sebastian stepped closer.
“What if we could make this real?”
Before she could respond, they were interrupted by another guest. By the time the guests began to leave, Ivy was emotionally exhausted.
She retreated to her room, but her peace was short-lived. Sebastian knocked.
“We need to talk,”
He said, his tone firm but gentle. Ivy stepped aside.
“This is more than I bargained for,”
Ivy said finally.
“I know. But I can’t ignore this anymore. Whatever this was supposed to be, it’s different now.”
“And what happens when the truth comes out?”
“It doesn’t have to be a lie anymore,”
Sebastian’s voice cut through Ivy’s defenses.
“She’ll understand. What matters is where we are now, not where we started.”
“I don’t know if I can do this, Sebastian,”
She admitted. He stepped closer.
“You already are. You’ve become a part of my life, a part of Sophie’s life.”
Ivy felt a pang at the mention of the little girl.
“Why me?”
“Because you’re the only person who’s ever made me feel like myself. Not the billionaire, just me.”
The next day, Ivy tried to focus, but the conversation replayed in her mind. Margaret noticed her distraction at breakfast.
“I hope you know how much you mean to Sebastian,”
The elder woman said.
“Take care of him. He needs you more than he’ll ever admit.”
That afternoon, Ivy found herself in the garden again. Sophie’s laughter rang out as she chased butterflies.
“She adores you,”
Sebastian said from behind her.
“You’re good for her. For both of us.”
“Sebastian, this is all so complicated. What happens if this falls apart?”
“We figure it out,”
He replied.
“Together.”
The gala’s success brought more invitations. Margaret insisted they attend a charity auction. Ivy selected a stunning sapphire gown.
When she descended the staircase, Sebastian’s reaction was identical to the gala.
“You look incredible,”
He said. At the auction, an unexpected guest arrived: Victoria Allen, Sebastian’s former flame.
“Sebastian, Victoria,”
He said coolly.
“This is Ivy, my fiancée.”
Victoria’s smile never wavered.
“I didn’t think you were the settling down type.”
“Sometimes the right person changes everything,”
Ivy said, forcing a polite smile. As Victoria walked away, Ivy turned to Sebastian.
“That was intense.”
“She’s not important. You are.”
That night at the estate, Sebastian entered her room without waiting for an invitation.
“I’m done pretending. This isn’t just a performance for me anymore, Ivy. I need to know if it’s the same for you.”
Ivy’s breath caught. She had fought to keep her walls intact, but Sebastian had broken through them.
“Sebastian… this was never supposed to happen. I didn’t sign up for feelings.”
“Neither did I,”
He stepped closer.
“But here we are.”
“Do you have any idea how terrifying this is?”
She asked.
“Or it could be the best thing that’s ever happened to us,”
Sebastian said. Ivy felt her defenses crumble.
“I don’t know how to do this.”
“We’ll figure it out together.”
Slowly, she nodded.
“Okay. Let’s try.”
Sebastian pulled her into a gentle embrace. The weight of their charade slipped away.
The following days were effortless. Sophie was the first to notice the shift.
“You seem happier,”
The girl said.
“Does that mean you’ll stay with us forever?”
“I hope so, Sof,”
Ivy replied. Later, Sebastian watched them baking cookies together. A sense of contentment washed over him.
But the fallout still loomed. One evening, Margaret spoke to them.
“Don’t let fear hold you back. Life is too short for hesitation.”
Ivy felt a lump in her throat.
“We need to tell her the truth, Sebastian.”
“You’re right. We’ll tell her tomorrow.”
The next morning, they entered Margaret’s room. She was in her favorite armchair.
“Margaret, there’s something we need to tell you,”
Ivy began.
“This started as an arrangement. Sebastian hired me to pretend. It was never meant to be real.”
The silence was deafening.
“Is this true?”
Margaret asked Sebastian.
“It is, but…”
“I want to hear it from Ivy,”
The grandmother said firmly.
“At first it was just a job,”
Ivy explained.
“But somewhere along the way, it stopped being an act. I care about him and Sophie. This isn’t fake anymore.”
Margaret sighed.
“I should be furious, but I’m not. You may have started on a lie, but the way you look at each other… that’s not something you can fake.”
“You’re not angry?”
“I’m plenty angry! But life is too short to dwell on the past. What matters is what you do moving forward.”
Relief washed over Ivy, but Sebastian remained tense.
“This is only the beginning. Margaret might forgive us, but the rest of the family won’t be so kind.”
That evening, Claire brought Ivy to the study. Sebastian was pacing with a tablet.
“Greer’s Secret: Billionaire’s Fiancée Exposed as Fraud.”
Someone had leaked the arrangement to the press. The fallout was swift. Media swarmed the estate. Business associates questioned Sebastian’s judgment.
Sophie found Ivy in the garden.
“Why is everyone so mad? Are you going to leave?”
“I don’t know,”
Ivy’s heart broke. She went to Sebastian’s office.
“We need to end this. It’s all falling apart because of me.”
“This isn’t your fault!”
“I can’t watch you lose everything.”
Sebastian simply nodded, the pain in his eyes sharp.
“If this is what you want, then I won’t stop you.”
Ivy walked away in tears. She felt she was leaving behind the man who meant everything.
