Chapter 1
“Mrs Hun–Miss Scott, Mr. Joe will join you shortly,” Joe’s secretary said, gesturing to a chair in the room.
Ivy winced at the mistake as she sat she was no long
longer!
Mrs Hunter.
“Thank you,” she said sofily, watching the secretary leave.
Being back in the lawyer’s office made her heart pound. She’d been here three months ago, signing divorce papers. Ivy dabbed her forehead and sighed. She was supposed to be shopping for baby clothes with Cheryl, her best friend, who was six months pregnant.
The glass door opened, and Joe, their lawyer–Mason’s lawyer–walked in with his usual stoic expression, holding a file. “Miss Scott, nice to see you again.”
“I wish I could say the same,” Ivy replied.
“I understand that you’re upset about the delay. I apologize, Miss Scott, but we’ve been working on it,” Joe said, sitting down.
“Not fast enough,” Ivy scoffed.
She hadn’t meant to sound so upset, but she was. It had been three months since her divorce, and she was still waiting for Mason–or his lawyer–to transfer her inheritance back in her name.
She was practically homeless, living in her aunt’s house since her father and brother refused to help her. She was waiting tables at Dani’s, hoping one day Mason would finally return what was hers.
She’d made the stupid mistake of leaving her family for Mason, abandoning her photography career, and even giving him her entire inheritance to build his real estate empire, She’d done it for love–only to be cheated on.
“I understand your frustration, Miss Scott, but we truly have been working on it.”
“It shouldn’t be so hard. Mason is rich, so giving me back my money shouldn’t take this long” she frowned.
“I understand,” Joe repeated. “Let’s wait for Mr. Hunter before we proceed”
Ivy stiffened at the mention of her ex–husband’s name but quickly recovered. She hadn’t seen Mason since the divorce, and she wasn’t sure if she was more worried or angry about it. He was wealthy–he could’ve wired her the money immediately–but she knew he was punishing her for leaving, giving her endless excuses.
She brushed her hair back and glanced at the wall clock. She had one hour before her shift began at Dani’s, and she hoped that once Mason gave her the money, she wouldn’t even have to worry about the job anymore.
The door opened, and Mason walked in, looking polished in his tailored suik, Ivy immediately became conscious of her outfit. Was her shirt right? Did she look like she hadn’t gotten her shit together?
“Ivy. Mason smiled as he sat. “You look the same. His voice dripped with derision. “Already regretting the divorce?”
His words pierced her, but Ivy would never let him know that. She would rather live like a church rat than stay married to a cheat.
“Let’s just get this over with,” she said, impatiently. “I have other places to be.”
“Very well,” Mason replied. “Proceed, Joe.”
Joe wore his glasses and opened the file in front of him. “Miss Scott, my client is prepared to offer a million dollars for your-
“A million?” Ivy cut in, her voice filled with shock. “What the hell, Mason! You know my inheritance was way more than that TM
“I’m being very generous here,” Mason said with a lopsided grin. “You should be grateful I’m offering that much.”
Ivy’s shock turned into anger. “Grateful! I practically made you! I gave you my inheritance so you could build your company, and you did. Now, I want my money back ”
“Don’t be greedy, Ivy,” Mason said coldly. “You didn’t make me. You helped me, and I showed my gratitude during our year and a half of marriage.”“
Ivy stood, her voice shaking with anger. “I don’t need your gratitude. I need my money back. You promised.”
“That promise was made when we were married. We’re not married anymore, so it doesn’t stand” Mason’s tone was infuriatingly calm.
How could he be so calm when she was going crazy?
“Miss Scott, please sit down and let’s discuss,” Joe interjected.
Despite her anger, Ivy sat. Beneath her frustration, panic was rising. She’d given Mason 20 million dollars, and he was only offering one.
“I understand your frustration,” Joe continued. “But Mr. Hunter claims it was a gift, and legally, you can’t take back a gift.”
Ivy couldn’t believe her ears. “It wasn’t a gift,” she snapped. “It was an investment. I invested in his business.”
“Do you have this in writing?” Joe asked.
Ivy bit her lip. “No.”
“Any documentation to back your claim?”
“No,” she replied again, her voice softer.
“Any witnesses?”
Ivy felt heat burn her cheeks. “No,” and then she remembered. “My best friend, Cheryl, was aware of the arrangement. Does that count?”
Mason scoffed. “Cheryl would never take your side.”
“Why wouldn’t she? She lived with us for a month–she knows everything”
Mason laughed, which only fueled Ivy’s anger. Cheryl would definitely take her side, her best friend knew everything
“Does that count?” Ivy ignored Mason and asked Joe again.
“If she agrees to testify, it could help,” Joe replied.
“I’ll call her,” Ivy said, already reaching for her bag.
“You’ll be wasting your time,” Mason said, his tone oozing with confidence. “See, Ivy, I know what you’re going through. I know that your family rejected you and that you work in some shabby restaurant. Just take the money and be happy.”
Ivy froze, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “How do you know all that? Have you been stalking me?” Panic tinged her voice.
“Why would I? You’re not that important.”
His words stung, but she couldn’t let him know that. She couldn’t leave without the money–she needed it. She had nothing left–no family, no home, nothing except her aunt and Cheryl
“I’m being generous with that offer,” Mason continued. “I don’t owe you anything. Take the money, and let’s call it a day.”
Ivy stood again, anger flaring in her chest. “You’d better give me my money, or else—”
“Or else what?” Mason’s eyes narrowed, glinting with fury.
“I’ll tell everyone how you cheated on me with several women, how you stole from me, how I caught you sleeping with your secretary.”
“And I’ll tell them how boring you became. Just a year and a half of marriage, and I was already bored out of my mind!” he snapped.
Ivy flinched at his tone, but before she could respond, the door opened and Cheryl walked in.
“Oh, Cheryl,” Ivy exhaled, close to tears. Relief flooded her–she didn’t have time to ask how Cheryl knew she was here. “Tell Joe, tell lum bow I gave Mason-
“She won’t,” Mason interrupted, standing up. He went over to Cheryl and kissed her–long and passionately.
Ivy staggered at the sight. “What?”
“She’s with me now,” Mason smirked. “Take the money before I rescind the offer.”
“But she can‘
the baby. Ivy stuttered, her breath catching in her throat.
Cheryl wrapped her arms around Mason, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, Ivy. Mason is the father of my child
