these thines and not in Chapter 17 I’m Behind It “pe’t worry, Paola Rowan and the both potten checked at the hospital, and we’ve time. We just haven’t had kids yet because he’s too busy to be at home most of the time. “I said thad to adres that I was moved he Tanla’s consern. It was too had I wouldn’t be her daughter in law for much longer. “George and I see him on those tabloids all the time, and we’ve told him all too many times to count. Still, you have to keep a close watch on him since you’re his keww that it would’t be possible, and I also knew he would soon fall in love with someone else hat when saw the eamest look inler eyes, I nodded. ” After chaffing for a while longes, we had breakfast together Taula and George also told me about Rowan leaving the house bright and early didn’t take it to heat Heft the hoose attei beraktas headed to the hospital to give van a good talking–to. I caught his right atter he fished his sounds and returned to his office, 1 baned my teeth at him and asked. “Do you have a few minutes to spare, Th. York?” e point. There wasn’t a hint of a smile on his face. ot have the nerve to face me because you feel diffident, night? 1 sat beside him and started reprimanding him. ” asked you to persuade nowan into a Pada and Georgieve to Windwill Estate. “When have you ries behind. York I never would’ve expected you to be someone who would advocate for people to star in loveless marriages” lat me and said calmly. “They asked me how you and Rowan were doing, so I told them you wanted a divorce. be made me want to looking a huge oss! Had he sacrificed his EQto pet his good looks? There were plenty of problems between me and Rowan, yet he’d just had to pick the fact that I wanted a divorce to talk about, what would raula and George think of me? slapped a hand to the forehead in trustration Just then, se came to call him away, leaving me alone in the office. I saw his mug on the desk and rummaged rough my bag to find a tube at lipstick. I threw it inside. He could die from lipstick sing something, for all cared. I continued cusing him in my heart as t let the hospital. Ewas unemployed and didn’t have where to go I stalled around for a while before heading home. Coincidentally, it was time for lunch, and I could smell the food wathing out from the lotchen and his parents were sitting in the living room 1 didn’t know what they were talking about, but the atmosphere seemed rather tense. Paula only broke when she saw mir. “You’re back, Ivory” I nodded and wat ber. As soon as I did, she held my hand and smarted at Rowan, “Your father and have already made ourselves clear, Rowan. If you get wemiti, don’t tell anyone you’re my son “Paula Gempe, what is “Llooked anthemi shock: (marriage, Ivory. Rowan has been completely responsible over the years, getting involved with different women at ‘or the only one who can stand his Paula sighed. “Give him another chance, okay? George and I will help you monitor him, too Deorge that andous post because Ivan had told them that I wanted a divorce? I’d never sensed them thinking so highly of me or even liking me that When Hormon had brought Ashley to the Payne residence to meet them, he’d already made up ha mind to divorce me. Nothing Paula and George had said had Lace and eyes frosty. I bet he thought I’d planned this whole thing. Even if I’d already shown him the divorce agreement last night, hathe played along with Trust him,” I said unde understandingly. er in him — men ate od woman, bury. It’s good that you trust Rowan, but we’ve seen how he’s treated you over the years. thon’t be so nice to prally huge jerka, some “Exactly. The nocer you are to them, the more they take you for granted. They only want things that they can’t get or have already lost. ” Pasla agreed i was moved and amused by how they were teaching me to restrain Rowan. It was too had he looked positively monderom. I nodded obediently and said, “I get it Thanks,ginn lat ber and said, “Your cooking imTH ted meaningfully. “Ella’s a great cook- and two pounds from her cooking. You should have mute of her cooking if you have the chance in “I’ll be beating home in a role at days. When will have the chance to have more it’s good that you’ve gained weight, though. You’re far too skorery. You can put enman pounds, mat hearted to the dining room with the an she spoke, Twanted to trill he would most definitely have more chances in the 11 wasn’t every day ( we got to sit down for a mee (as a family, Int Rowan’s attitude was colder than mual still, the atmosphere wasn’t too bad as I chatted and laughed with George and Paula Suddenly, Ron’s phone pinged. He glan before giving me an odd look. I didn’t understand it but didn’t bother asking. It was only when we’d dispersed for a break after lunch that he came to me in the bedroom. He showed me a photo. “Did you do this?” han had sent him a photo and a text that sod, “Ivory did this. ” In the photo, a lipstick tube was soaking in a mug of tea. There was something very odd about the image. Chapter 17 Im Behind it. 1 admitted to my actions. It’s his own fault for telling on me to your parents. ” “Have you been possessed lately, Ivory?” Rowan put his phone away and appraised me with narrowed eyes. “What exactly are you up to?” In the past, I’d had almost zero interactions with his friends. We just didn’t get along. Yet now, I’d thrown lipstick into Ivan’s mug! I explained calmly, “I haven’t been possessed. I’ve just seen the light. I’ve already wasted ten years of my youth and love on you, Rowan. Since there’s no chance of you falling for me or reciprocating my feelings, I’ll just live my own life. What’s wrong with that? I don’t want to force myself like 1 used to anymore. ” “You think it’s so difficult to have feelings for me, huh? Why didn’t you give up earlier, then?” Rowan’s gaze was icy. ‘I can give up whenever I want!” I was starting to get mad. For a second, the tension was palpable. Rowan stared at me for ages, seemingly finding me to be a complete stranger. We remained like that until he turned and left. I sighed in reliet and sat on the bed. For some reason, my heart felt empty. Rowan left the house in the afternoon As soon as he was gone, I went out, too. I went to Serendipity. Ashley was there every time I went, yet she’d been absent the night I’d asked Ivan to meet me there. It was an odd twist of fate. “Black coffee again, Ms. Sadler?” Ashley always had her hair up in a ponytail when she was at work. It gave her a refreshing, light–hearted vibe, and it seemed she was nice to all customers. She always had a sweet smile on “No, not today. Do you have anything sweeter to recommend?” I asked with a slight smile. “Sure! A Books Chapters Are Daily Updated Join & Stay Updated for All Books Updates… cappuccino or a macchiato would be a good choice. You can savor the sweetness after taking a sip–it’ll make you feel like you’re in love,” she said cheerily. I thought about it and ordered a macchiato.