Ivy Carter expected her birthday to be a memorable one, and it was but not in a good way. It was in a way she never expected it to be. Standing at 5'4" with a warm smile that hid her inner battles, Ivy had always believed in the kindness of people, especially her boyfriend, Nathan Harper. However, on what supposed to be her day, Ivy's reality shattered when Nathan proposed to her best friend in front of all their loved ones and family. Shocked, humiliated, and feeling betrayed, Ivy left the celebration with a destination in mind, wandering into the cold night. The storm outside matched the one raging within her. She stumbled into a luxurious club she couldn't afford, drowning her sorrow in drink after drink. As the night descended into chaos, Ivy attracted the attention of Alexander Steele, a self made billionaire with piercing blue eyes and a reputation for being ruthless. Alexander wasn't at the club for enjoyment; he was there to escape the pain of losing his wife, a hurt that wealth couldn't mend. What started as a mere conversation between two shattered souls unfolded into a night of passion neither had expected or could remember clearly. Months later, Ivy is confronted with the consequences of that night: an unexpected pregnancy. Alone, jobless, and desperate for money to care for her son, Ivy takes a housekeeping job in the mansion of none other than Alexander Steele. At first, they couldn't recognise each other, but the tension between them is immediate, Alexander, hardened by sorrow and mistrust, treats Ivy harshly, unwilling to let anyone breach the walls he's built around his heart. Ivy, despite her weakness, stands firm, determined to do what is right by her child even amidst his harshness. As Ivy's infant son begins to grow, Alexander starts to notice something unsettling: the boy's features bears a striking resemblance to his own. Jokes from the neighborhood about the child striking resemblance, being his son only increased his doubts, but his pride and emotional barriers prevented him from pursuing the truth. Meanwhile, Ivy navigates life in the mansion, coping not only with Alexander's mood shifts but also with the scheming of Margaret Steele, the sister of Alexander's late wife, who sees Ivy as a threat to the Steele legacy. Just when Ivy thinks things couldn't get worse, Alexander's health begins to deteriorate. Diagnosed with a life-threatening kidney condition, he has mere weeks to find a donor. In desperation, Alexander's son and his team launch a public appeal, searching for anyone willing to save him. Unbeknownst to Alexander, Ivy discovers she is a perfect match. Despite how he has treated her, Ivy decides to endanger her life to save his. Her generosity shocks Alexander, compelling him to face the bitterness and frustration that have consumed him since his wife's death. As he heals, Alexander starts to view Ivy not as an outsider but as someone who could aid in his recovery. Yet, their delicate bond is challenged when Margaret's plans intensify, and Nathan returns, threatening to reveal Ivy's history and claim custody of her son. In the midst of the chaos, Alexander takes control, ordering a DNA test that verifies his deepening suspicions: Ivy's son is his. Overwhelmed by guilt, Alexander realizes how much he has hurt the woman who offered him a second chance to live. But can Ivy forgive the man who has caused her so much pain ? As threats emerge and truths come to light, Ivy and Alexander must choose whether to confront the future as a family or allow the wounds of the past to separate them forever. Will Alexander achieve redemption, and can Ivy allow herself to love again? Will they be able to protect the innocent child who has brought them together against all the challenges? Can two shattered souls mend each other and form the family they never thought they should have, or will their past mistakes tear them apart forever? Read to find out....
Chapter 1 A Night to forget
Ivy's POV
"Are you kidding me right now, Nathan?"
My voice trembled, sharp and unyielding, slicing through the room like a knife. Gasps echoed among the crowd, and all the chatter and laughter ceased as if someone had flipped a switch.
Tonight was supposed to be perfect. My birthday. My moment. The room was alive with golden lights, laughter, and music that vibrated with happiness. I had spent weeks planning every detail, but now, the celebration felt like a mockery.
Nathan Harper, my boyfriend of three years, stood in the center of the room on one knee, holding a ring box in his hand. He wasn't facing me, though.
He was facing her.
Sarah. My best friend-no, my ex-best friend-stood there, her expression caught between shock and self satisfied glee. She covered her mouth with her hands like a damsel in distress, pretending as though she had no idea this was coming.
"You've got to be kidding me," I said again, louder this time, my voice ringing with disbelief.
Nathan glanced over his shoulder, his expression mix of guilt and defensiveness. "Ivy, please," he said, his tone so calm that it made my blood boil.
"Please?" I snapped, taking a step closer. "Please what, Nathan? Please understand why you're proposing to my best friend at my birthday party?" My voice cracked on the last word, but I pushed through. "Make it make sense, Nathan."
"It's not what it looks like," Sarah quickly interrupted, her voice sweet and soothing.
I turned to her, my eyebrows shooting up. "Oh, it's not? Then by all means, Sarah, explain it to me. Did Nathan accidentally fall to his knee in front of you? Did the ring magically appear in his pocket?"
Sarah's cheeks flushed, and she hesitated for a moment before replying. "We didn't mean for it to happen this way."
"Oh, save it," I said with a humorless laugh. "You didn't mean for it to happen this way? When exactly did you plan to tell me? Or were you going to wait until after the honeymoon?"
Nathan stood up then, brushing a hand through his hair. "Ivy, I didn't want you to find out like this."
"Find out? Nathan, you're literally proposing to her in the middle of a party filled with my friends and family. When exactly was I not going to find out?" I pointed a finger at the photographer in the corner. "You hired a photographer, for God's sake. You planned this!"
The room buzzed with murmurs, the guests shifting uncomfortably. One woman near the dessert table whispered, "This is a complete mess."
Sarah stepped forward, her hands raised as if she were the one calming the situation. "Ivy, let's not creating a scene."
"A scene?" I repeated, my voice rising. "Sarah, the scene was made the moment he got down on one his knee. I'm just trying to figure out how you had the guts to show up here, knowing this is my party, and pull this stunt!"
Sarah flinched but quickly recovered. "We didn't want it to happen like this. We were going to tell you. Privately."
"Oh, privately? So, I was supposed to quietly accept your betrayal while you flaunt your shiny new ring?"
Nathan stepped between us, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "Alright, that's enough. Ivy, can we please talk about this somewhere else?"
I looked at him, in disbelief. "Somewhere else? Oh no, Nathan. We're doing this right here. You didn't consider privacy when you set up this little show. Don't get shy now."
His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I noticed the calm facade fade. "You're being unreasonable Ivy."
"Unreasonable? Like seriously?" My laugh was sharp, bitter. "You turned my birthday party into an engagement party for you and my best friend, and I'm being unreasonable? Please, Nathan, tell me how I should be reacting. Should I clap? Should I offer to buy your first baby's crib?"
Sarah stepped forward again, her voice soft and sready. "Ivy, I know you're hurt-"
"Oh, don't," I interrupted, my tone ice cold. "Don't stand there and pretend like you care about my feelings. If you truly did, you wouldn't be standing here in my infront on my friends and family, wearing a ring that my boyfriend bought for you."
Nathan let out a frustrated sigh. "Ivy, you're exaggerating this. It's not like we wanted you to find out this way."
I turned to him, my chest heaving. "Stop saying that! You didn't want me to find out? How long has this been going on, Nathan? How long have you been sneaking around behind my back?"
He looked away, guilt flashing across his face.
"Oh, let me guess," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "It just happened, right? You couldn't help it. Is that the excuse you're going with?"
Sarah's lips trembled as she tried to speak. "It wasn't like that, Ivy. We didn't plan to fall in love."
"Fall in love?" I repeated, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "Sarah, you've been my best friend for years. You watched me fall for him. You listened to me talk about him endlessly. And now you're telling me you just couldn't help but fall in love with him?"
Nathan stepped forward, his voice low and firm. "Alright, that's enough. Let's not turn this into a spectacle."
I pushed his hand away when he tried to touch my arm. "Don't you dare touch me, Nathan. You don't get to tell me what's enough. You made this mess; now you're going to deal with it."
"You're being dramatic Ivy," he snapped, his voice rising for the first time.
"Dramatic?" I repeated, my voice breaking. "You cheated on me, Nathan! You lied to me, betrayed me, and now you're standing here telling me I'm being dramatic?!"
"Maybe if you weren't so controlling-"
The words hung in the air like a bomb. The room collectively gasped, and even Sarah looked horrified.
I stared at him, stunned into silence for a moment. Then I laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. "Controlling? Oh, that's good, Nathan. I stood by you through everything-your career struggles, your family drama, your insecurities. And this is how you thank me? By calling me controlling?"
He didn't respond, his lips pressing into a thin line.
I turned to Sarah, my hands trembling. "And you. You were supposed to be my friend. You were supposed to have my back. But I guess some things are more important than loyalty, huh?"
"Ivy, I never meant-"
The sting of my slap echoed before she could finish her sentence. Gasps erupted around the room as she stumbled back, her hand flying to her cheek.
"You slapped me?" she shouted, her voice rising.
"Damn right I did," I snarled, stepping forward. "You deserve a hell of a lot more than that."
Sarah's eyes narrowed, her calm facade shattering. "You don't get to act like the victim here, Ivy! Maybe if you weren't so busy controlling Nathan's life, he wouldn't have come to me!"
The words were a match to my gasoline-soaked anger. Without thinking, I lunged at her, my hands grabbing for her shoulders.
"Enough!" Nathan roared, pulling me back just as Sarah's nails clawed at my arm.
The room descended into chaos as guests rushed to separate us. "Let me go!" I screamed, thrashing against Nathan's hold.
"You've lost it," Sarah spat, smoothing her dress as two of my cousins held her back. "This is why he left you. You're crazy."
My breath caught at her words, my chest heaving with anger and heartbreak. "You two deserve each other," I said, my voice trembling with fury. "Enjoy your toxic little fairytale."
Wrenching free from Nathan's grip, I grabbed my purse and stormed out, the chatter of shocked guests fading behind me.
The night air hit me like a slap, cold and damp. Rain began to fall as I wandered aimlessly down the empty streets, mascara streaking my cheeks. My heels sank into puddles, but I didn't care.
I just wanted to get as far away as possible. Away from the betrayal, the humiliation, the heartbreak.