Signed Away: His New Wife

VY

ed solely on her. She was the one he protected. She was the one he prioritized. In that moment, the last vestiges of hope, the lingering tendrils of a past life' s love

coon. My head felt heavy, my body weak, but a profound sense of peace settled over me. There were no tears, no self-pity

nd shadowed, looked haunted. He looked like a man who had been through hell. For a fleeting second, the old Ivy would have felt a surge of warmth, a foolish belief that he

I watched him, my gaze unwavering, my face a blan

hrough his hair, a nervous gesture. "The doctors said you'll be fine. A few stitches, some physical therapy, but no permanent damage." He looked at me then, a

ning. Justify

y. Yours and... Heather's. And this happened. I should have... I should have

ed under my unblinking gaze. He wanted absolution. He wanted me to tell him it

, my voice a flat monotone. It

see if you were okay. And Heather is waiting for me. She's really shaken u

The words were a quiet finality, a doo

then I heard his footsteps, slow and reluctant, retreating from the room. The door clicked

arrived. She bustled in, a large bo

on the bedside table, then perched awkwardly on the edge of my bed. "Such a terrible thing to happen! On such a special d

hers. "I'm f

ke a sister." She paused, then added, "Heather sends her love, of course. She said to tell you she's so sor

, my face devoi

ow. Just found out. That's why Dyllan is being extra protective. It's a big secret,

w, it was just another piece of information, a confirmation that I had made the right choice. Heather always found a way to steal the spo

well, I suppose you were going to find out eventually." She brightened. "But isn't it wonderful? A baby! Dyllan will be such a good f

through her effusive happiness. "I h

her eyes wide

began. "I didn't sign it

color, then flushed a deep red. "What?! I

nued, ignoring her rising hysteria. "Today. At City H

. "Married... Heather and Dyllan... legally married?" Her voice was a hushed whisper, full of awe. "Oh, my goodness! He finally did it! They finally did it

out any fuss!" Her eyes were shining with genuine admiration, an emotion I had never seen directed at me before. "Dyllan loves Hea

blinded by her favoritism that she didn' t see the manipulation

ou can't tell Dyllan. Or Heather. Not yet. Let the

, absolutely! My lips are sealed! Not a word!

g," I said.

"Leaving? Where will you go

l excuse me, I'm very tired." I closed my eyes, feigning sleep. She g

. I left a short, impersonal note for the nurses, thanking them for their care. For D

d, was the small inheritance my parents had left me, money Dyllan had always managed to "borrow" or "invest" in his various schemes, always promising to pay it back. I had retrieved it fr

rrying me away from the small town, away from the Chambers family, away from the ghost of the wo