Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 123

Ivy carried the coffee up the stairs.

Stopping outside the study door, an inexplicable wave of anxiety washed over her.

She had no idea if Dr. Sinclair had recognized the marks on her neck for what they really were.

Or if she had mentioned them to Mr. Foster.

Regardless, her stomach tied itself into nervous knots.

It wasn't even her fault.

Even if he knew they had slept together, the blame fell entirely on his shoulders.

Yet, she was terrified of being accused of throwing herself at him.

Terrified that if she was thrown out of The Starlight Estate, she would lose the money needed to save her sister's life.

Forcing her spiraling thoughts away, Ivy took a deep breath and knocked.

Hearing a muffled acknowledgement, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Alaric looked up, clearly surprised to see her.

His predatory gaze locked onto her.

He was searching for any crack in her facade.

He was practically begging her silently to just admit what had happened.

That way, he could compensate her and finally relieve the crushing guilt in his chest.

"Mr. Foster, your coffee."

Refusing to meet his eyes, she set the mug on his desk and immediately turned to leave.

Seeing that she had no intention of bringing up last night, a sharp pang of disappointment hit him.

As she reached the door, he called out.

"How are the marks on your neck? What did Dr. Sinclair say?"

Ivy froze, her entire body going rigid.

"It's... it's nothing serious. She said with some ointment, it should clear up in a couple of days."

"Are you sure it was a bug bite?" Alaric pressed deliberately.

Ivy's fingers dug into the fabric of her pants. Even though her back was to him, her heart was hammering against her ribs, her expression a portrait of raw panic.

"Yes. Just bug bites. Thank you for asking, Mr. Foster. I need to get back to Stella."

She couldn't stand being in that room a second longer, terrified he was going to expose her lie.

Staring at the massive sum, a sharp sting pierced her heart.

He knew exactly what had happened last night.

Was this his way of paying her off?

She remembered begging him for money before, offering her body as collateral, only to be harshly rejected and thoroughly humiliated.

And now, after he had taken what he wanted, he casually tossed a fortune her way without a second thought.

To him, this was nothing more than a transaction.

It wasn't an act of uncontrollable passion between a husband and wife.

A suffocating wave of despair crashed over her.

If she weren't so desperate for cash, she would have thrown the money right back in his face.

But poverty had stripped her of her pride. Swallowing her humiliation, she forced a bright smile and walked back to the little girl.

The next day.

Ivy had just arrived at Metropolitan General.

Down the hall, Ethan was throwing a massive tantrum, refusing to let anyone near him as he violently ripped the IV tape from his arm.