Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 135

Ivy thought, *Did he really think I liked him for his money?*

Alaric maintained a stoic expression, ignoring her utter mortification as he took Stella's hand and headed downstairs.

Left behind, Ivy was speechless.

Staring at their retreating backs, she wanted the ground to swallow her whole.

She resolved never to mention Stella's father to the little girl again.

Why was her luck so terrible? He always seemed to overhear the worst things.

Ivy patted her cheeks.

She reminded herself not to spiral into anxiety or hide in shame.

What was said was said. There was no running from it now.

Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and marched downstairs.

Swallowing her pride, she walked into the dining room and took a seat across from Alaric.

Stella sat beside him, her round little face looking adorable as she blinked her big, innocent eyes and asked:

"Mommy, Daddy, did you sleep well last night? I saw you hugging. Does having someone to cuddle make you sleep better?"

Alaric kept his posture perfectly straight and his expression unreadable, but his gaze shifted toward Ivy.

He couldn't deny that he had slept incredibly well the second half of the night.

The scent of her skin was intoxicating, almost like a sedative. He hadn't even realized when she had nestled into his chest and draped her leg over him.

Ivy didn't dare meet his eyes.

Instead, she turned an awkward smile to Stella.

"I'll sleep in your room tonight, and then you'll find out."

Oh, God!

Could someone please save her?

Why did this innocent child have to pour gas on the fire in such an already awkward situation?

This was pure torture.

"No way, I don't want you in my room. You have to sleep with Daddy."

Stella huffed, crossing her arms like a bossy little adult.

"You two still need to give me a baby brother or sister. Keep up the good work, okay?"

"Cough!"

Seeing him leave lifted a massive weight off her shoulders.

After dropping Stella off at St. Jude's Preschool, Ivy headed straight to Metropolitan General.

It was strange. She hadn't seen Summer Vance anywhere in the hospital for the past two days.

Who knew where she had run off to?

But it was better this way—at least no one would be stirring up trouble in front of her.

Pushing the thought aside, Ivy prepped Ethan's IV medication and the supplies for his dressing change, then carried the tray toward his room.

Halfway down the hall, a little boy suddenly ran out and bumped into her.

The tray wobbled, and several plastic IV bags tumbled to the floor.

A passing colleague bent down to help her pick them up.

"Good thing these are plastic. If they were glass, you'd be paying a fortune to replace them."

Ivy silently agreed.

The medication prescribed for Ethan was far from cheap.

She thanked her coworker and carried the tray into the room.