Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 18

Any man who married her would end up bankrupt trying to feed their endless greed.

Back at the nursing station, Ivy furiously sorted vials of medication, unable to stop the sharp, agonizing ache radiating through her chest.

She desperately tried to rationalize the pain away.

It was fine.

She and Patrick were completely done anyway.

If anything, the joke was on Summer, considering Ivy was technically her aunt by marriage.

Even though the arrangement was a closely guarded secret, as long as she played her part and kept Stella happy,

Alaric would ensure she was protected and financially secure.

There was absolutely no reason to shed tears over garbage.

Shoving the heartbreak aside, Ivy threw herself back into her work.

Moments later, Summer strutted into the nursing station, flaunting a crisp new doctor's coat to formally check in.

Knowing exactly who her family was, the head nurse practically tripped over herself to roll out the red carpet.

By four o'clock, Ivy packed up her things and clocked out, ready to pick Stella up from preschool.

Watching her slip out of her scrubs so early infuriated Summer.

"Leaving early, Ivy? Seriously?"

Ivy didn't even acknowledge her existence, simply walking past her toward the elevators.

Summer's face contorted in ugly rage as she shrieked after her.

"Who do you think you are? My uncle owns this place! One word from me and you're out on the street!"

Ivy ignored the screeching threat entirely and stepped onto the elevator.

Seething with absolute fury, Summer whirled on the head nurse.

"Why is she leaving so early? Are you seriously letting her get away with that?"

The head nurse offered a helpless, apologetic smile.

"She's got powerful backers. The executives specifically mandated her hours. There's nothing I can do about it."

Summer scoffed, refusing to believe it.

Her uncle was the absolute highest authority here.

Which decrepit, filthy-rich hospital board member had Ivy slept with to get VIP treatment?

Ivy swiped to answer. "Hazel, what's wrong?"

Through the receiver, Hazel was sobbing so hysterically she could barely get the words out.

"Ivy! Mom and Dad are trying to drag me home to get married! They said some guy offered them half a million dollars for my hand! I said no, but they swore they're coming to campus to drag me out in chains if they have to!"

Ivy fell dead silent, a suffocating wave of despair crushing her lungs.

A brutal lump formed in her throat, burning the back of her eyes with unshed tears.

She couldn't fathom how anyone could be cursed with such venomous, monstrous parents.

It was bad enough they sold her off at twenty-two. Hazel was barely nineteen.

Her sister had earned a full-ride scholarship to the Harmon Conservatory of Music based entirely on her own brilliance.

She hadn't even finished her freshman year, yet she was already being hunted down by the very people who were supposed to protect her.

A violent, festering hatred for her parents flooded Ivy's veins.

"They said you're already married, Ivy. They said they got a $200,000 settlement for you. Is it true?"

Hazel choked out the question through her tears.