Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 5

Ivy hesitated for a moment but eventually pulled out her phone and added him.

She was incredibly desperate for money.

Remembering the $200,000 Mr. Foster had given her, she told herself that if he truly kept his hands off her, she would save up enough to pay him back as quickly as possible, file for divorce, and walk away.

Ivy went back to her busy shift.

She was swamped the entire morning.

Right at noon, just as she sat down in the cafeteria to eat, her phone rang.

It was her sister who had just started college. The moment the call connected, her sister sobbed,

"Ivy, Mom and Dad won't give me any living expenses. I don't even have money for food now. Do you have any money? Could you spare me some?"

Hearing this, a sharp pang twisted in Ivy's chest.

She had two sisters and one brother.

Hazel was nineteen and had just started college.

Gemma was seventeen and still in high school.

Her brother was fifteen. Because their parents were fiercely traditional and favored boys over girls, the sisters inevitably became sacrifices for their brother.

Her fifteen-year-old brother lived a life of luxury, getting whatever he wanted. He was only in middle school, yet their parents had already bought him his own house.

Paid for with her settlement money.

The thought that her two younger sisters would inevitably be forced by their parents down the same path broke her heart.

Ivy urged both her sisters to finish college no matter what.

She had even promised them that if their parents refused to pay, she would foot the bill.

Now that her sister was actually calling for money, how could she refuse?

Ivy checked the mere fifty dollars left in her account and immediately transferred it to Hazel.

"Use this for now. If it's not enough, I'll figure something out later."

After thanking her, Hazel hung up.

Ivy picked at her food. On her way back to the nurses' station, she received a message from Ethan.

He asked her to bring him lunch.

He had also transferred money—a full hundred dollars.

Ethan: [Buy me something good to eat and some fruit. Keep the rest as a tip.]

Seeing the money, Ivy's eyes lit up.

She remembered that the hospital had a staff kitchen where employees could cook their own meals.

Ivy felt incredibly anxious.

She was terrified that Mr. Foster would find out about her past, be disgusted by her, kick her out, and demand his money back immediately.

If that happened, she truly would be out of options.

Despite her constant worry, Ivy pressed on and focused on her duties.

Back in the ward.

Alaric asked, his face expressionless,

"What's your relationship with that nurse? Why is she bringing you food?"

Ethan laughed. "Her? She's a friend of a friend. A pathetic wretch who's flat broke and will do anything for money."

Alaric remained silent.

That was certainly true.

But was she pathetic?

She was just putting on an act for the cash.

Alaric warned him coldly, "Stay away from people like her. She'll fleece you for everything you've got."

Ethan chuckled again, looking up at Alaric standing by his bed.