Chapter 3
At dawn, Ivy was still half-asleep when a thunderous kick rattled the bedroom door.
Landon Moore stormed in.
He yanked Ivy straight out of the covers.
Then his palm cracked across her face—hard.
“Chloe Hayes, how can you be so vicious?”
“Do you actually want Shannon dead?”
The slap snapped Ivy fully awake. Her cheek burned and went numb. She clenched her teeth.
“What are you talking about, Landon? I don’t understand.”
“Still pretending?”
He seized her arm and hauled her upright.
She tried to twist free, and in the struggle her head smashed into the carved wooden headboard.
The swelling on her forehead hadn’t even gone down; now a lump rose on the back of her skull.
The room spun, her vision darkening at the edges.
Through the throbbing, his fury poured over her:
“Do you know Shannon had an asthma attack at dawn? She used the meds you brought—nothing happened.”
“Did you tamper with them? That’s her life-saving medicine.”
“I… never touched her meds.”
Ivy cradled her head; the pain felt like it would split her skull.
“You were the only one who handled her med kit.”
“And Shannon would never swap her own medicine.”
Landon’s voice was winter-cold, enough to freeze the air.
He leaned down and gripped her arm hard.
“You kept up your magnanimous act for three years, and the minute Shannon came back you couldn’t keep it up?”
“Do you realize you could have killed her? If I hadn’t been there, she—”
He broke off, unable to say the rest. He didn’t dare imagine it.
“I didn’t.” Ivy shook her head—pain spiked; nausea followed.
He had no pity at all. His fingers dug into her arm, bruising.
“Chloe, have I been too good to you? Did you get ideas you shouldn’t?”
“Listen to me: I will never love you.”
“One day I can decide for myself, we’ll get a divorce.”
Ivy glanced at the purple marks blooming on both arms and drew a steadying breath.
She almost wanted to laugh.
She’d never wanted his love. She was leaving anyway; divorce or not didn’t matter to her.
Landon dragged her up with brute force. “We’re going to the hospital. You’ll apologize to Shannon.”
He didn’t care that she was still in pajamas—just hauled her outside.
Everything hurt: her head, her stomach; dizziness rose in waves. Her palms stung fiercely.
He shoved her into the car. Fury made the air in the cabin feel Suffocating.
Hold it. Just a little longer, she told herself. The darkest hour is before dawn.
By the time they reached the hospital, the sky was only beginning to gray.
In the VIP ward, Shannon looked weak, propped against the pillows. Her face was pale—she genuinely looked like she’d just had an asthma attack.
But Ivy knew she hadn’t touched the meds, which meant Shannon Lynn was definitely ruthless.
Ivy’s head pounded harder. She was about to “quit,” and the person making trouble for her was coming.
When Shannon saw Ivy, she flinched, as if terrified.
“Landon… why is she here?” Her voice trembled like a frightened little rabbit.
Landon squeezed her hand. “Don’t be scared. I’m here.”
He turned to Ivy. “Apologize.” The word fell like a stone.
Ivy kept her gaze on Shannon and asked softly, “Miss Lynn, are you Sure I touched your meds?”
Shannon shrank deeper into Landon’s arms, tears welling. “Forget it, Landon. I don’t need her apology.”
“It’s my fault—I cling to you too much. It’s normal if she’s unhappy.”
“I’ll go back to the old house tomorrow. I don’t want to be a third one between you two. I’m the most unnecessary person here.”
Her words poured gasoline on Landon’s anger. He patted her back, voice tender. “Don’t be silly. My home is your home. Stay wherever you want.”
“You will never be unnecessary to me.”
Comforting Shannon done; he faced Ivy again—eyes blazing. “Chloe Hayes. Apologize.”
Ivy closed her eyes and inhaled.
It was obvious Shannon was framing her. But if Ivy fought back, it would only bring more trouble.
She swallowed the bitterness and said quietly, “I’m sorry.”
That was all. She wouldn’t admit to something she hadn’t done.
She turned to leave, but Landon stopped her.
“Wait. You’ll personally take care of Shannon for the next few days. If you don’t do it well… you know the consequences.”
Ivy drew another breath. “Okay.”
