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Jack exhaled heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "I understand. It was my fault. I don’t blame you for being angry. I heard from some friends that you went to the place I had booked for the proposal. But when you heard that I had already left for abroad, you went back home. That must have been reallyupsetting. I’m very sorry for that. I love you. I was just too young to make the right choice."
Before Ivy could respond, a familiar warmth enveloped her. A strong arm slipped around her waist from behind, pulling her close. Christian’s scent surrounded her.
"Is he bothering you?" Christian’s deep voice murmured in her ear. He leaned in, pressing a slow kiss to her cheek.
Jack’s expression twisted in disbelief as his gaze darted between them. "...Mr. Evans? He’s your boyfriend?"
"Husband," Christian corrected coldly. "Now, get lost."
Jack froze for a second, and then scoffed, looking at Ivy in shock. "Impossible. Ivy, he’s lying, right?"
"You should leave now," Ivy said firmly. "There was never anything between us, and there never will be."
Jack’s face twisted in frustration. "Ivy, You will never love someone like him! I know you. I know his reputation—cold, ruthless, silent. Is he forcing you? Does he have something on you?" He stepped forward, grabbing her hand. "Come with me, I’ll take care of you—"
Before he could finish, Christian’s fist slammed into Jack’s face. Blood splattered as Jack fell back with a sickening thud.
Chapter 25 Records
Christian sneered. "Say that again. I fucking dare you. Give me a fucking reason to kill you today. Go on."
Before he could land another blow, Ivy stepped between them, shoving Jack away.
"Leave," she ordered Jack. "I told you to leave. I don’t want to see you again."
Jack hesitated, his face burning with embarrassment. Casting one last, longing glance at her, he finally turned and walked away.
Christian stood there, fists clenched tightly, his gaze locking onto Ivy. "You tried to save him from me?"
"I told the truth," Ivy muttered. "You need to stop hitting people. One day, it's going to land you in trouble."
Hearing her words, Christian’s agitation softened slightly, his anger dissipating. The anger that had been raging inside him began to fade. Hearing her say she had nothing to do with Jack—nor would she in the future—brought him a strange sense of peace.
He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against his chest. Lowering his head, he pressed a kiss to her lips and whispered, "Don’t be mad at me anymore."
Ivy’s body was stiff at first, displeased, but little by little, she relaxed. She let it go, allowing him to ease his tension and reassure himself.
Christian smiled, kissing her forehead before murmuring, "I’m leaving for work now. Call me if you need anything."
With that, he turned and left for his company.
An hour later, Larry entered Christian’s office, a file in his hands. He placed it on the desk and said, "It’s all real."
Christian took the file, his jaw tightening as Larry continued. "Jack tried to woo her three years ago. The company Ivy worked at knew all about it—Jack didn’t hide anything. It was all over the office, but in the end, he walked away. There’s no clear evidence that they were ever in a relationship. From what I found, it seems like he was just trying to convince her but she never accepted."
Christian nodded, though his blank stare at the table betrayed his calm demeanor.
Larry hesitated before adding, "But, man, I found something else." His voice lowered slightly. "Right after you left five years ago, Ivy quit her job. The records show she suffered from severe depression."
Christian’s eyes snapped to Larry, his body stiffening, a cold sensation creeping over him.
Larry pointed at the file. "Look at the records," he urged.
Christian opened the folder, his fingers trembling as he skimmed the pages. Hospital records. Medical notes. His throat tightened.
"According to the doctor," Larry continued, "she had stopped eating or drinking anything. Not even water. Her parents were extremely worried about her but the doctors were unable to find the reason as she never said anything. It took her six months just to start eating a meal again once a day. And it took her an entire year before she returned to work. But that entire year, she was in severe depression."
Christian’s entire body shook. His fingers trembled as they traced the words on the page. He read through the details, his chest tightening unbearably. The reports mentioned how Ivy only began recovering after realizing her parents were suffering too. Seeing them cry helplessly, watching them lose themselves—because she was their only child—was the only thing that finally pulled her out of her darkness.