Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Ivy I couldn't speak. Not because I was sad, but because I was shocked by how shameless this woman was. This was woman Damian liked?
"Since you're running a business, I assume you have no reason to turn down a customer's order, right?
So—name your price." Cecilia unzipped her bag, pulled out a thick stack of dollar bills, and slammed it onto the counter like she was paying off a street beggar.
"As long as you deliver the cake to the manor on time, you'll get this, plus generous tips in the future. "
What a genuine bitch.
I rolled my eyes, ready to tell her to get the hell out—
"As far as I know, this shop has two rules: no credit, and no tolerance for entitled trash who forgets how to behave." A deep male voice suddenly cut through the room from the doorway.
Lucas, wearing a clean work uniform and carrying a box of fresh daisies he had just picked up from the flower market, strode over. In just a few steps, he reached the counter and naturally positioned himself beside me, creating a barrier between me and Cecilia.
Lucas's expression was terrifyingly dark. The eyes that usually held a gentle smile were now frozen with frost. He didn't give Cecilia any time to react. He snatched the stack of cash off the counter and shoved it back into her handbag.
"You... Who the hell are you? Take your filthy hands off!" Cecilia stumbled back, her face paling as she shrieked.
"I'm the co-owner of this shop." Lucas took another step forward, completely shielding me from Cecilia. His voice was ice-cold. "This lady is not welcome here, and we have no interest in your 'tips.'"
"You... you bunch of rude lowlifes!" Cecilia trembled with rage, but the next second she seemed to realize something. She froze, then slowly curled her lips into a smile.
"No wonder you didn't want to go back. You've already found yourself a new man." Cecilia looked Lucas up and down. "Your taste is terrible, but I'll be sure to tell Damian all about it."
Damian
After returning to the cold manor, I didn't sleep a wink all night.
Seeing Ivy had sent my emotions plummeting from heaven straight to hell. For the first time outside of business warfare, I experienced total defeat. That phrase "no need to be angry" was probably the stupidest thing I'd ever said in my life.
The indifference in Ivy's eyes made it painfully clear—she didn't seem to care about me as much as she used to. Still, I left first, afraid I wouldn't be able to control the possessive rage that was nearly driving me insane.
I canceled all the urgent legal department meetings and didn't care what the old foxes on the board were saying about my stability behind my back. Early the next morning, I got in the car and sped all the way back to Brooklyn.
I wanted to try one more time.
And I had to get Cecilia completely out of our sight before telling Ivy the truth: that I had fallen in love with her long ago during the time we spent together. I couldn't live without her.
But when I finally parked in front of the restaurant and looked through the glass window, my blood ran cold in an instant.
Cecilia was inside.
That wasn't what enraged me most. What truly made me furious was the man standing right beside Ivy, wearing a sharp gray coat, practically glued to her side.
He was shielding her, one hand even intimately holding her sleeve, leaning down and whispering something to her.
I recognized the man. He was Ivy's friend—Lucas Hall? Who the hell gave him permission to stand so close to Ivy!
And Ivy wasn't pushing him away. She was even tilting her head slightly, letting his shadow completely envelop her.
"Fuck!"
That sight instantly shattered every ounce of my sanity. I shoved the shop door open violently. The car keys in my hand slammed against the door panel with a harsh bang.
"What the hell are you doing?"
All three pairs of eyes snapped toward me.
"Damian?" Cecilia's pale face lit up the moment she saw me rush in.
She practically ran over in her high heels, grabbed my arm, and looked up at me with teary eyes, her voice sharp and pitiful.
"Damian, I'm so sorry for coming without your permission.
I just thought you've been working too hard lately, and I know you like Ivy's cakes, so I wanted to order one privately.
I was also... trying to help support her business. "
"How did you know she was here?" I yanked my arm away from her.
"I-I saw the cake you brought back yesterday.
Anyway, Damian..." Cecilia suddenly leaned closer and whispered, "That gentleman started mocking me the moment he walked in and even threatened to have security throw me out.
He seems really close to Ivy. Of course, I don't think Ivy would cheat... but do you know him?"
Really close. Standing that near.
Those words were like poisoned needles stabbing into my already exploding temples.
I couldn't be bothered with whatever else Cecilia was babbling in my ear. My eyes and my sanity were completely consumed by the image of Ivy pressed so close to that man.
"Ivy!" I pushed Cecilia's hand away and stepped forward, slamming my palms heavily on the counter. My voice was hoarse with fury. "Tell me, why are you with him? You moved out of the manor, blocked my number, and came all the way to Brooklyn just to be with this guy first thing in the morning?"
The fear of losing her was driving me insane.
Ivy bit her lower lip hard. The last trace of light in her eyes went out completely, replaced by disappointment and self-mockery. I realized I had said the wrong thing, but jealousy and anger made it impossible for me to calm down.
"Ivy, are you okay?" The man lowered his head to look at her. "Should I make them leave right now?"
I stared fixedly at Ivy's lips. Ivy, reject him. Please!
But her words shattered my heart. "Yes, I don't want to see them. Lucas, help me."
The world spun. After hearing her answer, Lucas stepped forward, completely blocking Ivy behind his tall frame.
"The current owner of this shop is Ivy. As the owner, she has every right to refuse any rabid dogs that come in here barking and causing trouble." Lucas extended one hand toward the wide-open door in a clear "please leave" gesture. His tone was low and uncompromising.
"Mr. Damian Wentworth, and this lady. The shop is now closed. Please leave immediately."
I could no longer register his provocation. All I could think about was how Ivy was hiding behind him.
Only when I walked out of the shop did I realize, with heartbreaking clarity, that she really didn't need me anymore.