na's

. Ryan stared at me as if I'

nd tossed it onto the floor at his feet, wh

continued, each word precise and final. "This replac

fury. He leaned forward, his hands gripping the rails of

" he growled, his voice

my eyes as cold as winter ic

his face transforming into a thu

to drop instantly, the atmosphere becomi

ice cutting like ice. "Serena, you dare bri

r real-it was a business arrangement brokered by your grandmoth

bed, his voice low and fierce: "What gives you the right to ask for

lly healthy and mentally sound.

he stared at me, his gaze

mile. "Is Mr. Blackwood unwilling to divorce? Don't tell

ophie, yet you end up with another woman preten

yes trembled with rage. "Who do you thin

ing down the ache in my ches

ng the divorce papers. Even if I die

radiating off him in silent

great Ryan Blackwood treats his wife-how he lets her be kidnapped

ly. "You wouldn't dare bring

surprising myself wit

thing left

t me-his body was coiled tight with rage, his eye

markably, he

a-once you walk away from being my wife, you lose everything. My protection, m

ad smile. "I was never an

tight I could hear

om the room, the door slamming behind him with

t last, voice sharp but trembling at the edg

her eyes without flinching. "Isn

"What are you

. You wanted him. Y

then closed it again

at, final. "Get out, Ivy. And t

r, I finally allowed the tears

elease. For the first time in three years, I felt someth

o

I was discharged

end them to Ryan's office. Then I called M

r a while?" I asked, trying to sound casual des

t that wealthy husband of yours own like a dozen properties? Why do

ing him. Walking away wit

fore Maya exclaimed, "Are you serious? I though

er I was just a clown in his circus," I replied, forcing lightnes

en, Serena... since you're divorcing him and won't be spending all your time orbit

ssed, "Honestly, I'm desperate. Celeste-my mo

r pending orders, I'll be designing jewe

, caught

back when we were both junior desig

ry design quickly gaining attention after a fe

us dry without giving credit-we left together, we founded Dre

to Maya, and she had been running the business succes