Forbidden Love With His Father's Daughter

Ivy didn’t know what to feel as she stood in front of the door to Jace’s house. It had been almost two and a half years since they last saw each other. She was heartbroken, struggling to grasp the fact that the man she had trusted for two whole years—her fiancé—had cheated on her. And not just with anyone. With her best friend. This wasn’t how she wanted to see Jace again. Shivering. Whimpering. Sobbing. Especially not when he was the type to worry endlessly over her. She had imagined it differently: that she’d walk in smiling, that he’d hug her tight and they’d sit and talk over coffee like old times. She had missed him too much not to dream of that. But ever since she got into a relationship with Theon, things had spiraled. Her father had disowned her and told her to leave his house. Theon had once worked at her father’s company—his secretary, no less—and had stolen a large sum of money before being caught. Her father never forgave him. They had their issues, but Ivy... Ivy couldn't stop herself from loving him. So she ran away with Theon. And when she returned, her father shut the door in her face. She could never bring herself to face the disappointment in Jace’s eyes when she chose a man over her family. A man who had now proven them all right. Now, she had nowhere else to go. Like the thief she refused to believe he was, Theon had taken her things, emptied her bank account, and left her with nothing—but only after she caught him in bed with Jessica. Tears flowed freely down Ivy’s cheeks as she recalled how she had barged in and found them—him and Jessica. The pain stabbed fresh all over again. She had defended him when her father said terrible things. Because of him, she’d lost her father’s trust. Her mother’s love. Everything. And Jessica? Jessica was supposed to be her best friend. She had taken her in when her apartment was broken into. Treated her like a younger sister. She had never wronged her—never—but this was how she repaid her? Ivy’s sobs deepened as she knocked on the door, her hands trembling. Why wouldn’t Jace open? Was he asleep? Gone? It was a cold night. The wind bit at her skin through her jeans and black leather jacket. Her body was freezing. She was starving too—she hadn’t eaten since breakfast before heading down to Debris. She slowly sat on the wooden floor, leaned her head against the door, and let the tears continue. Her heart had been crying since the night before. She had no strength left, but her tears hadn’t run out. Her eyes fluttered shut with exhaustion just as she heard footsteps from inside. She scrambled to her feet, wiping her cheeks quickly with a tissue from her bag. Her chest ached from holding it all in, but she took a deep breath and tried to summon a smile—if only a small one—for Jace. But when the door opened, it wasn’t her brother who stood there. It was a stranger—a tall guy with blonde hair, an effortlessly handsome face, and a curious tilt to his head. Surprised, Ivy frowned, quickly checking the flat number on the wall. 32. It was correct. The guy looked at her, eyes narrowing slightly, then spoke with a deep, calm voice. “Hi. Can I help you?” Ivy’s throat tightened. She inhaled again, steadying herself. “My name’s Ivy. Jace’s sister.” She forced a faint smile. His expression shifted instantly. “Oh—sorry, I didn’t know,” he said, stepping aside and holding the door open. “I was just leaving. Jace is upstairs.” “Okay, thanks. Bye,” Ivy murmured as he stepped past her and she shut the brown wooden door behind him. She turned and stared at the stairs leading to Jace’s room. Her fingers gripped the strap of her leather handbag as her heart pounded harder. She still didn’t know how he’d react. Would he be upset that she hadn’t called all this time? Would he be hurt? He couldn’t have called their parents to ask about her—too much had gone wrong in the past. All she knew was that he must have worried. And now she was here, in the worst shape of her life, hoping it wasn’t too late to be his little sister again. As she climbed the stairs — one step, then another — Ivy’s heart thudded heavily in her chest. The quiet creak beneath her feet was nothing compared to the noise inside her. Her gaze trailed up the white-painted walls, catching on every picture frame that lined the way. They were pictures of them — snapshots frozen in time. A young Jace with that same crooked half-smile. Her, leaning into him like he was her whole world. Back when everything felt simpler. Before life separated them. She should’ve smiled at the sight. She should’ve felt comforted that he kept them all this time. But instead, something in her twisted. A quiet ache unfurled beneath her ribs as she reached out, fingertips grazing the glass of one frame. Her skin tingled where it touched the cold surface — a memory jolting awake beneath it. She’d promised herself those feelings were buried. Promised him they were. So why were they rushing back like a tide she couldn’t stop? She didn’t know how long it took to reach the top. Time folded in on itself. But when she looked up, breath catching halfway in her throat — her heart gave a lurch. He was there. Jace. Standing just a few steps ahead, as if he’d been waiting. His gray eyes were locked on hers — calm, unreadable, but undeniably the same. His dark hair was still kept short, like always, and a little messy like he’d just run his hand through it. His frame towered over her, maybe more than she remembered… or maybe it only felt that way because she stood on the lower stair in front of him. He looked like her brother. Her protector. Her secret heartbreak. And nothing like the boy who left. She gasped, soft and involuntary. Her whole body froze, breath held prisoner in her chest. She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. Only feel. He didn’t smile. He didn’t say anything right away. He just stood there, eyes unreadable, face as closed off as it had always been when he didn’t want her to know what he was thinking. Maybe someone had called ahead. Told him she was here. Or maybe he just felt it — the same way she always felt him. “Jace,” she breathed, her voice quiet, fragile. “Ivy.” His reply was firm. Almost too firm. Like he was holding something back. Then, without another word, he stepped forward. Her heart slammed. She didn’t know what he was going to do — walk past her? Say something cutting? Pull away? But instead, he reached out and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, tight, and safe. His body was warm. Solid. Real. Her breath broke in a quiet rush as she sank into him, letting the hug wrap around every piece of her she hadn’t realized was still breaking. She didn’t speak. Neither did he. And in that silence, in the way he held her like he was afraid to let go — she knew. He’d missed her too.