Ivy POV
"This is way too much," I exclaimed when Alex held out the dress. It was a midnight blue dress, with a low-cut back, the fabric so soft it practically slid through my fingers. It shimmered under the lights, catching glints of silver every time it moved, beautiful beyond words and laughably far out of reach if I'd ever had to buy it myself.
Alex pushed it into my hands anyway, ignoring my protest entirely. "Alex, I really… I can't.”
"It's a gift," he said, cutting me off with a small, easy smile, like the matter was already settled. "A welcoming gift."
"I can't accept this," I said, shaking my head. "And besides, I still don't think I should be staying here." The words came out sharper than I meant, but I couldn’t help it. None of this felt real, or safe, or even remotely under
