Ivy’s POV
“You heard everything.”
His voice was calm. Too calm.
I was standing near the door to his study, frozen. My hand was still on the handle. I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. But I did. And now, he was looking at me like he already knew what I’d do next.
I didn’t speak. My throat was dry.
“Come inside,” he said.
“No.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, the only sign he wasn’t made of stone. “Ivy.”
“Don’t.” My voice came out sharper than I intended. “Don’t say my name like that. Like I matter.”
He said nothing. Just looked at me.
“I’m your wife. That’s what they call me. But I guess that’s all I am. A title. A body to carry your heir.”
He stepped forward. Slowly. “You misunderstood.”
“No. I didn’t.”
I took a step back. I didn’t want him to touch me. Because if he touched me, I’d cru
