I Married the President

Ivy desperately wanted something to hold, but she had nothing. She could only bottle up her emotions, and it was an unbearable feeling.

After taking the flowers, she was no longer in the mood to wander around and insisted on going home.

Ethan Kingsley couldn’t say no to her, so he led her back to the car, which then headed toward The Golden Brocade Palace.

In the car, Ivy started dozing off again. Her head swayed back and forth until it finally came to rest on his shoulder.

Ethan Kingsley gently patted her head and whispered tenderly in her ear, "Go ahead and sleep."

His voice, like a lullaby, swirled in her ear, and she quickly drifted off to sleep.

The car drove on.

Suddenly, a dog darted out in front of the car, and Seth Payne slammed on the brakes.

SCREECH—

The piercing sound of the skid jolted Ivy awake.

To her surprise, she found herself held tightly, her head pressed against a firm chest. She could even hear his heartbeat, which was somewhat rapid.

His hoarse voice suddenly sounded from above her. "Don’t be afraid. Everything’s fine."

Ivy looked up in a daze just as he lowered his head. Their eyes met unexpectedly, and a complex emotion flickered between them.

She gazed silently at his handsome face, so close to her own. For the first time, she found herself lost in admiration of his features. His breath fanned across her skin, seemingly carrying a hint of tenderness.

’This look in my eyes... A long, long time ago, I used to look at him just like this. Before I became... simple-minded.’

’Back then, I was always this infatuated with him, always following him around. Wherever he went, I would go...’

’Back then, all I did was cling to him, but I never caused him any trouble.’

’How long has it been?’

’Since the last time she made that love-struck face at him.’

’It’s been so many years, yet she’s still just as adorable and captivating.’

"If you keep looking at me like that, I won’t be able to resist kissing you," Ethan Kingsley said, before planting a gentle kiss on her eyelid.

Ivy squeezed her eyes shut. A moment later, she snapped back to reality and scrambled out of his arms, her face flushing as she said, "Brother Kingsley, that’s embarrassing!"

Ethan Kingsley’s mood instantly brightened. He took her small hand and held it in his palm, saying gently, "I’ve already posted on Weibo to find you a husband. If there’s someone you like, you should marry him."

Ivy trembled. The flicker of warmth she had felt just a moment ago vanished instantly, replaced by a wave of immense sorrow.

’He’s finally making his move.’

’Thankfully, Claire Sinclair has already arranged a way out for me.’

’And thankfully, I already have a marriage certificate with Lucas Rhodes.’

At this moment, Ivy’s resolve hardened. ’As long as I can get away from this man,’ she thought, ’nothing else matters.’

Upon returning to The Golden Brocade Palace, the first thing Ivy did was sit on the sofa, pick up the phone, and dial Claire Sinclair’s number once more.

The recorded message played: "Sorry, the number you are trying to reach is currently turned off..."

Ivy refused to give up and tried again, but the call still wouldn’t go through.

Ethan Kingsley walked over. He didn’t have to see the number to know who she was calling.

He snatched the phone from her hand, ended the call, and said in a low voice, "Stop calling. Sinclair doesn’t have time to answer her phone."

Disappointment washed over Ivy’s face. "Sinclair..."

Seeing the pitiable look in her watery eyes, Ethan Kingsley’s heart softened. He changed his tone to comfort her. "She’ll call you when she gets back. You just need to wait for her."

"But... I miss Sinclair," Ivy mumbled, slowly lowering her head, unable to hide her disappointment.

Ethan Kingsley couldn’t bear it. He instinctively pulled her into his arms and said softly, "From now on, if you’re ever unhappy, you can call me."