Chapter 96: I Have A Job For You
The morning silence in Ivy’s room was broken only by the ticking of the wall clock. She sat on her vanity stool, gently dabbing foundation onto her flawless skin, trying to distract herself from the building anxiety in her chest.
Ever since Stefan had dropped those bombshell comments the day before, Ivy hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that something was... unraveling. How could she when he had not even returned home once and his mother was also on Ruby’s side?
Her phone buzzed on the marble countertop. She picked it up to see it was Stefan.
She stared at the screen for a moment, her pulse instantly racing. He hadn’t called her in days—barely even acknowledged her since everything and just yesterday he’d said those disturbing words. She hurried to accept the call, eager and nervous all at once.
"Stefan?" Her voice was soft, almost tentative.
"I’m not going to waste time," came his voice, cold and steady like steel. "The lawyer will be bringing the divorce papers to you later today."
The words struck her like a slap across the face. Her breath hitched, the compact falling from her hand and shattering against the floor.
"W-What?" she whispered, her hand trembling. "Divorce?"
"I’m willing to compensate you with two million dollars," he said calmly, as if he were talking business and not ending a marriage. "So don’t make this more difficult than it needs to be."
Ivy’s mind spun out of control. Divorce? No, no, no. He couldn’t possibly mean it. He’s just angry... maybe all Eliana said got to him. Or maybe it’s temporary. Maybe he just needs space. He’s just emotional, vulnerable—it’s not over. It can’t be over.
But Stefan kept speaking, cutting through her spiraling thoughts.
"In case you’re wondering on what grounds," he continued coldly, "it’s on the grounds of deceit. That wedding certificate you’re so proud of throwing in my face? The one you flaunt like a trophy that we’re married? That alone is enough proof. Because the signature on it—it isn’t even yours."