Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 44

"Stella really likes me and begged me to stay with her. Mr. Foster only let me live here for his daughter's sake."

But Alaric, who had just walked up to the open doorway, heard every word.

He stopped in his tracks, leaning against the doorframe to listen.

Elena demanded, "Do you have feelings for Alaric?"

Ivy shook her head vehemently. "No, of course not! I don't see Mr. Foster that way at all. I'm just incredibly grateful that he gave me a job and such a beautiful place to stay."

Elena's gaze lingered on her.

The girl was far too gorgeous. She was young, and even without a drop of makeup, her delicate features were utterly flawless, framed by thick, raven hair. It would be a miracle if a woman this stunning lived under Alaric's roof long-term without eventually stealing his heart.

"Your cramps are severe. Make sure you take better care of yourself from now on," Elena instructed stiffly, grabbing her medical bag and standing up to leave.

Out in the hallway, Alaric silently walked away, but Ivy's words echoed relentlessly in his mind.

She didn't like him? She didn't see him that way at all? Was he really that repulsive? So her decision to marry him was purely financial?

A suffocating knot formed in Alaric's chest.

He had known from day one that Ivy was a gold-digger who only cared about cash, so why did this bother him so much?

It was better if she didn't have feelings for him. He wanted zero emotional entanglement between them. He would pay her a generous salary to act as a companion for his daughter, and he wouldn't have to fulfill any marital duties. The second Stella was old enough, he was ending this sham of a marriage.

Sitting against the headboard, Ivy watched the glamorous doctor leave, wondering if Elena was secretly in love with Mr. Foster. Why else would she interrogate her like that?

Ivy asked herself if she actually liked Mr. Foster.

"Hey, Stella! Come give Elena a hug."

Stella peeked over her father's arm, her wide eyes filled with worry. "Elena, how is my mommy doing?"

Elena froze at the word, throwing a bewildered look at Alaric. "Who is she calling Mommy?"

"She calls whoever she likes Mommy," Alaric replied casually.

Stella pouted, leaning forward. "I'm talking about Ivy! How is she? Why was she bleeding? Did she get hurt again?"

Hearing the child affectionately claim the other woman, a sharp stab of jealousy pierced Elena's chest. She glared at Alaric. "Are you seriously not going to correct her?"

"As long as she's happy, I don't care," Alaric stated dismissively. Remembering the intrusive questions Elena had asked Ivy, his expression hardened, and his tone turned instantly frigid. "If you're done playing doctor for the evening, you can see yourself out."