Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 50

A violent wave of sheer terror crashed over Ivy.

She stood frozen on the sidewalk, trembling violently as her throat constricted, completely unable to draw a single breath into her lungs.

Patrick instantly recognized the legendary CEO. Sweating profusely, he scrambled off Ethan and took several rapid steps back, desperate to look as innocent as possible.

Ethan shot up from the pavement, instantly reverting to the posture of a terrified toddler caught breaking a priceless vase. Forcing a pathetic, bruised smile, he stammered, "Uncle Alaric! Hey! We were just... roughhousing. Just a friendly scuffle."

Alaric's predatory gaze swept over Ivy, his eyes dark with murderous fury as a suffocating chill radiated from his silhouette. His lethal stare snapped back to Ethan. "If I ever catch you brawling in the streets like a rabid stray again, you can pack your bags and leave the Foster family for good."

He didn't say a single word to Ivy. He didn't tell her to get in the car. Treating her as if she were completely invisible, he sharply ordered his driver to pull away.

As the taillights of the Bentley disappeared down the street, the two men simultaneously let out massive sighs of relief. But Ivy felt like her entire world was collapsing.

Panic seized her heart. Did he drive off because he was uninviting her from Stella's school event? Was he completely disgusted with her? Was he going to throw her out of his house for good?!

Tears pricked her eyes as she sprinted toward the street corner, frantically waving her arm for a cab.

"Ivy, wait!" Patrick yelled, lunging toward her, but Ethan viciously yanked him back by the collar.

"What the hell gives you the right to even look at her?!" Ethan snarled. "Back off before I call Summer and expose exactly what kind of two-faced garbage you really are."

Watching Ivy successfully jump into a taxi and speed away, Patrick violently shoved Ethan's hand off his shoulder, his eyes blazing with toxic jealousy. "You think you're so much better than me? Just because you're a rich kid doesn't mean you can steal Ivy from me. I'm never going to let her end up with a piece of trash like you."

...

The second Ivy slid into the back of the cab, she began desperately dialing Alaric's number. It rang out to voicemail every single time. Frantic, she rapidly typed out a text.

[Mr. Foster, I swear I had no idea those two men were going to be outside your building! I wasn't entertaining them at all. Please wait for me at the preschool gates. I'm on my way right now.]

"They've been back for hours, but Stella is absolutely inconsolable! She's having a massive tantrum, screaming that she hates everyone, and she's been crying under the blankets in her room all afternoon."

"Okay, I'm on my way right now!" Ivy screamed, her heart shattering as the cab driver floored the gas pedal, racing back toward The Starlight Estate.

The second she burst through the heavy mahogany doors, she spotted Alaric sitting on the lavish living room sofa, his tailored suit perfectly pristine, exuding a chilling, aristocratic authority.

Ivy's heart seized. She practically sprinted over to him and bowed her head. "I am so incredibly sorry, Mr. Foster."

Even though she was utterly innocent, he was the billionaire who held her sister's life in his hands. For the sake of that money, she was entirely willing to sacrifice her pride and beg for his forgiveness.

Alaric slowly lifted his terrifyingly icy gaze to meet hers.

"Pack your bags and get out."