Chapter 70: It’s Eleven o’ Clock
Soon, they heard the sharp sound of Tom’s shoes striking the stone path. Ivy stiffened instinctively, her skin prickling. "Anna, darling. It’s eleven o’clock," Tom’s baritone cut through the air.
"Oh, my meds. Come with me, dear," Anna said, looping her arm through Ivy’s. Together, they moved toward the entrance.
They met up with Tom, who walked just half a step behind, close enough for Ivy to feel the weight of his stare on the back of her neck. "If I may ask, what’s wrong? Why are you on medication?"
"Oh... it’s just my blood pressure," Anna said with a small laugh. "When you are my age and raised Winn and his sister, you are bound to end up with a high blood pressure."
Ivy laughed lightly.
"Tom, what do you think of her?" Anna asked her husband brightly, either oblivious to or deliberately ignoring the tension.
"She is quite the delight," Tom answered drily.
They got back into the house. Winn was waiting near the bottom of the staircase, his hands casually shoved in his pockets. Anna was gently led upstairs by Sylvia, while Tom followed them with his usual stiff-backed authority.
"You were great," Winn said, his eyes softening as he studied her face.
"Thank you," Ivy murmured, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Your mum is nice. And she loves you." She said it gently, hoping he heard the admiration in her voice. Anna’s adoration had been obvious—it glowed every time she looked at her son.
"Hmmm. Yeah, she does," Winn replied. "Will you stay at my place tonight?"
"Uh... why?"
Winn leaned closer, his breath teasing the shell of her ear as his voice dipped to a whisper. "You didn’t think being with you once is enough, did you? I’ve been having wet dreams since that night."
"I missed you too," Ivy admitted softly, letting her truth slip out before she could stop herself. Her fingers brushed against his chest, feeling the steady beat beneath the fabric of his shirt.
Winn pulled her flush against his chest, his hands firm and kissed her briefly—an intoxicating promise. "Maybe I could teach you something new," he murmured, his lips ghosting over hers. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Could we go to my house instead?" Ivy asked quickly. "I have some files I need at the office there."
"Anywhere," he said. "As long as it’s with you." He bent to kiss the side of her neck, just under her ear, sending a rush of goosebumps across her arms. His mouth lingered there, savoring the taste of her skin.
Ivy chuckled nervously. "You are so cheesy," she teased.
They heard the clearing of a throat and Winn turned, still holding Ivy close, only to find his father standing there with his usual stony face and Sylvia by his side. Sylvia’s grin was wicked, practically split across her face, her eyes shining with the promise of teasing him mercilessly later about his "romance skills."
"When is the wedding?" Tom asked simply. His gaze lingered on Winn.
"Uh... first, we have to make a formal announcement," Winn replied, straightening his shoulders. "An engagement party... and then we work toward next month."
"I’m hoping your mother will be around for both the engagement and the wedding," Tom said. The mention of her mother twisted Ivy’s stomach; she couldn’t forget the conversation in her own house, when Tom had leaned too close, his voice carrying a subtle threat.
"I’m sure she won’t miss the wedding," Ivy answered. Her palms prickled, and she wanted desperately to reach for Winn’s hand but didn’t dare in front of his father.
Tom smiled then. "I look forward to meeting her," he said.
"We will be leaving now," Winn said firmly, cutting through the tension. He turned his head to Sylvia. "Don’t wait for me."
"Have fun," Sylvia said, her grin breaking loose. The innuendo in her voice was unmistakable, and Winn groaned under his breath. Ivy managed a small smile, grateful for Sylvia’s lightness.
Winn and Ivy arrived at her house, that was when she noticed it.
Her front door. Wide open.
A chill slid down her spine.
"Did you forget to lock the door?" Winn asked as he killed the engine. He was already scanning the street.
"No..." Ivy whispered, fumbling for her bag. Her hands trembled as she opened it, showing him the glint of her keys. "I have my keys right here." Her chest tightened as dread spread coldly through her veins. Someone had been inside.
"Stay in the car," Winn bellowed and got out.
Ivy’s heart was pounding.
Winn strode toward the open door.
"Winn! Winn!" Ivy’s voice cracked from inside the car, panic sharp in her chest.
"Stay there!" Winn’s reply came in a deep, commanding growl that brooked no argument. His broad frame moved steadily toward the door, every step exuding purpose.
Inside, Winn’s body went taut as soon as he stepped across the threshold. The lock had been broken clean through, hanging at an ugly angle against the doorframe. His gaze swept over the living room; Furniture had been upended, the coffee table cracked in half, picture frames smashed. A photo of Ivy lay face-down and cracked.
He moved further in, checking each room. The kitchen was wrecked, cupboards flung open, drawers pulled out as if the intruders were hunting. Bedroom was no better—the sheets on her bed ripped, closets overturned, clothes scattered. The violation made his blood boil.
By the time Winn returned outside, his expression was set like granite. He yanked the car door open for Ivy.
"I called the police already. They’re on their way," she blurted, eyes wide. Her phone was still clutched in her hand.
"I don’t think anything was taken," Winn said. "But you should go in and check. Come on." He reached for her hand, guiding her into the wreckage.
Ivy gasped the moment she saw it for herself. Her knees went weak, and she clung tighter to Winn’s arm, her body pressed to his side as if needing his solidity to keep standing. "I don’t understand," she whispered. "Who would do this?" Her eyes burned as she stared at the broken shards of her life scattered across the floor.
She wanted to curl into herself, to cry until the world forgot her.