Updated Oct 4, 2025 • ~14 min read
Two days after their fight about Leila, Ivy was making coffee in Naomi’s kitchen when she overheard something that changed everything.
She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. Theo was in the guest room on a call, his voice low and urgent, and Ivy was just passing by when she heard Richard’s name.
“—I understand that, but you need to understand my position,” Theo was saying. “Yes, he’s my father, but that doesn’t change what he did… No, I stand by everything in the article… Because it was the truth, and someone needed to—”
Ivy froze outside the door, pulse hammering. Who was Theo talking to?
“I know the board is concerned about optics. But I can’t just retract my statement… That’s not— Look, if you’re asking me to publicly defend him, the answer is no… Yes, I understand what that means for my fraud case.”
The fraud case. Ivy’s stomach dropped as understanding clicked into place. Someone was offering Theo a deal—defend Richard publicly, walk back the allegations, and the fraud charges would disappear.
“I need time to think about it,” Theo said, his voice strained. “Just… give me forty-eight hours… Okay. I’ll call you back.”
Ivy heard him moving toward the door and quickly retreated to the kitchen, busying herself with her coffee. When Theo emerged, his expression was troubled, distracted.
“Morning,” he said, attempting casualness. “Sleep okay?”
“Fine.” Ivy studied him, watching for signs of the conversation she’d just overheard. “You?”
“Yeah.” But he wouldn’t meet her eyes, and tension radiated from him. “I have some calls to make. Work stuff. Might take a while.”
“Okay.” Ivy kept her voice neutral even as anxiety clawed at her chest. “I’ll be at my mom’s for lunch. We’re meeting at one.”
“Good. Tell Claire I said hi.” Theo kissed her forehead, distracted, and disappeared back into the bedroom.
Ivy stood alone in the kitchen, coffee forgotten, trying to process what she’d heard. Someone was offering Theo a way out—a deal that would clear the fraud charges but require him to betray everything they’d fought for.
And he’d asked for time to think about it.
Lunch with Claire should have been a celebration—their first meal together since Claire left Richard, a chance to rebuild their relationship. Instead, Ivy could barely focus on the conversation, her mind churning through the implications of Theo’s phone call.
“—and the lawyer says the divorce should be finalized within six months,” Claire was saying. “Richard’s not fighting it, surprisingly. I think he’s too focused on his own legal troubles to care about our marriage.”
“That’s good,” Ivy managed, forcing herself to focus. “Quick and clean.”
“As clean as divorcing a man under federal investigation can be.” Claire’s expression was rueful. “I still can’t believe I was so blind. All those years, I thought he loved me. But I was just useful—a way to control you, to maintain his image of family values.”
“Mom, you couldn’t have known—”
“I should have listened to you.” Claire reached across the table to squeeze Ivy’s hand. “When you tried to tell me what he’d done to your father, I dismissed it as bitterness. I chose Richard over my own daughter. That’s unforgivable.”
“You’re here now. That’s what matters.” Ivy squeezed back, genuinely meaning it. But her mind kept drifting to Theo, to the choice he was facing, to whether love was enough to keep him on her side when freedom was being offered.
“Tell me about Theo,” Claire said, changing the subject. “I know I reacted badly when I first found out you two were together. But Ivy, if he makes you happy—if he’s been there for you through all of this—then I want to know more about him.”
Ivy should have been thrilled. Her mother was finally accepting her relationship, wanting to understand rather than judge. Instead, doubt gnawed at her.
“He’s… he’s been amazing,” she said carefully. “Supportive and brave and everything I could ask for. He gave up his entire life to stand with me against Richard.”
“But?” Claire read her too well.
“But he’s facing fraud charges because of me. Criminal charges that could send him to prison. And I keep wondering when he’s going to wake up and realize the cost was too high.”
“Has he given you reason to doubt him?”
“No. Yes. I don’t know.” Ivy rubbed her temples, exhausted. “We fought about his ex a few days ago. I got jealous and insecure, and it made me realize how fragile this all is. We’re only two months into this relationship, and it’s already survived more stress than most marriages. What if we’re just not built to last?”
“Or what if you’re stronger than you think?” Claire’s voice was gentle. “Ivy, your father and I had an easy relationship for years. No drama, no conflict, just comfortable routine. And when things got hard—when his company collapsed and he needed real support—we fell apart because we’d never learned to fight for each other.”
“That’s supposed to make me feel better?”
“I’m saying that surviving hard times together—really surviving, not just enduring—that builds something deeper than easy love ever could.” Claire met her gaze seriously. “If Theo’s still choosing you after everything you’ve both lost, that means something. Don’t let fear convince you otherwise.”
Ivy wanted to believe her. But the memory of Theo’s voice on that phone call—I need time to think about it—haunted her. He was considering the deal. Considering betraying everything they’d stood for.
And she couldn’t tell him she knew without admitting she’d eavesdropped.
When Ivy got back to Naomi’s apartment that evening, Theo was cooking dinner—pasta carbonara, her favorite. The domestic normalcy of it made her chest ache.
“Hey,” he said, smiling as she entered. “How was lunch with your mom?”
“Good. Really good, actually. We talked about a lot.” Ivy set down her bag, studying him. He looked tired but determined, like he’d made some kind of decision. “How were your calls?”
“Productive.” Theo stirred the pasta, not meeting her eyes. “Might have a lead on a consulting position. Nothing concrete yet, but it’s promising.”
The lie sat between them like a living thing. Ivy could call him on it, force him to tell her about the deal he was considering. But that would mean admitting she’d been listening to his private conversation.
“That’s great,” she said instead, the words tasting like ash.
They ate dinner making small talk—safe topics that avoided anything real. The weather, Naomi’s upcoming trial, a show they’d been watching. All of it felt performative, like they were playing at being a couple instead of actually being one.
After dinner, Theo disappeared to take a call—”work stuff, won’t be long”—and Ivy sat alone in the living room, staring at her phone. She should trust him. Should believe that whatever decision he was facing, he’d make the right choice.
But trust felt impossible when she’d heard doubt in his voice.
At ten PM, Naomi came home from her late office night, took one look at Ivy’s face, and sighed.
“What happened?”
“I think Theo’s being offered a deal,” Ivy said quietly. “To defend Richard publicly in exchange for dropping the fraud charges. And I think he’s considering it.”
Naomi settled beside her on the couch. “Did he tell you this?”
“No. I overheard him on a call this morning.” Ivy’s voice cracked. “He asked for time to think about it, Naomi. Which means it’s not an automatic no.”
“Or it means he wants to strategize, to figure out if there’s a way to use the offer to their advantage without actually betraying you.” Naomi’s expression was thoughtful. “Theo’s smart, Ivy. He thinks three moves ahead. Maybe he’s not considering taking the deal—maybe he’s considering how to use it as leverage.”
“Or maybe he’s realizing that I’m not worth going to prison for.”
“Stop.” Naomi’s voice was firm. “You’re catastrophizing again. Talk to him. Ask him directly what’s going on instead of assuming the worst.”
“I can’t. If I tell him I was listening to his call—”
“Then don’t mention the call. Just say you’ve noticed he’s been distracted and stressed, and ask if there’s anything he needs to tell you.” Naomi squeezed her shoulder. “Communication, remember? That’s what you both promised after the Leila fight.”
Ivy knew she was right. But fear paralyzed her—fear that asking would force Theo to admit he was choosing self-preservation over love, that her worst suspicions would be confirmed.
Before she could decide, Theo emerged from the bedroom, grabbing his keys.
“I need to go out,” he said, his voice tight. “Meeting someone about the consulting position. Won’t be late.”
“Now? It’s ten PM.” Ivy stood, alarm bells ringing. “Theo, what’s really going on?”
“I told you—work meeting.” But he wouldn’t meet her eyes, guilt written across his face. “I’ll explain everything when I get back. I promise. Just… trust me. Please.”
He left before she could argue, and Ivy stood in the empty apartment feeling like her world was crumbling for the second time in a month.
“I’ll follow him,” Naomi said, already grabbing her coat. “See where he’s really going.”
“Naomi, no—”
“Yes. Because either he’s meeting with someone about that deal, in which case you need to know, or he’s doing something completely innocent and you can stop spiraling.” Naomi was already heading for the door. “Stay here. I’ll text you updates.”
She left, and Ivy collapsed back onto the couch, heart hammering. This was insane. She was spying on the man she loved because she couldn’t bring herself to just ask him what was happening.
But after everything they’d been through—losing jobs, family, security—the thought that Theo might choose differently now, when the cost became real, was too terrifying to face head-on.
Twenty minutes later, her phone buzzed: He’s at a restaurant. Meeting with James Chen.
Ivy’s blood ran cold. James Chen—Richard’s COO, the one who’d tried to warn her off investigating. The one who’d delivered Richard’s ultimatum back at the lake house.
Another text: They look serious. Lots of talking, documents being exchanged. Ivy, I think this is about the deal.
Proof their forbidden attraction can’t be denied warred with the sick certainty that it was about to be tested in the worst way. Theo was meeting with Richard’s people, discussing deals, potentially betraying everything they’d fought for.
And he’d lied to her about it.
Ivy sat frozen, waiting for more updates, her mind spinning through possibilities. Maybe Theo was refusing the deal in person. Maybe he was negotiating better terms. Maybe he was doing exactly what she feared and choosing freedom over love.
An hour later, Naomi returned, her expression grim.
“They talked for forty-five minutes. Chen gave him a folder—looked like legal documents. They shook hands. Ivy, I don’t know what the meeting was about, but it looked official. Like they reached some kind of agreement.”
“He’s taking the deal,” Ivy whispered. “He’s going to betray me.”
“You don’t know that—”
“Then why is he lying? Why meet with Richard’s COO in secret and pretend it’s about consulting work?” Tears burned in Ivy’s eyes. “He’s choosing himself. And I don’t even blame him. I just… I wish he’d been honest about it.”
Naomi pulled her into a hug, and Ivy let herself cry, mourning the loss of the relationship she’d thought was strong enough to survive anything.
Thirty minutes later, Theo came home. He looked exhausted and conflicted, the folder from Chen visible in his messenger bag.
“Ivy,” he said, seeing her tear-stained face. “What’s wrong?”
“You tell me.” Her voice was hoarse. “Where were you really tonight?”
Theo’s expression shuttered. “I told you—”
“You were at a restaurant meeting James Chen. Discussing some kind of deal. And you lied to me about it.” Ivy stood, needing the distance. “So I’ll ask again: what’s really going on?”
The silence stretched, heavy with everything unsaid. Theo set down his bag, ran both hands through his hair, and when he finally looked at her, his expression was raw.
“I was going to tell you,” he said quietly. “Tonight, after the meeting. I just… I needed to handle it first.”
“Handle what?”
“Richard’s lawyers contacted me three days ago. They offered a deal—I publicly defend him, claim the Times article was exaggerated, and they’ll drop the fraud charges. No trial, no jail time, no criminal record.”
The confirmation still hit like a blow. “And?”
“And I told them no.” Theo met her gaze, intensity burning in his gray eyes. “Immediately, unequivocally no. I told them I stand by every word in that article and nothing—not freedom, not money, not my father’s forgiveness—would make me betray the truth.”
Ivy’s breath caught. “Then why—”
“Then they changed tactics. Said if I wouldn’t take the deal, maybe I could convince you to soften your stance. Maybe if you made a public statement about how the investigation wasn’t personal, how you respected Richard’s business acumen despite disagreeing with his methods—maybe that would be enough.” Theo’s jaw tightened. “They offered to drop charges against both of us if you’d play along.”
“Both of us?”
“They’re threatening to charge you with corporate espionage. Theft of proprietary information. Chen said the evidence is being prepared right now.” Theo pulled the folder from his bag, showing her legal documents. “He gave me this tonight—draft charges, potential sentences. Ivy, if you don’t cooperate, Richard’s going to try to send you to prison too.”
The room spun. Ivy sank back onto the couch, staring at the documents that spelled out her potential destruction. Richard hadn’t just been attacking Theo—he’d been planning to go after her all along.
“Chen said I had forty-eight hours to convince you,” Theo continued, his voice rough. “To make you understand that fighting Richard isn’t worth both of us going to prison. That’s why I’ve been secretive, stressed, distant. I’ve been trying to figure out how to protect you without betraying everything we’ve fought for.”
“You should have told me,” Ivy whispered.
“I know. I just—” Theo’s voice cracked. “I wanted to shield you from this for as long as possible. To let you have a few more days of peace before the next nightmare descended. It was stupid and patronizing and I’m sorry.”
Ivy looked up at him, seeing exhaustion and love and fierce determination written across his face. He hadn’t been considering betraying her. He’d been trying to protect her.
“What did you tell Chen tonight?” she asked.
“I told him to take the deal and shove it.” Theo’s smile was grim. “I told him that neither of us is backing down, that Richard can throw every charge he wants at us, and we’ll fight it all. Then I told him to inform Richard that his son isn’t for sale at any price.”
The blaze of a forbidden stepbrother love that still burns ignited in Ivy’s chest—not jealousy or doubt, but pride and love and bone-deep certainty that they were in this together.
“You’re sure?” she asked. “Because Theo, if we fight this, we could both end up in prison. The fraud charges, the espionage charges—Richard has expensive lawyers and fabricated evidence and the power to make it all stick.”
“I’m sure.” Theo crossed to her, pulling her to her feet and into his arms. “I told you before—I choose you. Every time. Even if it means prison, even if it means losing everything. You’re worth the cost.”
“So are you.” Ivy pulled back to meet his gaze. “We face this together. No more secrets, no more trying to protect each other by hiding things. We’re partners.”
“Partners,” Theo agreed, and kissed her—fierce and claiming and full of promise.
They stood wrapped in each other, knowing that tomorrow would bring new threats, that Richard’s retaliation was escalating, that the war was far from over. But tonight, in Naomi’s living room with the city alive beyond the windows, they had each other.
And somehow, that was enough.
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