Chapter 5 Elegantly Drunk Husband

• He let go of Ivy’s neck and turned to glare at her.
• “You’re defending a stranger that insulted you? Stop being so naive and leave it to me. I know how to handle this crazy woman.” He cursed.
• A muscle ticking in his jaw at her kindness, Ivy was already ransacking her bag for the so-called proof.
• So she had proof after all.
• Trying to buy Ivy some time, she ran into his arms, sobbing
• “I don’t want you to kill someone. I was so scared.” She cried.
• Sensing his racing heartbeat, she wondered if it was out of anger or love.
• Who was he in love with? Ivy? Impossible.
• Herself? Never.
• “Look. I have a picture of us in summer from five years ago.” She revealed.
• Going around them to flash a picture in his face, he snatched it, releasing Elena.
• He seemed like the sight before him opened old wounds as he looked away from it, he crumpled it up.
• Why did she have to show up in their lives again? From what he knew, Isabel had a bad relationship with her leeching family members.
• “What do you want? Money? Name your price and get out of my house while you can still walk.” He folded his strong arms across his chest, daring her to refuse it.
• “I didn’t come for any of that. I came for my nephew. I might have been away for a long time, which I regret with every breath in me, but I heard she has a child. He’s my blood and I should at least meet him.” She countered, wiping a tear from her face.
• “Oh, so now you want to act like a loving Aunt. Stop this bullshit sob story. Justin doesn’t need you. He has a father and a....... he paused, pulling her to himself.
• “And a mother now,” he continued.
• She blushed as she inhaled his cider scent, it still felt surreal to be addressed as his wife.
• “I can’t stay nice for long, so leave before I snap that little neck of yours to prove my point.” He said.
• “I don’t care if you take my brains out later. I’ll only leave when I meet my nephew.” She sniffled.
• Ivy seemed to be a snake, and now she was crying like an innocent baby.
• Elena had doubts about her intentions, but......
• “Can she see him just once?” Elena asked and they both shot stunned looks at her.
• Neither Ivy, who humiliated her, nor Mateo, who thought she should despise Ivy now, expected her to say that.
• “Thank you so much. I’m grateful.” Ivy gushed, running to hug her, “This must be a soap opera, but I’m the mastermind and you’re the dummy. How’s that?” She whispered into Elena’s ear and pulled away.
• Elena only griped, realizing what a grave mistake she had just made.
• Feigning a pathetic look, Ivy turned to him.
• “Please, just once.” She pleaded.
• His gaze fixed on Elena, he mistook her troubled look for sympathy.
• “I’m only letting you in because of her. Don’t try anything stupid around my son or hurt her because you’ll wish you never did.” He warned. Leaving them behind.
• “You’re not really Isabel’s sister, are you? He had never mentioned any of Isabel’s family over the years. How come you’re here after all these years?” She asked with accusing eyes when he was finally out of sight.
• “Do you have proof? How are you going to stop me from making him mine? Quit dreaming, he’ll never choose a tramp like you over me. Country bumpkin.” She spat, making Elena jump out of the way.
• With a smug smile, she sashayed her way in.
• Because it got late, Ivy was allowed to stay for the night and, as expected, the movie night out fell through.
• He locked himself in his room throughout the night, and she knew he was swimming in alcohol by now.
• From the first day she entered the Mansion, Kent had warned her not to mention just one name.
• ‘Isabel’, whether it was someone she knew or a fictional character.
• But Ivy's return must have brought back hurtful memories, and she hated herself for convincing him to let her in.
• After tucking Justin to bed, she read him a book and kissed him goodnight.
• “Is Daddy not giving me a goodnight kiss today?” He asked, even with those sleepy brown eyes, he looked disappointed.
• “Of course he will. Close your eyes and open them when Daddy comes, okay pumpkin? She lied, and he nodded, watching him drift into sleep gave her peace.
• Like she could overcome Dylan’s betrayal and future troubles that would come her way.
• Meanwhile, she wondered why his so-called Aunt hadn’t even stopped by to say hi.
• Maybe she didn’t really come for Justin?
• Lying on her bed, thoughts of Ivy’s motives filled her head until she drifted into sleep herself.
• Morning came, and she woke up preparing for her daily routine of getting Justin ready for school.
• Brushing his teeth, washing his hair in the shower, and watching him enjoy a bowl of cereal was her favorite part of the day.
• She wasn’t surprised when Ivy didn’t show up the entire time to see the nephew she had badly wanted to meet.
• The strange thing was that Mateo hadn’t come down from his room to kiss Justin good morning.
• It was his best part of the morning, the only time she ever saw him give a radiating smile free of the cold walls he put around himself.
• So she got worried and went to knock on his door.
• “Mr. Walton, can I come in?” She asked.
• No answer. “Justin’s about to leave for school.”
• She called out, hoping he'd give in if she mentioned Justin.
• He didn’t even utter a word, and she sighed.
• The moment she turned around, the door lock clicked open, and she pivoted in surprise.
• “I thought you were asleep, so I didn’t want to disturb you.” She said, swallowing hard when their eyes met.
• He was leaning against the door with his shirt undone halfway to his hard rock chest, his jet-black hair was messy but in the sexiest way possible.
• With bloodshot eyes that seemed cold, he looked as if he had had a brawl with alcohol throughout the night.
• “Come in. You disturbed me already.” He said.
• Going inside, he didn’t stagger for once, and she wondered if any human was allowed to be this perfect.
• Like how he was elegantly drunk.
• Gingerly following him in, she saw a pile of whiskey bottles on the mahogany stand of the mini-bar, as the air reeked of alcohol.
• She wished to console him. Maybe he wasn’t all that perfect.
• “You were saying?” He asked, facing her with arms crossed over his chest.
• “Justin, he’s uhm mm...... her words choked her throat when he began unbuttoning his shirt nonchalantly.
• His toned abs coming into view, she averted her face.
• She had read an article where it was termed impossible to have eight packs, but he had just proved them wrong with what she saw now.
• “Hey look at me when you’re talking.” He boomed, and she jumped in her skin when he abruptly gave her a back hug.
• “Don’t you dare move, let’s stay like this for a while. I need to get sober.” He slurred into her ear and her breathing seized with the feel of his abs pressed onto her back.
• “Why are you so stiff? Do I make you uncomfortable even now that I’m your contract husband?” He asked.
• The word ‘Husband’ made her stomach churn in anxiety.
• “Can I leave now? I have to get back to Justin.” She stammered, feeling his gorgeous face gum her cheek.
• “I asked you a question. Don’t make me repeat myself.” He warned.
• But he didn’t sound harsh, just possessive.
• “Ye...... No.” She stuttered when he snuggled her into himself the more.
• “I hate liars. You’re trembling.” He said calmly.
• And truly. She was trembling. How could she not? When he was doing things to her stomach and her stupid heart was trying to fall in love, just like how Dylan fooled her.
• He’s only drunk, don’t fall for him, idiot! The tiny voice in her head scolded, and for once, she agreed with it a hundred times.
• When he finally released her, her body was hot all over, and she lowered her gaze to hide her flushed expression.
• “Go on. Tell him I’ll be down in a minute.” He said in his usual icy tone.
• It was almost unbelievable that he had clung onto her minutes ago, and she almost ran out in embarrassment.
• Later that day, Ivy was all dressed up like she was prepared to leave, but she halted when she sighted Elena packing toys into a bag.
• She was wearing a flower print dress that fitted her shape and her hair was packed into a messy bun. She looked simple but beautiful.
• Any man would be attracted to her, and a rush of envy hit her.
• “Well, well, well, who do we have here if it’s not the slutty nanny?” She mocked in a loud tone, waiting for her reaction.
• When Elena pretended not to hear her, she felt ignored, making anger burn down her throat.
• “Have you suddenly gone dumb? You trashcan!” She yelled, edging closer to grab at her hair.
• A shriek escaped Elena’s lips.