Page 38 of Tender Temptation

I’m wrecked. I’mdone.

I hope the deception was worth it for her.

Because I’ll never recover from this betrayal.

seventeen

Ivy

Same Day Different Perspective

My entire world hasfallen apart.

Exploded into sharp, piercing shards of agony.

I can barely breathe from my heartache. My eyes are puffy from crying for three solid days. Every muscle in my body is tense and sore.

The morning I got his texts, I prepared myself for my dad’s disappointment. Anger, even. All of it a given. Oh, I really had no comprehension of his wrath. For the past seventy-two hours, give or take, he’s screamed and yelled at me and called me every name in the book.

I know I fucked up. I’ve lied to my parents. I’ve lied to Cillian. I’m not proud of it. I know I deserve for everyone I care about to be furious with me.

I also understand how scared he was when he called Emma’s parents to find out I hadn’t spent even one night there. Then I didn’t answer his texts or calls for twelve hours.

But…did it give him the right to cut me to the bone? I can’t take any more.

This morning, I thought it was finally over when he asked me to go into the office with him.

But, no. Today, it’s the silent treatment.

The engine of his two-tone silver Maybach Sedan purrs quietly as we glide through the city streets. My father’s presence looms beside me, a towering figure of authority. Emotionally drained, I’m sitting as far from him as possible in the backseat, pressing my forehead against the cool glass window. Trying to be invisible. The last thing I need is to trigger him, so it’s best I keep a low profile.

For now he’s quiet, but the silence is thick and suffocating. I’m scared he’ll come at me any minute now. It’s been relentless.

Like the loyal employee he is, our driver, Louis, says nothing. His eyes remain fixed on the road ahead. He’s paid to remain oblivious. Discreet.

Fifteen minutes in, it begins.

“Ivy.” My dad’s voice is a low growl. “This is getting ridiculous. You’re going to tell me everything. I demand it. Where thefuckwere you?”

As stubborn and determined as my father is? I’m tenfold. I keep my gaze fixed on the passing scenery and my mouth shut. I won’t tell him anything about the past few perfect weeks. The happiest of my life.

And, I won’teverbetray Cillian.

“Answerme!“ He slams his hand against the leather seat. “I’m fuckingserious.”

The sudden noise makes me flinch but I refuse to look at him. No way. He’s not getting the satisfaction. “I told you I was with a friend. The rest isn’t your business. You treat me like I’m your slave. You call me names and try to break my spirit. It’s bullshit.”

“Bullshit?” he scoffs. “Do you think I’m a fucking idiot? I trusted you to follow the rules and you didn’t stay at home one goddamn night. You’re behaving like a low-class whore. Who is he?Who were you fucking all summer?”

Tears sting my eyes. What kind of father slut-shames his daughter, who’s always been perfect and obedient? My heartpounds like thunder in my chest. I never wanted to hurt my dad, but he’s been hurting me for years. Cillian is my everything. If my dad finds out who he is, he’ll destroy the man I love more than anything in this world.

I’ll do everything in my power to protect him, even if means being on the brunt end of horrific verbal abuse.

My voice trembles despite my efforts to keep my cool. “I told you the truth. I needed to do my own thing and make my own decisions. I was always safe.”

“Safe?“ His voice drips with sarcasm. “You were off doing God knows what with God knows who. Were you on drugs? Drinking? I know you were fucking someone, Hilde showed me his fuckingunderwear.”

Shit. I forgot I wore Cillian’s T-shirt and boxers home after our first night together. Rookie mistake.

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