Page 82 of Tender Temptation

My da answers on the second ring. “Cillian? What’s going on?”

“Not good news. Stan caught us…uh, in the office in the most humiliating way. It was horrendous. He demanded Ivy come home immediately, so I went with her for support—to stand by her and face the consequences.” I pace outside the bedroom door, phone pressed to my ear, quietly recounting the evening’s events in a frenzy. “Fuck, Da. He accused me of being a predator, corrupting his daughter, and ruining her life. Even worse, he slut-shamed his own daughter in the most despicable way.”

There’s a pause on the other end before he responds, “Jaysus, Cillian. Are you okay?”

“No. He fired me on the spot. I’m supposed to get everything off the Bright jobsite immediately. Before morning.” I wince saying it out loud. I’ve never been fired from anything in my life.

“Kill.” My dad sighs loudly. “I don’t give a feck about the job. Are you and Ivy okay?”

How can I answer? I can’t even begin to process the horror we endured—it was the most gut-wrenching moment of my life. Stan’s accusations about me sting, but it’s the venom hespat at Ivy that truly tears at my soul. Hearing him degrade the woman I love has crystallized how far I’m willing to go to ensure her happiness.

“Ivy’s not doing well.” A sob escapes before I can choke it back. “He kicked her out. Her whole life has been shattered. I can’t leave her alone.”

Da doesn’t hesitate. “Aye. Of course. I’ll handle Bright. You focus on Ivy.”

“He’s in the hospital.” I shake my head in disbelief. “Her mom texted Ivy a couple hours ago. It seems like he’s stable but he’ll be there a few days. My information is coming from a flash on a screen, though. I’ll know more after Ivy wakes up.”

“For fuck’s sake. Take care of her, I’ve got your back, son.” Da says goodbye and we hang up.

I return to Ivy’s side to cuddle her while she sleeps. My mind races with thoughts of our future and how we’ll navigate this mess. What will become of her family? Bright Shipping? McGloughlin Construction?

I have no answers.

The entire situation is a disaster.

Shit. I must have fallen asleep.

Ivy faces away from me. I’m spooning her tightly as she snores softly.

It’s morning. The first light of dawn filters through the blinds and a heavy sense of dread settles over me.

The memory of her father’s vicious tirade rushes back. His savage words echo like a relentless drumbeat. Ivy is strong, but I’m terrified. This isn’t how I envisioned us starting our lives.

I have no idea what comes next.

Ivy stirs in my arms and rolls onto her back. A few minutes later, her eyes flutter open. For a moment, she looks disoriented, but then she sees me, and a small smile crosses her lips.

“Good morning.” I comb my fingers through her hair.

“I don’t remember coming up here,” she murmurs. “Are we at your townhouse?”

“Yeah. How are you feeling?” I trace a finger along her shoulder.

“I think, better…” She scrunches up her nose. Her eyes still hold a shadow of the night before. “I’m sorry…”

“No, baby.” I gather her to me. “You have nothing to apologize for. None of this is your fault. What your dad said was unhinged. I think he needs help. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

Tears pool in her eyes then spill down her cheeks. My heart breaks for her. “Last night was as bad as it’s ever been.”

“Ivy.” I cannot believe anyone, let alone her father, would ever be nasty to such a sweet soul. “Has he really spoken to you like that before?”

She takes a shaky breath. “Well… after my brother died he was angry all the time. He’d lose his temper with me over stupid things. My grades. Doing the dishes. Cleaning my room. I generally tried hard not to do anything to set him off. He rarely loses control around other people.”

“He yells at your mom the same way?” I cannot imagine, in my wildest dreams, speaking to my daughter cruelly, let alone my wife and family.

Then I remember how I spoke to Ivy once…

“Well…” Ivy pauses and her eyes grow distant. “I’ve never seen him do it. Look, I’m not trying to defend him, but losing a child is possibly the worst thing to happen to someone.”

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