Chapter 3 THE WAITING GAME

Ethan's POV:

Ethan Blackwood stared at the empty screen of his phone. His thumb hovered over the keyboard as he tried to find the right words, the ones that would make Ivy reconsider. The message he had sent earlier, the one where he had asked her to marry him, had gone unanswered. The silence that followed had been deafening.

"Ivy," he muttered under his breath, feeling a wave of frustration wash over him. She was the only one who could help him, the only one who could save everything he had built. And yet, she refused.

Why did she have to make this so difficult? It had been his idea, his plan, to offer her the deal-one year, no strings, in exchange for fifty million dollars. The kind of money that could fund her dream project. The kind of money that would change everything for her. And still, she had hung up on him.

He clenched his jaw, staring at his phone. He should've expected it. After all, he had caused the destruction of her family's company years ago. He had taken everything from her-her father's business, her future, her security-and left nothing behind but bitter memories. How could he expect her to forgive him, let alone agree to marry him for money?

But that didn't make the rejection hurt any less. The truth was, he couldn't stop thinking about her. It was as if, no matter how hard he tried to focus on his work, his mind always wandered back to Ivy. Her face, her sharp tongue, the way she used to challenge him at every turn. The way she had been there for him when no one else had, before everything fell apart.

The deal was simple. A one-year arrangement. No emotions, no complications. They both got what they wanted, and then they would walk away from each other. Ethan would keep his empire, and Ivy would have the funding she needed to make her project a success. It was the perfect solution, and yet, she wouldn't even consider it.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. Why was he even doing this? Why did he care so much about what Ivy thought?

The answer was simple: because she was the one woman who could make all of this go away. His grandfather's ultimatum loomed over him like a storm cloud. Marry or lose everything. The stakes were high. He needed to make this work, and Ivy was his only option.

He had tried to push her out of his mind, to focus on other solutions, but every time he tried, her face was there, waiting for him. He couldn't shake the way she had looked at him during their brief moments together. Even when she hated him, even when she blamed him for her family's downfall, there had been something in her eyes-a spark of something that still connected them.

He sighed deeply and set the phone down on the desk. He was running out of time. He couldn't afford to lose any more days. He needed to convince her. But how?

His thoughts wandered back to their last conversation. She had been so cold, so distant. But there had been something in her voice when she said "fine," as if she was fighting with herself, torn between her pride and her need for the money. He had heard it, and he had to admit, there was a chance-no matter how small-that she would come around.

Ethan's mind raced as he thought about how he could approach her again. Maybe this time, he could offer more. Maybe he could convince her that this wasn't just about money. That it was about both of them getting something they desperately needed. He didn't expect forgiveness, but he needed her help. And for the first time in a long time, Ethan wasn't sure he was ready to let pride get in the way.

He picked up his phone again, typing out a simple message, though this time, his fingers hesitated. Should he play it cool? Should he beg for her to reconsider? His thumb hovered over the screen for what felt like hours. He couldn't let this slip through his fingers.

"Ivy," he typed, the words coming more slowly than usual. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but please, think about it. You're the only one who can help me. If you can't do it for me, do it for yourself. You can't let the opportunity slip by."

He stared at the text, reading it over and over. Was it enough? Was it convincing? It wasn't like he had many options left.

He hit send.

The seconds felt like minutes, the minutes like hours. There was no response. Not yet. Ethan leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the screen, willing it to light up.

He had made the offer. He had extended his hand. Now it was up to her.

For a moment, he allowed himself to dream about what could happen if Ivy agreed. The two of them, under one roof, playing their roles. She could have the funding for her project, and he could keep his empire. The world would think they were just another couple of business partners, but in reality, they would be nothing more than two people bound by a contract.

The idea of being with her again-of seeing her every day, of living together under the same roof-felt both exciting and terrifying. There was so much history between them, so many emotions that had never truly been addressed. But for now, all that mattered was getting her to agree.

Ethan leaned forward, his eyes still glued to the phone, waiting.