Chapter 4 NO DEAL

Ivy sat in her office, her phone lying face down on the desk. Ethan's message still echoed in her mind, and no matter how much she tried to focus on her work, his words wouldn't leave her.

"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."

She stared at the blank space on the wall in front of her, her thoughts racing. The audacity of him-asking her to marry him for a year, offering fifty million dollars in return. He must be sick in the head. How could he even think for one second that she would agree to that? After everything he did to her family, after everything he took from her, he thought she could just forget it all for money?

No. Absolutely not.

Ivy picked up the phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed. She had to make it clear. He had to understand that she wasn't some pawn in his game. She wasn't going to be bought. Not this time. Not again.

Her fingers flew over the keys, typing a short message to Ethan.

Ethan, you've completely lost it. I don't know what's wrong with you, but you need help. I'm not accepting your offer. You've ruined enough lives already. I'm not going to let you ruin mine, too. Please, leave me alone. I'm moving forward with my own plans, and I suggest you do the same.

With a deep breath, she hit send. The moment the message left her phone, Ivy felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She had said what needed to be said. She wasn't going to play into his hands. He wanted her to be his wife? No. He wasn't worth that. Not after everything that happened.

Ivy sat back in her chair, trying to shake the thoughts of Ethan from her mind. There was too much to do. She had her own life to focus on now. For years, she had fought to build her fashion company, and now she was closer than ever to making it a success. She couldn't afford to waste any more time on the past, especially not on someone like him.

Her phone buzzed again, but this time, Ivy ignored it. She wasn't interested in hearing anything more from Ethan. Instead, she focused on the task at hand. The fashion line she was working on was finally taking shape, and her next collection was going to be a game-changer. She had worked tirelessly, pouring her heart and soul into every design, every fabric choice, every stitch. This was her passion, her vision.

She picked up a sketchpad from the desk and began to sketch out new designs for the collection. The rhythm of her pencil moving across the page helped calm her thoughts. As she worked, she felt the familiar rush of excitement. This was what mattered. Not Ethan, not his twisted offer. This was her future.

Hours passed as she lost herself in her work. She took a break only when her phone buzzed again, but this time, it was a text from one of her team members. Ivy smiled as she read the message-it was a confirmation that the new fabrics she had ordered had arrived and would be ready for the upcoming fashion show.

The excitement she felt about her upcoming show was overwhelming. This was what she had been working for-the moment when her brand would be recognized for what it truly was. She wasn't going to let anything, especially not Ethan's insane proposal, get in the way.

She set her phone aside and returned to her sketches. This was her world now. She didn't need Ethan Blackwood's money. She didn't need his help. She had already made it this far on her own, and she would continue to build her future without him.

As the evening drew closer, Ivy found herself more focused than ever. The past was behind her. What mattered now was her dream. Her company. Her success. Ethan had no place in it.

She took one last look at the phone, checking the time before she stood up to leave her office for the day. There was a small part of her that wondered if Ethan would try to reach out again, but she shook it off. She didn't care anymore.

He was the past, and she was the future.