Chapter 5 STUBBORN HEARTS

Ivy's POV:

Ivy woke up the next morning with a quiet determination. The sun was barely peeking through the curtains, casting a soft light across her room. She didn't feel the weight of regret, nor did she feel any doubt about her decision. Rejection had been the only option. She couldn't afford to be swayed by Ethan Blackwood's manipulations.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, but she didn't rush to answer it. She already knew it was from him. Ethan. Always Ethan.

The last text she sent him had been clear enough. He needed to get the message: she was moving on with her life. But there was a part of her-just a tiny part-that wondered if he would keep pushing, keep trying to convince her. That part of her still believed Ethan could find a way to manipulate her emotions, just like he had all those years ago. But she quickly shut that thought out of her mind. She wouldn't allow it.

She stood up, stretching her arms above her head, and walked to the window. The city outside seemed alive with possibility. There was so much to look forward to. She was building something of her own, something real. She wouldn't let the ghosts of her past-of Ethan and everything he represented-hold her back.

Her phone buzzed again.

She groaned, annoyed. Why couldn't he just let it go?

Ivy picked up the phone and unlocked it. Sure enough, it was a message from Ethan. Her heart clenched at the sight of his name, but she quickly pushed the feeling away. She had made her decision, and nothing was going to change that.

Ivy, I'm not giving up. This offer still stands. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to convince you. Please, think about it again.

Her finger hovered over the message, her mind swirling with anger. She had made herself clear. She had told him no. Yet he was back, asking for more. As if everything could be fixed with more money, more promises.

You don't get it, do you? she thought bitterly. This isn't about money. This isn't about business. This is about me never trusting you again.

She typed back, her fingers tapping the screen with a firmness that matched her resolve.

I told you once already, Ethan. I'm not marrying you. I'm not accepting your offer. I have my own life now. You should respect that and stop trying to force me into something I don't want.

She read the message again, satisfied that it was short and to the point. No more games. No more half-answers. She sent it without a second thought.

After putting the phone down, Ivy focused on her day. There was too much to do, too many things happening in her business to spend another second thinking about Ethan Blackwood. The morning passed quickly as she dove into meetings and calls with her team, discussing the upcoming fashion collection and finalizing designs. She had made real progress. The pressure she had felt before, the fear of not being good enough, had been replaced by something stronger-confidence. She was moving forward, and nothing could slow her down.

By noon, she was in a meeting with her lead designer, going over fabric choices for the final pieces of the collection. Ivy had a vision, and she knew exactly what she wanted. She wasn't going to let anyone distract her from it-not even Ethan.

Still, in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder if he would try again. She knew how stubborn he was. He wouldn't give up that easily. But she couldn't let his persistence shake her. She had come too far to let him back into her life now.

As the day went on, the thoughts of Ethan became quieter, and her focus sharpened. She took the afternoon to review contracts with her partners and address issues that had been lingering for weeks. The sense of control she had over her own life was powerful. She didn't need Ethan. She didn't need anyone telling her what she should or shouldn't do. She was in charge now.

When the workday finally ended, Ivy felt a sense of relief. The day had been productive, and she had managed to block out Ethan's attempts to reach her. She was proud of herself for standing her ground, for not letting him pull her back into his world. It was easy to fall into old patterns, to give in to the comfort of what was familiar, but she couldn't afford that. Not anymore.

Later that evening, Ivy sat down for a quiet dinner at her apartment, her phone sitting unused on the counter. She enjoyed the peace, the solitude that came from being free of the chaos that Ethan had once brought into her life.

But as the night wore on, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing. It wasn't about Ethan, not really. She had made her choice, and she would stick to it. But there was a void in her, a lingering ache that she couldn't quite name.

Maybe it was just the weight of the past, creeping back into her thoughts. She had worked so hard to move on, to build something for herself. And yet, the remnants of her old life-of everything Ethan had taken-still seemed to follow her.

Ivy shook her head, determined to focus on the future. She wouldn't let the past control her. Not anymore.