Though Frank was a simple and honest man, he was deeply devoted to love. After finally meeting a woman he liked, he never expected he would have to let her go with his own hands.
Ivy looked into his pained expression and felt a pang of guilt. She knew there were some debts of affection she could never repay.
She took the initiative to embrace Frank, and he tightened his arms around her. Overcome with emotion, he leaned in and kissed her lips.
Ivy trembled but didn’t push him away. That night, they shared a passion that neither had anticipated. She didn’t reject the warmth of his breath, and as she felt the reluctance in his kiss, she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened it.
Frank only let go when the kiss left her breathless. His eyes were serious, and his voice was hoarse as he said, “If he ever hurts you, come back to me. Ivy, I love you.”
Hearing his words, Ivy felt her heart waver. They weren’t romantic lines, but a solemn promise from a man. For a fleeting moment, she almost wanted to stay.
But then Mio Walsh’s image surfaced in her mind, and she quickly dismissed the thought. “Frank, thank you. I’m sorry.” With that, she resolutely got into the car.
As the driver started the engine, Ivy looked out the window at Frank’s gaze. Her tears fell uncontrollably.
Memories of his care, his gentleness, and his earnestness over the past days flooded her mind. If there were no Mio Walsh, perhaps she could have fallen in love with him.
The car drove away, and she watched as Frank stood motionless, rooted to the spot like a statue, watching her leave.
Her heart felt as though it had been slashed open. The person she had wronged most in her life was Frank-she had betrayed a good man.
When Frank’s figure finally disappeared from view, Ivy felt as though her heart had been hollowed out.
Frank, if there is a next life, I promise to repay you.
But in this life, my heart belongs to Mio Walsh.
—
The journey ahead was long. The driver took her to a small town in Lorvale, and when Ivy stepped out of the car, she felt a strange sense of relief.
The first thing she did was borrow a phone to call Mio Walsh. She had decided that once she returned to Clothville, she would head straight to New York to find him.
Aurora had been taken by that pirate and would likely spend the rest of her life aboard his ship. She was no longer a threat to Mio Walsh.
After everything Ivy had been through, she no longer cared for vanity or fame. She just wanted to be with the man she loved.
Dialing the number she had memorized by heart, she wondered if he had been worried about her disappearance during this time.
The phone rang for a long time before someone answered. It was nighttime in New York, and Mio Walsh had just finished with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman.
The phone’s ringing interrupted their moment. Mio calmed the woman down, casually threw on a robe, and stepped outside to take the call.
“Hello.”
Hearing that familiar voice, Ivy’s longing surged like vines wrapping tightly around her heart.
“Mio…” Ivy’s voice trembled. She had survived against all odds, escaping the ship with great effort. Only she knew the hardships she had endured.
Mio Walsh paused, then said in a hesitant tone, “Ivy?”
“It’s me, Mio. I missed you so much. I thought I’d never see you again. Thank God I’m alive.” Ivy was overwhelmed with emotion.
Mio’s mind froze for a moment before rebooting. “Ivy, where have you been these days? Why couldn’t I reach you? I was so worried.”
Though his tone was concerned, Mio’s mind was racing with questions. The assassin had told him that both Ivy and Aurora had fallen into the sea. As a professional killer, the assassin’s word should have been reliable. If Ivy had survived, did that mean Aurora might still be alive too?
Suppressing his doubts, Mio feigned concern.
Ivy briefly recounted her ordeal, focusing more on how much she missed him. But Mio was fixated on one thing-Aurora was still alive.
“Where are you now?” Mio asked.
“I’m in a small town in Lorvale. Thankfully, a kind person helped me. I’m arranging a ride back to Clothville now. Mio, surviving this ordeal made me realize so much.
I’ve been going crazy thinking about you these days. I want to come to New York and be with you. From now on, let’s stay together and never part again.” Ivy’s voice was full of hope.
To Mio, Ivy had served her purpose. Now, she was of no use to him. He no longer wanted to be entangled with her, especially not if she planned to bring her troublesome brother to New York with her.
“Ivy, there’s something I need to tell you,” Mio said.
“What is it?”
“I don’t think we’re right for each other. Let’s break up,” Mio stated bluntly.
Ivy’s grip on the phone tightened. Moments ago, she had been filled with anticipation about reuniting with him. Now, he was saying they should break up.
“Mio, you must be joking. That’s not funny at all. We were fine before-why are you breaking up with me? Did I do something wrong? Please tell me, I can change,” Ivy pleaded, panicking.
Mio Walsh was every woman’s dream man. Being cherished by him had made Ivy feel like she was on top of the world. Now, he was tearing it all apart.
“It’s not that you’re not good enough. I just don’t think we’re compatible,” Mio said coldly. He didn’t bother coming up with an excuse-he just wanted to end the call quickly. A useless pawn wasn’t worth his time.
“Honey…” A woman’s voice sounded faintly in the background. Ivy suddenly noticed Mio’s voice was hoarse, as if he had just…
She didn’t dare think further. A sense of betrayal washed over her.
“Who is she?” Ivy demanded.
“She’s my new girlfriend. Ivy, I’m not as good as you think I am. Let’s part on good terms. I have things to do, so I’ll hang up now.”
“Mio, you can’t-”
The call ended abruptly, leaving Ivy in tears.
She had risked her life for Mio Walsh, only for him to end it all with a single sentence.
Frank’s words echoed in her mind, and she thought of him. Tears streamed down her face.
A kind, honest man versus a wealthy, romantic one. In the end, the result was heartbreak. She refused to accept it. She had to go to New York to see him in person.
“Miss, were you the one looking for a car earlier? We offer private car services. Where would you like to go?” someone approached her.
Wiping her tears, Ivy quickly made arrangements. She didn’t even stop to rest. All she wanted now was to return to Clothville, grab her passport, and head to New York.