Song for this chapter: Jeremy Zucker - When I'm Around on the multimedia.

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Sign

When I arrived at Sapphire Haven, my heart was pounding in my chest. The restaurant's chic ambiance, its dim lighting and soft music, had always been a comfort to me, but today, it felt suffocating. I didn't know how to face Linc. After everything—after his press conference, after the truth came out—I was a mess of emotions. How did it come to this?

As I stepped inside, I spotted him immediately. He was sitting at a table by the window, staring out into the busy streets of Manhattan, cold and composed as ever. He looked the same—perfectly handsome, with that impenetrable, nonchalant demeanor. But there was something different in his eyes today. Something... harder.

I approached slowly, unsure of what to feel, unsure of how to even start this conversation. My love for him was still there, but it was tangled up in fear, in anger, and in regret. This wasn't the Linc I once knew. And the worst part? I wasn't sure he ever would be again.

"Sign," he greeted me flatly, not bothering to stand or offer any warmth. He didn't even look at me properly—just kept his gaze fixed outside.

I sat down across from him, nerves twisting my stomach into knots. "Linc..." I started, but he cut me off before I could even find the words.

"I bought a house," he said abruptly, still not looking at me. His tone was cold, as if this was just business. "It's in Manhattan. Big enough for Ivy to enjoy herself, to bring her friends over if she wants."

I blinked, stunned by how casually he said it, like it was a done deal. Like I had no say in any of it.

"You... bought a house?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. The enormity of his actions hit me all at once. He had made decisions for Ivy and me without even talking to me. Without caring how I felt.

"I'll be living with you both," he added, as if that were the next logical step. "My original plan was to take you back to Washington, to our home there. But since you've just moved to Manhattan, I didn't want to uproot you again. So I bought a place here instead."

My head spun with his words. He had it all figured out—where we would live, how we would be together, as if I had no voice in this. "Linc, you didn't have to—"

He finally turned to face me, and the icy look in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine. "It's not your decision anymore, Sign."

My heart clenched painfully at his words. His arrogance, his complete disregard for my feelings, made me feel so small. This wasn't the Linc I used to love, the one I thought I knew. He was forcing my hand, backing me into a corner, leaving me no room to breathe.

"Linc, you can't just—"

"If you don't want to come with us," he interrupted again, his voice cutting through me like a blade, "then it'll just be Ivy and me."

I stared at him, my breath catching in my throat. His words hit me like a punch to the gut. He was willing to take Ivy away from me. I could barely process the coldness in his voice, the way he spoke about our daughter as if she was just another pawn in his game.

For a moment, all I could do was sit there, stunned and silent. The man I loved—the man I thought I knew—was threatening to take Ivy from me. And he didn't even flinch.

As I sat across from Linc at Sapphire Haven, the familiar hum of the restaurant buzzed around us, but I was hyper-aware of the way people discreetly glanced in our direction. Some patrons tried to be subtle, their eyes flicking toward us from behind wine glasses or over the tops of their menus. Others weren't as cautious, their curious gazes lingering as if they sensed something monumental was happening.

I felt exposed, like every raw emotion inside me was on display for the world to see. And Linc, as always, was composed, completely unaffected by the attention.

He stood up then, pushing his chair back with an eerie calmness. "Think about it," he said, his tone devoid of any emotion. And then, without another word, he left me sitting there alone. His presence was magnetic, and the people who had been quietly watching us now seemed emboldened. A couple of fans at a nearby table called out to him, their voices soft but excited.

"Linc! Can we get a picture?" one of them asked, holding up their phone.

He paused, glanced at them, and then back at me. His eyes were cold, the weight of his words still lingering in the air between us. Without even acknowledging the emotional wreckage he had left behind at the table, he turned toward the fans, offering them a faint smile—his public mask firmly in place.

"Sure," he said, his tone detached.

I watched as he moved over to them, posing briefly, just long enough for the flash of a camera to capture his perfectly composed image. It was like I was seeing two different people—the one who could break me with just a few words and the one who could charm a crowd without batting an eye.

He didn't look back at me when he finished with the photos. He simply gave the fans a curt nod, then walked out of the restaurant as if the conversation we'd just had meant nothing.

And as the door swung shut behind him, I was left sitting there, the eyes of the restaurant still on me, but no one daring to come closer.

I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe.

The world around me blurred, my heart heavy with disbelief and pain. He had made his decision, and I was powerless to stop him.

I stared blankly at the table, my hands gripping the edge of the cloth as if holding on would keep me grounded. The murmur of the restaurant returned to its usual rhythm, but I still felt the eyes of some curious patrons on me.

It wasn't long before Juls slid into the seat Linc had vacated. His presence was a small comfort, though I wasn't sure how to feel. His eyes searched my face, and I knew he could see the turmoil swirling inside me.

"What's your plan?" Juls asked, his voice soft yet firm.

I hesitated. The truth was, I didn't have a plan. Linc's cold, calculated words still echoed in my mind. He was giving me no options, no room to breathe, and yet... I wasn't fighting back.

"I don't have a choice," I finally whispered, keeping my eyes on the tablecloth.

Juls leaned back in his chair, letting out a soft, knowing chuckle. It wasn't mocking—it was more like he was seeing right through me. "You don't have a choice?" he repeated, his tone light, but his eyes sharp. "You sure about that?"

I finally looked up at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You're telling me you're just gonna do whatever Linc says because you have no other options?" His gaze softened, but the hint of a smile remained. "It's not that you don't have a choice, Sign. It's because you still love him."

His words hit me like a wave. I opened my mouth to protest, but nothing came out. He was right, and he knew it.

Juls leaned forward, his voice quieter now. "You're willing to do whatever Linc wants because deep down, you still want to make it up to him, don't you? You feel like you owe him something—like this is your way of setting things right."

I swallowed hard, feeling the lump rise in my throat. Juls' words were too close to the truth. All these years, I'd been carrying the weight of the secret I kept from Linc, and now that everything was unraveling, I wanted to make amends. Maybe not in the way I imagined, but I wanted to fix what I'd broken.

"I just..." I began, my voice barely audible. "I want to make it right."

Juls shook his head gently, but there was no judgment in his eyes. "I know. But don't lose yourself in the process, Sign. You still have choices. You always do."

For a moment, we sat in silence, the world outside our conversation continuing on, oblivious to the storm I was in. But Juls was right. This wasn't just about doing what Linc said. It was about what I still felt—about the unresolved part of me that wanted to repair the damage, no matter how hard it would be.

But even as I nodded, acknowledging the truth, I wasn't sure how much of myself I was willing to sacrifice to make things right.

As I sat there, processing everything Juls had said, I saw Tony and Bea walking over. Their expressions were a mix of concern and warmth, as if they were approaching me as much for support as for answers. Tony, always the first to break the tension, gave me a soft smile before speaking.

"So, are we still gonna see Ivy after all this?" he asked, his voice light but carrying a deeper concern.

Bea nodded, her gaze warm and reassuring. "You know, she's like family to us."

My heart softened at their words. The thought of them worrying about Ivy, about losing that connection, tugged at me. Sapphire Haven wasn't just a restaurant to us. It had become a home, a safe place for both me and Ivy. I smiled, though it felt a little bittersweet given everything that was happening.

"Nothing's going to change between us," I assured them, my voice steady but gentle. "Sapphire Haven will always have a special place in our hearts—mine and Ivy's. I'll make sure of that."

Tony gave me a nod, his usual joking demeanor replaced by genuine seriousness. "Good. I'd hate to see that little one disappear from our lives." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his voice softer now. "And if you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me, alright?"

Bea nodded, her hand reaching out to squeeze mine. "We're here for you, no matter what."

Their words settled in my chest, giving me a little strength I didn't realize I needed. Despite everything swirling around me—Linc, the chaos, the uncertainty—there were still people who cared about me and Ivy. People who were rooting for us.

"Thank you," I whispered, feeling a warmth in my chest despite the turmoil. "It means more than you know."

They stayed a little longer, offering their quiet presence, before eventually heading back to work. As they walked away, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. No matter what happened, I wasn't alone in this. And neither was Ivy.

***

As Ivy and I walked home from school, her small hand in mine, I tried to find the right words. The conversation with Linc earlier still echoed in my mind—his coldness, his determination, the way he had left me feeling as though I had no control over what was going to happen. But I wanted to keep that from Ivy. She didn't need to carry any of this burden.

"I talked to your father today," I started, glancing down at her. Ivy looked up at me with curious eyes, but there was a quiet seriousness to her expression. "He bought a big house here in Manhattan, and we're going to live with him. You'll finally get to know him better."

I paused, waiting for the excitement to light up her face. I had expected her to be overjoyed, finally having the chance to meet and live with the man she had met briefly. I thought she'd be thrilled at the idea of having a father in her life, something she had quietly longed for. But instead, Ivy's expression didn't change much.

"Okay," she said softly, her voice unsure.

I gave her a gentle smile, trying to keep the mood light. "We're going to be a happy family, you, me, and your dad."

Ivy was quiet for a moment, her steps slowing as we walked. Then she looked up at me with wide, questioning eyes. "If we're going to be happy, why are your eyes sad, Mom?"

Her words hit me like a punch to the chest. I stopped walking, stunned by her perceptiveness. She was only four, but she understood so much more than I ever gave her credit for. I knelt down in front of her, taking both of her hands in mine as I tried to gather myself. I hadn't realized how transparent I was being. I thought I had hidden my fear, my uncertainty—but Ivy saw right through me.

"I'm not sad," I said softly, trying to smile for her. "It's just...a lot to take in. But everything is going to be okay. We're going to be okay."

Ivy didn't say anything for a moment, just looked at me with those big, searching eyes. Then she nodded, though I could tell she wasn't entirely convinced. I stood up, squeezing her hand a little tighter, and we continued our walk home in silence.

Inside, I wrestled with the truth. I wanted to believe what I had told her—that we'd be a happy family. That everything would work out. But deep down, I wasn't sure if I believed it myself. Ivy had seen the sadness in my eyes, and maybe that was because, despite everything, I knew this wasn't how I wanted our family to come together.

But for Ivy's sake, I had to try.