Chapter 535

Ivy's POV

I went up the stairs slowly, my hand sliding along the wooden banister worn smooth by time. Each step creaked softly beneath my weight, creating a rhythm that somehow soothed me.

But my mind wasn't calm. Not even close.

Brad had dodged the question about his ex-wife. Deflected. Changed the subject. Thrown the question back at me.

There was something painful there. Something deep and unhe