Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth! - Chapter 213

Chapter 213: One Day At A Time
Ivy didn’t remember much of the drive to Emma’s house. Her mind was a mess, her heart felt heavy, and her eyes stung from the tears she had shed.

She hadn’t even planned to come here, but somehow, her car had taken her to the one place where she knew she wouldn’t have to pretend she was okay.

When she reached Emma’s house, she barely had the strength to knock. But as soon as the butler opened the door and she stepped in to see Emma, Ivy felt her resolve crumble.

“Ivy?” Emma’s brows furrowed in concern. “What’s wrong?”

Ivy opened her mouth, but no words came out. Instead, her face crumpled, and the tears she thought she had run out of spilled down her cheeks. Without hesitation, Emma pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly as Ivy sobbed against her shoulder.

“Come sit,” Emma whispered, guiding her to a couch and sat beside her while still not letting go. “Tell me what happened. Why are you crying?”

Ivy sniffled, wiping her eyes, but the lump in her throat made it hard to speak. “He’s gone.”

Emma pulled back slightly. “Gone? What do you mean?”

Ivy swallowed hard. “Hunter. He left the country. He’s not coming back.” Her voice broke on the last word.

Emma’s eyes softened, and she reached for Ivy’s hand, squeezing it gently. “Oh, Ivy…”

“I was too late,” Ivy whispered. “I finally decided to give us another chance, and he—he’s gone.”

Emma exhaled deeply, her thumb rubbing soothing circles on Ivy’s hand. “I’m so sorry. I know how much this hurts.”

Emma looked at her friend and couldn’t help the pain that surged through her. Her friend was in pain. Though she could comfort her but Ivy would still be hurting after she leaves.

Emma wished there was something else she could do to help Ivy forget all about Hunter and the pain he was causing her.

Ivy let out a shaky breath, staring down at her lap. “I just… I don’t understand. He said he cared. He said his feelings were real. But then he left, just like that. Just because I asked him to stay away. I asked him and he stayed away! He’s such a coward!”

Emma tilted her head. “I understand your pain, Vee but what if he left because he thought you’d never change your mind? Maybe he didn’t want to keep holding onto hope if he believed you had already let go.”

Ivy shook her head. “I don’t know, Emma. All I know is that he’s gone, and I don’t know what to do.”

Emma studied her for a moment before speaking gently. “Then maybe you don’t have to do anything right now. Just breathe, take it one day at a time. I’m sure he’ll come back and you both can work things out.”

Ivy let out a humorless laugh. “And what if he never comes back?”

Emma squeezed her hand again. “Then maybe he wasn’t meant for you.”

Ivy blinked, her heart tightening. “What if he was?”

Emma smiled softly. “Then he’ll find his way back to you. But, Ivy, if he doesn’t… it means there’s someone else out there for you. Someone who won’t leave. Someone who will fight for you no matter what happens or what you say to him. Someone that wouldn’t even do something to make you not want to see them again. All you have to do is just take it one day as it comes. You are strong and won’t break easily for a man.”

Ivy wanted to argue, to say that no one else could ever take Hunter’s place. But a part of her knew Emma was right. If Hunter had truly loved her, wouldn’t he have stayed? Wouldn’t he have fought harder?

She sighed, leaning her head against Emma’s shoulder. “I don’t know how to let go.”

Emma rested her cheek against Ivy’s hair. “You don’t have to do it all at once. Just start with today. And then tomorrow. And then the next day. One step at a time, okay?”

Ivy closed her eyes, letting the warmth of Emma’s presence comfort her. Maybe she wasn’t ready to move on just yet. She opened her mouth to say something but stopped when they heard distant footsteps.

Emma and Ivy turned toward the hallway in time to see Margaret stepping into the living room.

The moment Ivy’s eyes landed on her, a fresh wave of emotions hit her—this time, not for herself, but for the woman standing before her. Margaret looked thinner, her face paler than before, her eyes carrying a quiet sadness that Ivy recognized all too well.

Ivy quickly stood up. “Margaret…” she said softly, her heart aching for her. “How are you?”

Margaret managed a small, tired smile. “I’m learning to cope,” she replied, her voice gentle but tinged with sadness. “Some days are harder than others, but I’m trying.”

Ivy nodded, understanding. There was nothing more painful than learning to live with loss. “If you ever need anything…”

Margaret placed a hand on Ivy’s arm. “Thank you, Ivy. That means a lot. How are you, though? You don’t look very fine.”

Ivy shook her head not knowing what to say since she couldn’t exactly tell Margaret about her problems.

“It’s fine if it’s not something you can share with me. I only wanted to grab a glass of water. I’ll be at the patio,” Margaret said and started to head toward the kitchen.

Ivy opened her mouth to say something, perhaps to tell Margaret not to take it to heart but before she could say it, another door opened, and Claire stepped out, dressed elegantly, and with her purse in hand.

Emma turned to her, raising an eyebrow. “Going somewhere?”

Claire nodded, adjusting her coat. “I’m going to surprise Chris at the office.”

Emma blinked. “Surprise him?”

Claire gave her a small smile. “Yes. He’s been busy lately, and I thought I’d drop by and check on him.”

Emma exchanged a glance with Ivy before nodding slowly. “Alright… just don’t go meddling in his work.”

Claire scoffed playfully. “Since when do I meddle?”

Emma and Ivy exchanged another look before shaking their heads with small smiles. Claire merely waved them off and headed for the door, leaving behind an air of intrigue.

Ivy watched her go, momentarily distracted, but as soon as the door closed, the weight of her own emotions returned.

She turned back to Emma, her voice small. “What if I never find someone who makes me feel the way he did?”

Emma pulled her into a hug. “Then you wait. And if no one ever does, that just means you were strong enough to love and live on your own. But I believe there’s someone out there for you, Ivy. You just have to trust that life has a plan.”

Ivy let out a shaky breath, holding on to Emma’s words like a lifeline. Maybe she was right. Maybe, just maybe, this heartbreak wasn’t the end of her story.

Though she didn’t know how long she was to wait for Hunter, what she knows is that, she had experienced love even though it was laced with deceit and if that were all the love she’d experience in her life, then it was enough.

Away from there, as Alex was finishing up his last few tasks for the day, his phone buzzed on his desk. Seeing Harry’s name on the screen, he immediately picked up.

“Harry,” he greeted, leaning back in his chair. “Any news?”

“Yes,” Harry said, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. “I was able to get in contact with her. I spoke to Fiona, Alex.”

Alex sat up straight. “You did?”

“She agreed to meet with you,” Harry confirmed. “Actually, she didn’t even hesitate. She said she’s been looking for you too.”

Alex felt a rush of emotions hit him all at once—relief, curiosity, and a tinge of nervousness. After all these years, Fiona had been searching for him as well? So, Jake hadn’t lied.

“That’s… unexpected,” he admitted. “I thought she might need time to decide. That she’d probably forgotten about me just like I did her.”

“Well, she didn’t,” Harry said. “In fact, she didn’t waste any time at all. She booked the next available flight to Zeden. She’s on her way now.”

Alex blinked. “She’s already coming?”

“Yes,” Harry confirmed. “It’s a sixteen-hour flight, so she’ll arrive tomorrow.”

Alex exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. This was really happening.

“Thanks, Harry,” he said after a moment. “I owe you for this.”

“Just be ready,” Harry advised. “She seemed… eager but also a bit nervous. It’s been a long time, Alex. You should prepare yourself for whatever comes next.”

Alex nodded, even though Harry couldn’t see him. “I will.”

As he ended the call, Alex stared at his phone for a long moment. Tomorrow, he would finally see Fiona again. Whatever happened next, he had to be ready.