Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 390

Chapter 390: Be with me tonight
After enjoying a hearty meal with Lucius and Layla, Roderick drove home but made an unplanned stop at Ivy’s house. On the way, he picked up a small bouquet of flowers for her. As he arrived, he called her down, waiting with the bouquet in hand.

Ivy appeared swiftly, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. Roderick extended the bouquet toward her, watching as she took it with a soft smile.

“Thank you,” she murmured, bringing the flowers close to her nose and inhaling their gentle fragrance. “Did you come all the way just to give me these?”

“I wanted to see you,” Roderick admitted. “And I figured I shouldn’t come empty-handed.”

Ivy glanced down at the bouquet, her smile widening. “I love them. Come inside.”

Roderick hesitated. “Your parents must be home. I don’t want to disturb them.”

“They’re not here,” Ivy reassured him. “Mom and Dad went to my cousin’s place. I’m alone.” She reached out, grasping his hand, her fingers brushing against his cool skin. “Your hands are cold. I’ll make you some hot chocolate.”

Without giving him a chance to refuse, she led him inside and told him to wait in her bedroom while she prepared their drinks.

Roderick climbed the stairs, pushing the door open before stepping inside. The room was just as he remembered—neat, organized, and filled with subtle traces of Ivy’s personality. He settled into the lounge chair near the window, his gaze naturally drifting around.

His eyes landed on the framed photographs adorning the left wall. Curious, he stood and moved closer, taking in the images of Ivy at different stages of her life.

One in particular caught his attention—a younger version of Ivy dressed in a ballet costume, poised elegantly, her expression serene. Another showed her seated at a grand piano, her fingers poised over the keys.

The door clicked shut behind him.

“What are you looking at?” Ivy’s voice carried across the room as she walked in, balancing a tray with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate.

Roderick turned slightly, his expression intrigued. “Your pictures. They weren’t here last time I have come,” he said, gesturing toward the wall. “I didn’t know you were a ballet dancer. And a pianist?”

Ivy set the tray down on the small table, then followed his gaze. “Yeah. Mom recently added to them. Oh, that,” she said with a soft chuckle. “I learned both as a hobby when I was younger.”

Roderick returned to his seat, taking the mug she offered. As he wrapped his hands around the mug.

Ivy took a sip from her own cup, watching him carefully. “You seem… distracted.”

Roderick shook his head. “I’m not.”

“You sure?” she pressed, tilting her head slightly. “It looks like there’s a lot on your mind.”

He let out a quiet chuckle, brushing off her concern. “No, really. There’s nothing.”

Ivy studied him for a moment before setting her cup down. “That night in London,” she said suddenly, her tone softer. “You stopped so abruptly. It wasn’t just a passing moment, was it?”

Roderick hesitated for a fraction of a second, then exhaled a quiet laugh. “That’s not true,” he said, shaking his head.

But Ivy’s gaze remained steady, searching his. Whether he admitted it or not, she knew there was something in his mind, bothering him.

“I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable,” Roderick admitted, his gaze dropping briefly to his mug. “I mean… we had a few drinks earlier. I wasn’t sure if you were drunk, and I didn’t want to take advantage of the situation.” He exhaled softly. “I don’t want to be the person I used to be.”

Ivy studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly. “Hmm. I don’t hate you, Roderick,” she said. “I won’t lie. I had a lot of prejudices against you. Some of them were justified because, well… you were a real jerk back then.”

Roderick let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. “Fair enough,” he murmured.

Ivy continued, her voice softer now. “Honestly, I never thought I would start liking you.” She paused, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. “But over time, I saw it. The way you acted was just a mask to hide your own pain. You were full of insecurities, and instead of facing them, you pushed people away while starting to show such tendencies. I’m not justifying you wrong actions though.”

Roderick tensed slightly but didn’t argue.

“You were arrogant, thinking the world revolved around you,” Ivy added, though there was no malice in her tone. It was filled with only understanding. “But that’s not who you are anymore, is it?”

Roderick met her gaze. “I don’t know. I sometimes get away from my character. I start blaming people. I shouldn’t be saying this, but it all started when Dad passed away. It badly affected me as a child. I don’t want to use it as an excuse. I have been pathetic all this time.”

“You told me this the first time you took me to your secret place in the hotel. However, I thought your uncle brought the truth to the light,” Ivy asserted.

“Yes, he did,” Roderick replied. “And after that I felt much better. I even misunderstood him for a long time. But then, it doesn’t justify what I did to people around me.”

“Don’t think about the past anymore. Everyone makes mistakes at least once in their lives. At least, you want to improve yourself and you’ve even done that,” Ivy said with a bright smile.

Roderick nodded and quietly finished the hot chocolate.

“I’ll be back soon,” Ivy said and left for the kitchen, taking the mugs and tray.

Roderick, however, followed her to the kitchen.

“I will wash them,” he offered.

“No,” Ivy refused. “It’s not a big work,” she washed the mugs and closed the tap. “Are you going to leave?” She then bit her bottom lip and continued, “Stay the night here with me if you don’t mind.” She then held his hand. “I want to be with me tonight.”