"I didn't know," Ivy said quickly, her voice cracking as she blinked back the tears threatening to fall. "I never thought she'd twist things like that. I never—"
"Stop," Stefan cut in, his tone flat and final. There was no softness in it—only a steel edge that made Ivy flinch. "You shouldn't be here."
Her lips parted, stunned. "What?"
"You heard me," he said, arms folded tightly across his chest. "I told you the last time—explicitly—that I didn't want to see you again. That wasn't a request, Ivy. It was an order. I don't want to see you anywhere close to me or my house!"
A coldness she hadn't expected settled in her chest. She swallowed hard, her pride wounded but not enough to back down. "I'm not leaving."
She was going to do it her mom's way. She'd said they were still married whether Stefan liked it or not. Her name was on their marriage certificate and as long as it remained so, they were legally married.
