Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 179

Alaric stared at Ivy.

He thought about how she had barely just untangled herself from her ex-boyfriend's mess, and now there was another guy actively orbiting her.

Why was she constantly surrounded by men?

Did she genuinely lack the self-awareness to realize she was a married woman who needed to establish strict boundaries?

Or was this simply who she was?

Did she crave the validation of having multiple men eagerly catering to her every whim?

The suffocating knot in his chest tightened. His face darkened into a scowl as he abruptly looked away.

"It's none of your business. Get the hell out of my office."

The venom in his voice felt like a physical strike, slicing cleanly through Ivy's heart.

The gentle concern on her face instantly shattered into crushed disappointment. She couldn't understand why his mood was so terrifyingly volatile.

Everything had been perfectly fine when they parted ways that morning.

How could one day at the office completely mutate his personality?

Deciding she wasn't going to be his emotional punching bag, Ivy turned on her heel and firmly shut the door behind her.

She didn't see him for the rest of the evening.

Even when she tucked Stella into bed around eight o'clock, Alaric never materialized.

Ivy had no idea what catastrophic event had caused such a massive shift in his demeanor.

But as she sat there, she reasoned that as his wife, it was her job to offer him a little extra grace.

After ensuring Stella was sound asleep, Ivy went down to the kitchen and prepared a late-night snack, carrying the tray up to the study.

She knocked softly, waiting for a gruff acknowledgment before pushing the door open.

Seeing it was Ivy again, Alaric's expression remained stormy, his tone frigid.

"Didn't I tell you to mind your own business? Why are you back?"

Ivy stepped forward and gently set the tray on the edge of his desk. "I didn't want you to starve. I made you a hot plate of pasta. Please just eat a little."

Not wanting to provoke him further, she turned to leave.

But halfway to the door, she stopped, turning back to face him with absolute sincerity.

Ivy blinked, utterly confused.

Why was he randomly bringing up Dr. Elena? Then she remembered Elena's obvious obsession with her husband. She quickly nodded.

"Okay. I promise I'll keep my distance."

"We're done here. Go back downstairs."

His tone was noticeably warmer than five minutes ago.

Ivy sensed the shift. She gestured toward the desk.

"Just make sure you eat, and don't stay up too late. I'm going to sleep in Stella's room!"

She turned and headed for the hallway.

Just as her hand touched the doorframe, the deep, magnetic gravel of his voice stopped her dead in her tracks.

"Sleep in the master bedroom tonight."

Ivy froze, a sudden, fierce tug violently pulling at her heartstrings.