Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 325

Hearing Ethan's plea, Alaric leveled a freezing glare at him.

He initially wanted to explode and teach his nephew a brutal lesson, but his clenched fists slowly uncurled as he forced himself to rein in his fury.

He had been an intensely isolated child.

Growing up, he barely had a single friend or playmate.

Every day after school, his very first task was to rush home and take care of a baby.

That baby was Ethan.

Ethan had loved following him around, keeping him company through the crushing loneliness of his teenage years.

It was precisely because of Ethan that his personality had eventually softened, allowing him to slowly open up and make friends once he reached college.

In Alaric's heart, this nephew wasn't just family; he was the solitary ray of light in his darkest years.

So, when Ethan had refused to study abroad and begged for his help, Alaric had stepped in and convinced Julian and Audrey to let the boy stay.

Whenever Ethan landed himself in the hospital, Alaric was always the one frequently checking on him.

Though he was exceedingly strict with him, it was only because he wanted the boy to succeed.

Listening to those desperate words now, if Alaric were to stand up, pull Ivy into his arms, and tell his nephew that they were already married...

...wouldn't the blow completely destroy the kid?

Ethan was already prone to extreme behavior. What if he simply couldn't handle the truth?

At his core, Alaric prioritized his family.

So, once again, he disregarded Ivy's feelings entirely, telling Ethan in a low voice,

"You're overthinking things. She and I were strictly discussing Stella. It happened to be lunch hour, so we grabbed a bite together."

Hearing that lie, a crushing wave of disappointment washed over Ivy's eyes.

A bitter desolation swallowed her heart.

She didn't understand why Alaric was still trying to hide their relationship.

He had explicitly mentioned wanting her to have his child before.

Had she completely misread his intentions?

Though he saw the raw hurt radiating from her, he catered to his nephew's demand. "I will never be with Ivy. Are you satisfied?"

Ethan was indeed satisfied. He spun back to face Ivy.

"Did you hear that?"

She had certainly heard it.

She didn't look at Alaric. Instead, she lifted her chin, locking her wide, tear-filled eyes squarely on Ethan.

"I'll tell you one more time. Even if I wasn't married, even if I was completely single, I would never like you. I will never be with you."

"Your behavior today genuinely disgusts me. I never want to see you again for the rest of my life."

Unable to stomach the sight of either Foster man for another second, Ivy violently shoved Ethan aside and bolted for the restaurant exit.

She had grown stronger this time; she didn't let a single vulnerable tear fall, despite the agonizing ache in her chest.

Stepping out onto the busy street, she kept her head held high. Bathing in the sunlight, her smile was laced with tragedy, yet her radiant complexion glowed with blinding resilience.

Ethan's little stunt had only cemented one absolute truth in her mind.