Second Marriage, The Billionaire's Planned Love novel Chapter 1
Capítulo 1: Chapter 1 Betrayal and Underground Sanctuary
Ivy’s POV
I dragged myself through the front door of our cramped apartment above the auto shop, my body aching from another twelve-hour shift doctoring the books for the local crew’s money laundering operation. The acrid smell of motor oil and fear clung to my clothes—a constant reminder of how far my life had fallen since I’d dropped out of college to help my father survive in this neighborhood controlled by rival gangs.
My parents sat waiting in our tiny living room, their faces etched with the same grim resignation that had defined our lives since we’d been forced to move to the South Side after Dad lost his legitimate job.
“Ivy, we need to discuss something,” my father said, his weathered hands gripping a cream-colored envelope like it might explode.
I dropped my bag beside the door, exhaustion making me careless. “Can this wait? I’ve been balancing dirty cash flows for ten hours straight.”
“No,” Mom replied sharply, waving the elegant invitation. “This arrived by courier today.”
The gold-embossed script made my stomach lurch before I could read the names. I already knew whose wedding invitation it had to be.
“Tiffany’s engagement party,” she announced, as if discussing something pleasant instead of the event that would showcase my public humiliation. “To Brodie Sanchez.”
“That manipulative snake isn’t my cousin anymore,” I snarled, fury instantly burning away my fatigue.
Dad’s face flushed red. “Ivy Jane! Watch your mouth. We don’t need more enemies in this neighborhood.”
“She slept with my boyfriend in our bed!” My voice cracked with rage and pain. “Four years together, and he threw it all away for that social-climbing—”
Mom waved her hand dismissively. “Brodie made his choice. Tiffany was just smart enough to secure her future. The Sanchez family has connections that could protect her.”
“Protect her?” I laughed bitterly. “She knew exactly what she was doing when she seduced him.”
“This foolish grudge ends now,” Mom continued, ignoring the devastation in my voice. “Your aunt called. She’s heartbroken that you’ve been avoiding family gatherings.”
“Maybe because watching them together makes me physically sick,” I muttered under my breath.
Dad stood up, his frame still intimidating despite years of defeat wearing him down. “You’re attending this engagement party, Ivy. That’s not negotiable.”
“I’m what?” I stared at him in disbelief.
“You heard me. Your mother wants peace in the family, and you’re going to help maintain it. We can’t afford to burn any more bridges in this city.”
“By watching the man I planned to marry celebrate getting engaged to my cousin?” Tears stung my eyes. “Do you understand how humiliating that would be?”
Mom’s expression hardened into the same cold mask she’d worn since we’d been forced into this neighborhood. “It’s been months. You need to accept reality and move forward.”
“I have moved on! Moving on doesn’t mean I have to celebrate their betrayal!”
“ENOUGH!” Dad’s shout made me flinch backward. “This isn’t open for discussion. You’ll be there with a smile plastered on your face, or you can find somewhere else to live. And good luck surviving on these streets without family protection.”
The ultimatum hung between us like a death sentence. I fled to my bedroom, tears streaming down my face as I slammed the door behind me. My mother called after me, but her voice sounded distant and hollow.
I collapsed onto my thin mattress, sobs wracking my body. After everything Brodie and Tiffany had done to destroy me, my own parents were still choosing their side. The betrayal cut deeper than any knife could.
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