Second Marriage, The Billionaire's Planned Love novel Chapter 143

143 Chapter 143 Graceful Exit

Ivy’s POV 1

By the time Jude’s armored black Escalade pulled into the safehouse driveway, Katelyn’s herbal sedative had worked its magic and I was drifting in and out of consciousness. I woke hours later to find Ruby perched on the edge of my bed, watching me with the sharp eyes of someone who had grown up in the shadows of organized crime.

“Hey there, sleeping beauty,” Ruby said, her voice gentle but carrying the underlying steel that all mafia wives eventually developed.

“Hi, Ruby, I mumbled, pushing myself up against the pillows. “How are you holding up after everything?”

“Like I’ve been through a territorial war,” I admitted, running my hands through my tangled hair. “Caleb’s planning to form a strategic alliance with one famiglia while keeping another woman as his personal asset. And the worst part? I think she might be the ghost from his past that he’s been hunting through every underground network for years.”

Ruby shifted uncomfortably on the bed, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her designer blouse–a nervous habit she’d developed since getting involved with the Thorne organization. “Ivy, I cornered Xavier and made him spill everything. What I’m about to tell you might be difficult to process, but you need to know the truth. For your safety and my boss’s sanity.”

My pulse quickened. “What do you mean?”

“Caleb isn’t forming any marriage alliance,” Ruby said firmly. “I don’t have all the intelligence, but he discovered that woman fabricated her pregnancy claims.”

I stared at her, trying to process the information through the fog of painkillers and emotional exhaustion. “What are you talking about?”

“Something about forged medical documentation. The pregnancy was completely fabricated, and he terminated any discussion of alliance immediately. As for the woman you witnessed him with today, that situation has more history behind it. She’s definitely a former associate, but Caleb swore to Xavier that he has zero romantic interest in rekindling anything.”

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Ruby’s revelation hit me like sniper fire. “So he’s not committed to either of them?” “No. Caleb promised Xavier he loves you and only you.” Ruby’s expression grew more intense. “Listen, Ivy, you’re in love with the most powerful Don on the East Coast. I can see it written across your face every time someone mentions his name. You’re trying to be honorable toward Parker, but honestly, you’re never going to purge Caleb from your system. You need to face reality and end things with Parker before you completely destroy a good man.”

Guilt crashed over me in waves. “Ruby, I’m so sorry. I never intended for any of this to spiral out of control. I genuinely believed I could develop feelings for someone outside this world. Parker’s incredible in every way–powerful, protective, completely removed from Thorne territory.”

“I know he is,” Ruby said with a melancholy smile, pulling me into a warm embrace. “I

reaction was hoping you might find peace with him too. But after witnessing your today, I realize that’s never going to happen.”

“Are you furious with me?” I asked, searching her face for any trace of resentment. “Of course not, sweetheart,” Ruby assured me. “Like I told you before, Parker understood the risks when he decided to pursue someone with your… complicated

you need to have a honest conversation with him and stop connections. But now running from what the fates have obviously decided.”

After Ruby left, I took a scalding shower and joined my safehouse companions in the main room. They had ordered enough takeout to feed a small army, and we spent hours dissecting every aspect of my tangled romantic situation while consuming ridiculous amounts of comfort food.

Following a night filled with strategic advice and emotional support, I felt strangely renewed and determined. I knew challenging conversations lay ahead, but the most difficult would be facing Parker. The thought of causing pain to someone who had provided sanctuary and protection made my stomach clench with dread. I planned to use the security day Xavier had granted me to navigate through this mess.

I was lost in thought, staring through the bulletproof windows, when my encrypted phone buzzed. Parker’s name appeared on the screen. Unusual timing, since he never contacted anyone this early in the morning due to his nocturnal casino operations. I answered, hearing his familiar smooth voice on the other end.

“Beautiful Ivy, how are you feeling today?” Parker’s tone seemed lighter than usual,

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almost deliberately casual. “Ruby mentioned you weren’t well yesterday.” “Hi, Parker. I’m much better, thank you. How are your operations running?”

“I’ve been thinking about you. About our arrangement.” His voice carried a weight I hadn’t detected before. “Since my security team reports everything’s quiet today, I thought this might be the perfect opportunity for us to have a real conversation.” My pulse accelerated. “When did you want to meet?”

“Actually, I’m already en route to your location. I’ll be there shortly. Hope that’s acceptable.”

“Of course. I’ll see you soon.”

Parker terminated the call, leaving me with time to prepare for what felt like an inevitable confrontation. When he arrived, he carried a box of freshly baked pastries from his casino’s private kitchen and two steaming espressos. He greeted me with a gentle kiss on my forehead, notably different from the passionate encounters that had become our routine since we began this arrangement.

“Thought we could enjoy some caffeine while we discuss business,” he said, his smile not quite reaching those calculating eyes.

“You always anticipate everything,” I replied, though my voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.

We settled onto the sofa, the silence stretching between us like a chasm. I searched desperately for appropriate words, but they seemed to evaporate before reaching my lips.

“Why is it so challenging, Ivy?” Parker asked, taking a deliberate sip of his espresso and studying me carefully.

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Why is it so difficult for you to admit you’ve already made your decision?” His voice remained steady, but I could see the pain flickering behind those green eyes.

Panic fluttered in my chest. “Did Ruby reveal something to you?”

“She did, because I practically interrogated her until she explained why you had that breakdown yesterday. She had no choice but to tell me the truth. And then she suggested I should be a gentleman and withdraw gracefully. So that’s exactly what I’m here to do.”

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“Parker, I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Yes, you do, Ivy, I came here to say goodbye. You love Caleb Thorne with everything you possess, and it’s the kind of obsession that consumes everything in its path. I don’t stand a fighting chance against that level of devotion. Especially since he loves you just as intensely. So I’m going to be a gentleman and remove myself from this territorial dispute. I’m relocating my operations to the Frost Coast next week to expand my family’s interests. My father requires assistance with our Nevada enterprises, so the timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

“Parker, I don’t know what to say. I tried so desperately to make this arrangement work between us, I swear I did, but…”

“I know you did, beautiful. I just arrived too late in your story, didn’t I?” He gave me one of his devastating smiles, the kind that had made my heart skip when we first negotiated this deal. “Will you give me one final goodbye?”

I nodded, unable to speak past the tightness in my throat. Parker moved closer, closing the distance between us. His lips met mine in a kiss that was achingly tender and reverent, filled with all the gentleness that had defined our entire association. His tongue touched mine with something resembling worship, as if he was memorizing this moment. When he pulled away, he flashed me that beautiful smile one final time and walked out of my life.

The moment the door closed behind him, I collapsed onto the sofa and called Ruby through my tears, telling her everything that had just transpired. She tried to comfort me, insisting that everything would work out, that Parker would find the right person eventually, and that I needed to fight for the man I truly loved. Afterward, I sent a message to our encrypted group chat so all the women would know about this latest development.

I spent the remainder of the morning trying to stabilize my emotions. When Carmen arrived with Max from his protected daycare facility, he launched himself directly into my arms with his usual enthusiasm.

“Mommy!”

“My sweet boy, how are you doing today?” I asked, holding him tightly against me.

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