Transmigrated: I Became My Nemesis's Woman novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15: You’re handsome

Ivy had no idea how fast she ran to her room. She slammed the door shut, her heart pounding wildly in her chest.

What was that? She wondered, a deep crease forming between her brows.

But the moment she turned around—the room was empty.

"Uh... where did Leo go?" she muttered, glancing around.

Just then, a knock sounded.

She quickly turned and opened the door.

"Tada! I’m back!" Leo chimed, holding his banana plushie proudly in his arms.

Ivy blinked as the boy rushed past her, sprinting toward the bed and climbing onto it.

"Mommy, come on, let’s sleep!" he said, patting the space beside him.

Ivy couldn’t refuse. Despite everything, she found herself drawn to him.

She had almost forgotten what had happened downstairs... almost.

But the lingering feeling stayed with her as she lay down beside Leo.

"Are you going to sleep with this?" she asked, pointing at the oversized banana plushie that occupied nearly as much space as a small child.

Leo nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, Mommy! Mister Banana always sleeps with me. I’m sure he’ll help you sleep better too."

"Is that so..." Ivy adjusted herself, getting comfortable, and glanced at him.

Leo had often slept alone whenever Xander was busy. That was when Xander had gotten him the banana plushie—a gift from one of his business clients.

Back then, it had been bigger than Leo himself.

Now that he was six and a little taller, the plushie seemed smaller—but it still brought him the same comfort.

Ivy didn’t argue.

Soon, Leo snuggled closer to her, with Mister Banana resting on his other side.

Only then, in the quiet stillness of the room, Ivy became aware of the strange restlessness in her chest.

"Mommy, aren’t you sleepy?" Leo asked, noticing she still hadn’t closed her eyes.

He had wanted to ask for a bedtime story, but knowing she was still recovering, he held himself back. In his mind, she was here to stay now.

He had all the time in the world.

Ivy looked at him, unsure how to answer.

As Raven, she had barely slept—her mind always calculating, planning, surviving. Even now, in Ivy’s body, sleep refused to come easily.

"Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll help you sleep," Leo said softly.

He turned toward her and gently placed his hand on her forehead, slowly stroking it.

"Daddy does this whenever I can’t sleep," he added.

Ivy stilled.

She had never experienced something so gentle. Not as Ivy... not even as Raven.

So when Leo’s soft hand brushed against her skin, her eyes closed almost instantly, as if her body had been waiting for that warmth.

She didn’t know when she drifted off. But when she opened her eyes again, it was because the gentle movement had stopped.

Leo had fallen asleep.

Careful not to wake him, Ivy slowly lowered his hand and tucked him properly under the duvet.

"Kind kid..." she murmured softly.

And then her thoughts returned.

For how long, she didn’t know.

***

Ivy blinked, then nodded, forming a small oh of understanding.

Meanwhile, Xander had already gotten ready for work and was now seated at the breakfast table, waiting for Ivy.

His mind was anything but calm.

What had happened last night kept replaying in his head. And just to convince himself it had been nothing more than a momentary lapse, he needed to see her again.

But the moment Ivy walked in—dressed simply, effortlessly—Xander found himself holding his breath.

The memory hit him instantly.

Returning to his room... the cold shower he had taken, trying to suppress something he hadn’t felt in years.

It had been unexpected.

After that one night long ago... after all these years—he had finally felt desire again.

Does that mean she is—

His thoughts abruptly cut off as Ivy took the seat across from him, her presence suddenly too close, too real.

A faint trace of her scent drifted toward him, and just like that, his mind went blank.

"Have you thought about what I said last night?" Ivy asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.

Xander cleared his throat, regaining his composure.

"What is there to think about? I’ve already been clear."

Ivy shot him a sharp look, but the moment her eyes landed on his face, the memory of last night flashed through her mind, catching her off guard.

For a brief second, she was speechless.

And then—

"You’re handsome."

The words slipped out before she could stop herself, catching Xander off guard.