Chapter302
Suppressing the emotions welling up inside, Haley spoke calmly, "I was just chatting with Alfred."
The corners of Ivan's mouth curved slightly, "About what?"
"About Owen and Keith's mother."
Ivan's fingers abruptly halted.
He had planned to tell her in three days, either tonight or tomorrow.
Now, it seemed she might already know.
Ivan put down the knife.
He wasn't one to shy away from confrontation.
The delay had been a matter of finding the right words.
Since she had brought it up, he had to come clean.
"Emily is Owen and Keith's mother." Ivan's voice resonated deeply.
Haley's fingers tensed.
Although she had known the fact, hearing it from this man made her heart sink.
With a forced ease and a faint smile, she said, "No wonder Owen's so fond of me. It turns out I'm his aunt. The kids must be cousins, then. That is why they get along."
Her voice was light, but Ivan could detect a subtle mockery in it.
He stared at her, and his words deliberate. "Five years ago, Louis got me drunk and sent a woman to my room. Without any knowledge, I spent a night with Emily. I tried to find her afterward, but she vanished. Eight months later, she showed up at the Winston residence with two kids in tow, and that's when I learned I had sons..."
He laid out the details of that night five years ago, clear and concise.
Haley felt a tightening around her heart, as if with each word he spoke, the noose pulled tighter, suffocating her more with every twist.
She couldn't figure out why she was so affected.
That night five years ago shouldn't matter to her. Ivan's past with Emily had nothing to do with her.
"You don't need to explain this to me," Haley said softly, her tone flat and steady. "I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Can I head back early today?"
After speaking, she made for the kitchen door.
Ivan reached out and grasped her wrist.
In that moment of contact, Haley envisioned Ivan and Emily tangled in a bed.
The thought made her nauseous.
Abruptly, she yanked her hand free from his grip.
"Mr. Ivan, behave yourself." Her gaze was icy, as chilling as the frost of a millennia-old glacier.
Ivan's lips tightened.
He let out a breath and said, "I know what's bothering you, and I can assure you, my relationship with Emily was nothing beyond that one night."
"Whatever happened between you and Emily is none of my business," Haley stepped back. "I should go."
She hurried out of the kitchen, heart pounding, afraid Ivan might follow.
"Haley!"
Just then, Owen dashed down the stairs and ran to her, jumping into her arms like he always did.
As Haley stared into the boy's face, memories of Emily surfaced. This was Emily's son. No matter how much Owen despised Emily, it couldn't sever the ties of blood.
With that thought flashing through her mind, Haley instinctively sidestepped. Owen lunged forward and found nothing but air, tumbling down with a thud.
"Ow, Haley, why didn't you catch me? My butt hurts. Can you help me up..." The little guy sat on the carpet, stretching out his arms for comfort.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
