Chapter 3
Ivy didn't go home.
The apartment they'd decorated together, that sham of a "love nest," now filled her with revulsion.
She took a cab back to her apartment building, but didn't go upstairs. Instead, she sat quietly by the flowerbed outside.
Her phone started buzzing like crazy. It was Wade calling. Once, twice, three times.
She put it on silent and ignored the call.
The System notification popped up. [System Alert: Wade is calling. Predicted script. Step 1: He'll pretend to care and ask about your meeting with his mother.
[Step 2: Once you complain, he'll put on a show, trash-talking his mom and acting like he's on your side.
[Step 3: He'll suddenly change the topic, using 'our future' as a reason to ask you to hand over your savings so he can 'manage it for both of you.' But really, it's a scam to take your money.]
Ivy glanced at the system alert, a mocking smile tugging at her lips.
Wade's playbook was so tired.
Ivy didn't leave right away. She was waiting for it to get dark, waiting for a time when Wade wouldn't be home.
Ivy knew from experience that on Wednesday nights, Wade had to go to the office for a weekly meeting, and he usually wouldn't be back until around eleven.
As night fell, Ivy watched the familiar window go dark. She carefully checked the time, estimating that Wade was gone, then finally got up and headed into the building.
She unlocked the door with her key. The place was pitch black, exactly as she'd expected.
[System scan initiated. Analyzing the indoor environment.
[Alert: A micro-recording device was found in the crevice of the living room sofa. It's currently active.
[Alert: A pinhole camera was discovered behind the bedroom nightstand. It's connected to Wi-Fi and uploading data in real-time.
[Alert: The bottom layer of your jewelry box on the vanity has been coated with a substance containing trace amounts of estrogen. Prolonged contact could disrupt your hormonal balance.]
Each alert made Ivy's blood run cold.
This wasn't a home. It was a cage, meticulously crafted to trap her.
Fiona and Wade weren't solely after her money or trying to destroy her health. They wanted to monitor her every move, control every aspect of her life, and hold anything they found against her.
Ivy didn't touch any of the devices. She didn't want to raise any suspicion.
She walked into the bedroom and opened the closet.
[System Alert: The clothes on the left are your personal belongings.
[System Alert: The clothes on the right were bought by Wade. Taking them could cause ownership issues and might lead to trouble down the line.
[System Alert: The suitcase on top of the closet was a birthday gift from your parents, belonging solely to you.]
Ivy had a clear picture. Without the slightest hesitation, she took only what the System indicated belonged to her: a few everyday clothes, her old laptop, and some personal IDs and papers.
She didn't touch the bags and jewelry Wade had given her. Those were once treasured, but now they felt dirty to her.
Finally, she dug into the back of the bookshelf and pulled out a photo album.
It was packed with snapshots of her growing up.
[System Alert: Hidden in the album's inner pocket is an old property deed your grandfather left you. The location is prime, estimated to be worth millions. Never let this slip away.]
A chill ran through Ivy.
She'd almost forgotten about it.
Her grandfather had quietly given the deed to her before he passed, telling her to keep it safe. It was meant to be her wedding gift.
Ivy quickly pulled out the deed and kept it close, making sure it was safe.
Dragging her suitcase, she gave this place they called "home" one last glance.
She felt nothing for it. As she closed the door, she felt as though she was severing her entire past.
With a fresh phone number, Ivy booked a hotel online. It was far away, with strict security.
Once inside, she threw the deadbolt. Only then did she finally feel safe.
She lay back on the hotel's soft bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Her phone wouldn't stop buzzing.
Wade was blowing up her phone: calls, texts, and messages on every app. At first, he pretended to care, then started demanding answers, and finally lost it.
Wade texted: [Ivy, why aren't you answering me? What did my mom say to you? Don't listen to her nonsense.
[What the hell do you mean you cleaned out the accounts? That was our money! You think I'm out to get you?
[Ivy, where are you? Come out and face me. Don't you dare hide.]
Ivy scrolled through all the messages, her face expressionless, then blocked Wade everywhere.
At last, peace.
She closed her eyes, finally able to relax for a moment.
Tomorrow, she still had much to do.
[System Alert: Situation update. You're safe for now, but you can't stay like this forever. You need a stable, hidden place to live.
[Working on a plan.
[There's a cheap one-bedroom up for rent in the old Aerithmere neighborhood, about three miles from here.
[The landlord's solid, and the rent is way below market, and there aren't many cameras around, so it's hard for anyone to track you down. Recommend you check it out tomorrow, Host.]
Ivy slowly opened her eyes.
In the darkness, her eyes were bright and resolute.
Getting out was only the first step.
Next up, she'd begin her new life.