"Hah! Why would I feel uncomfortable?" Ivy scoffed, trying to avoid looking at Xander.
But when she noticed his eyes hadn't left her—not even for a second—she suddenly felt heat rush through her.
Why am I feeling so hot?
She cleared her throat, quickly looking away as she mentally fanned herself.
"Then that's fine," Xander said, his voice calm, pulling her attention back to him. "I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable… especially not in front of Leo."
This time, he leaned back, stretching one arm over the headrest while crossing one leg over the other—composed, dominant, almost regal.
Ivy had never really observed men unless they were her targets.
But now, looking at Xander, she couldn't help but notice the undeniable aura he carried—paired with a face that could easily rival any model.
"Now that you've agreed to the deal your mother made with me," Xander continued smoothly, "I'm sure you understand what is expected of you."
Ivy frowned the moment he finished speaking.
Xander noticed it instantly.
A part of him was still curious about what had gotten into her. The way she had fought his men when they tried to take Leo back home…
And, of course, her performance at the hospital.
It wasn't every day someone woke up from a coma and immediately tried to sneak out—while threatening a doctor in the process.
During the days Ivy had been unconscious, Xander had looked into her background more thoroughly. Everything matched what she had told him when she first claimed to be Leo's mother.
And yet… the woman sitting in front of him now felt different from the one he had met before.
Which made him wonder— Had the bullet changed her? Or… was this who she had been all along?
Ivy blinked, quickly pulling herself out of her thoughts.
"About that… why would you make me sign a deal when you could simply keep me close? I already told you—I'm Leo's mother," she asked without hesitation.
She knew Xander didn't truly believe her. Otherwise, why would he have kept her existence from Leo?
But what he said next made her stare at him in disbelief.
"Because I don't trust you, Ivy."
His words were clear, blunt—he didn't even try to soften them.
Even though she had proof to support her claim, the circumstances surrounding her sudden appearance—and the attack that followed, where she ended up getting shot—made it difficult for him to believe her completely.
"But that doesn't mean I can't keep you close," Xander continued, his gaze steady. "Not when you suddenly decide to show up after all these years."
His tone carried something deeper—something unreadable.
Xander had long buried the memory of that night. The night his grandfather had forced his hand, determined to prove that his grandson wasn't uninterested in women.
The method had been twisted.
His drink had been spiked.
Xander had always prided himself on his self-control—on the fact that very little could affect him, let alone stir desire.
But that night had been different.
For the first time, he had felt something he couldn't fully control—drawn to the woman he had spent the night with.
And yet…
There had been one problem.
Even after everything, he had never seen her face clearly.
Which meant— the woman sitting in front of him now could either be telling the truth… or be the biggest lie he had ever let into his life.
But even then, he couldn't ignore everything she had told him—the date, the time, and the moment she had left baby Leo with him because she had been too scared, too unprepared for motherhood.
Ivy, on the other hand, couldn't help but chuckle softly. It felt ironic… considering she had once judged that same woman for not deserving Leo.
"Fair enough," she said, composing herself. "But there are a few things we need to revise."
This time, Xander looked at her as if she had personally offended him.
"State them," he said coldly.
Ivy sighed, shaking her head slightly.
"I won't argue about trust," she said calmly. "You don't trust me—I get that. But if you expect me to stay locked in here all day, that's not going to happen."
Xander's expression darkened. "And what if you try to escape?" he asked.
Ivy rolled her eyes. "If I wanted to, I would have left when you had me alone with my mother. But I'm still here." She paused, her tone softening just a fraction. "And more importantly… I don't want to hurt Leo."
Xander studied her face carefully, searching for any sign of deception.
To his surprise, he found none.
"So," Ivy continued, standing up and facing him head-on, "if I choose to stay, then you don't get to cage me inside this house."
Xander's lips curled slightly as he rose to his feet and stepped closer until he was standing right in front of her.
"That will only happen if you behave," he said coolly. "You've been quite troublesome so far. It makes me question whether I should trust you with that."
Ivy's brows knitted in irritation. She pointed a finger straight at him. "You—I told you I won't do anything like that."
Xander didn't step back. Instead, he moved even closer until her finger pressed lightly against his chest.
"And I said," he replied evenly, "I need to trust you first."
Frustration flared within her. Just as she felt her temper about to snap—
"Mommy!"
Leo's voice rang sharply from upstairs.
Startled, Ivy instinctively turned—only for her foot to twist awkwardly beneath her.
In the next second, she stumbled forward.
Straight into Xander.
Her hands flew to his chest for support as their bodies collided, the sudden closeness knocking the breath out of her.
"..."
What in the world just happened… and what is that thing poking me?
Ivy's eyes widened in shock as the realization hit her.
She immediately snapped her head up to look at Xander—but the sight of him standing completely still, almost frozen, only made her panic more.
Without thinking, she shoved him back lightly and took a step away.
"I—I'm going!" she stuttered, her face burning as she turned and rushed upstairs, practically fleeing the scene.
Within seconds, she disappeared from sight.
Xander, however, remained rooted in place.
For a moment, he didn't move at all.
Then slowly… his gaze dropped.
And just like that, heat rushed across his face.
Did she just… turn me on?