“Did Ben hurt Ivy?”
Cal sighs and glances at Joel quickly. “Put her in the hospital.”
“He what?”
The poison that drips through my veins is sharp. My nostrils flare at Callan’s words. He put Ivy in the hospital.Ivy in the hospital.Those are words that should never end up in the same sentence.
I hope this man is dead because if he’s not, best believe I’m?—
“He didn’t put his hands on her like that,” Joel clarifies. “But yeah, he put her in danger.”
I lean back slightly and let all this information sink in. They’re right, Finn or Ivy should be telling me this, but at the same time, how did I not know? He’s kept this bottled up for three years.
Now things are starting to make sense. Ivy was so adamant that Finn couldn’t know about us because it would be unfair to him. Because he’s already been through that pain once, he couldn’t possibly do it again with another friend.
Then I think back to Ivy. Who on earth could even think about hurting her? My chest turns to stone at the thought of her lying in the hospital. Confused and scared. I have to close my eyes to shut out the haunting thoughts.
My stomach churns. She didn’t deserve that. Finn didn’t deserve that.
When I open my eyes, I remember the scar running down her chest, when she said that she was in an accident a little while ago, and she almost died. It doesn’t take a genius to put two andtwo together.He did that.He put that scar on her body, and I feel my fists begin to tighten.
That scar she hides with shame. All because he took away the confidence she once had. Her body is beautiful, perfect in every way, with each freckle and scar. I would kiss over any insecurity and flaw she believes she has to prove to her that it’s all in her mind.
God. I want to wrap her up in my arms and promise her happiness. Because I knew someone or something had sucked the soul out of her body, leaving nothing but a hollow shell.
She’s not living, she’s just surviving.
And I want to help bring that soul back, a soul that is in need of some tender care.
Even if Finn forbids it.
CHAPTER 24
IVY THOMPSON
After I hear the door close for the second time today, I know JJ has gone out. Finn has been at work since this morning, and I haven’t left my room. I pick up a book and spend the morning with fictional characters instead of real ones.
An hour or so ticks by when my phone vibrates beside me. I put down the book and glance at the screen to find Daisy’s name pop up, and I frown at it. She hasn’t even bothered speaking to me since the party, since she got drunk and decided to run her mouth for no reason.
I roll my eyes and reluctantly press the green button. “Hello?” I say dully.
She sniffles from the other end of the line. “Ivy?”
My body twists, and I press my feet to the floor. “What’s the matter?”
“I’m outside your house, could you let me in?”
“Coming,” I say before sprinting down the stairs to my front door.
My fingers latch onto the handle and open it to find Daisy sobbing on the other side. I open my mouth, but she falls intomy arms. Even though I’m still angry at her for the other night, I can’t deny her friendship right now, so I embrace her in a hug.
“What happened?” I ask as I smooth down the back of her brunette hair.
Slowly, she pulls away from me, blue eyes filled with tears. “I feel like shit,” she chokes.
I move my head away. “Why, what happened?”
She shuts the door behind me, and I beckon with my head for us to sit outside. Her footsteps follow me, and I perch on the edge of the sunbed. She sits down right beside me.
