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Novel Catalog
Chapter_21
My Best Friend’s Keys
As I walked through Ivanna’s apartment, something felt off, and I couldn’t shake the sense of disappointment. Despite its luxury, the apartment lacked any signs of a man’s presence. No slippers by the door, no casual mess—nothing to suggest anyone had been here recently. It was too immaculate, too well-kept. I couldn’t help but think that Ivanna had taken extra care to hide any evidence, perhaps expecting me to show up today. She had plenty of time to prepare, after all, and it felt like she had thought this through meticulously.
Ivanna seemed to sense my unease and made a point of preparing some snacks for Ava. As she set up a cartoon for Ava to watch, she sat beside me, her gaze unwavering. There was something calculating in her demeanor, and it made me uncomfortable. Then, out of nowhere, she patted my hand.
“Let it out,” she said, her tone almost coaxing, as if she were trying to get me to spill everything.
My heart raced at the suggestion. I quickly withdrew my hand, defensive. “Let what out?”
Ivanna’s mouth twitched slightly, her patience thinning for a moment. Then she stood up abruptly, breaking the tension. “You stay here and keep Ava company. I’ll make something for you both to eat.”
She quickly removed her coat and changed clothes before heading into the kitchen, leaving me with my thoughts and my daughter. I sat down next to Ava, pretending to pay attention to the television as I weighed the situation in my mind. Was Ivanna’s act of friendliness just that—an act? Or was there more behind her behavior?
Then, like a dagger to the heart, her phone rang. My senses immediately sharpened. Could it be Matthew? I couldn’t tell, but the timing was uncanny. The soft lilt in Ivanna’s voice as she answered the call sent a shiver down my spine. She sounded completely different, tender and affectionate—so unlike the tone she’d used with me earlier. I couldn’t make out the words, but the sound of her voice, so full of warmth, made my stomach twist with suspicion and jealousy.
I couldn’t sit still any longer. I rose from the couch, heading toward the kitchen, my feet betraying me with every step. As I neared the kitchen, Ivanna’s voice dropped off abruptly, and I could hear the faint click of her hanging up. She had already tucked her phone into her apron pocket by the time I entered.
Surprised at my sudden appearance, Ivanna forced a smile. “Go and keep Ava company. You’re my guest, so I’ll take care of everything.”
I nodded, but my curiosity burned. I stayed by the kitchen doorframe, crossing my arms. “Did you buy this place yourself?”
Ivanna’s smile widened as she continued to prepare food. “I don’t have that much money. It’s the company’s,” she replied casually.
“The company’s, huh?” I raised an eyebrow. “Not many companies still provide housing like that these days.”
Ivanna chuckled. “It’s a bit like living the celebrity life. Several people from my company live here. The security is top-notch, and the privacy here is unmatched. You know how celebrities value their space.”
“Yeah,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. “And privacy is important for ordinary people, too. Especially for mistresses, don’t you think?”
Ivanna’s expression didn’t change as she continued her cooking. “You’re right. Some people like their privacy, but it’s not always the mistress who’s worried about being exposed. I suppose it depends on how sophisticated they are.”
I couldn’t help but snort at her use of the word “sophisticated.” The audacity of people like her and others in her world never ceased to amaze me. I didn’t want to argue further, though, so I turned away and left the kitchen, my eyes scanning the space in search of anything out of place.
As I passed through the hallway, I noticed Ivanna’s bag on a nearby shelf. The keys jangled from it, and something about them caught my attention. I casually walked over, pretending to be calm, and reached into my own bag for the duplicate key I had made. My heart raced as I compared the two keys side by side. The cold metal felt heavier in my hand than it should have.
I stared at them for a moment, trying to steady my breathing. There was no way this could be true, could it? But there, in the stillness of the room, a sense of dread crept over me. Slowly, I turned to face the kitchen, my mind a whirlwind of questions. What had I just uncovered?