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Novel Catalog
Chapter_22
Who Was That Woman?
My fingers trembled as I stared at the keys, the ones that didn’t match. My mind raced, confusion overwhelming me. Had I been wrong about Ivanna? Was Matthew seeing someone else? Or was there something deeper at play that I wasn’t seeing? The weight of the situation pressed on me as I fought the urge to fall apart.
I never expected this moment, and I wasn’t sure how to feel. Relief? Frustration? It all felt tangled up inside me, leaving my thoughts scattered and muddled. Just as the confusion reached its peak, I felt an unsettling presence behind me.
Ivanna stood there, calm and composed, as if she had orchestrated this whole moment. The tension between us thickened, and my heart raced.
“Did you find what you were looking for?” she asked, her voice smooth and deliberate, as if she knew exactly what was going on in my mind.
I froze, unsure how to respond. My lips trembled as I turned to face her, my gaze hardening. “What are you trying to say, Ivanna? Why did you lie to me? What’s going on between you and Matthew?”
Her calm demeanor seemed to mock my turmoil, and a surge of anger and embarrassment flooded me. I had no idea how to handle this situation. How had everything gotten so complicated?
“I’ve never lied to you,” Ivanna said, her voice unwavering. “I know exactly what you’re referring to. You want to talk about that day I saw Matthew at the teahouse.” She paused, her gaze locking with mine. “I didn’t want you to get hurt. My words might be harsh, but I would never take away what you love.”
She stepped closer, a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Is our friendship so fragile that you think I could do that?”
Just then, Ava, sensing the tension in the room, crawled over to me, her little arms wrapping around my leg. Her wide eyes, filled with panic, made my heart ache. “M-Mommy!” she cried.
I quickly knelt down, pulling Ava into a tight embrace. “It’s okay, baby,” I said softly, trying to soothe her. “Aunt Ivanna and I are just talking. We’re not fighting.”
Ivanna knelt beside us, her voice gentle as she patted Ava’s head. “Your mommy and I will never fight, sweetheart. We’re best friends, remember? Don’t be afraid.”
She turned to me, her gaze softening. “We’ll talk later. Just trust me.”
I nodded, still feeling the weight of the situation. Ivanna’s calm words did little to ease the storm raging inside me. After she reassured Ava, I picked her up and led her back to the living room, wanting to know what Ivanna was hiding. What was she not telling me?
Lunch was prepared lavishly, a stark contrast to the tension that still hung in the air. We tried to make the best of it, joking and laughing to make Ava feel at ease. She ran around the house, her laughter filling the space, and for a brief moment, I almost forgot about the whirlwind of emotions inside me. But the tears still threatened to spill, and my heart felt heavy.
When Ava finally started to tire, Ivanna offered for her to nap in the guest room. I agreed, wanting nothing more than to calm my daughter’s nerves. Ivanna led us to the room, and I lay down with Ava as she snuggled against me.
“Aunt Ivanna’s big house is awesome!” Ava exclaimed, her voice full of innocence.
I almost broke down at her words. How could I explain to her the storm of emotions inside me? How could I promise her something I wasn’t sure I could deliver? I hugged her tightly, a firm resolve taking root. “I’ll get you a big house like this too,” I whispered through clenched teeth.
Ava smiled, her tired eyes fluttering shut. I kissed her forehead softly, my heart aching as I watched her sleep, her bruised lips a constant reminder of what had happened.
I left the room quietly and walked into the living room, where Ivanna sat sipping red wine. Her eyes never left me as I entered, and she poured me a glass without a word. We clinked glasses in a silent understanding, both of us knowing there was more to be said.
“You start,” Ivanna said, her voice calm.
“No,” I replied, my voice steady, “you start.”
We shared a quiet smile, both of us knowing that we were at a crossroads. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the next question. “Did you know Matthew cheated?”
Ivanna didn’t hesitate. “I know. I told you I saw him the other day, right?” She leaned forward, her eyes intent on mine. “He suddenly left, and I had someone check the footage from that day. I was worried I’d made a mistake.”
I closed my eyes, the weight of her words sinking in. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away. I opened my eyes, staring at Ivanna with a new kind of resolve. “Who was that woman?” I asked through clenched teeth, the question finally leaving my lips.
I needed to know. I had to know who she was.