Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 114: Not As Bad

The rain pounded harder, soaking through Ivy's thin blouse as she banged on the car window in frustration, not knowing what else to do.

"Seriously?" she muttered, shivering as the cold seeped into her bones. The wind howled through the empty road, making her feel even more isolated.

Her pulse quickened, fear creeping into her mind.

"Stay calm." She told herself but it was hard.

She had no phone. No shelter. No way to call for help. And the rain wasn't letting up—it was only getting worse.

The darkness pressing in around her suddenly felt heavier, the storm amplifying her vulnerability.

Why now? If she had known, she'd have just remained at the hospital. She thought bitterly, hugging herself against the chill. The rain clung to her face, mixing with the strands of damp hair sticking to her skin.

She glanced around the empty street, hoping—praying—for someone to pass by. But the road remained quiet, the only sound the relentless rain pelting the pavement.

Her breathing hitched, her panic rising in her chest. She was drenched, freezing, and locked out of her own car with no way to reach anyone.

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to steady her breath.

Think, Ivy. She had to figure this out. But what could she do at such an hour? It had been almost seven when she left the hospital. What time was it now?

There was no way she could even get a cab now with the way it was raining.

What was she going to do?

Just then, headlights cut through the rain. Bright, blinding against the stormy night as a car slowed near the curb.

Her heart leapt—relief crashing over her—but it was short-lived.

What if it was someone dangerous? It was a lonely road after all.

She took a cautious step back, crossing her arms protectively as the sleek black car rolled to a stop.

The driver's door opened, and a tall figure stepped out, the rain catching in his dark hair as he hurried toward her with his umbrella in hand.

"Ivy?"

Immediately she heard her name, her breath caught. She recognized that voice.

It was Hunter's voice.

Though the rain blurred his features and his umbrella wasn't giving her a better view of his face either , she'd know that voice anywhere.

"Hunter?" Her voice wavered, half disbelieving.

He nodded, his brows furrowed in concern as he took in her soaked clothes and trembling form. "What happened? Are you okay? Why are you out in the rain?"

"I—" Her voice caught as the emotions hit all at once. This was the man she had told off countless times. Now he was the one that had come to her rescue. Someone she hadn't expected.

Why didn't he drive off? Especially after the way she spoke to him the last time. Was he doing this to get her attention?

"Ivy? What are you doing out here in the rain?" Hunter asked again, holding out the umbrella firmly.

Ivy snapped out of her thoughts. He was the only one helping so she would take it without a second though. "My car... it won't start. And I— I locked my phone and car keys inside."

Hunter's jaw tightened, a spark of protectiveness flaring in his eyes. Without another word, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders, the warmth seeping into her instantly.

"Come on, you're freezing," he said gently, guiding her toward his car. His hand rested lightly on her lower back, steady, grounding.

"I—I can't just leave my car here," she protested, though her body sagged with exhaustion.

He gave her a look. "You can't stay out in this rain either. I'll help you sort it out, but you need to get warm first."

Too cold to argue, she allowed him to lead her into the passenger seat of his car. The moment the door closed, the heater blasted warm air, wrapping around her like a cocoon. She hadn't realized how badly she was shaking until now.

Hunter slid into the driver's seat, his damp shirt clinging to his frame, and turned to her with that same steady concern.

"Better?"

Ivy nodded, teeth chattering slightly. "Yeah... thank you."

He held her gaze for a moment longer, like he wasn't quite convinced she was okay yet.

"Where were you coming from this late, anyway?" he asked finally, his voice softer now.

She hesitated for a moment before exhaling. "The hospital."

His brow furrowed. "Hospital? What happened? Are you okay?" His voice softened, laced with genuine concern.

Ivy shook her head quickly. "No, not for me. I was visiting a friend."

Relief eased some of the tension in his face. "That's good."

Silence lingered for a heartbeat, the rain still pattering against the windshield.

Then, needing to shift the focus away from herself, she asked, "What about you? Where were you headed this late?"

Hunter's fingers tightened briefly on the steering wheel, his gaze thoughtful as he glanced out at the rain.

"I was coming from the hospital too," he said quietly.

Ivy blinked. "What?"

He offered a small, almost self-conscious shrug. "I visit people there every Wednesday. It's... something I do."

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Her surprise must've shown on her face because his lips curved into a wry smile.

"Don't look so shocked," he murmured. "I'm not as bad as you think I am."

"I didn't say you were bad," Ivy replied quickly, the words leaving her before she could filter them. "I just... never pictured you as that type of person."

Hunter raised a brow, clearly intrigued. "What type of person did you picture me, exactly?"

She bit her bottom lip, looking away. "Forget it. It's nothing."

He exhaled, a quiet huff. "As always. You're too proud to admit you were wrong about me."

Ivy stiffened at that, her grip on his jacket tightening. She turned her head toward the window, watching the rain blur the city lights beyond the glass.

The worst part? He wasn't wrong. She had misjudged him. Assumed he was just the arrogant, entitled womaniser who cared about nothing but having any girl he wanted.

And yet, here he was—rescuing her in the rain. Visiting strangers at hospitals every week.

The silence grew heavier, but neither spoke again until she finally whispered, "Turn left here."

Hunter followed her directions, the tension still lingering between them.

Soon, they pulled up in front of her house. The rain had slowed, but it still drizzled softly as the wipers swiped back and forth in a steady rhythm.

Ivy hesitated, her hand resting on the door handle. The words left her lips before she could stop them.

"Do you... want to come in? For a cup of coffee?"

For a split second, his gaze softened, his lips parting as if he might accept. But then, his expression shifted, hardening back into the guarded look she was more familiar with.

"I'd rather not," he said gently but firmly. "Wouldn't want to risk losing my job."

The words stung, far more than she expected.

Of course. She had been the one to draw those lines, the one to keep things professional. And now he was simply respecting them.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, she nodded. "Right... Of course. You're right."

Her fingers fumbled with the door handle as she tried to push down the wave of embarrassment rising in her chest.

Before she could leave, his voice stopped her.

"Ivy."

She paused, not turning back to look at him.

"Get some rest... and stay warm."

She forced a small smile, though he couldn't see it. "Thanks... for everything, Hunter."

Without waiting for a reply, she slipped out of the car, the drizzle soaking her hair again as she rushed toward her front door.

Hunter watched her until she disappeared inside, a strange heaviness lingering in his chest.

And in the silence of the rain, he realized—he wasn't sure if it was the line she had drawn... or the one he was afraid of crossing that stopped him from going in to have coffee.

Whatever it was, he was glad it didn't stop him from helping her and that he had been the one available.