Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 136: Just A Bet

The golden rays of the morning sun spilled into the room, warming Ivy's face as she stirred awake.

Her body felt languid, her muscles still tingling from the night before. She shifted under the soft duvet, her mind hazy with sleep until she felt a pair of warm eyes on her.

Ivy blinked, her gaze locking with Hunter's. He was propped up on one elbow, watching her with a small, almost shy smile that made her heart flutter.

"Morning, beautiful," he said softly, his voice low and gravelly.

A blush crept up her cheeks. "Morning," she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "How long have you been awake?"

"Long enough," he said, brushing a thumb along her cheek. "I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to miss this moment, seeing you like this."

He had watched how peaceful and serene her face was and even though his heart ached that he was keeping a deadly secret from her, one that could tear their newly starting relationship, he had made up his mind to come clean with her today before she left.

He was tired of postponing it. He needed to tell her and have her choose to be with him after she forgives him, that was if she would ever forgive him for playing her so.

Ivy laughed, though her heart felt like it might burst. "I probably look a mess right now."

"You look perfect," Hunter said, his gaze unwavering.

She couldn't help but smile, the sincerity in his voice wrapping around her like a warm blanket. "You're really something, you know that?"

"So I've been told," he teased, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead.

They stayed like that for a moment, tangled together in the quiet intimacy of the morning.

Ivy watched him and she could help but feel a pang of disbelief. Is this real? Is he real? Is what they have real? She had been so cautious, so guarded for so long, yet here she was, feeling more seen and cherished than she ever had before.

Hunter broke the silence. "How about I make us some breakfast while you freshen up?" he asked and even though Ivy wanted to follow him, she nodded.

"Even though I want to follow you, I think this idea of us works well for me," Ivy said, sitting up and stretching.

Hunter leaned in for one more kiss before sliding out of bed. "Deal. You shower, and I'll handle the kitchen. I'll be back in no time," he said before leaving to make breakfast.

After he left, Ivy slide out of bed and got into the shower wanting to finish before Hunter came back.

Ivy lingered in the shower, the warm water soothing her as she replayed the night before. Her lips curled into a smile at the thought of Hunter—how attentive he'd been, how he'd made her feel like she was the only woman in the world.

Maybe this could really be something, she thought. The idea both thrilled and terrified her since she didn't want to ever have to lose him. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to handle a breakup at that point in her life.

She wrapped herself in a towel and stepped into the bedroom, her heart skipping when she saw Hunter walking in with a tray.

"Breakfast in bed," he announced, setting the tray down on the bedside table. "Hope you're hungry."

Ivy's eyes widened as she took in the spread of scrambled eggs, toast, fresh fruit, and coffee. Simple everyday breakfast, yet it felt special.

"This looks amazing."

Hunter grinned. "I needed to be fast and join you."

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"I'm glad you came back right in time," Ivy said, settling back onto the bed as he handed her a plate.

As she ate, Hunter leaned against the doorway, watching her with an easy smile. "I'm going to hop in the shower. Don't eat all the fruit without me," he teased even though he was going into the shower to gather his thoughts.

"No promises," Ivy teased, popping a grape into her mouth.

Hunter chuckled, disappearing into the bathroom.

The room grew quiet, save for the distant sound of running water. Ivy set her plate aside, reaching for her phone to scroll mindlessly. That's when she heard another phone buzzing.

She glanced at the bedside table where Hunter's phone sat, the screen lighting up with an incoming call. Derek, the name read.

"Hunter!" she called out, but the sound of the shower drowned her out.

The phone stopped ringing, only to buzz again seconds later. Ivy hesitated. "Hunter, your phone's ringing!" she tried again, louder this time. Still no response.

The call ended, and Ivy sighed, picking up the phone to take it to him. But before she could move, a text message popped up, lighting the screen.

Though she didn't want to read it, her eyes however, on their own accord landed on the words, and her stomach dropped.

What the hell was she seeing? Perhaps she was seeing things. Perhaps she was reading it wrong. She told herself as she took a deep breath, inhaled and exhaled before closing her eyes and opening them so she could reread the text.

However, the words remained. Unchanged.

[Hunter, your father knows about our little bet. He's furious you'd bet on her dignity but not take spying on her restaurant seriously.]

The words blurred as Ivy's world tilted on its axis. Her breath hitched, her chest tightening as the full weight of the message sank in.

Bet? Spying? Restaurant? Hunter.... Hunter Stone. The Stone's Foods. This can't be it.

Her mind raced, fragments of their first meeting and what led to this moment flashing like jagged shards of glass before her.

His charm, his interest in her restaurant, his relentless pursuit—was it all part of this twisted game? Was that why his name had sounded really familiar?

She picked up her phone and immediately typed Hunter's full name. There it was, staring right back at her was his picture and pictures of her Hunter with Mr Stone. Her biggest rivalry.

How could she not have known?

Tears stung her eyes as betrayal coursed through her. The warmth she'd felt mere minutes ago was replaced by an icy hollowness. She glanced toward the bathroom door, the sound of running water mocking her.

How could he do this?

Her hands trembled as she set the phone back down, careful not to make a sound. She removed Hunter's T-Shirt which she had wore earlier and dressed in her own clothes quickly, her movements mechanical as she tried to push past the lump in her throat.

Her heart screamed at her to confront him, to demand answers, but her pride wouldn't let her. She couldn't bear to see the truth in his eyes, not when it was right there staring at her.

She was just a bet to him, a way to take down her restaurant, her life and she had almost given it to him.