Hello, Ex! I Finally Found My Worth!-Chapter 144: Sorry Doesn’t Fix Things

Ivy arrived at her office that Monday morning, her movements brisk, and her face stone-cold.

She marched past the reception area without so much as a glance at her secretary, Selena, who looked up from her desk, surprised.

Usually, Ivy greeted her with a polite smile, but today was different and she couldn't help but notice. Something was wrong—very wrong if Ivy were this quiet. Selena thought.

Her face concocted into a frown as she watched Ivy disappear into her office, the door shutting firmly behind her, thoughts of what could've happened to get Ivy so angry running through her mind.

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She hesitated for a moment before picking up her notebook and walking toward the office. She didn't know if she'd want to see anyone or even talk to her considering her mood.

But then, she might be overthinking and might actually get a query if she didn't do her job.

She thought as she took a deep breath before knocking gently on the door. When Ivy answered, she poked her head in.

"Good morning, Ms. Anderson," Selena said cautiously. "Is everything alright?" Selena asked, unable to ignore the feeling when she saw Ivy's cold face again.

Ivy looked up from her desk, her eyes cold but faintly red as though she had been crying. She inhaled sharply before responding, her voice clipped. "Yes, Selena. Everything's fine."

Selena hesitated, clearly unconvinced. She could see her eyes and her demeanor. She seemed like someone who hadn't slept well in days.

What could be wrong? She mused, deciding to ask again. "Are you sure? You don't look—"

"I said I'm fine," Ivy cut her off, her tone sharper than she intended.

Seeing Selena flinch at her tone, guilt flickered across Ivy's face for a moment before she added, "Just cancel all my appointments for today."

Selena blinked in surprise. "All of them?"

That was a first. Selena thought.

"Yes, all of them," Ivy snapped. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I just need some time to myself."

Though confused, wondering why she'd come to the office, angry and not in the state of mind to work, Selena nodded. "Of course, Ms. Anderson. I'll take care of it." She turned and left, closing the door softly behind her.

Whatever was wrong, she hoped Ivy would get out of it soon. She didn't like this version of her, not one bit. She thought as she returned to her desk.

Inside her office, Ivy collapsed into her chair, burying her face in her hands. Her mind was a whirlwind of anger, humiliation, and hurt as she wondered what must be going through Selena's mind after seeing her this way.

What could she do? She had thought she'd be able to hide her pain and wallow in work but then, coming to the office had been a bad idea. She knew that when the moment she stepped out of her car after parking the car, memories of Hunter and her there came rushing back.

She thought back to the moment she discovered the truth about Hunter—the lies, the betrayal, the cruel bet. The memory stung, and tears welled up in her eyes again despite her efforts to hold them back.

How could I have been so foolish? She thought bitterly. I almost ruined everything I've worked for because I trusted him. Because I let my guard down. How could I not have even looked into him? Had she been so careless and nonchalant about her business?

What if she hadn't found out when she did? Does that mean he would've learned their secret recipe and given it to his father? Or were they planning on doing something bad? Why had he hurt her this badly?

She shook her head, her fists clenching on the desk. She hated herself for crying, for still feeling so much pain over someone who had clearly never cared about her the way she thought he did.

He never cared about her and he never loved her or even thought of her as human. Otherwise he wouldn't have been this cruel to her.

Suddenly, her intercom buzzed, breaking through her thoughts. She wiped her eyes quickly before answering.

"Yes?" she said, her voice firm despite the cracks in her heart.

"Ms. Anderson, Hunter Stone is here," Selena said cautiously. "He says he wants to see you. That it's urgent."

At the mention of his name, Ivy's stomach twisted in anger and pain. Her grip tightened on the phone as she fought to keep her composure.

A part of her wanted to march outside and demand an explanation of why he did what he did or that if it was true he never loved her but doing that would make him gloat even more.

He'd tell himself he truly broke her as he planned abd she was never going to give him that benefit. Never.

"Tell him I don't want to see him," she said sharply. "And draft abd give him his letter of termination. Immediately. He's to stop working with us with immediate effect."

Selena hesitated, clearly taken aback by Ivy's tone. Was Hunter the reason behind her anger? What had he done? She mused but quickly reminded herself she was on call.

"Understood, Ms. Anderson," Selena said, clearing her head.

Ivy hung up and leaned back in her chair, her chest heaving with suppressed emotion. She couldn't face him—not now, not ever.

Seeing him would only bring back the humiliation, the heartbreak, and the fury she felt for being so easily deceived and for almost ruining her life's hard work.

Outside, Selena relayed the message to Hunter, who was standing by the desk, looking as though he hadn't slept in days. His face fell at her words, and he immediately began pleading.

"Please, Selena," Hunter said, his voice desperate. "I just need to talk to her. I don't care if I'm fired—I deserve that—but I need her to hear me out. Please."

Selena hesitated, her loyalty torn between Ivy and the man standing before her. Though she didn't know what had happened, she could see the anguish in Hunter's eyes. But Ivy's orders were clear and she didn't even know what exactly transpired between them.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Stone," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "Ms. Anderson doesn't want to see you. And I can't go against her instructions."

Hunter's shoulders sagged, his hands running through his hair in frustration. "I messed up," he muttered under his breath. "I messed up so badly."

At that moment, Emma walked into the office, her eyes narrowing when she saw Hunter. He turned to her immediately, as though she were his last hope.

"Emma," he said, his voice breaking. "Please. You have to convince Ivy to talk to me. Just once. I need to apologize. I need to explain to her that it's not what she thinks."

Emma's expression hardened as she strode up to him, her hand striking his face before he could say another word. The slap echoed in the reception area, and Selena gasped softly, her eyes wide.

"How dare you show your face here?" Emma hissed, her eyes blazing with anger. "After what you did to her? You're disgusting, Hunter. Absolutely despicable."

Hunter took a step back, his hand on his cheek, but he didn't argue. He simply bowed his head, shame washing over him.

"I know," he said quietly. "I know I don't deserve her forgiveness. But I need to try. I need to tell her I'm sorry."

Emma glared at him, her voice cold. "Sorry doesn't fix what you've done. You don't get to hurt someone like that and then waltz back in expecting to make it better. Just leave, Hunter. Leave her alone."

With that, Emma pushed past him and entered Ivy's office. She found Ivy sitting at her desk, her face buried in her hands. The sight broke Emma's heart.

"Oh, Ivy," she said softly, rushing to her friend's side.

Ivy looked up, her eyes red and swollen. "Emma," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Emma pulled her into a tight hug, feeling Ivy's body shake as she started crying again. "I'm so sorry, Ivy. I'm so sorry this happened to you. He's such a disgusting jerk."

"I was so stupid," Ivy choked out. "I let him in. I trusted him. And he just—he used me. He made a fool of me. I should've known—"

"No, Vee. You couldn't have known," Emma said firmly, pulling back to look her in the eyes. "And you're not stupid, either. You're kind and trusting, and that's not a flaw. It's his loss, not yours. You have to pull yourself together, Vee. You're stronger than this."

Ivy nodded weakly, though the tears didn't stop. Emma stayed with her, offering comfort as Ivy let out all the pain she had been holding in.

Meanwhile, outside, Hunter walked away from the building, his heart heavy with regret. He knew he had no one to blame but himself.

I don't deserve her forgiveness, he thought. But I'll do whatever it takes to make this right.

As he left, he made a silent vow: to prove to Ivy that he wasn't the man she thought he was—even if it took the rest of his life to do that.