Chapter 8:MARISSA’S RETURN

Ivy's POV

Loud and obtrusive, the doorbell's sound reverberated throughout the apartment. My gut twisted with uneasiness as I looked up from the book I had been feigning to read. Griffin wasn't home yet, and it was late. Before I could decide whether or not to respond, the door opened.

The voice called out, smooth and seductive, "Griffin Blackwell."

I went cold. It was definitely Marissa's voice.

A few moments later, Griffin emerged, crossing the room to meet her with cautious steps. There was tightness in the set of his jaw, but his expression was inscrutable, a mask of indifference. With her flawlessly done hair and an outfit that fit her figure, Marissa, on the other hand, looked like she had just stepped out of a magazine.

"Why are you in this place?" With a tone colder than I had ever heard, Griffin asked.

A smile that stopped short of Marissa's eyes curled her crimson lips. "Is it impossible for an ex-fiance to stop by and greet you?"

With his arms crossed, he answered, "Not when she's not invited."

The sound of her laughter made my skin crawl. "I see you're still as charming as ever."

Despite the uneasiness growing in my chest, I remained hidden, intrigued. Marissa's tone was too pleasant to be sincere, and her visit seemed planned.

"Marissa, say what you came to say," replied Griffin, whose patience was obviously becoming thin.

She softened her voice and continued, "I just wanted closure." "We ended things rather suddenly. Do you not believe that we should have at least one open discussion?

Griffin yelled, "You lied, so we ended things." "I also owe you nothing."

Marissa's demeanor changed to one of fake hurt, but she recovered swiftly as her eyes narrowed. "Griffin, I've changed. You know, people can change.

His words were direct: "Not you."

With my heart racing, I bit my lip. I couldn't help but listen even though I knew I shouldn't. Something about Marissa's presence seemed perilous, like a storm on the verge of blowing.

What about Ivy, too? Marissa's voice became piercing, her words piercing the atmosphere.

I gasped. She was involving me in this, but why?

"How about her?" Griffin inquired in a reserved tone.

Marissa pretended to be innocent as she cocked her head. Isn't it a bit suspicious to you? How could a girl like her enter your life and play the role of the ideal wife?

With a cold tone, Griffin cautioned, "Be careful, Marissa."

Grinning, she took a step toward him. "Griffin, I'm just saying. Everybody has goals. She is too charming to be real. That makes you wonder, doesn't it?

It was as though the room's air had been drawn out. Each of the poisonous words she used was intended to sow doubt. What's the worst? I was unsure about Griffin's reaction.

With firmness, he stated, "Ivy is not your concern." "And you know absolutely nothing about her."

Marissa grinned broadly, as though she had achieved her goal. Perhaps not. But, are you certain she isn't concealing anything? Griffin, people have secrets. Of all people, you ought to be aware of that.

With wrath simmering beneath the surface, I clinched my fists. How could she? I was unknown to her. She had no authority to level such charges. But, a tiny bit of doubt slipped in while the rage boiled. Would she be believed by Griffin?

With a final tone, Griffin declared, "We're done here." "Leave."

The sound of Marissa's laughter was irritating. "Oh, Griffin. You've always had a soft spot for helping people in need. Let's hope she doesn't let you down.

As she left, her exit was just as spectacular as her arrival, with her heels clicking against the ground. I remained hidden while processing what I had just heard, my heart pounding.

I had been standing just out of sight when Griffin's heavy footsteps reverberated as he made his way toward the kitchen. I was filled with panic. I was unable to inform him that I had overheard.

I snatched up a glass of water and pretended to be fascinated by the scenery outside the window. As usual, his presence filled the room as he walked in.

"Are you still awake?" His voice was rough as he inquired.

I turned, trying to smile casually. Indeed. unable to sleep.

His face was unreadable as he nodded. "Is everything alright?"

"All right," I responded hastily, my voice a bit too high. "How about you?"

He ran a hand through his hair and said, "I've had better nights."

I contemplated whether or not to confront him about Marissa. But I was held back by the remembrance of what she had spoken. What if he was indeed skeptical of me? Could it be that this partnership was already in jeopardy?

"Is there anything you would like to discuss?" With caution, I asked.

He gave a headshake. "You shouldn't be concerned about it."

He said something that hurt more than it should have. I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. "All right."

He paused for a second, looking into my eyes as though he had more to say. But, he turned and left, leaving me to bear the consequences of everything I had heard.

I couldn't sleep that night. I could still hear Marissa's voice, her hints eating away at my self-assurance. Is my reputation too wonderful to be true? Was I already being questioned by Griffin?

One thing became evident as the hours passed: Marissa wasn't merely a relic from Griffin's past. Our present was in danger because of her. And she would destroy this delicate arrangement if I wasn't careful.