After Rebirth, I Replaced My Ex-Husband's True Love-Chapter 159: Spending the Night at Ivan Underwood’s Home
"Ugh!"
With the burning sensation in my stomach, I couldn’t help but want to vomit. A bag conveniently appeared in front of me, followed by Ivan Underwood’s slightly deep voice, "Don’t throw up in my car."
I ungraciously threw up into the bag. The air was filled with an indescribable smell, but I didn’t care at this moment. After feeling a bit better in my stomach, I tied up the bag, pulled out a tissue to wipe my mouth, and turned to look hazily at Ivan Underwood, "Why am I in your car?"
"Tiana O’Connell contacted me and asked me to pick you up." Ivan was driving, speaking slowly, "If you keep drinking like this, are you planning to give up on your body?"
"Don’t you already know? I can’t have children, so what’s the point of having a body?" I chuckled, with a hint of bitterness, "Ivan Underwood, do you think I can still be considered a complete woman?"
"Why wouldn’t you be? Do you have to have children to be complete? Who taught you that?" At the red light, the car stopped, and Ivan also turned to look at me, his dark eyes holding a hint of light, "Can’t you find a man who doesn’t mind this about you?"
I took a long breath, "Which man wouldn’t mind this? But you promised me, you absolutely can’t tell anyone about this, or I won’t let you off!"
Maybe I drank too much, my words came out a bit harsh, knowing full well that Ivan Underwood was really the only person I could say anything to, but still couldn’t help but threaten him a little.
I termed this "post-drunken syndrome."
"How won’t you let me off?" Ivan asked again. Perhaps it was because I was too drunk, I felt a hint of unspeakable tenderness in his gaze at me.
"I don’t know, but anyway, you’d die a miserable death!" I replied casually, with my brain feeling muddy, and closed my eyes again to rest.
Ivan Underwood didn’t know my exact address, I forgot about that. When I woke up, I found myself in his apartment.
A single man who keeps himself pure and clean is different indeed. The bedroom was impeccably tidy, with no trace of a woman’s life, no perfume scent in the air, only a faint soapy fragrance emanating from the bedding.
Actually, I don’t know about other men. For example, Henry Preston; after all, my main interaction with him was at Maplewood Gardens. Apart from Azure Vaughn, he indeed hadn’t brought any other women back to Maplewood Gardens.
But in my heart, for some unknown reason, I felt that Ivan Underwood was different. Even with such status and position, he chose to strive in a hard and noble profession, without leveraging much family background, nor did he indulge in the worldly pleasures despite being wealthy and powerful. He truly is a good man.
The premise being not to mess things up like in the previous life, where he almost tore things apart with Henry Preston.
"Awake? Come and eat something." As soon as I walked out of the bedroom, I heard Ivan Underwood’s voice, along with Bonnie’s meowing sounds.
"Why am I here?" My head hurt a bit, but at least my clothes... hadn’t been changed.
Otherwise, my head would have hurt more.
Bonnie rubbed against my feet. I bent down to pick it up. It then let out an "ugh" sound, struggling to jump off me.
Ivan Underwood watched this scene and shrugged helplessly, "Go take a shower first. I don’t have anyone else at home, so there’s no one to help change your clothes."
I was covered in the smell of alcohol, on top of having vomited earlier. The smell truly was strong.
I embarrassedly went to the bathroom to shower. Just as I finished, I heard Ivan’s voice again from outside, "I got a set of clothes ready for you, right there on the washstand."
"Okay, thank you!" I replied loudly, feeling puzzled. Didn’t my parents look for me last night?
Wearing Ivan’s clothes, of course, felt a bit too large on me, but it’s better than wearing yesterday’s dirty clothes. I tucked the hem into the pants and rolled up the sleeves, then came out of the bathroom, the first thing I did was check my phone.
My mom made two missed calls, then there was a text from Tiana O’Connell: Zoe, I told your mom you drank too much and are staying over at my place tonight.
I really admire this friend. Sometimes her tricks are so similar to Crystal Dawson’s.
Previously, they covertly speculated whether Ivan had some feelings for me. Now they directly contacted him to pick me up when I was drunk, really audacious, not afraid of me losing control due to alcohol or anything like that.
"What’s wrong?" Ivan asked when he saw me holding my phone without moving.
"Nothing, sorry for bothering you last night, and thank you for picking me up." I put away my phone, politely expressing my gratitude, "You’re worthy of being a doctor, such a kind heart!"
Ivan glanced at me, "Do you think I’d pick up someone else?"
What’s that supposed to mean? It felt a bit ambiguous, making my scalp tingle for a moment. I really hope Ivan doesn’t have any peculiar feelings towards me!
This was what one would call awkward.
"Cough, cough, at least we’re friends. If it were a stranger, you definitely wouldn’t be so kind, I know." I gave a dry laugh, then quickly changed the subject, "Dr. Underwood, I found your culinary skills quite impressive. Did you prepare all this?"
I went to the dining table and, looking at the sumptuous breakfast, started to give praise.
Ivan glanced at me, replying, "Bonnie did it."
"Meow~" Bonnie seemed to understand human language, responding with a meow. I felt like I had asked a redundant question. In the apartment, it was just Ivan, Bonnie, and me. I was too drunk to know anything, so who else could have made breakfast?
Amidst this slightly awkward and embarrassing atmosphere, I finished the breakfast. It tasted great, just the atmosphere was somewhat stiff.
During this time, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Ivan Underwood of the previous life. Why has there been such a big change? How is it that he hasn’t developed even a slight interest in Azure Vaughn?
If this continues, I feel he might develop feelings for me, and that’s quite off track.
Just as the atmosphere remained subtly tense, the doorbell rang. Ivan got up to open the door, and since I was also done eating, I followed him to the living room, pondering over my departure.
"You’re home?" came Henry Preston’s voice, momentarily stunning both Ivan and me.
Ivan turned to look at me, while I was staring at the door, shocked. Why would Henry Preston come here?
He must know where Ivan lives. Given their relationship, visiting occasionally is normal, but I didn’t expect a three-way confrontation in this scenario.
Henry’s voice suddenly disappeared, his dark and cold eyes fixed on me, his pupils dilating slightly while scrutinizing the clothes I was wearing.
They were Ivan Underwood’s clothes.
"Why are you here?" He spoke again, but his tone exuded a dangerous aura, and his gaze became increasingly ominous.
"Just came for a meal." I saw no need to explain much to Henry, especially since I had finished my breakfast and was planning to leave. So, I said to Ivan, "Dr. Underwood, thank you for last night, I’m heading back now."
"Alright, be safe on the road," Ivan replied calmly, seemingly unperturbed by being discovered with his friend’s ex-wife.
I nodded, initially planning to leave things for Henry and Ivan to sort out. But guilt gnawed at me. Clearly, Ivan had done a good deed, and since nothing happened between us, it wouldn’t be fair for him to be misunderstood and burdened by unwanted pressure.
Therefore, I stopped and explained a bit, "Henry, there’s nothing between Ivan and me. I got too drunk last night, and Tiana asked him to come pick me up. Don’t misunderstand."
My explanation seemed to have little effect, as Henry’s expression didn’t lighten up but hinted at an impending storm instead.
"I didn’t drive. Could you give me a ride?" I said again.
"I’ll take you," Ivan quickly turned to get his car keys upon hearing this.
But I stopped him, "It’s alright, let Henry give me a lift."
Henry’s character would never tolerate any ambiguous relationship between Ivan and me, not even after our divorce, because they are best friends.
I genuinely feared causing Ivan unnecessary trouble, so it was better to take Henry away first.
"Alright, then I’m off to work," Ivan nevertheless took his car keys and told Henry, "Things are exactly as she said. If you don’t believe it, there’s nothing more we can do."
Henry maintained a stern expression, his lips tightly shut, uttering nothing more, just turning and walking away. I immediately followed suit.
In Henry’s car, the atmosphere was tense. I didn’t intend to continue explaining, so I closed my eyes to rest.
I thought he would just drive me home, but when I opened my eyes, I found we were at the hospital entrance, precisely where Ivan works.
