Undressed By His Arrogance-Chapter 230: So How Does This Work?

His eyes warmed, studying her face. "So how does this work?" he asked playfully. "Do I kiss you or something?"

"If you have to ask," Ivy teased, "then maybe you aren’t so sure."

"Excuse me for wanting to be a gentleman," Eugene huffed dramatically. He lifted his hand—slowly and cupped her face.

The warmth of his palm spread across her cheek, startling her with how gentle he was. His thumb brushed her skin.

"I am afraid though," he admitted quietly.

Ivy’s brows softened. "Of what?" she murmured.

He swallowed. "Of falling... and you not being there when I land."

"Live in the present," she whispered.

Eugene leaned in, closing his eyes. His lips brushed hers, gentle in a way that didn’t demand anything. When he pulled away, he ran his thumb over her cheekbone lightly and sighed.

"Yup," he declared, nodding. "Lots of damage."

Ivy burst into laughter, snatching her soda to hide the flush creeping up her neck. She sipped, the bubbles tingling her throat. And at the back of mind, she saw Winn’s face. That deep, feral intensity in his eyes when he used to kiss her.

*****

Winn met Sylvia at home when he arrived. The moment he stepped into the living room, he stopped dead.

"Wow! You have been busy," he said, blinking at the transformation. A brand-new TV mounted on the wall, new dining set, fresh lamps, modern standing lights, new chandeliers.

"I can’t live like this. It’s a mess."

"Listen," he started, lowering his voice, "I need to apologise for yesterday. I shouldn’t have asked you to do that. I’m sorry."

"It’s fine," she said. "But you wouldn’t be apologising if you didn’t have another way out, Winn. I know you."

"I’ve decided to leave it up to Maurice," he admitted, walking past her to inspect the new chandeliers. "Besides... what’s the use? There is no prospect of me getting back with Ivy so... I’ll just let the divorce take its course. She is safer away from me. Besides, she is seeing someone."

Sylvia’s eyes went wide—wild, affronted, and personally offended on a spiritual level.

"Ivy is seeing someone?!" she snapped. She and Evans had a plan. Get Winn and Ivy back together. She looks after Elizabeth while Tom finds anything and everything to take Tom down. It was simple.

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Speaking of seeing someone... what is it with you and the men I work with? First it was Joey, now you’ve got your claws in Reese."

Sylvia gasped. "I do not have my claws in Reese!"

A beat.

"...yet! I just needed advice from him."

Winn stared. "From Reese? Since when can’t you talk to me?"

Sylvia hesitated.

"Actually... it’s about you."

Winn stiffened. "About last night?"

"No." Sylvia exhaled shakily. This was it. The moment she’d been dreading. "He advised that I tell you some things to keep you from spiraling even further, but..." She swallowed hard. "I’m afraid that when I do tell you, it won’t stop you. It will fuel you."

Winn shrugged off his jacket. "Syl... what’s going on?"

Instinctively, she took a step back.

"Remember when I eloped from rehab?" she asked.

"Yeah. What does that have to do with anything?"

Sylvia rubbed her arms. Her eyes darted away, refusing to meet his.

"Dad asked me for a favour. He wanted me to get... he wanted me to link you up with Sharona so you could marry her." Sylvia announced. She clutched her hands together, fingers white and fidgety, waiting for the eruption she knew was coming.

Winn went absolutely still. The veins along his neck pulsed.

"I didn’t want to do it. Winn, I promise." Sylvia rushed forward. "But he told me he could get me back with Joey..." Her throat tightened, shame forcing her shoulders inward. "I know it sounds stupid, I know, but I wasn’t thinking. I wanted— I thought—" She swallowed hard. "I thought maybe I could get my old life back."

"What the fuck?! You... you teamed up with Tom to manipulate me? For Joey?"

"Winn... I wasn’t thinking clearly at the time. I... I missed Joey. I wanted him back!" Sylvia tried to argue. She made a helpless gesture with her hands as if rearranging the air could rewrite her mistake.

"He was married!!!" Winn shouted, and the wild energy vibrating off him made the temperature in the room spike.

"I know!" Sylvia cried. "That was why I agreed to it. And then Ivy came along..."

"Stop talking!" Winn snapped, lifting a hand sharply. "Stop right now. Because I swear to God—"

"Winn, I have to do this!" Sylvia shouted over him, tears finally breaking loose. "I can’t keep lying. I can’t keep pretending. I have to say it, even if you— even if you never forgive me."

Winn’s self-control shattered. He stormed toward her angrily, every step heavy with fury. In one swift, instinctive motion, he grabbed her by the neck and slammed her back against the closest wall.

Sylvia’s breath stuttered.

"I will ask you this," Winn growled, his face inches from hers. "And I will ask it only once." His fingers tightened slightly. "Did you have a hand in what happened to Ivy?"

"Winn, you are hurting me!!!" Sylvia shouted. Her back pressed harder into the wall behind her. Sylvia’s legs trembled under her from the weight of everything crushing down on her: guilt, fear, and the knowledge that she’d finally pushed Winn to a place he never wanted to go.

"Answer me!" Winn thundered.

"No, I swear no!" Sylvia cried, her nails digging into his skin. Her panic was real. Her eyes were wide, glossy with tears that smeared her mascara.

Winn released her suddenly, pulling his hand back as if her skin had burned him. Sylvia sagged forward, coughing, clutching at her throat. He stepped away, but not far—just enough to stop himself from doing something he’d regret.

"I asked Dad if he had anything to do with it, I threatened him even..." Sylvia forced out. She leaned against the wall for support, her knees still unsteady. Tears streaked down her face as she spoke.