Chapter 21

The waves crashed against the shore, a rhythmic chant that played in tune with my racing heart. We were alone, Aidan and I, quietly eating breakfast.

"Spit it out, Ivy," he said, his voice low and steady. His blue eyes were like chips of ice, piercing through me. "You clearly have something to say."

I swallowed hard, my fingers curling into my palms. "Why did you bring me here, Aidan? What's the real reason for this fake honeymoon?" My voice trembled.

He had told me he wanted to bring me because he needed my help looking less suspicious. But the more time I spent here, the more I was starting to doubt his intentions.

"Look, Ivy," he began, his voice carrying a casualness that clashed with the gravity of the moment. His eyes stayed fixed on the horizon, not meeting mine. "I brought you here because... well, I guess I wanted your company and to have sex."