Her Return, His Regret

At the Williams' mansion the next day...

Ivy dressed up in a gorgeous emerald green gown, ready for the engagement ceremony. Although she hadn't seen Ryan since Lora's kidnapping incident because he claimed to be busy, she didn't really care since Lora was gone for good now. Whether Ryan liked it or not, Ivy was the only one he could marry in this lifetime.

A smirk crossed her red-coloured lips as she stared at herself in the mirror. She was beautiful.

Her blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, her skin as fair as snow and her lips were shaped like a bow. She had beautiful green eyes that could make any man fall for her.

So, why didn't Ryan love her? Why did he only have eyes for Lora? Even when Lora had another man, Ryan still kept her in his heart.

Ivy frowned, irritation flaring through her at the thought. It didn't matter anyway... in the end, she was getting what she always wanted-power.

Being a Kingsley meant being the most powerful person in the city. She wanted to be better than everyone else.

"Ivy, are you done? The ceremony will start soon," Celine Williams, Ivy's mother, walked into Ivy's room and asked.

She paused when she saw Ivy standing by the floor-to-length mirror, her brows meeting. "Be careful. What if it was Ryan who entered your room? He would have found out about your legs."

Ivy glanced at her mother and replied, "Ryan would never come here looking for me, Mom. Unless it's to confront me about something."

Celine sighed. She got closer and took a hairbrush before helping Ivy smoothen her hair. As she did this, she glanced at her daughter through the mirror and asked, "So, how long do you intend to be in that wheelchair? Ryan is practically yours now. Are you going to spend the rest of your life in that chair?"

Ivy shook her head and replied, "No, Mom. After Ryan and I get married, Doctor Richard will miraculously find an expert Doctor who will manage to treat my legs and voila! I'll be able to walk again."

In Ivy's mind, as long as she was Mrs Kingsley, she didn't have to use her legs to make Ryan give in to her. Once it was official, she planned to get rid of the wheelchair and use her legs normally again. Celine frowned. She nodded and said, "That's a good plan. Just make sure no one finds out before that... the Kingsleys look like they are kind but they can be ruthless to those who offend them." "Don't worry, Mom. Due to the past that I share with Ryan... no matter what I do, he has no choice but to forgive me," Ivy remarked, a smug smirk on her lips.

Celine smiled. She placed the hairbrush on the vanity table before saying, "There, you're ready now. Let's go. I would have loved it if your husband-to-be would have come to pick you up himself." "Mom, don't concern yourself with that. What matters to me is becoming Mrs Kingsley... once my goal is reached, I can do anything I want to do," Ivy said, smiling proudly.

She thought in her mind, 'With Lora gone, Ryan is finally mine. Soon, it will be official.'

Ivy smirked at the memory of how smoothly everything went. Although her father had failed to attend Lora's funeral, it was obvious from the tight security at the Davis' mansion that they were in mourning.

They must have been devastated to lose their daughter whom they had found only a few years ago. A cruel look flashed through Ivy's eyes as she mused, 'Don't blame me, Lora. Blame yourself for falling for a man who wasn't meant to be yours.'

...

An hour later, Ivy, wearing a smug, satisfied smile of a victor, arrived at the venue with her parents.

She sat in her wheelchair with an air of triumph, moving around the hall like she owned the place. The elegant hall was packed this time... reporters from different media houses had been invited to cover the ceremony.

Although Ivy didn't know why Ryan would invite so many reporters, she was glad that he was now willing to show her off to everyone.

Perhaps this was his way of apologising for the way he left their ceremony a few days ago.

el?

Ivy smiled for the photographers, making sure they got as many pictures of her as possible. After all, tomorrow she would be on the front page of every newspaper. She looked around and found Ryan standing next to his friend, Adan Nicholson.

He was wearing a navy suit, looking as handsome as ever and he was talking to a few important guests.

She approached Ryan and the latter smiled when he saw her. He remarked, "The ceremony can now begin since you're now here."

The guests that Ryan was talking to looked at Ivy and said, "Congratulations on the engagement, Miss Williams."

Ivy smiled and replied, "Thank you... last time, something happened so we couldn't go through with it. Ryan had arranged a much bigger event this time as an apology... I hope you don't mind being invited to our ceremony twice." The guests smiled and shook their heads, saying, "Not at all. Mr Kingsley is like the God of Moonstone City. If he says jump, we jump, hahaha."

Ryan nodded at Ivy before walking towards the stage and silence fell over the place when he took the microphone and raised it to his lips.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you

for joining us again," Ryan began, his voice deep and calm. He glanced at Ivy, his face emotionless as he said, "I would like to invite Ivy Williams to the stage so we can officially get engaged."

The crowd erupted in applause and Ivy's heart soared high. Even though Ryan wasn't warm towards her, at least he was still going through with the ceremony.

She wheeled herself towards the stage and faced Ryan, a huge smile on her lips. "Finally, Ryan... you're going to fulfil your promise."

Ryan didn't reply to that. He cleared his throat and looked at Ivy before saying, "There's something I want to give you before we proceed... it's a special surprise from me to you. I hope you like it." Ivy blinked, her heart racing. A surprise?

She didn't expect this... Was he

going to give her a surprise gift in

е

front of everyone? That move would surely dispose of the rumours that Ryan didn't love her since everyone

was saying that when he abandoned their engagement ceremony a few days ago.

Ivy had a smug smile and made sure to keep her best angle for the pictures as she waited for her surprise.

Adan went up the stage and gave Ryan a box before returning to the audience.

Ryan glanced at Ivy and smiled before saying, "I need you to close your eyes for a moment... that way, this surprise will be more effective."

Ivy's heart beat heavily like a drum. She was so excited! What gift was it? A diamond necklace? Or maybe shares of the Kingsley group? She closed her eyes, her heart still racing in anticipation.

The crowd was silent, watching silently as Ryan did his thing. They too couldn't wait to see what gift Ryan had for Ivy.Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

Ryan opened the box and placed his gift on Ivy's lap. He smirked and urged, "Now you can open your eyes."

Ivy opened her eyes and the next thing she did was jump out of her wheelchair, screaming, "Ah! Get it off! Get it off! Ah!"