Trish swiped at her cheeks. "I’m... God, I’m so sorry, Ivy. This is all my fault."

"Hey." Ivy blinked weakly, the faintest crease appearing between her brows. "Don’t say that."

"I have to. I wasn’t kidnapped, Ivy. I wasn’t even touched. I was safe the whole time. And I was the one who told everyone you got cold feet. I started it. If I hadn’t—if I had just thought—maybe they would’ve looked for you sooner."

"I would think the same too," Ivy whispered, her voice cracking like thin glass. "I was so scared, Trish."

Tears streamed freely down her cheeks, tracing paths through the faint bruising along her jaw.

"Oh, I know, love. I know." Trish bent forward, resting her forehead against Ivy’s. Her fingers threaded gently through Ivy’s hair. "God, you look like hell, darling. But you’re here. That’s what matters." She tried to smile. There was so much she should have questioned, so many signs she had missed.

"How is Winn?" Ivy asked.

Trish exhaled shakily. "He’s still in denial, I think. Ivy, what the hell is going on? Who did this to you?"

Ivy’s eyes fluttered closed, her lashes trembling. "Someone wanted to keep me from marrying Winn." She swallowed. "I think it’s his father."

Trish straightened, eyes widening. "Then let’s tell Winn. That man would bleed for you, Ivy."

"That’s not going to happen," Evans’ deep voice cut across the fragile air. He’d been silent so long they had forgotten he was even there.

Trish turned sharply. "Mr. Everest, with all due respect—"

"I truly appreciate what you’ve done for me," Ivy interrupted softly, "for taking care of me and my mother, but—"

Evans rose from the chair, his height seeming to fill the room. "I don’t want your thanks," he said gruffly. "I don’t want it. You’re my niece, Ivy. Blood." His gaze softened as he approached her bedside. "This isn’t the circumstance I wanted to find you in." He stopped short.

Trish crossed her arms, her sharp tongue barely restrained. "You don’t get to decide how she lives her life. Ivy has been through enough—"

Evans sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I’m not trying to control her, Trish. Hell, I’m begging her. For the sake of your mother... and—" He caught himself, jaw tightening, the unfinished thought hanging thickly in the room.

Evans shook his head. "Just... give me time. Time to find out who wanted to hurt you. After that, you can do whatever you want. Hell, I’ll sponsor and bankroll another wedding for you."

"He is right, babes." Trish said softly.

Ivy’s throat tightened. "But I know who hurt me. Tom sent those men. It was Winn’s father. He’s the only one who doesn’t want me marrying Winn." Her lips quivered as she tried to hold herself together. "He said it himself — that I wasn’t good enough for his son."

Evans sighed. "Ivy," he said gently. "Tom is the most diabolical man I know. He doesn’t operate with half-measures. It’s the reason he isn’t so successful in business — too impulsive, too vindictive. But if Tom wanted to have you killed, sugar, you’d be dead. Believe me."

Trish winced at his bluntness. "Well, that’s comforting," she muttered under her breath.

Evans gave her a side glance. "I’m not saying Tom isn’t involved," he continued. "But I don’t want to risk being wrong. When you chase a snake, Ivy, make sure you know where its head is — not just the tail writhing in the dust."

Ivy swallowed, her lips parting with a shaky breath. "Then who else would want to keep me away from Winn?" she asked quietly, eyes darting between them.

Evans’ gaze darkened with thought. "Do you know the top five wealthiest families in New York?" he asked finally.

"Oh! Oh! I know this one!" Trish exclaimed, nearly bouncing in her chair.

Even Ivy, despite her exhaustion, gave a small laugh. "Trish—" she started warningly, smacking her friend’s arm lightly.

"What?" Trish said with mock innocence, rubbing the spot. "I want to marry a millionaire, okay? I do research."

Trish straightened dramatically, turning back to Evans. "Montgomery, Courtland, Everest—" she pointed to him with a mischievous grin, "Orchard, and Rothschild."

Evans gave a slow clap. "Not bad, Ms. Gold Digger."

She flipped her hair, unoffended. "Ambitious dreamer, thank you very much."

"And which family tops that list?" he asked.

Trish’s hand shot up again. "Orchard!" she declared.

"Winn’s mother," Evans said slowly, watching the realization dawn on them, "is an Orchard."

There was a brief pause before Trish shrieked, "Holy Moses!!! Did you know this?"

Ivy nodded, her head sinking slightly against the pillow. "I knew," she said softly.

"The entire wealth of the Orchards rides on Winn’s marriage. There are people — close family, extended relatives, business partners — who see him as a key. A way to control the Orchard fortune. You’re an addition they wouldn’t want. And that makes you a threat."

Ivy’s hands tightened around the bedsheet. "So what, I’m supposed to sit here and wait while someone out there plans my next murder attempt? Winn doesn’t even know I’m carrying his child."

"Excuse me!!!" Trish squealed, clutching her chest. "I’m sorry — WHAT? You’re having a baby?"

Ivy flushed. "Yeah," she murmured. "I just found out myself."

"I’m sending you and your mother to England as soon as you’re both well enough to travel. You’ll be safe there. No one will know your location. Not even Winn."

Ivy’s lips parted in disbelief. "You want me to disappear? Just like that?"

"I want you to live," he said. "Let me handle things here. Find out who came for you. Then, if there’s still a world left that won’t destroy you for loving Winn, I’ll bring you back to it myself."

"You’re not sending me anywhere," Ivy said. "As soon as I’m one hundred percent, I’ll call Winn. I will not have him think I broke his heart. The best I can do is promise you that I’ll stay hidden. In town, not continents away."