Chapter 1089

Ivy's body tensed for a split second, a storm of conflicting emotions flashing in her eyes. But almost immediately, she slipped into character, wrapping her arms around Bernie's waist. “Bernie, you’re drunk,” she said gently. “Let me help you to your room.” Bernie’s face lit up with a childlike grin. His head was spinning, his body feverish—but none of that mattered. Melanie was here. He leaned into Ivy, trusting her completely as she guided him to his room. The moment they stepped inside, before Ivy could even close the door, Bernie spun and pinned her against the wall. His sapphire eyes burned with desire as he whispered, “Melanie... may I kiss you?” Ivy's heart pounded. There was no denying Bernie was handsome—more striking than most Eastern men, with golden hair, sculpted features, and those piercing blue eyes that gave him the look of a Western dreamboat. Had she never met Frederick... had she not already given her heart to someone even more breathtaking... she might have been mov