Cheating By The Rules | Harry Styles AU (ongoing)

chapter 33

The past three weeks had been an insane whirlwind. My days had settled into a mundane routine, each one blending into the next. I'd wake up very early to go for a run, which gave me a moment of peace before it all started.

After my run, I'd take a quick shower, get dressed, and have a simple breakfast. Then I was off to work, and my days at the office were unbelievably hectic, filled with meetings and deadlines. A constant buzz of activity kept my mind off certain things that didn't need my immediate attention. Lunch was often a quick bite at my desk, and before I knew it, the day was over, and it was time to head to my parents' house. Once I had finished all my tasks there, I headed home and got ready for bed. There were barely any hours left in the day to focus on myself, except in the morning.

Despite my packed daily schedule, I still managed to find motivation to keep going. My mother's recovery was going well, and I was happy to see her heal. Nonetheless, it was sometimes still difficult to see her struggling with the simplest tasks. However, I knew it would take time to get back to how it was before. So, in the meantime, I helped with the laundry, cleaned the house, and made sure dinner was on the table.

My father had gone back to work, and I didn't want to burden him with the tasks my mother usually handled. Luckily, he did bring her to her check-ups in between his appointments. Jace came around, too. He fixed things or joined us for dinner, but there were moments he was hanging out with friends instead of being with us. It was mostly up to me to keep everything running smoothly.

I could get mad at him for not visiting them daily, but he wasn't committing a crime. He was simply moving on with his life while still coming around to see how my mother was doing or if my father needed some help. I was the one who had a hard time letting go of taking care of my mother, and even if it was exhausting, I found it hard to stop.

I needed to make sure everything was perfect, that my mother had everything she needed, and my father wasn't overwhelmed. It was a delicate balance, and I was constantly walking a tightrope.

Perhaps I felt the need to take care of them because I had spent less time with them during the years I was married to Jace. Their constant praise towards him wasn't easy to hear each time I was with them, but now I wasn't going to be mad about those words because I should be grateful they were still around. Both of them.

As a result of these weeks passing by, Christmas was just around the corner. It was the last day before all of my employees were going to enjoy a short break from work. The office was buzzing with excitement, and everyone was eager to finish up and head home to their friends and family. I was running around, determined to make sure everything was dealt with, wanting to ensure that everyone's break – including mine – could be peaceful.

I had several meetings lined up, the first one with Chris Howard.

"Good morning, Ivy," he greeted me as I entered my office.

"Hi Chris," I responded. "I'm so sorry you had to wait for a bit. There was something urgent I had to take care of first." I sat down and took a sip of my coffee, which had gotten cold because of my absence.

"Everything all right?" he questioned.

"Yeah, it is now," I shared, shooting him a kind smile. "Before we start, I must thank you for bringing me to that café when I bumped into you after my run. It has been my favorite ever since."

His face lit up. "I'm happy you like it."

"Their coffee blend is amazing," I emphasized.

"Well, they are going to add a new one to their menu," Chris said. "I'm not sure when, but the barista told me the owner wants to serve another. And seeing they are selecting the finest, I'm sure this one is going to be a success as well."