Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 14: Misunderstandings and Heartbreak

The days following Lucien’s meeting with Alessandra were strained but manageable. Ivy and Lucien had settled into a careful rhythm, navigating their relationship with quiet reassurances and a shared determination to move forward. Lucien had made it clear that he was done with Alessandra, and Ivy had believed him. But Alessandra wasn’t one to accept defeat easily, and Ivy’s instincts told her that the situation was far from over.

It was late on a Friday afternoon when the next storm hit. Ivy was finishing up a conference call in her office, reviewing the final details of an upcoming merger proposal. She was about to wrap up when Marissa appeared in her doorway again, looking more uneasy than before.

“Ivy, I’m sorry to interrupt,” Margo said, her voice tinged with concern. “But Alessandra is here again. She’s in Mr. Blackwood’s office.”

Ivy’s grip tightened on her phone. “Did she say why she’s here?”

Margo shook her head. “She didn’t give a reason, but she seemed… determined.”

Ivy nodded, her mind racing. She wrapped up her call as quickly as possible and made her way down the hall to Lucien’s office. Her heart pounded with every step, a mix of dread and irritation bubbling inside her. She had trusted Lucien, but Alessandra’s persistence was starting to wear on her patience.

When she reached Lucien’s office, the door was ajar. Ivy paused just outside, her breath hitching as she heard Alessandra’s voice—soft, pleading, and unmistakably familiar.

“I still love you, Lucien,” Alessandra was saying, her tone filled with an emotion that made Ivy’s stomach twist. “I’ve made mistakes, but I know now what I want. I’m not asking for much—just a chance.”

Ivy’s heart sank, her mind screaming at her to leave, to walk away and give Lucien the space to handle this. But her feet stayed rooted to the spot, and she couldn’t tear herself away from the unfolding scene.

Inside, Lucien’s voice was low and firm. “Alessandra, I’ve told you—I’m with Ivy now. I’m not interested in revisiting the past.”

Alessandra’s voice softened, a note of desperation creeping in. “I was scared, Lucien. I didn’t know what I had until it was gone. Can’t we at least talk about it? For old times’ sake?”

Ivy took a step closer, her view partially obscured by the doorframe. She could see Lucien standing by his desk, his posture tense and unyielding, while Alessandra stood closer than Ivy was comfortable with. The scene was enough to stir up a flurry of emotions—anger, jealousy, but mostly hurt. She watched as Alessandra reached out, placing a hand on Lucien’s arm, her expression imploring.

“Please, Lucien,” Alessandra whispered, her voice carrying the weight of years of unresolved feelings. “Just one kiss. For old times’ sake.”

Lucien shook his head, his voice strained with frustration. “Alessandra, no. This isn’t—”

But before he could finish, Alessandra closed the gap between them, pressing her lips to his in a sudden, forceful kiss. Ivy’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in disbelief. For a split second, Lucien didn’t move, too stunned by the unexpected kiss to react. But as the shock wore off, he pushed Alessandra away, his expression a mixture of anger and disbelief.

“Enough, Alessandra!” Lucien snapped, his voice sharp. “This is not happening. You need to leave.”

But Ivy didn’t hear Lucien’s words. She had already turned on her heel, her heart pounding as she walked swiftly back down the hallway. Tears blurred her vision, and she didn’t stop until she reached the stairwell, where she leaned against the cool wall, struggling to catch her breath.