Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 16: The Unraveling

Lucien’s parents, Henry and Evelyn Blackwood, were not ones to shy away from the spotlight, and their arrival in New York was nothing short of a spectacle. They had flown in from their estate in France, landing with an entourage of staff and luxury vehicles that made their presence impossible to ignore. For Lucien, their visit was poorly timed, but he wasn’t surprised. His parents had always been experts at inserting themselves into his life at the most inconvenient moments.

The timing of their arrival wasn’t coincidental, either. News of Lucien’s supposed rekindled romance with Alessandra had spread like wildfire, and Evelyn, ever the socialite, was delighted by the idea of her son finally reuniting with the woman she had always seen as the perfect daughter-in-law.

As soon as they arrived at the Blackwood penthouse, Evelyn wasted no time in making her opinions known. Lucien barely had a chance to greet them before his mother launched into a tirade of questions, her excitement bubbling over.

“Darling, I saw the photos! You and Alessandra look wonderful together,” Evelyn gushed, her eyes sparkling with delight. “I always knew you two would find your way back to each other. Isn’t it wonderful, Henry?”

Henry nodded absently, more focused on his phone than the conversation. He had never been as invested in Lucien’s personal life as Evelyn was, but even he knew better than to argue when his wife was on a mission.

Lucien forced a tight smile, his frustration barely contained. “Mother, it’s not what you think. Alessandra and I are not back together.”

Evelyn waved a dismissive hand, clearly not listening. “Oh, don’t be modest, Lucien. I’ve always said she’s the one for you. All those silly flings you’ve had—they were never right for you. But Alessandra… She’s family. She belongs with us.”

Lucien’s patience was wearing thin, and he struggled to keep his voice calm. “Alessandra isn’t family, and she never will be again. I’m with Ivy now, and that’s not changing.”

Evelyn’s expression faltered, her enthusiasm dimming as she finally took in Lucien’s serious tone. “Ivy? The assistant you’ve been seeing?” Her voice was sharp with disapproval. “Lucien, darling, you can’t be serious. She’s not… well, she’s not our kind of people.”

Lucien’s jaw clenched. “Ivy is everything to me. And I won’t have you or anyone else dismissing her like that.”

But Evelyn wasn’t about to be deterred. “Lucien, you have to think of your future, your legacy. A woman like Alessandra understands our world. She’s elegant, refined—everything a Blackwood needs in a partner. Ivy… She’s charming, I suppose, but she doesn’t fit. She never will.”

Lucien turned away, his frustration boiling over. “This isn’t up for debate, Mother. Ivy is the woman I love, and that’s the end of it.”

Evelyn’s expression hardened, her lips pressing into a thin line. “We’ll see about that,” she muttered under her breath, determined to push her agenda, regardless of Lucien’s wishes.

Later that evening, Lucien found Ivy sitting on the balcony of her apartment, staring out at the city lights with a distant look in her eyes. She hadn’t expected to see Lucien, especially after their recent tension, but he had shown up unannounced, his expression a mix of frustration and determination.

“Ivy,” Lucien said softly, stepping onto the balcony. “I needed to see you.”

Ivy turned to face him, her eyes guarded. “What is it, Lucien?”

“My parents are in town,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “They saw the news about Alessandra, and my mother is… well, she’s thrilled at the idea of us getting back together. She doesn’t know about us, not really.”