Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 17: When It All Falls Apart

Ivy stood in the doorway of her apartment, her hands trembling as she turned the key. The weight of the last few days was crushing her from all sides, and she felt like she was barely keeping her head above water. Lucien’s world was consuming her, and she could feel herself drowning in the chaos of it all—his parents, Alessandra, the relentless scrutiny of the media. And then there was the secret she was carrying, growing inside her with every passing day.

She had taken more pregnancy tests just to be sure, each one confirming what she already knew. Ivy was pregnant with Lucien’s child, and now, on top of everything else, she was faced with the biggest decision of her life. She hadn’t told Lucien yet, too overwhelmed by his mother’s words, Alessandra’s meddling, and the tangled mess of their relationship.

Just as she was about to step inside, her phone buzzed with a call from her best friend, Celeste. Relieved to hear a familiar voice, Ivy answered, hoping for a momentary escape from the storm brewing around her.

“Ivy, have you seen the latest?” Celeste’s voice was strained, urgency lacing her words.

Ivy’s heart sank. “What now?”

Celeste hesitated before responding, her tone laced with concern. “There’s a new headline. Alessandra’s been giving interviews, saying she and Lucien are rekindling their romance. There’s even a picture of her wearing what looks like an engagement ring.”

Ivy’s stomach dropped. She fumbled for the remote and turned on the TV, flipping to the entertainment news channel. There it was, splashed across the screen: “Billionaire Lucien Blackwood Engaged to Alessandra Ravelli? Ex-Lovers Reunite!”

Her blood ran cold as she stared at the images—Alessandra smiling coyly, flashing a sparkling diamond ring, and Lucien’s face in a photo taken at some event Ivy hadn’t even known about. She knew the narrative was fabricated, a twisted lie designed to suit Alessandra’s agenda, but the damage was done. It was out there for the world to see, and there was no way to undo it.

Ivy turned off the TV, her hands shaking with a mixture of fury and heartbreak. The ring wasn’t from Lucien, she knew that much, but Alessandra’s manipulation was working. She was successfully planting seeds of doubt and confusion in Ivy’s mind, and Ivy hated that it was getting to her.

Just then, her phone buzzed again. This time it was a text from Lucien: “Ivy, I need to see you. Please let me explain.”

Ivy stared at the message, conflicted. She wanted to believe Lucien, to trust him and lean on him through this turmoil, but everything was so twisted now. She couldn’t tell what was real and what was just another one of Alessandra’s schemes. Lucien’s parents had made it clear where they stood, and Ivy was beginning to feel like she was fighting a losing battle.

But despite her misgivings, Ivy agreed to meet Lucien, needing answers to the questions that were tearing her apart. They met at a quiet café away from the prying eyes of the media. Lucien was already there when she arrived, looking as haggard as she felt.

“Ivy,” he started, his voice thick with desperation. “I swear, I have no idea how that ring ended up on Alessandra’s finger. She’s playing games, and I’m trying to shut it down, but—”

Ivy held up a hand, her expression steely. “Lucien, it’s not just the ring. It’s everything. Your mother coming to my office, telling me I’ll never be enough. Alessandra showing up everywhere, feeding lies to the media… I’m exhausted.”

Lucien reached across the table, his eyes pleading. “Ivy, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for all of it. My mother, Alessandra—they don’t get to decide who I’m with. I want you. I love you.”

Ivy’s resolve wavered, but the weight of her secret pressed heavily on her chest. She was pregnant, and this wasn’t just about them anymore. It was about the future of their child, and she needed to know that Lucien could be there, fully and completely, without the constant interference of his past.

“I can’t keep doing this,” Ivy said, her voice breaking. “I can’t keep wondering if Alessandra’s going to show up or if your mother’s going to keep pushing me out. It’s too much, Lucien.”

Lucien looked stricken. “I’ll fix this, Ivy. I promise. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this right. Just don’t give up on us.”

Before Ivy could respond, the café door swung open, and a flurry of flashing cameras burst in. Paparazzi, alerted by some tip-off, crowded around their table, firing off questions about Alessandra, the supposed engagement, and their relationship. Ivy’s head spun as the barrage of questions overwhelmed her, and she struggled to keep her composure.

Lucien jumped to his feet, shielding Ivy from the cameras. “Back off!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. “This is private! Get out!”

But the paparazzi ignored him, pushing closer as they snapped photo after photo. Ivy’s anxiety spiked, and she felt the room closing in around her. This was exactly what she had feared—being dragged into the circus that was Lucien’s public life, her every move scrutinized and exploited.

Lucien managed to push his way through the crowd, pulling Ivy along with him. They burst out onto the street, the cool air hitting them like a shock. Ivy’s breaths came in ragged gasps, tears stinging her eyes as she tried to process what had just happened.

“I’m sorry,” Lucien said, his voice rough. “I didn’t know they’d find us here.”

Ivy shook her head, her frustration boiling over. “It’s not just about the cameras, Lucien. It’s about everything. I can’t keep living like this.”

Lucien reached for her, but Ivy pulled back, her decision made. “I need space,” she said, her voice firm. “Real space. I need to figure out what I want, without all of this noise.”

Lucien looked like he’d been punched in the gut. “Ivy, please. Don’t shut me out.”

But Ivy was already walking away, her heart breaking with every step. She needed to protect herself, and now, more than ever, she needed to protect the life growing inside her. She couldn’t afford to be swept up in Lucien’s world of drama and deceit, not when she had so much more at stake.

Meanwhile, back at the Blackwood penthouse, Evelyn was fuming. The media frenzy around Lucien and Alessandra’s supposed engagement was exactly the kind of publicity she thrived on, but the fallout with Ivy was threatening to derail her plans. She had never liked Ivy, and the idea of her becoming part of the Blackwood family was unacceptable. Alessandra, on the other hand, was perfect in Evelyn’s eyes—a poised, polished socialite who knew how to play the game.

Evelyn dialed Alessandra, her voice sharp as she spoke. “This needs to be handled. I’ve done my part. Now you make sure Ivy’s out of the picture for good.”

Alessandra’s laugh was cold. “Don’t worry, Evelyn. Ivy’s on her way out. Lucien’s too blinded by his misplaced loyalty, but he’ll see sense soon enough. I’ll make sure of it.”

Unbeknownst to them, Lucien had overheard the conversation as he entered the penthouse. His eyes darkened with fury, and he stormed into the room, his gaze locking onto his mother.

“How could you?” Lucien’s voice was icy, his anger barely contained. “You’ve been conspiring with Alessandra this whole time?”

Evelyn’s eyes widened, but she quickly recovered, her expression hardening. “I’m doing what’s best for you, Lucien. For our family. You don’t belong with someone like Ivy.”

Lucien’s rage erupted. “You don’t get to decide that! You’ve crossed a line, and if you think I’m going to let you and Alessandra manipulate my life, you’re sorely mistaken.”

Evelyn’s face turned pale, but Lucien was already storming out, his mind set on one thing: finding Ivy and making things right. He wasn’t about to lose her—not to Alessandra, not to his mother, and certainly not to the drama that had been tearing them apart.

As he raced through the streets of New York, Lucien knew he was fighting against the clock. Ivy needed him now more than ever, and he wasn’t going to let her walk away without a fight. But with Alessandra’s scheming and Evelyn’s meddling, Lucien had to face the reality that this battle was far from over. And if he didn’t act fast, he might lose the only woman who had ever truly mattered to him.