Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 19: The Storm Before the Calm

The dawn light filtered through the cabin’s windows, casting a soft glow over Ivy and Lucien as they lay together in the quietude of the morning. The night had been filled with raw confessions and heartfelt promises, a fragile truce forged between them. They knew the real battle was just beginning, but for now, the world outside felt distant and irrelevant.

Lucien stirred first, his arm draped protectively over Ivy. He had barely slept, his mind still racing with the enormity of their situation. He could sense the resolve in Ivy, but he knew they needed to be prepared for the storm that awaited them back in the city.

“Ivy,” Lucien said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “We need to go back. There’s a lot to deal with, and we need to face it together.”

Ivy’s eyes fluttered open, and she met his gaze with a mixture of determination and apprehension. “I know. I’ve been thinking about how we’re going to handle everything—especially with the media, your parents, and Alessandra.”

Lucien nodded, squeezing her hand gently. “We’ll handle it step by step. First, we need to address the media. They’ve turned this into a circus, and we have to take control of the narrative.”

After a quick breakfast and a brief check-in with Celeste, who offered her support and promised to handle any immediate calls from the media, Ivy and Lucien packed up and drove back to the city. The journey was quiet, each of them lost in their thoughts as the familiar skyline came into view.

As they approached the penthouse, the reality of their situation hit them anew. The paparazzi were back in full force, their cameras flashing as they tried to capture any glimpse of the couple. Lucien’s face was set in grim determination as he guided Ivy inside, shielding her from the onslaught of questions and camera flashes.

Once inside, they retreated to Lucien’s office, where he had arranged for a private meeting with his legal team and a public relations expert. The room was filled with tension as they prepared for the media storm that was about to hit.

“Here’s what we’re going to do,” the PR expert said, a sharp-eyed woman named Samantha. “We’ll release a statement acknowledging the rumors and clarifying the situation. We’ll also address the issue of Alessandra and make it clear that her claims are false. It’s important to be transparent, but we also need to control the narrative.”

Lucien nodded, his jaw set. “And what about my mother’s involvement? She’s been at the center of this mess.”

Samantha’s expression remained professional. “We’ll address that delicately. It’s crucial to remain diplomatic but firm. The goal is to steer the conversation away from personal drama and focus on the facts.”

As the meeting wrapped up, Lucien turned to Ivy, his expression softening. “Are you ready for this? It’s going to be intense.”

Ivy took a deep breath, her resolve unwavering. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

Their statement was released to the press later that day, addressing the pregnancy and the false engagement rumors with a calm but assertive tone. Lucien made it clear that he and Ivy were committed to working through their challenges privately, and that any further speculation about their personal lives would be met with legal action.

The media response was predictable—some outlets supported their stance, while others continued to sensationalize the story. But the couple had taken the first step in reclaiming control over their narrative.

The next day, Lucien and Ivy attended a press conference where they faced a barrage of questions. Lucien spoke confidently, addressing the media’s concerns and asserting their right to privacy. Ivy stood beside him, her presence a silent testament to their commitment.

After the press conference, they returned to the penthouse, exhausted but resolute. Lucien’s parents were waiting for them, their expressions a mix of concern and disapproval. Evelyn’s eyes were cold, while Gregory’s were filled with a more subdued, but no less intense, disappointment.

“Lucien, Ivy,” Evelyn began, her voice frosty. “We’ve seen the statement. It seems there’s a lot of turmoil.”

Lucien’s jaw tightened. “Yes, Mother. There is. And much of it is due to the interference of people who should have respected our choices.”

Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. “You’re referring to Alessandra and me, aren’t you?”

Lucien’s gaze was unyielding. “Yes. I’m referring to both of you. You’ve had a hand in making this situation worse, and it needs to stop.”

Gregory stepped in, his voice calm but firm. “Lucien, we understand you’re upset. But you have to see things from our perspective. We only want what’s best for you.”

“Best for me?” Lucien’s voice rose, his anger barely contained. “If you truly wanted what’s best for me, you would have respected my choices and given me the space to make my own decisions. Instead, you’ve tried to control my life and my relationships.”

Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears, but she quickly masked them with a steely resolve. “I didn’t realize things had gotten so out of hand. But I’m not sure if this relationship with Ivy is what you truly want.”

Ivy took a step forward, her voice steady. “This relationship is exactly what Lucien wants. And if you care about him at all, you’ll support us and stop trying to tear us apart.”

Evelyn’s face hardened, but she remained silent. The tension in the room was palpable as Lucien and his parents faced off, the chasm between them widening.

Later that evening, as Lucien and Ivy sat together in the dimly lit living room, the weight of the day’s events pressed heavily on them. The drama with his parents, the media frenzy, and Alessandra’s continued interference had taken their toll.

“I didn’t expect things to get this messy,” Ivy said quietly, her voice tinged with exhaustion.

Lucien reached for her hand, his grip reassuring. “Neither did I. But we’re in this together, and we’ll get through it. I’ll make sure of that.”

Ivy’s eyes softened as she looked at him, a mixture of gratitude and weariness in her gaze. “Thank you, Lucien. For fighting for us.”

He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “Always. No matter what happens, I’m with you. We’ll face everything together.”

As they held each other close, the storm outside seemed a little less daunting. They knew there would be more challenges ahead, but for now, they found solace in each other’s arms, preparing for the battles that lay ahead.