Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 20: Breaking Point

The first light of dawn filtered through the curtains of the penthouse, casting a pale glow across the room where Ivy lay curled up on the bed, clutching a bucket. The past few weeks had been a blur of media chaos and family drama, but now, the physical toll of her pregnancy was taking its own harsh turn.

Severe morning sickness had taken hold of her, leaving her weak and constantly nauseated. Nothing seemed to stay down, and her once-vibrant energy had dwindled to a mere whisper. Lucien had been attentive, but the situation was taking its toll on both of them. He had tried to balance work, media scrutiny, and caring for Ivy, but the strain was evident.

Evelyn, trying to make amends, had taken to visiting the penthouse more frequently. Her attempts to help were a mix of genuine concern and residual guilt, though her presence was often met with tension from Ivy. Meanwhile, Gregory had grown increasingly agitated, his patience wearing thin as he watched the fallout from Evelyn’s actions.

Today, Evelyn arrived early, her arms laden with bags of groceries and herbal remedies she hoped would ease Ivy’s symptoms. She approached the bedroom with a soft knock and entered, her expression a blend of hope and apprehension.

“I brought some things that might help,” Evelyn said gently, placing the bags on the bedside table. “I thought you might like to try some of these teas and snacks. They’re supposed to be good for nausea.”

Ivy managed a weak smile, her strength failing her as she struggled to sit up. “Thank you, Evelyn. I appreciate the thought.”

Evelyn’s face softened with relief as she reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Ivy’s face. “I know things have been difficult between us, but I want you to know that I’m here to help. I want to make things right.”

As Evelyn busied herself preparing a cup of tea, Gregory stormed into the room, his face a mask of frustration. He had been trying to stay out of the drama, but the constant tension and Evelyn’s persistent efforts to rectify her mistakes had finally pushed him to his breaking point.

“This is ridiculous,” Gregory snapped, his eyes blazing with anger. “We’ve bent over backwards trying to fix this mess, and it seems like nothing we do makes a difference. I can’t believe Evelyn’s interference has caused all this chaos.”

Evelyn shot him a warning look, but Gregory’s frustration was palpable. “We’re trying to support Ivy and Lucien, but we’re constantly met with resistance. It’s exhausting.”

Lucien, who had been in the adjoining office, overheard the argument and stormed in, his own anger simmering just below the surface. “We’re all exhausted, Dad. But fighting amongst ourselves isn’t going to solve anything. We need to be a united front, especially now.”

Gregory’s eyes narrowed. “You think I don’t understand that? I’m just tired of the constant drama. We need to focus on what really matters—helping Ivy get through this pregnancy.”

Evelyn’s face was a mask of strained calmness as she tried to interject. “We are trying to help, Gregory. But we also need to respect their wishes and give them space.”

Lucien’s frustration reached its peak. “Respecting their wishes means not creating more stress. Mom, I appreciate your efforts, but you’ve made things worse by trying to control everything. And Dad, we need your support, not your anger.”

Ivy, feeling overwhelmed by the escalating tension, struggled to hold back tears. “Please, everyone. I’m already feeling terrible, and this fighting isn’t helping. Can we just focus on getting through this?”

Her voice broke the tension momentarily, and both Evelyn and Gregory looked at her with a mix of guilt and concern. Lucien moved to Ivy’s side, offering her a comforting embrace.

“I’m sorry, Ivy,” he said softly, his voice laced with regret. “This wasn’t supposed to be this way.”

Evelyn, clearly moved by Ivy’s distress, approached and handed her the cup of tea with a trembling hand. “Please try this. It might help a little.”

Ivy accepted the tea, her fingers brushing against Evelyn’s in a gesture of reluctant gratitude. “Thank you, Evelyn. I’ll try.”

Gregory, seeing the strain on Ivy’s face, finally softened. “We just want to see you healthy and happy. We’ll do our best to support you, even if it means stepping back a bit.”

The room fell into a tense silence as Ivy sipped the tea, the bitterness mingling with her nausea. Lucien stayed by her side, his expression a mix of determination and worry. The situation was far from resolved, but for the moment, they needed to focus on Ivy’s well-being and navigating the complex dynamics of their family.

As the day wore on, the family dynamic remained strained, but there was a fragile sense of unity. Evelyn’s attempts to mend fences were met with cautious acceptance, while Gregory’s anger slowly subsided as he recognized the need for a more supportive approach.

Ivy lay back in bed, feeling a bit more at ease despite the turmoil surrounding her. Lucien sat beside her, his hand gently resting on her abdomen. They had a long road ahead, filled with challenges and difficult conversations, but they were determined to face it together.

“I’m going to make this right, Ivy,” Lucien said quietly, his gaze fixed on her. “No matter what it takes, I’ll make sure we get through this.”

Ivy nodded, her eyes reflecting both hope and exhaustion. “I believe you, Lucien. I just need to focus on getting better.”

As the evening settled in, the penthouse was quiet, the earlier tensions giving way to a tentative calm. Ivy’s health was the priority, and everyone, despite their differences, was united in their desire to support her through this difficult time.

Lucien knew that the path ahead would be fraught with obstacles, but with Ivy’s strength and his commitment, he was determined to navigate the storm and build a future for their growing family.