Billionaire's Hidden Desire**

Chapter 24: Overwhelmed and Overwrought

Two weeks had passed since Lucien’s departure, and the penthouse had become a place of strained silence and mounting tension. Ivy's health had shown some improvement, but the absence of her partner weighed heavily on her. The hormonal fluctuations of pregnancy had intensified, amplifying her emotional state to a breaking point.

Celeste had been a constant presence, trying her best to offer support and comfort. Evelyn and Henry had been doing their best to help, but the stress of the situation had begun to take its toll on everyone. The penthouse was now a battleground of nerves and emotions.

Ivy sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes swollen from crying. She had spent the past hour sobbing uncontrollably, her emotions spiraling out of control. The constant stress, combined with her fluctuating hormones, had left her feeling completely overwhelmed. She felt like a storm was raging inside her, with no way to calm the tempest.

Evelyn knocked gently before entering, her face etched with concern. “Ivy, are you alright? I heard you crying and wanted to check in.”

Ivy looked up, her face a mask of frustration and exhaustion. “I’m not alright, Evelyn. Everything is just too much. I miss Lucien, and I feel like I’m falling apart. I don’t know how to handle all this.”

Evelyn approached cautiously, sitting beside Ivy and placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I understand it’s difficult. We’re all doing our best to support you, but it’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. You’re going through a lot right now.”

Ivy’s eyes flashed with irritation. “It’s easy for you to say! You’re not the one stuck here, trying to deal with everything alone. Lucien should be here, not off on some trip while I’m left to manage this mess!”

Evelyn flinched at the outburst but remained calm. “I know you’re angry and frustrated. We’re all trying to help, but lashing out won’t make things better.”

Before Ivy could respond, Henry entered the room, his face taut with stress. “Evelyn, I need to talk to you. There’s been an issue with the media coverage. They’re still digging into the scandal with Alessandra, and it’s causing more trouble.”

Evelyn nodded, her gaze shifting between Henry and Ivy. “I’ll handle it. Ivy, try to take it easy. We’ll get through this.”

As Evelyn and Henry left the room, Celeste entered, her eyes filled with concern. “Ivy, I know things are rough right now. Let’s try to focus on something that might help you feel a little better. Maybe a walk or some fresh air?”

Ivy shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t have the energy for that. Everything feels so heavy, and I just want Lucien to be here with me. I don’t know how to cope without him.”

Celeste’s face softened with empathy. “I understand. It’s tough being apart, especially when you need him the most. But we’re here for you, and we’ll get through this together.”

As the days dragged on, Ivy’s mood swings became more pronounced. She snapped at Celeste over minor issues, and her irritability strained her interactions with Evelyn and Henry. The once-supportive environment now felt charged with tension, and Ivy’s emotional state seemed to be spiraling further out of control.

One afternoon, as Ivy was attempting to prepare a simple meal, she became frustrated when the kitchen timer malfunctioned. The incident, seemingly trivial, ignited a furious outburst. She slammed the timer on the counter, sending it crashing to the floor.

“I can’t even cook without everything going wrong!” Ivy yelled, her voice echoing through the penthouse. “Why can’t anything go right?”

Celeste, who had been quietly tidying up, approached with a cautious demeanor. “Ivy, it’s okay. Let’s just take a moment to calm down.”

But Ivy’s anger flared. “No, it’s not okay! Nothing is okay! I’m tired of pretending I’m fine when everything is falling apart. I feel like I’m losing my mind!”

Evelyn entered the kitchen, her face a mix of frustration and concern. “Ivy, you need to control yourself. We’re all trying to help, but your outbursts are making it harder for everyone.”

Ivy’s face flushed with embarrassment and rage. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

Before she could finish, Henry walked in, his own patience worn thin. “This isn’t helping. We’re all under a lot of stress, and we need to work together. Yelling at us won’t solve anything.”

The argument escalated quickly, each person expressing their frustrations and helplessness. The tension reached a breaking point as Ivy, overwhelmed and exhausted, slumped into a chair, her tears flowing freely.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I just don’t know how to handle all of this.”

The room fell into a heavy silence, the air thick with unresolved emotions. Celeste moved to Ivy’s side, wrapping her in a comforting embrace. Evelyn and Henry looked on, their expressions softening as they recognized the depth of Ivy’s distress.

“We’re here for you, Ivy,” Celeste said softly. “We know it’s hard, but we’ll get through this. Lucien will be back soon, and until then, we’re your family. We’ll help you through this.”

Evelyn nodded in agreement. “We’ll support you, no matter what. Just remember, we’re all in this together.”

As the evening approached, the penthouse was filled with a subdued, weary calm. The earlier confrontation had left everyone emotionally drained, but there was a sense of understanding that had emerged from the chaos.

Ivy lay in bed, the weight of her emotions still heavy on her shoulders. She knew the situation was far from perfect, but the support of those around her offered a glimmer of hope. Lucien’s return was still a distant prospect, but for now, she had to find a way to navigate the storm, relying on the strength of her temporary support system and the hope that things would soon improve.