Undressed By His Arrogance-Chapter 233: It’s Not Your Fault

Winn smiled—broken, tired, haunting. Eventually, he reached for her, unable to keep the distance any longer. His fingers brushed her face. Warm. Gentle. Reverent. His thumb traced her cheekbone.

"You worry about me even when you are mad," he said. "I want you to know this, Ivy. Whatever happened, its not your fault. My family made me the man you cannot stand."

"You do not have to be that man, Winn."

"And yet, I am. I will be." he answered. His shoulders slumped, the fight leaking out of him. "I am sorry you were hurt so badly. I am sorry that I couldn’t protect you. I am sorry that I doubted you for even one second. And I am sorry, that you had to carry the grief of our child without me."

Ivy’s lips parted, breath trembling, her gaze flickering away.

"I know that things may not go back to the way it was with us," she whispered, "but I still want to make your burden easier." Her eyes glistened.

He stroked her cheek, his touch barely there, as if afraid she’d break—or he would. His gaze dipped to her lips. He leaned in, slow, hungry for one little taste of her.

One brief taste of her to survive on. One moment to carry with him when he walked into whatever darkness that could consume him.

His breath brushed hers.

Her knees weakened.

His hand cupped her jaw, thumb stroking her skin.

Their lips were a heartbeat apart—

But she stepped back.

It was small, but it was decisive. The spell snapped, the air between them turning cold.

"I... Eugene..." she whispered.

A flicker—jealousy, pain—flashed through his eyes.

Winn nodded in understanding. "I’m really sorry Ivy," he said softly. "I have an idea to help with your nightmares. I’ll send you a card tomorrow with an address behind it. Go there. They will help you."

"So, we are giving gifts now," she said, forcing a teasing lilt into her voice. "I guess I should give you one too."

A hint of a smile tugged at his lips. "You don’t..."

"You really want to get out of your marriage?" Ivy asked, cutting him off. Her robe fluttered slightly with the breeze, revealing just enough skin to make Winn’s breath stutter—not that he let it show.

"You know I do," he answered. And he meant it. There was no hesitation, no calculation. Just truth, raw and carved out of his ribs. His marriage had been a cage, a chain, a mistake. Ivy had been the only thing that ever felt real.

"You’ll receive some documents tomorrow. Use it wisely, Winn," she said.

Winn’s throat worked. "You were the best thing that ever happened in my life. I love you Ivy more than you can ever know."

Her gaze softened. "be careful," she whispered.

He nodded once then turned and walked away. Ivy watched him fade into the shadows, the sound of his footsteps becoming fainter, softer... gone.

The moment he disappeared, she exhaled sharply as if she had been holding her breath the whole time. She hurried inside, closing the backdoor gently. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears as she climbed the stairs, the house quiet around her.

She rushed into her bedroom, grabbed her phone from the nightstand, and typed with quick, precise fingers.

"Send the files on Sharona to Mr Winn Kane in the morning."

A few minutes later, her phone pinged.

"Yes, ma’am."

*****

Sylvia stood outside Reese’s apartment, tears still streaming down her face as Reese held the door open for her. The hallway light behind her cast a soft glow over her trembling figure.

"You told him." he said.

She nodded, barely able to lift her chin. Her throat felt tight, as if her own guilt was strangling her.

Reese stepped aside for her to come in.

"I’m really sorry to bother you. I have no one else to go to. I..."

Reese didn’t let her finish. He pulled her into a hug. A real one. Strong arms enveloped her. Sylvia gasped softly at the sudden contact. "Its fine. You need a friend, I’m here."

He just held her, rubbing small circles on her back.

"it was terrible Reese. I have never seen him so mad."

"He’ll calm down."

"No," Sylvia whispered, pulling back enough to see his face. Her eyes were red, wild, terrified. "You don’t understand."

Reese exhaled, guiding her toward the couch. He didn’t sit next to her—he sat close but not touching, giving her space. "Syl...I have known what you were up to since the very beginning. Maybe not all of it but it was quite obvious, Syl. I told you, your brother’s blind spot is only directed at you. I knew all along."

Sylvia stared at him, shock slicing through her tears. "What... what did you know?"

Reese leaned back slightly, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "Please....I’m not stupid. Sharona was never your friend. Hell, she has more chemistry with your father than with you."

Sylvia stiffened.

"I know your father and what he is capable of," Reese continued. "I did the math. But I am just your brother’s bodyguard, Syl. Your family affairs aren’t in my job description unless I am asked. I knew your father was using you to manipulate your brother."

She stared at him, lips trembling. "And you never said anything?"

"I also knew there was only one thing he would offer you that would make you betray your brother — he used your obsession with Joey, didn’t he?"

"Oh my God!" Sylvia covered her face with both hands, fingers trembling. "I feel so stupid, so silly."

"Love messes with the best of us," he said with a shrug. "So, what’s your next move?" he asked.

Sylvia swallowed. "Winn doesn’t want to see me anymore. Doesn’t want anything to do with me."

She hugged herself tightly, rocking a little. Reese felt the stab of pity cross his chest.

"I’m sure it’s just temporary," Reese offered.

"He looked at me like I was a stranger. Like... like the sight of me hurt him. I’ve ruined everything. I shouldn’t have told him." She dragged her hands through her hair, exhaling shakily. "I’ll stay in a hotel for the next few days. I have some things to take care of, and I will head back to Canada. Maybe distance is the only thing I can give Winn right now that won’t hurt him further."

Reese nodded slowly, pushing himself to stand. "You need anything? I am heading to bed," he said with a short exhale. "Mr Kane texted me, said he won’t be needing me in the morning, but I would still like to catch him before he leaves home. I don’t think he is thinking clearly anymore. I don’t want to leave him alone."

"You do more than you are paid for, Reese. Thank you," Sylvia said.

"So, leaving for Canada uhn?" Reese changed the trajectory of the conversation.

He slipped his hands into the pockets of his joggers, leaning his weight on one foot.

Sylvia gave a slow nod. "Yeah. I’ll be there until Winn thinks to forgive me again. Hopefully, my actions from here on out will facilitate that." She swallowed, eyes dragging across the floor. "He didn’t even let me finish speaking."

"He’ll come around. He can’t stay mad at you for too long," Reese said confidently. "It’s just the shit with Sharona, right?"

Her silence was loud enough to draw the molecules in the room to a halt.

"Right?" Reese pushed, his eyes narrowing.

Sylvia’s jaw trembled. She bit her lip, hard.

"Well, girl you done gone fucked up." He exhaled and dragged a hand over his face. "You know what, I don’t even wanna know. I hate keeping secrets."

"Well, I will be out of your hair by morning," she said. "Can I still have that guest room?"

"Sure." Reese nodded, gesturing for her to follow. He walked her down the hallway.

He pushed open the guest room door, flicking on the bedside lamp. Warm light filled the small space. The bed was neatly made, fresh sheets, soft blanket.

"Do you want anything to eat?" he asked, lingering at the doorway, thumb hooked casually in his pocket.

"No... no, I’m good. I..." She inhaled shakily. "Thank you, Reese."

"Good night, Syl." He turned to leave, hand halfway up the doorframe.

"Reese."

Reese stopped mid-stride. He turned his head slightly. "Yeah," he answered.

She crossed the space between them in small, urgent steps.

Sylvia placed her palms flat on his chest. She could feel the heat through his T-shirt, the steady, frustratingly calm rhythm of his heart. She reached up and kissed him.

Reese reacted instantly. He caught her arms and moved his head back. "We’ve talked about this, Syl," he said softly.

"Reese, not today. Don’t say no today. Please."

Reese exhaled heavily, his chest rising beneath her palms. He closed his eyes for a second, as if praying for patience or strength. "Syl..."

"I don’t get it!" Sylvia stepped back, throwing her hands up. "I know that you want me! I know you feel something for me! So what?! It can’t be my brother!"

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