Ivy’s parents’ dissolution of marriage had a significant impact on her early years. Her mother’s subsequent change into a shell of her former self and her father’s infidelity were painful reminders of those early years of her existence. The shadow of adultery hovered over their home, making it impossible for Ivy to get away from it.

Ivy’s past haunted her, and she was afraid history might repeat itself in her own marriage. Her deep-seated scars from her parents’ relationship made her cautious about ever giving her all to anybody else.

One day, while they were baking together and Ivy’s words had weight, she confided, “I don’t think I’m going to get married, Mom.”

Her mom hesitated. With a tone that hinted at both curiosity and concern, she questioned, “Why on earth not?”

“Observe you and your father,” Ivy retorted, her tone melancholic. “I’ll never know for sure if my spouse is being unfaithful to me.”

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Her mother’s reply was a brief interlude of lightheartedness in an otherwise somber discussion, combining laughter and certainty. She laughed, “Not every man will be like your father.” “Love, better things are ahead for you. Regardless, you now know what not to do.

Ivy was afraid she might be hurt the way her mother had been, even if her mother had given her encouragement.

As the years went by, Ivy discovered that she was reluctant to disclose her amorous side to anyone. She remained distant and guarded out of fear of being vulnerable and of letting someone in only to be let down or deceived.

But as the years went by, she met Jordan—a man—and she began to like him.
He introduced himself as Jordan and they went grocery shopping together.

“Ivy,” she answered, disobeying every self-imposed restriction.

She married Jordan four years later.

“I told you, Ivy, not everyone is like your father,” Ivy’s mother once said to her over the phone. She was correct; Jordan really was a wonderful man who loved her without conditions.

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Years later, Ivy was reminded of her doubts by an ordinary morning. On most days, her husband took care of the morning drop-offs, but not on that particular day.

Ivy saw Jordan in the kitchen as she ascended the stairs. He replied he couldn’t and asked Ivy to drop off their daughter, Mia, when she reminded him that he was meant to.

He kissed her on the cheek and added, “Mom needs me to take to the doctor this morning before work.” “She’s getting tested because she’s afraid she might pass out.”

Ivy nodded, knowing her husband’s tight relationship with his mother, who always looked to him for support.
Nothing spoke of trouble till then. But then, Mia turned to face Ivy and requested, “Can I see your hand, Mommy?” while she and her daughter were enjoying their breakfast—pancakes that Jordan had baked for them.

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Ivy showed her her hand, and Mia gasped. “Mom! Take off your ring,” she said. “You’re only supposed to wear it at home.”

The girl’s words caused confusion at Ivy. “Sweetie, who told you that? It’s my wedding ring, I always wear it,” as she knelt to her daughter’s level.

“Dad always takes his ring off in the mornings, and he puts it behind the wardrobe. Every morning.”

“Show me where?” Ivy asked.

“You can put yours in here before we go, too. Dad always puts it here before we go to Linda.”

“Linda? Who is Linda?”

“Linda is beautiful, I want to look like Linda when I grow up,” Mia said. “Mommy, she has such long and beautiful hair.”

The truth about the ring, hidden away like a guilty secret, hinted at a reality Ivy wasn’t ready to face.

Jordan’s ring was inside the box. Mia was telling the truth. At that moment, Ivy felt like her world collapsed. Could she be living her mom’s reality? Was Jordan cheating on her? All those questions kept crossing her mind.

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Ivy needed to be sure what was going on behind her back so she decided to follow Jordan the following morning and saw his parking his car next to a house she had never seen before.

As she parked a safe distance away, Ivy watched in silent agony as Jordan greeted the mysterious woman at the door with a warm embrace. The sight pierced through her heart like a dagger, confirming her worst fears.

Unable to bear the crushing weight of betrayal, Ivy retreated to the solitude of her own home, her mind consumed with a whirlwind of emotions. The hours stretched endlessly as she wrestled with her inner turmoil, torn between confronting Jordan and burying her suspicions deep within her heart.

In a moment of desperation, Ivy made a decision that would change everything. With trembling hands, she retrieved Jordan’s ring from its hiding spot and followed him again. This time, she gathered the strength to enter the house she saw her husband walking in.

However, as she looked into Jordan’s eyes, she saw something she hadn’t expected—confusion, not guilt.

“Jordan? What’s going on?” she asked.

“Oh, Ivy! What are you doing here?” he exclaimed, pulling on his overalls that were covered in paint.

“I could ask you the same thing,” Ivy responded.

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“This is our new home,” he confessed. “I inherited it from Aunt Rose. I wanted us to have more space for Mia, and maybe for another child if we decide to have another baby. I’ve been working on it myself.”

Ivy didn’t know if she should trust him.

Just then, a woman walked in.

“Alone, Jordan?” Ivy asked.

“This is Linda,” Jordan introduced. “She’s the interior designer. She’s my bosses daughter, and she’s using our home as her first big project.”

“It’s so good to finally meet you, Ivy,” Linda gushed as she shook Ivy’s hand. “It’s been a privilege to work on your home. Jordan only speaks about you and Mia.”

“Linda has met Mia,” Jordan explained. “It was a quick meeting to decide on which shade of pink Mia wanted for her room.”

As Jordan explained the truth behind his actions, Ivy felt a wave of relief wash over her, mingled with a sense of shame for doubting him. In that moment, she realized that her fears had been unfounded, and that Jordan was not the man she had feared him to be.

She then told him about his ring and Jordan explained that he had been taking it off while working because he poured paint on it and it was difficult to clean it.

With a newfound sense of clarity, Ivy made a vow to herself and to her marriage—to trust in Jordan, even in the face of uncertainty, and to never let doubt cloud their love again. And as they sat together in the kitchen, surrounded by the warmth of their family, Ivy knew that their bond was stronger than ever before.

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