Aaron's POV.
We were eating dinner, but my mind was on the second floor.
I couldn't eat my dinner in peace. Ivy hadn't eaten since she returned from college.
Ivy was summoned several times by her mom, but she did not show up.
Why are you so obstinate?
Ivy's mom said abruptly, "Your daughter refuses to eat."
"What's the matter with my sweetie?" Ivy's dad asked.
"Maybe a relationship issue," Jack speculated.
"Jake, this isn't the time for a joke," Ivy's dad added, his voice deep.
"I don't know," Ivy's mom said. "She said she just wanted to be alone."
"Give me her food. I'm going to feed her tonight," Ivy's dad said as he took the tray and went upstairs.
I was messing with the spoon while staring at my food.
"Aaron, why aren't you eating?" Ivy's mom asked.
"Yes," I said, nodding and trying to eat. Brother appeared after a bit.
"This girl will make me mad. Why do you fight if you can't stay 

[Ivy's POV]
Aaron tidied up my room.
I clenched my jaw, tightening my lips.
When you don't love me, why are you so concerned about me?
I didn't respond and lay down on the bed. Aaron took a step back.
Suddenly Aaron grabbed my hand.
"Please, I don't want to," I said.
Aaron grabbed my arm with both hands. I couldn't hold back my emotions as I felt his warmth. As he grabbed me, my anger rose higher than before.
"Uncle, what are you thinking?" I gasped out.
"Thinking? What are you talking about?" Aaron asked.
"How about us?" I asked him directly, looking into his eyes.
He didn't say anything, just stared at me.
"I'm sure you've never had feelings for Arona or Roxina. That's why you give them the cold shoulder all the time. Am I right?" I said.
Aaron hesitated as he shifted his sight away from me. "No, that's not true."
I smiled scoffingly.
You couldn't even say it while looking at me.
For a

"No, I will," I said with a smile.
"If you want me to get the scholarship, I will try my best," I added.
Aaron smiled at me.
"Uncle," I politely said, "then I will come every night."
Aaron sighed.
Aaron abruptly braked the car and stated, "Your college."
I took a glance outside before turning to face him.
Then, without saying anything, I kissed him on his cheek. He did not push me away.
I was pleased and kissed his cheek, saying, "Thank you."
"Bye," Aaron replied, with a smile, "I'll come pick you up."
I was stunned.
What was happening in this world? What exactly did he say?
I got out of the car with a smile. It was the most wonderful day I had ever had.
The day passed in a blink. After the class, Joe called me, "Ivy!"
I turned back.
"Are you ignoring me?"
"No, I'm just exhausted. I also have to study," I said.
"All right, but will you go out tomorrow?" Joe asked.
"I'm actually not sure. I'll tell you later."
After saying this, I went outside to visit Aaron. I noticed he was waiting for me outside. I smiled at him and was ready to walk, then I spotted Arona. I came to a halt when I saw what that jerk had done to my uncle.
My thoughts had gone blank. First she hugged him, then kissed him on the cheek. And why was Uncle so taken aback? Suddenly, my mind just blew up. I made my way there slowly.
I called him.
"Uncle!"
But it seemed he was expecting me to see him with my professor.
"Oh, well, maybe I am. Now let's go," Aaron stated with hesitation.
I was going to leave when Arona suddenly grabbed Uncle's hand. When I saw that, my anger began to boil in my veins.
Who is she, exactly? What gives her the right to touch my lover?
I gave Aaron a sidelong glance.
"Aaron!"
"What are you up to?" Aaron asked.
"Let me talk first. Ivy, could you just give me a moment? I have something to tell your uncle," Arona said.
"Stop it, Arona. Let's go, Ivy." Aaron was trying to leave there quickly.
Arona grabbed him from behind and said, "Aaron, please."
"Please, sweetie, listen to me," she begged.
Babe!
I gazed at my uncle with widening eyes.
"Arona, stop it. We broke up a long time ago," he said angrily.
So, she was his ex-girlfriend.
"Break up? So many times, we've broken up. But did you forget, we patched it up?" She grabbed my uncle's collar.
"Arona, that was in the past. We've grown up now."
I first looked at Aaron, then at Arona.
"Please meet me tonight, just once," she said to Aaron.
I moved my gaze to the other side and stated, "I think it is time for me to leave. Uncle, I'm leaving."
"Ivy, wait," he said as he pushed Arona and took my hand in his.
He said, "Let's go home."
"Babe," Arona tried to stop him.
But he replied in such a vehement manner, "This is too much, Arona. Next time, don't try to touch me."
"What?" Arona shouted angrily at Aaron. Aaron and I got into his car, and he started driving.
In the middle of the way, Aaron came to a halt and looked back.
It was absolutely silent inside the car.
He stated, "Why are you there? Come sit next to me."
I didn't say anything and just gazed out the window.
"Ivy, come here," he begged once again. I was not going to sit next to him.
He has till today to tell me how he feels about me, or I will destroy everything.
My mind was screwed up. She was Aaron's ex-girlfriend. I sighed and gazed out the window. You had a fiancé, and now suddenly his ex-girlfriend popped out from somewhere.
"Ivy," he stated.
"I'm too exhausted, Uncle. I'm in desperate need of rest," I answered.
"Believe me, Ivy, we aren't together," Aaron said.
"Uncle, I'm not in the mood to talk."
"But you need to know," he added.
"Then tell me, who am I to you?" I asked in a solemn tone.
"Tell me, who am I to you?" I said angrily.
"Ivy," he called out in a quiet voice, his face surprised.
"You can't say, can you? You don't have an answer, right?" I asked.
"Why can't you answer me, Aaron?" I shouted angrily.
My eyes welled up with tears, but it wasn't because I was hurt; it was because I was angry.
"Ivy!" Aaron extended his hand to grab my arm, but I sprang out of the car and bolted.
"Ivy, wait, listen to me."
He was calling out my name.
No, I'm not going to come to you. You don't care about me; you care about Arona. I'm sure you'll patch things up again.
Aaron yelled, "Ivy, stop there!"
I took a shortcut to get home. After a while, I couldn't hear his voice. I simply cried and ran the entire path. It was my anger, which was at myself only.
After a time, I returned home, and seeing me like this, my mom attempted to stop me.
But I ignored her and went to my room to lock the door.
"Ivy, what's wrong?"
My mom began knocking on my door.
"Why are you so upset, honey? Did you fight again?" Mom asked.
But I couldn't hear anything since my head was engrossed with Aaron's thoughts.
I gritted my teeth as I murmured, "I don't give a fuck about your ex or girlfriend. All I want to hear is that you only love me. Why can't you express your feelings for me? Why are you so indifferent to my feelings? Why are you unable to accept me?"
Mom abruptly asked, "Where is Aaron, Ivy? Isn't he supposed to be there?"
"Please leave me alone, Mom," I shouted back in anger.
"Fine," I heard Mom shout, "I am calling Aaron."
"Yes, you better do it to the nicest man," I answered while heavily gasping.
After some minutes, again someone knocked on the door. It was really irritating.
I brushed my hair back from my face and went to open the door after a minute.
"What's the matter with you, honey?" Mom asked.
"Mom, there's nothing. I'm just a bit depressed. I'll be alright shortly," I replied.
"Are you sure, honey? You can share with me."
"No," I said with a nod.
Aaron appeared out of nowhere. I looked at him and saw that he was panting.
Mom said, "Aaron."
Before he could say anything, I shut the door. I simply did not want to talk with him.

Aaron's POV.
We were eating dinner, but my mind was on the second floor.
I couldn't eat my dinner in peace. Ivy hadn't eaten since she returned from college.
Ivy was summoned several times by her mom, but she did not show up.
Why are you so obstinate?
Ivy's mom said abruptly, "Your daughter refuses to eat."
"What's the matter with my sweetie?" Ivy's dad asked.
"Maybe a relationship issue," Jack speculated.
"Jake, this isn't the time for a joke," Ivy's dad added, his voice deep.
"I don't know," Ivy's mom said. "She said she just wanted to be alone."
"Give me her food. I'm going to feed her tonight," Ivy's dad said as he took the tray and went upstairs.
I was messing with the spoon while staring at my food.
"Aaron, why aren't you eating?" Ivy's mom asked.
"Yes," I said, nodding and trying to eat. Brother appeared after a bit.
"This girl will make me mad. Why do you fight if you can't stay without your friends?"
As he set the tray on the table, Brother murmured.
"I genuinely don't get my 

Chapter 12