Chapter 657: He’s Not Worth Your Tears

Chapter 657: Chapter 657: He’s Not Worth Your Tears

Ivy Tanner’s tears turned to laughter, and her laughter back to tears. The pain in her heart only grew sharper.

’Finally, I can have a real, heart-wrenching cry right in front of him. And after this, it’ll all be over between us. Truly over.’

’Ethan Kingsley, from this day forward, you’re no longer my Brother Kingsley, and I... I finally don’t have to be a fool anymore.’

’I’m so happy. Do you see?’

Ivy Tanner looked at his face, so close to hers. Her tears suddenly stopped, and a carefree smile spread across her lips.

She raised a hand and pinched his cheek, a playful gesture from their childhood. Her smile even held a hint of mischief as she tugged at his skin.

"Brother Kingsley, your skin’s gotten so thick I can barely pull on it anymore."

"..." Ethan Kingsley froze, a dazed look clouding his eyes.

’He’d almost forgotten this gesture. He never thought she’d still remember it.’

He gently pulled her hand away, his tone softening. "Stop playing around. Let’s go."

Ivy Tanner nodded meekly. As she watched him lead her by the hand, the sadness in her heart was gone, replaced only by a sense of release.

The two returned to the front courtyard. Ivy Tanner casually let go of Ethan’s hand and walked over to Lucas Rhodes with light steps, breaking into a lovely smile. "Honey, I’m back."

Lucas Rhodes gave a slight nod. "Let’s get in the car." ℯ

Ivy Tanner followed him into the car. As the door closed, she immediately moved to the window, stuck her head out, and said to Ethan Kingsley with a smile, "Brother Kingsley, I’m leaving now."

Gazing at her innocent smile, the unwillingness to let her go that Ethan Kingsley had been suppressing suddenly surged within him. He barely restrained the urge to rush forward and pull her from the car.

’But he also knew that if he didn’t let her go, it would only lead to more complications between them down the road.’

’Just let her go...’

Ethan Kingsley convinced himself and smiled at her in farewell. "Call me if you’re ever unhappy."

"Okay, okay! Goodbye, Brother Kingsley!" Ivy Tanner said, not forgetting to make a silly face at him before pulling back inside. She immediately curled into a ball, buried her face in her knees, and began to sob uncontrollably.

Lucas Rhodes sat beside her, listening to her quiet sobs. An unpleasant feeling settled in his chest.

He raised a hand and gently patted her on the shoulder before saying, "Let’s go."

Ayla Ryan drove on in silence, not uttering a single word.

The car quickly disappeared into the distance.

Ivy Tanner cried for a long, long time. It felt like an eternity, as if she were weeping away a lifetime of suffering.

Lucas Rhodes waited until her sobs subsided before offering words of comfort. "You’ve had your cry. Don’t cry over him again. A man like that isn’t worth your tears."

"I know, but it just hurts so much," Ivy Tanner’s voice was still choked, raw and hoarse from her efforts to control it.

Lucas Rhodes suddenly reached out, took her hand, and placed something small in her palm.

Ivy Tanner froze. She pulled her hand back and stared at the milk candy in her palm. The sadness in her heart unexpectedly vanished, and she said peevishly, "What, are you trying to soothe me like I’m a child?"

Lucas Rhodes admitted it freely. "Yes. Eat the candy, and you have to smile."

"Fine. I’m not sad anymore. Thank you." Ivy Tanner unwrapped the candy and popped it into her mouth.

The milk candy had a light, pleasant sweetness. It was incredibly soothing.

The corners of Ivy Tanner’s mouth slowly curled upward as the gloom in her heart began to dissipate. Suddenly remembering something, she quickly asked him, "Oh, right, have you been able to contact Claire Sinclair?"

Lucas Rhodes shook his head. "Quincy Manor is in total chaos right now. Ethan Kingsley must be loving it. If Claire Sinclair doesn’t show up soon, I’m afraid Young Master Quincy will completely fall apart."