Despite holding Leo close throughout the night, Ivy barely slept.
For a while, she simply lay there, listening to the soft, steady breathing of the little boy nestled against her and the quiet presence of Xander on the other side of the bed.
It was peaceful,warm and for the first time in what felt like forever, she allowed herself to experience what having a family might truly feel like.
Then reality crept back in.
Her thoughts drifted to everything she had learned over the past few days, and the comforting warmth around her was slowly replaced by uncertainty.
According to what Xander and Florine had told her, Ivy's first encounter with Xander had been nothing more than a one-night stand, with Leo being the unexpected result of that night.
But after speaking with Nathan and recalling fragments from her increasingly vivid dreams, Raven found herself questioning that version of events.
The pieces no longer fit together.
The real Ivy hadn't approached Xander by chance.
