Chapter 467: Ivan’s Call To Natalie

At the Browns, Briena was getting ready as she looked at Ivan, who was leaving for the office without even looking at her.

"Ivan, we have a doctor’s visit at noon for the prenatal checkup," she said. "I will come to your office, and we can go together."

He didn’t look at her but said, "I have a meeting. You can go on your own."

"Ivan," she raised her voice, "not even once have you ever come to the doctor’s with me. Aren’t they both our babies? Not mine alone."

"That only you know," he said and walked out of the room.

Since they married, they had shared the room for the sake of it, but there was no affection between them like husband and wife. Briena had tried her best to get close to him, but he always pushed her away, treating her more like a stranger. Other members of the Brown family treated her the same.

This marriage happened just because Briena claimed it was Ivan’s baby, and at that time, Brown Industries desperately needed the Ford Group’s support in their business to save their sinking company.

Briena followed him out, shouting behind him angrily, "Ivan, you can’t treat me this way. I am your wife."

"Suits you," he said and walked ahead anyway.

The family members looked toward the staircase.

"This bitch started early in the morning," Irene spat out. "Don’t know when we’ll get rid of this disgust."

"I have had enough now. You have to listen to me," Briena followed him toward the staircase and tried to hold his hand to stop him, but Ivan shrugged it off harshly, as if he couldn’t stand her touch, but...

Ahh!!!

Briena lost her balance and fell down the stairs. Ivan tried to hold her, but it was already too late. The entire family was scared and rushed toward her.

Briena was in pain. Blood had started to stain her light-colored dress along her thighs.

They rushed her to the hospital, and the Ford family was informed. While Briena was inside the operation theater, the family members waited outside.

Clara was worried, with Larry by her side, consoling her, while the Browns felt annoyed but had to behave.

"Mom, this man seems so close to Clara Ford," Irene whispered. "If I didn’t know Jay Ford, I would think this man is Clara’s husband."

The woman hummed and said, "This Clara didn’t come from any good background. It’s just that some of her relatives are in good positions in the government—it was all covered."

Irene hummed and said, "I hope that bitch loses her child, and then my brother can get rid of her. I know that’s not his baby."

Both mother and daughter looked at Ivan, who was busy on the phone, talking business. "Doesn’t look like Ivan cares for her even in such a situation."

After a while, the doctor came out and informed them, "I’m sorry, but we couldn’t save the baby. The mother is fine."

Clara was relieved that Briena was fine, while the Browns were relieved that the baby was gone.

Later, when Briena woke up, she found out that the baby was gone. Inside, she was relieved but had to put on an act to control Ivan.

"Mom, Ivan pushed me," Briena cried out. "He killed our baby."

She cried and blamed him with harsh words. Ivan was stunned. Though the push was caused by him, she was at fault—and he didn’t do it intentionally. The Browns denied her claim, as they saw it was by mistake, but Briena was not ready to admit it.

Clara was angry. "I will report you all to the police for trying to kill my daughter. You all will go to jail."

Ivan looked at her coldly. "Do whatever you want," and left.

Briena was shocked to his indifferent reaction as if he didn’t care about himself. But she was determined to teach him a lesson.

"Mom, I want to make a police complaint. I want to see him kneeling in front of me for my forgiveness." Briena declared decisively and Clara agreed to it.

The police complaint was made, and Ivan was taken to the police station, but he remained calm. He was waiting for something. By the evening, he got what he wanted—and was happy to know it.

On behalf of her son, Amelia slammed the paper of the DNA report in Clara and Briena’s faces. "The child was not Ivan’s. Your daughter deceived us all. I’m going to sue her for it. Free my son right away, or this paper will be published in the news immediately."

Clara had no choice but to listen, and Ivan was freed.

The news of this matter spread everywhere like wildfire. The stocks of both companies were affected greatly.

-----

At Justin’s home, Natalie and Julia were enjoying watching the trending news.

"Weren’t these two so much in love?" Julia commented. "What’s wrong with these two?"

"They’re getting what they deserve," Natalie replied. "But I didn’t expect it to happen so soon."

"How long do you think their companies can hold on?" Julia asked.

"Barely a week if this continues," Natalie replied. "They both rely on each other greatly."

"Once the Ford Group is down, will you take over it?" Julia asked.

Natalie shook her head. "It was my desire when I used to think it belonged to my mother and I should protect it. But, there’s no need for it. I don’t care what happens to it."

"What do you think Caryn will do?" Julia asked.

Natalie thought for a while and said, "She wouldn’t look at it either. She gave up on it long ago, or I’m sure today Clara wouldn’t be sitting there at the top. Caryn Shaw... she was always capable enough to take Ford Group back, but she didn’t. If I’m not wrong, my mother is simply waiting for its complete downfall—and for the name of the Ford Group to disappear forever."

"You both—mother and daughter—are cruel to abandon something so easily that you cherished all your life," Julia commented playfully. "Whether it’s the Ford Group or the man you cherished."

"That means it was never meant for us," Natalie replied. "But what’s meant for us, we get it anyway. Ivan and I were not, but look at my parents. Even after so long, they are together. And I had something better—actually, I should say the best person meant for me."

Julia smiled. "True."

-----

Briena and Ivan’s affair escalated to divorce as the Browns filed for it. Both companies were already facing troubles, so there was no need to worry about the alliance anymore.

"Mom, I don’t want to divorce him," Briena said.

"Are you an idiot? With what you did—blaming him for killing your child—do you think he’ll stay with you?" Clara spat out angrily.

"I thought it would make him surrender in front of me so he wouldn’t be sent to jail. I didn’t expect him to do a DNA test with that dead fetus. I thought with the baby gone, no one would ever know it wasn’t his," Briena said anxiously. "What do I do now? I can’t lose him."

"We can do nothing now. Divorce is the only option," Clara declared. "Our company is in bad shape, and we need help. Divorce Ivan, and you’ll marry someone else who can help our company."

"Mom, are you trying to make a deal out of my marriage?" Briena asked sadly. "I love Ivan."

"But he doesn’t love you anymore," Clara shouted angrily. "Get back to your senses and listen to what I say—or you’re free to live on your own."

Unwillingly, Briena had to sign the divorce papers—and that too without any alimony from the Browns. She had committed infidelity and was on the losing end of the case.

Ivan was finally free and busied himself in company matters, which didn’t turn out any good. In the end, the Brown Group declared bankruptcy and had to sell all their assets.

Amelia was crying. "I didn’t expect we would see such a day. All our wealth is gone—we don’t even have a home left now."

"This all happened because of that bitch Briena," Irene spat out. "If Ivan had not fallen for her and had not left Natalie, we would still be wealthy."

"Stop it, both of you," Mr. Brown said. "There’s no use in crying."

"What are we going to do now?" Amelia asked as she looked at her quietly sitting son. He didn’t look worried, but instead looked relieved and relaxed—as if the huge burden he was carrying was finally gone.

"We’re going to our hometown," Ivan said.

"That small, stinky village?" Irene exclaimed. "I’m not going there."

"Do whatever you want," he said.

Mr. Brown added, "Ivan and I have decided. There, we still have our ancestral home. It needs some repairs, but it’ll be ready for us to live in."

Ivan said, "We’ll restart that old factory we abandoned long ago and begin a new business."

"Will it work?" Amelia asked.

"Enough for us to live a comfortable life in the village," Mr. Brown replied. "Now get ready. We’re leaving."

Everyone headed off to get their things while Ivan pulled out his cellphone and dialed a number. Since it was his new number, it hadn’t been blocked by the person.

Just as the call was received, he heard a voice: "Hmm? Who is it?"

Ivan stayed quiet for a moment before finally responding, "It’s me—Ivan. Don’t hang up. It’s the last time I’m calling you."

There was silence on the other end, but the call was still connected.

"I’m leaving this city," Ivan continued. "Before leaving, I just wanted to apologize for whatever hurt I caused you. I wish you a good life ahead. Take care."

Ivan waited for a reply—though he felt he wouldn’t get one—but then he heard a voice: "I hope you live well." And the call was cut.

Ivan looked at the cellphone screen. He was glad Natalie heard him and at least said something before ending the call. He inhaled deeply, feeling the huge weight lift off his chest, and was finally ready for his next journey.