When I showed him the marks, his face turned pale. My heart sank into my stomach. A sudden realization hit me like a ton of bricks. I jumped off his lap, fumbling to button my clothes with trembling fingers.

"Ivy, I swear I don't know how those scratches got there," Aaron's voice cracked.

"Save it. Those scratch marks speak for themselves," I snapped, my voice ice-cold.

He grabbed my hand. "Trust me—"

I yanked away, refusing to meet his eyes, afraid he'd see them swimming with tears.

"Ivy, ...