Chapter 21 My Best Friend's Keys After touring around her house , I felt a bit disappointed . There wasn't even a pair of men's slippers in her place . I suspect she had tidied up since it took her two hours to come and pick us up . It was enough time for her to hide any evidence . I figured she had thought things through . Ivanna prepared a few snacks for Ava , perhaps because she sensed how distracted I was . She then turned on the TV , played a cartoon , and sat beside me . Soon after , she began to scrutinize me , making me feel uncomfortable . 1 Then , she patted my hand , saying , " Let it out . " My heart raced , and I looked at her defensively while withdrawing my hand . " Let what out ? " 1 " Share what's on your mind , " Ivanna encouraged as if trying to coax me . I sneered before saying , " What's on my mind ? What do you mean ? " I saw her mouth twitch . After a moment of silence , she stood up abruptly . " You stay here and play with Ava . I'II make something for you two to eat . " After removing her coat and changing clothes , she went into the kitchen . 1 I sat with my daughter absentmindedly and gazed at the large screen , pondering whether my thoughts were headed in the right direction . Suddenly , her phone rang , and my senses heightened immediately . I suspected it was Matthew calling . 4 I stood up and sat on the nearest sofa to the kitchen . I heard Ivanna's voice softly speaking on the phone , her tone tender and different from when she was with me . Though I couldn't make out the content of her conversation , it felt like a thousand needles pricking my heart . I rose and headed to the kitchen , but as I approached , I noticed that Ivanna had already ended the call and placed the phone in her apron pocket . She looked surprised at my sudden appearance . " Go and keep Ava company . You're my guest , so I'll take care of everything . Just wait for the food . " I smiled and didn't move , leaning against the kitchen door frame . " Did you buy this house yourself ? " " I don't have that much money . It's the company's , " Ivanna chuckled while looking at me . 2 " Your company is something else , huh ? Not many companies provide housing for employees these days , " I had an underlying message , wondering if Matthew had rented the place for her . s A terrible feeling crept over me , and I wanted to check the savings account I shared with Matthew . 31 " I'm just living like a celebrity , " Ivanna replied while cleaning the crabs . " Several talents from my company live in this neighborhood , and the security and management here are top - notch . Random people won't be disturbing us . You know how celebrities value their privacy , " 8 " I countered bluntly , " The privacy of ordinary people is just as important , you know ? Mistresses can be afraid of being exposed too . " 2 " You're right . There are people like that here , too . " Ivanna remained remarkably composed . " However , it's not . necessarily the mistress who fears exposure sometimes . I guess it depends on how sophisticated they are . " I snorted at the word ' sophisticated ' and thought about how bold mistresses had become these days since they dared to flaunt their affairs openly , I didn't want to argue or continue with this topic , so I turned and left the 1/2 Chapter 21 My Best Friend's Keys +25 BONUS kitchen while glancing at the shoe cabinet at the entrance . I saw her bag with the keys and walked toward mine before fumbling around for my keys . Then I looked back at the kitchen and heard the bustling inside . Soon after , I got up , pretending to be calm , and approached the door . 3 I glanced at the kitchen again and quickly reached into Ivanna's bag to grab her keys . I then searched for the one Ivanna had used to open the door . My hands trembled , not knowing if it was nerves or fear of knowing the outcome . 2 I placed her key and my duplicate side by side for comparison , unable to believe what I saw . An inexplicable feeling crept over me , and I slowly turned around . 2