A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 2

-Not

Ivy yelled, the shock of the news weakening her. Cheryl was six months pregnant, and Ivy was just divorced three months ago. So it could only mean...

She looked at Cheryl, the betrayal stabbing at her heart. "You're supposed to be my best friend! How could you betray me!"

"You can't shout at her," Mason interrupted, his hand resting on Cheryl's waist. "It's not her fault that you couldn't take care of me."

"But I did!" Ivy exclaimed, refusing to release the tears welling up in the corner of her eyes. "I did everything for you. I left because you cheated on me with several women, and now my best friend is your baby mama?"

"Fiancé," Cheryl corrected, flaunting a diamond ring. “Mason proposed yesterday, I was going to tell you that too."

Ivy's stomach knotted with shock and disbelief. Her knee buckled, and she grasped the table for support. "You..how

"We don't have to explain anything to you," Mason said coldly. "Take the offer, or forget about it altogether." He turned to Joe. "This meeting is over. Thank you, Joe," he added, his grip tightening around Cheryl's waist. "Let's go, baby." Together, they left the room

Ivy collapsed into the chair, trying to process what just happened. Not only was her childhood best friend carrying her ex-husband's child-they were also engaged!

Joe interrupted Ivy's thoughts as he packed up his file. "I'll give you five minutes to get yourself together, Miss Scott," he said, leaving the

room.

Ivy wasn't sure how she made it to her aunt's house, but somehow, she did. Luckily, her aunt wasn't around, so she went straight to the small space she called her room and shut the door before letting herself cry.

She broke down in fits, her heart aching from Cheryl and Mason's betrayal Cheryl had been her best friend since childhood, and Ivy had even considered dedicating her time in raising Cheryl's child-Mason's child. Now, that thought stung

Her alarm rang, breaking her thoughts. It was time to resume work, but she wasn't in the mood. She texted Tina, her manager at Dani's. telling her she was sick and couldn't make it.

Then she panicked. With no tangible income, how was she going to survive? She couldn't wait tables forever. Having no other option. Ivy wiped her tears and dialed her brother's number.

"Cole," she said when he picked up.

"Yes? I thought I told you not to call me," her older brother said impatiently.

"Please, Cole. I need your help," Ivy pleaded tearfully..

"I have nothing to do for you, Ivy. I told you that before-when you left our family for that idiot, I said that was the end."

The pain of Mason's betrayal struck her again. She'd given up so much to be with him-only to be hurt. "I know, but I have nothing else, Cole. I inade a terrible mistake, and I need your help," she whimpered.

Cole went silent before speaking again. "Fine. What do you want?"

"Money-to help restart my photography career," she said, wiping her eyes.

"Fine," he finally said. "But Dad can't know-he'd kill

"He won't," she promised.

at James' Bar in an

thank you so, so much!" she

sure you look presentable," he replied,

slightly. She couldn't dwell on Mason and Cheryl's betrayal, she needed to focus on moving forward and coming

gown, one of the last pieces from her time with Mason. She styled

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10:13 AM

Chapter 2

Cole and ordered a drink while she waited. Her heart raced as she glanced round the room; it had been ages since she had gone out Even before marrying Mason, she

her.

a deep voice

out of a painting. He was dressed in

you speak?" he

she'd been staring. "Sorry," she muttered,

if I join you?” he asked, and without waiting for a

caught the whiff of his cologne and the glint of his

waiting for someone," Ivy blurted, looking away when

he drawled, signaling to the waiter. "I'm waiting for someone too. I thought

replied, suddenly aware of the heat

this stranger, especially after everything Mason had done to

even try to

drink, Ivy texted Cole again, scanning the room for him. "While

her head. "Thank you, but no.

said, focusing on his

chimed-it was a text from Cole saying he couldn't come. Her heart shattered as she stared at

texted him back, asking when next they could meet, but there was no response. She tried

"Are

stammered, standing

down her spine. "You can't go out like

made her obey. He

her.

up, it'll help,"

by the time she

Thank you, Mr."

brushed Ivy's, making her

"Ivy," she whispered.

"Who were you

sip, numbing the pain of Cole's

made you

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