A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 26

Ivy watched as color spread across Rosie's face. For a fleeting moment, her brown eyes widened.

"Oh, that was... just an honest mistake," Rosie said dismissively, attempting to mask her shock.

Ivy wanted to press the conversation further, but she knew it would only hurt Silas. "Yeah," she murmured, dropping it.

Thankfully, the door opened, and a young man entered with a trolley loaded with food, interrupting the tense silence.

He placed plates in front of everyone and left without a word. When Ivy reached for her tea with a shaky hand, she glanced at Silas. His expression hardened, and his lips were pressed into a thin line.

"What's the next public appearance you have planned, Silas?" Thomas asked, breaking the silence.

Silas turned to his brother, his brow slightly furrowed. "More private dinners and lunches. I'm thinking of holding the wedding in two weeks."

Ivy coughed at his statement, quickly grabbing a napkin to dab her mouth. She wasn't surprised the wedding was happening so soon, only surprised Silas hadn't informed her before announcing it.

"That's good. I'm sure the media will go crazy with that," Wade chimed in.

"In that case," Thomas said, "I'll cover the wedding expenses."

"You don't have to," Silas interrupted, raising a hand.

"It's the least I could do."

"Ivy has sacrificed six months of her life to make this happen," Rosie interjected with a sneer. "She played it well with the fake kiss, giving her body up for this act. It's the least we could do."

Rosie's words finally hit Ivy as her expression made it worse. Her cheeks burned with humiliation and discomfort seized her.

"Yes," Ivy said, attempting to regain control of the situation but failing. She stood abruptly, unable to bear the awkwardness and the look on their faces as they spoke about her like she wasn't a human being with feelings. "Excuse me," she said, leaving the dining room.

She was almost at the stairs when Silas called after her.

"Ivy? What's wrong?"

What's wrong? He was seriously asking her that?

"Nothing," she replied with a forced smile. "I'm just tired, that's all."

"You're overwhelmed with everything. I'm sorry," he said, his tone genuine, his eyes

kind.

wanted to believe him-wanted to believe he cared. But she couldn't. This was a contract marriage,

she said softly, stepping

about Rosie's attitude,” Silas said. “She's not usually like that.

Ivy

smiling as if

he really think clothes and expensive jewelry could

she snapped. "Just keep your side

he could respond, Ivy

bed, guilt washed over her. Why had she done that? She'd only hurt herself by expecting the breakfast and family conversations to be

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11:52 AM

Chapter 26

the marriage. She had hurt

her spiraling thoughts. It was Mason on the line, and she picked it because she needed

anger.

"What?" she snapped.

tone laced with pain. "I

relationship with

actually," she corrected coldly. "What do you

Why? Did you do this to get back at me?"

at his question, surprised he was even asking it. "Oh God,

snapped. "You married

on with your new bride." Her voice was sharper than she'd intended, betraying her anger and

do you need to

Ivy froze, stunned by

point. I'll

turned into a

funny," Mason snapped, his

Ivy spat, her voice

your details to Joe. I'll have him transfer the money immediately," Mason barked. "Call off

louder, cold and mocking. "You're delusional, Mason Hunter. Our marriage

shit, or you'll hate yourself. I won't have

the call and threw the phone on the bed. Breathing heavily, Ivy turned abruptly and froze. "What are you doing here?" Rosie leaned against the doorframe, her eyes glinting

calm her racing

sarcasm. “But you are playing, Ivy. Since you agreed

problem?" Ivy demanded, her anger reigniting. "My marriage to Silas is to help