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.

believe he cared. But she couldn't. This was a contract marriage, nothing more, nothing

said softly,

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

right," Ivy

he added, smiling as if he'd done something extraordinary. "Monica will deliver

and

reasons. "I don't want your damn clothes," she snapped. "Just keep your side of the deal and help with my

he could respond, Ivy marched to her room and slammed the door

She'd only hurt herself by expecting the breakfast and family conversations to

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11:52 AM

Chapter 26

so much from the marriage. She had hurt herself, why was she taking the

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

anger.

"What?" she snapped.

said, his tone laced with pain. "I can't believe

a relationship with Silas

she corrected coldly.

do this to get

asking it. "Oh God,

snapped. "You

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

much do you need to call off

froze, stunned

point. I'll give you back

shock turned into a bitter

not funny," Mason snapped, his tone

her voice quaking with fury. "You will

have him transfer the money immediately," Mason barked. "Call off the marriage,"

"You're delusional, Mason Hunter. Our marriage is

laced with malice. "End that shit, or you'll hate yourself. I won't have you ruining

she yelled. "Don't ever call me again!" She ended 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 with malice. "Oh, nothing," she drawled. “Just checking up on my

racing heart.

“But you are playing, Ivy. Since you agreed

is to help your husband, It's almost like