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.

to believe him-wanted to believe he cared. But she

said

not usually like that. She's probably

Ivy scoffed, retreating

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

really think clothes and

"I don't want your damn clothes," she snapped. "Just keep your side of the deal and help with my business. That's the only reason I agreed to

shock, but before he could respond, Ivy marched to her room and slammed

washed over her. Why had she done that? She'd only hurt herself by expecting

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11:52 AM

Chapter 26

so much from the marriage. She had

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

anger.

"What?" she snapped.

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

relationship with

actually," she corrected coldly.

this

his question, surprised he was even asking it. "Oh God, Mason. Not everything is

he snapped. "You married

over. Move on with your new

do you need to call

Ivy froze, stunned by his

Mason repeated harshly. "You've made your point. I'll give

shock turned into a

not funny," Mason snapped, his tone

spat, her voice quaking with fury.

have him transfer the money

delusional, Mason Hunter. Our marriage is

with malice. "End that shit, or you'll

on the bed. Breathing heavily, Ivy turned abruptly and froze. "What are you doing

calm her racing heart. "Leave, Rosie. I'm not in the mood for your

Ivy. Since you agreed to this marriage, you've been

"My marriage to Silas is