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.

cared. But she couldn't.

said softly, stepping

Silas said. “She's not usually like that. She's probably still upset

Ivy scoffed,

he added, smiling as if he'd

really think clothes and expensive jewelry could fix

"Just keep your

widened with shock, but before he could respond, Ivy marched to her room

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

1/3

11:52 AM

Chapter 26

She had hurt herself, why was

on the line,

anger.

"What?" she snapped.

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

relationship

actually," she corrected coldly. "What do you want,

you do this to

asking it. "Oh God, Mason. Not everything is about

it is!" he snapped. "You married someone else. You

don't dictate my life anymore. Our marriage is over. Move on with your new bride."

much do you need

stunned

made your point. I'll give you back your inheritance-all of

turned into a bitter

funny," Mason snapped, his tone

her voice quaking with fury. "You will

Joe. I'll have him transfer the money immediately," Mason

laughter grew louder, cold and mocking. "You're delusional,

words laced with malice. "End that shit, or you'll hate yourself.

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

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

closer, her voice laced with sarcasm. “But you are playing, Ivy. Since you agreed

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