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 couldn't.

she said softly,

“She's not

Ivy scoffed, retreating

new clothes for you," he added, smiling as if he'd done

he really think clothes and expensive jewelry

don't want your damn clothes," she snapped. "Just keep your side of the

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

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

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11:52 AM

Chapter 26

expecting so much from the marriage. She had

her spiraling thoughts. It was Mason on the line,

anger.

"What?" she snapped.

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

relationship with

corrected coldly.

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

laughed at his question, surprised he was even asking

"You married someone

don't dictate my life anymore. Our marriage is over. Move on with your new bride." Her voice was sharper than she'd intended, betraying

you need to

froze, stunned

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

turned into a

not funny," Mason snapped, his

her voice quaking with fury.

the money immediately," Mason barked. "Call off

and mocking. "You're delusional,

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

insult struck a nerve and Ivy's fury ignited. "Get off my phone!" she yelled. "Don't ever call me again!" She ended the call and threw the phone on the bed. Breathing

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

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

is to help your