A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

"What?" Ivy's voice broke.

"Don't pretend you're enjoying this marriage," Silas said, settling into the couch. "You've been sabotaging it from the start."

His voice softened-more than he intended. "I get that it's not what you wanted, but please... my brother's reputation is on the line."

Ivy sighed loudly. From the corner of his eye, he saw her lips pursed in frustration. He didn't mean to blurt out that the deal was off. Hell, he didn't even want the marriage to be over.

He was just angry.

Her behavior was driving him nuts, and he didn't know how to react. He used to be so in control of his emotions, so composed. But those green eyes always made him lose control.

"Well, if that's what you want," she finally said. "You'll owe me ten million dollars."

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He wanted to chuckle at her absurd statement-until he realized she wasn't joking. The fact that she wanted the marriage off instantly got him furious. "Is that what you really want? You want it over?"

"I didn't say that. You did," she shot back, pointing a finger at him. "I'm just honoring your decision."

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

As much as he hated to admit, this wasn't what he wanted.

"Well, I'm... I was just angry," he said.

She said nothing, but she didn't leave. He faced her, taking in her disheveled appearance. Her hair was a mess, the frills on her gown were torn, and the "I" in her name on the customized necklace he'd given her was missing.

"What happened to your necklace?" he asked.

She blinked, her defensive demeanor faded slightly. "What? Nothing."

His gaze dropped to her neck and she instinctively ran her hand over it- searching. When she realized he was right, a faint blush coloured her cheeks. "I didn't know," she murmured softly.

"You didn't know because you were busy fighting," he said, his anger returning slightly in his chest.

He had thought their marriage would be the perfect distraction. He thought the media wouldn't shut up about it. Well, they weren't shutting up about it—but in the worst way imaginable.

Wade had always said, no publicity was bad publicity-well, Wade was wrong. Their marriage announcement was a disaster, and it was driving him insane.

"I don't appreciate your conclusions,” she said, marching toward him. "You never give me a chance to explain."

"A chance for what explanation?" he snapped. “It's all over the news. Everyone knew you hit your ex-mother-in-law."

widened with shock. "What? The news? But... how? It just

he said bitterly. "This is

the impact of

of his nose. "A

she said firmly. "I'm sorry it's come to this,

could

you have history with? We haven't even finished dealing

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11:53 AM

Chapter 35

she shot back. "And if

he interrupted, waving her off. "I already

into a frown. There was a dangerous glint in her eyes, and for a fleeting

said instead, heading toward the stairs. "I don't want this ridiculous marriage either, especially if it keeps painting me terribly to the public.

sprang to his feet. "What money?"

her face. "For breaching the terms of the contract,

chest tightened. "I didn't say I wanted to end

eyes gleamed with challenge. "Oh, but you

his jaw. She wasn't going to let this go, and he knew it. "Fine. I wasn't supposed to

Damn woman!

Pamu

"Alright then. The marriage continues." She turned

going to talk about it?" he

paused, glancing back at him.

nodded.

sighed, descending the stairs. She slumped onto the

"I'm listening," she said.

aware of the

defended her-when Wade had ad called him telling himself about the news, his first

him and she didn't even know

she prompted, raising her

about why you hit your ex-mother-in-law?" He asked. He knew she wasn't a violent person, he knew she had her reason. He had only been frustrated that his family-the whole world-viewed her

she

she deserved it. But

through him. "Then who

his question,

did?" he repeated. When she still didn't answer, he

it hit him-Monica. "Was

glanced at him, her face betraying her guilt before she quickly looked away. "What?" He let out a disbelieving laugh. "Monica hit your ex-mother-in-law?" The absurdity of it made him

or anything,"