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."

green eyes widened with shock. "What? The news?

said bitterly. "This is what

as the impact of his words hit

he muttered, rubbing the bridge of his

"I'm sorry it's come to

trying to justify herself-he could see the stubborness

you have history with? We haven't

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11:53 AM

Chapter 35

to the hospital!" she shot back. "And if you'd just let me explain,

explanation," he interrupted, waving her off. "I already know

a dangerous glint in her

the stairs. "I don't want this ridiculous marriage either,

tone, her defiance-all sent his heart racing. He sprang to his feet. "What money?" he asked, his heart

on her face.

chest tightened. "I didn't say I wanted

gleamed with challenge. "Oh,

his jaw. She wasn't going to let this go, and

Damn woman!

Pamu

The marriage continues."

about it?" he called after her. "About

glancing back at

He nodded. "Please,"

sighed, descending the stairs. She slumped onto the

"I'm listening," she said.

chuckled, aware of the games she

telling himself about the news, his first instinct was to defend

on him and she

prompted, raising

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

off, I didn't hit Martha," she replied, crossing her arms. "And

she deserved it. But

coursed through him. "Then who

question, her

did?" he repeated. When she still

it hit him-Monica. "Was

looked away. "What?" He let out a disbelieving laugh. "Monica hit your ex-mother-in-law?" The absurdity of it made him laugh. He'd known Monica his entire life and never had she

her or anything," Ivy said firmly. Her