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

other side of fame," he said bitterly. "This is what

her shoulders slump as the impact of his words hit her.

of his nose. "A bunch

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

was trying to justify herself-he could see the stubborness in

send her to the hospital?" he challenged. "A woman you know you have history with? We haven't even finished dealing with your ex- husband's mess, now we have

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11:53 AM

Chapter 35

shot back.

explanation," he interrupted, waving her off.

a dangerous

want this ridiculous marriage either, especially if it keeps painting me terribly to the public.

sprang to his feet. "What money?" he asked,

stopped mid-step, confusion etched on her face. "For breaching the terms of the contract,

didn't say I wanted to end the

eyes gleamed with challenge. "Oh,

this go, and he knew it. "Fine. I wasn't supposed

Damn woman!

Pamu

marriage continues." She turned and resumed climbing the

it?" he

glancing back at him.

nodded. "Please," he

sighed, descending the stairs. She slumped onto

"I'm listening," she said.

of the games she was

telling himself about the news, his first

a hold on him and she didn't

she prompted, raising

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

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

deserved it. But I

coursed through him.

his question,

she still didn't answer, he racked

hit him-Monica. "Was

she quickly looked away. "What?" He let out a disbelieving laugh. "Monica hit your ex-mother-in-law?" The absurdity

don't want you scolding her or anything,"