A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

With a heavy heart, Silas made his way home. He remembered he'd told Jvy to wait up, but unable to face her, he went straight to his room and fell asleep—or at least tried to.

The next morning, he woke up feeling better, yet regret lingered beneath. He still felt guilty for yelling at Thomas yesterday,

He left his bed, got into his gym clothes, and went straight for his exercises. After a solid workout, he went back to his room. Before stepping into the shower, he dialed Monica,

"Good morning, Monica. Please have Ivy ready for breakfast with me."

He ended the call and took a long shower. He picked a crisp white shirt and gray shorts, and went to the dining room. He was sipping his coffee when Ivy entered.

He smiled at her. "Good morning."

Ivy entered cautiously, as though expecting an audience. He couldn't blame her- yesterday's breakfast was meant to be intimate before Thomas and the others interrupted. His thoughts moved to his brother, but he quickly shoved them away.

Good morning," Ivy replied softly, taking her seat.

"How was your night? Sorry I wasn't able to see you before going to bed," he said. "Yes, it's fine," she said flatly. "Night was fine."

She didn't ask about his, and he was grateful. If she had, he'd probably have to tell how restless it was, bothered by the argument with his brother.

The dinning door opened with a creak and Bethany entered with a tray filled with food. "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Stone," she smiled warmly.

"Morning, Bethany," Silas replied.

"Good morning, Bethany. How are you?" Ivy asked.

"Great," Bethany answered. She set the tray down and began serving them. "We have some freshly baked croissants with artisanal butter and coffee. Enjoy."

"Thank you, Bethany," Ivy smiled as she left the room.

Once they were alone again, Silas picked up his coffee, studying Ivy carefully over the rim of his cup. She seemed more relaxed this morning. Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to talk.

"So," he began carefully, tell me about yourself-aside from the things I already know."

Which, admittedly, was almost nothing.

Ivy looked up from her plate, visibly surprised. "Like what?"

"I don't know," he chuckled. Of course, he knew. "Like why you ended your

marriage with Mason. Your family. You know, the usual

stuff."

and sipped her

expecting something new. "Yes,

I mean before the best friend thing. He was already cheating-with his secretary," she clarified. "And I'm sure there were

women,"

all he

lose her. Well, one man's

ended the marriage after that," she

went to live with

1/3

11:53 AM

Chapter 39

She nodded.

0

something about Ivy losing a

eyes sharp. "Why

want to get to know you

hadn't made his intention too obvious. He'd spent all night thinking about Thomas's words.

exactly do you want to

should know

pay me back only a million. The night I met you, I called my brother for help but he

one million?" he asked, his tone filled

nodded nonchalantly, reaching for her coffee. "He had also threatened to reduce it before. Recently, he offered to pay the whole amount-if I ended the

was fierce, with anger burning in his chest. "He's got some

you have no idea," Ivy chuckled. "Audacity

it?" He knew it was stupid to ask, but he asked anyway.

million is a lot. You could restart your life with

a small smile appeared on

Silas nodded and continued eating. After a moment of silence he spoke

shifted, a faint blush creeping

disaster-one he wasn't

knot of tension that had appeared in

munching their breakfast,

smiled. "It's

he said, pride

eyes widened. "Really? I