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."

sipped her coffee before answering. "He cheated on

something new. "Yes,

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

women,"

was all he could

to lose her. Well, one

ended the marriage after that," she said,

went to live

1/3

11:53 AM

Chapter 39

She nodded.

0

remembered her aunt mentioning something about Ivy losing a job.

forward, her green eyes sharp. "Why all

to sound casual. "I just want to get to know you better. Is that

intention too obvious. He'd spent all night thinking about Thomas's words. What if Ivy really was scheming with Mason? What

It's... just weird. What exactly do you want to know?"

there something I should

at each other, silently, until Ivy looked away, returning to her food. "Well, I also gave Mason 20 million dollars-my inheritance. He wanted to pay me back only a million. The night I met you, I called my brother for help but he bailed." Silas's eyes widened. He wasn't expecting that

offered to give you just one million?" he asked, his tone filled

"He had also threatened to reduce it before. Recently, he offered to pay the whole amount-if I ended

Our marriage?" Silas's voice was fierce, with anger burning in

idea," Ivy chuckled. "Audacity is his

it was stupid to ask, but

million is a lot. You could restart your life with it." he pushed,

shook her head slowly, a small smile appeared on her lips. “Let's just say I like

for him. Silas nodded and continued eating. After a moment of silence he spoke again. "Our photoshoot has been

Ivy's expression shifted, a faint blush creeping up her

disaster-one he wasn't proud of, but

for his cup of coffee to ease the knot of

stretched, with both of them munching their breakfast, until Silas cleared

she smiled.

said, pride

"Really? I didn't know