A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

"You look so beautiful, so... divine," Monica said, her voice filled with emotions.

Ivy turned to her, smiling. "Thank you, Monica," she smiled and turned back to her reflection.

She did look divine in her wedding dress that Francis Laurent had delivered himself, and indeed, the gown shimmered in the light just as she had guessed.

But despite how stunning she looked, she felt anxiety eating up her insides. She was nervous, a combination of many things.

219

Joe's words still lingered from last night, and as much as she tried to shove it away, she couldn't shake the threat they carried. Mason was suing her again, and she hadn't told Silas yet.

Her thoughts wandered to Silas, and dread intensified in her chest as she realized she still didn't know much about him.

Debbie's conversation had kept her awake all night. Even now, she couldn't shake off the jealousy and worry that Silas had slept with his

assistant.

Her only regret was misjudging Aaliyah and she could only hope she could make it right.

"it's going to be alright," Monica said softly, breaking her thoughts. "You'll get through this."

Ivy nodded gratefully at her. "Thank you."

"Before I forget," Monica said dashing to the bed, "we got you something." She revealed a small box wrapped with colorful paper. "Happy wedding day."

"Oh," Ivy murmured, moved by the gesture. "Thank you so much."

"It's the least we could do," Monica beamed. "I'll keep it here for you to open later." She placed the box gently on the table.

"Thank you," Ivy repeated, tears welling up in her eyes.

"You're welcome," Monica commented just as there was a knock on the door. "That must be your husband," she added, moving to open

1. it.

Ivy felt her stomach knot, She wasn't ready to face Silas yet-not with all her emotions all over the place.

But when Monica opened the door, it wasn't Silas who walked in. It was her Aunt May, and she was holding a gift.

"Aunt May!" Ivy exclaimed, running into her arms.

"Wow!" May teased as she returned the hug.

The moment May's hand reached her back, the tears Ivy had been holding back

fell. She wept silently in her aunt's arms, controlled by her emotions.

When she eventually lifted her head, she realized Monica had left the room.

said with a playful sigh. "Now

tears,

forehead. She let go and began walking around the room. “Your room is big!" she exclaimed, her eyes roaming

a billionaire's wife," Ivy joked as she went to the bed. "Nice," May

Ivy said, wiping her

walking over to the bed and sitting. "I'm just glad you're

am," Ivy replied. "How

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Chapter 49

a car to pick me up. Also-" she paused, her tone softened. "I'll be

down the aisle."

statement. It wasn't that she wasn't thrilled May was walking her down the aisle, it was that it brought out the sad fact that her father wouldn't be there to walk her down

pulling her into

smiled

was hurt that her father really wasn't coming, and obviously, nor was Cole. She turned to her aunt, pleased that she at least had one family member

ready for your big day," May said, standing up. "How do we fix this

commented, standing as well. She reached the door, opened it, and called

Monica came. "Yes,

makeup artist, I want her to fix

moments later, the petite makeup

was

as always," May

smiled. "Thank you,

gift," May said, glancing around

the table, I placed it there," Monica told

you,"

got in between them. "Aunt May, this is Monica, my friend.

to meet you,"

a smile. May turned

at her reflection

down the stairs, holding the long train of her gown. When they got downstairs,

in Silas garden. Earlier before she got ready, she'd peeped at the arrangement from

cue to

felt the rush of anxiety in her

whispered reassuringly as she

she walked. The garden

standing alone on the podium. He was clad in an ivory

they reached Silas, May nodded, placing Ivy's hand

her up the podium.

look so beautiful," he muttered,

and for a moment, her

forward, a pamphlet in his hand. "Good

are gathered here to celebrate love between Silas

drifted. She remembered her first wedding the happiness she had felt, the fulfillment.