A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 112 A Dysfunctional Family

Chapter 112: A Dysfunctional Family.

"Oh," Ivy said softly, not knowing how to react.

"I didn't know he was married," Rita added, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. "Frankly, I don't think I know anything about him anymore."

Curiosity coursed through Ivy, and she arched her brow. "What do you mean?"

Rita sighed, and then her eyes fell to the bags Ivy was holding. "Wanna come inside? Ryan is taking a nap."

"Sure," Ivy smiled as she followed Rita. When they got inside, she gave Rita the bags. "For Ryan."

Rita's mouth curved into a smile despite the tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Ivy."

"You're welcome," Ivy smiled as Rita took the bags and kept them with Ryan's other toy collections.

"Can I get you anything?" Rita asked.

"No, I'm good. Thanks," Ivy replied, sitting down as Rita did too. She went quiet, waiting for Rita to continue the conversation without forcing her to.

"I met Ryan's dad five years ago," Rita said, calmly. "It wasn't love at first sight because I didn't like him at all." She giggled." But after Vera's... death, I needed an outlet for my grief and he was there. He helped me when I needed it, and you know, it just happened."

Ivy nodded, her eyes softening at Rita's sad tone. "I understand."

"So we started dating and Ryan came along," Rita continued. "I was scared, because we didn't plan Ryan, but Derek was ready and helpful, so I gave in."

"That must have been beautiful and challenging," Ivy chimed in.

"Oh, it was," Rita chuckled. "But Derek was really helpful and here we are."

Ivy leaned into the couch. "So you never left California?"

"I did. I just came back six months ago," Rita said. "Ryan's condition became worse, and Derek wanted him monitored, plus his work was making it harder to travel about. So we just decided to move here to Mill valley."

"He's a doctor, yeah?" Ivy added. "Ryan told me."

Rita laughed, the warmth reaching her eyes. "He's not a doctor. He is a medical assistant. Ryan thinks his dad is a doctor because he is always in the hospital.”

"Oh, silly Ryan," Ivy laughed, but beneath her amusement, a serious question lingered.

If Derek was just a medical assistant, how could he afford this house?

Yet Ivy held back. She didn't want to ask Rita, for the fear of being sent away. Besides, she hadn't heard the full story.

forward. "How

smile faded as the warmth disappeared from her eyes. Ivy watched

Rita could speak, Ivy's

murmured, reaching for it quickly. She glanced at the screen, an unknown number was calling. Out of curiosity, and the fact that Rita already

Your

got busy. I need you to help my brother find his parents,

thud like he opened a drawer.

name, what he knew

"but I can send his number and you can talk to

a

said, ending the call

up

"He's still sleeping?"

"Yes, soundly," Rita smiled.

Successfully unlocked!

to put Rita at ease and make her talk about her issues freely, she said, "I just spoke to a detective who wants to help Geo find

A

That

He's going

smile dropped. "But Uncle

made Ivy's chest squeezed, but

am happy for

sat beside Ivy. "Is it just

a shrug.

Rita commented, looking

her heart. "Aside from the fact that your mom would be excited, it puts me at ease to

slowly. "So my mom doesn't know you've seen

needed to know what was going on with you before involving her. I couldn't break her heart,"

you for looking out," Rita said, her voice small. "For me,

giving Rita's thigh a gentle squeeze. "You're

eyes twinkled with

worried?" "No," Rita replied. "I found out he was talking to a woman some months

Ivy's eyes widened. "Oh."

with a dumb excuse, saying he just liked the look of it. When I kept pushing, he fought with me all day," Rita said, like she was forcing the words out. "He had been absent a lot, barely coming home, barely talking

found a hotel receipt in his bag

Her stomach dropped. "That's impossible! Theresa

up as well.

do... but...

with bitterness. "Happily married but sneaking

swallowed. "How... That can't