A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

Chapter 195

Chapter 195

"What happened there?" Cheryl asked, scooting closer.

Ivy didn't answer immediately; her heart was still hurting. She turned away, gazing out the car window.

"Are you okay?"

The concern in Cheryl's voice got to her. Ivy turned quickly, offering a faint smile. "Yes, yes, I'm good," she said. "I'm... just in shock."

And in pain, but she didn't add that.

Cheryl squeezed her thigh gently. "Sorry. I-" She was interrupted by her baby's

COOS.

She adjusted him, opened her blouse, and gently guided her nipple into his mouth.

Ivy looked away. She knew she was supposed to be uncomfortable with the sight, but instead, she felt moved-awed by the beauty and technicality of it. And maybe, a little jealous.

If there was one thing Cheryl had that she didn't, it was unconditional love. To be loved without fear. To be loved without remorse.

Her thoughts drifted to Aunt May, and her stomach tightened. There was no one who loved her that way. Not Aunt May. Not Silas.

Pain surged through her veins, but she swallowed it. Maybe it was time

"Holy smokes! What happened here?" Jonathan gasped.

have her own baby.

Ivy lifted her head to see what had made him shout. Across the road, a car had collided with a jeep.

The occupants-which Ivy guessed were an old man and some young children- were talking to a television reporter.

"That looks serious," Cheryl said, leaning forward to see.

Ivy glanced at her, surprised she was even aware of her surroundings. Maybe the depression was wearing off, she thought.

"So many reporters," Jonathan said, slowing the car so they could catch everything.

Ivy turned back to the scene, noticing the other journalists vying for the old man's attention.

"If there are this many reporters, the accident must've been serious," Cheryl said. She had finished feeding her son and was tapping his back softly, like a

seasoned mother.

"Absolutely," Jonathan agreed. "Either serious or-"

"An important person was involved," Ivy and Jonathan said in unison.

Ivy's chest tightened. Only one name came to mind/"Theresa."

Quickly, she pulled her phone from her back and dialed Theresa's number. It rang twice before it was answered.

"Hello?" It was Hector.

"Hey, Hector," she said, panic rising in her voice. "Where's Theresa?"

"She's sleeping."

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Chapter 195

The panic intensified. "Is she... okay?"

"Not really," Hector replied softly. "But she's good. Just upset."

Upset. Not hurt. Good.

"Alright," Ivy exhaled, relieved. "Thank you, Hector. I'll call again later?

He ended the

look in Theresa's eyes had hurt even more than Aunt

blame her. The scene had looked believable,

letting the tension out from her body. Beside her, Cheryl gently rocked her baby to

luggage

mind. "What have you been

"She was

her clothes and

Ivy scoffed. "Yeah."

"I'm calling him Cole."

"What?"

said, laying him gently on her thighs. "I'm

it was Cole. Maybe

Ivy said with a strained smile.

-o

went silent, and guilt crept back in. But before

you beyond anything fixable, and I'm

okay. Sorry I sounded

"I get it. If anything, I should've picked you, my best friend, over

turning toward her. Then Mason came to mind.

repeat of Rita and Wills. Not when things were

And she won't stop insulting me. Why?" "Nothing. He's just been...

usual?"

They laughed.

of their laughter.

from joy or reunion. They were tears of death, of grief of a

car as he stretched on Cheryl's

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12.07

Chapter 195

Ivy blinked. "Again?"

has colic,

Nope.

it was time to

besides a child.

as he turned into

finish feeding

"Thanks," Cheryl said.

her lip, her stomach churning with what she was about

you'll have

looked at her,

something in Ivy. Maybe she was

angry too. Cheryl had

wasn't supposed to pity the newborn. Theresa had been hurt,

should have been too—or

slowly. "I understand. I'll... call

chest. Cheryl was an

she hadn't spoken to

paralyze her, Ivy said, "Okay," and got out of

trying to ignore the ache building inside her. Just outside

door, she saw

she said,

back. "You left without saying

work." She smiled. "I had to

you were just avoiding me,"

she paused.

"What? Why?"

the incident with Aunt May. "I

she had a

Ivy," Cole's voice broke as he hugged her again.

It hurt too much,

embrace.

behind her ears.

to her about it."

He frowned. "But Ivy-"