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?

Ivy." He ended

swirled, yanking off the panic. The look in Theresa's eyes had hurt even more than Aunt May's brutal

her. The scene

out from her body.

your luggage at

thought crossed Ivy's mind. "What have you been wearing? You sol,

"She was really

some of her clothes and bought

Ivy scoffed. "Yeah."

"I'm calling him Cole."

"What?"

Cheryl said, laying him gently

Now it was Cole. Maybe the depression hadn't fully left

with a strained smile. "Cole

-o

car suddenly went silent, and guilt crept back in. But before Ivy

know I've hurt you beyond anything fixable, and

mounting again. "It's okay. Sorry

I should've picked

Ivy said, turning toward her. Then Mason came to mind. "Has

her business, but she couldn't allow a repeat of Rita and Wills. Not when things were this fragile

"No. Just Martha. And she won't

than usual?" Cheryl

They laughed.

laughter. Tears

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

stretched on Cheryl's lap.

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12.07

Chapter 195

Ivy blinked. "Again?"

"He has colic,

Nope.

was time to

besides a child.

Jonathan announced as

finish

"Thanks," Cheryl said.

churning with what she

you'll have to go

at her, her

awakened something in Ivy. Maybe she was supposed

Cheryl

wasn't supposed to pity the

should have been

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

an orphan. And by

she hadn't

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

inside, trying to ignore the ache building inside her. Just

door, she

said, hugging

back. "You left

work." She smiled. "I

just avoiding

laughed. "Come on." Then she

"What? Why?"

incident with

stay until she had a place. Mason is going

voice broke as he hugged her

to think about it. It hurt too much, so

embrace.

behind her ears. "And I don't

to her about it."

He frowned. "But Ivy-"