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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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 the

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

couldn't even blame her. The scene had looked

out from her body. Beside her, Cheryl gently

luggage at my

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

was really

me some of her clothes and bought a

Ivy scoffed. "Yeah."

"I'm calling him Cole."

"What?"

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

Now it was Cole. Maybe the

with a strained

-o

silent, and guilt crept back in. But before Ivy could

you beyond anything fixable, and I'm

again. "It's okay. Sorry I

it. If anything, I

her. Then Mason came to mind. "Has he

but she couldn't allow a repeat of

"No. Just Martha. And she won't stop insulting me. Why?" "Nothing. He's just been... weird

usual?"

They laughed.

sound of their laughter. Tears threatened

meant. They weren't from joy or reunion. They were tears

stretched on Cheryl's lap. She picked

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Chapter 195

Ivy blinked. "Again?"

colic, hence

Nope.

her head. Maybe it was time to find unconditional love in

besides a child.

announced as he

stay and finish feeding

"Thanks," Cheryl said.

stomach churning with what she was about

have to go somewhere

at her,

awakened something in Ivy.

too. Cheryl had done unforgivable

to pity the newborn. Theresa had been

should have been too—or at

understand. I'll... call

an orphan. And by family, Ivy knew

she hadn't

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

ignore the ache building inside her.

she

she said,

back. "You left

smiled. "I had to

you were just avoiding

on." Then she paused. "Cheryl is in

"What? Why?"

incident with

she had a place.

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

to think about it. It hurt too much,

embrace.

tucking her hair behind her ears. "And I don't

to her about it."

He frowned. "But Ivy-"