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

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

she couldn't even blame her. The scene had looked believable, even with all the

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

luggage at my

Ivy's mind. "What have you

"She was

her clothes and bought

Ivy scoffed. "Yeah."

"I'm calling him Cole."

"What?"

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

it was Cole. Maybe the

said with a strained smile.

-o

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

know I've hurt you beyond

again. "It's okay. Sorry I sounded cold. I'm... just not

anything, I should've picked you, my best

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

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

she won't stop insulting me. Why?"

usual?"

They laughed.

at the sound of their laughter. Tears threatened

what those tears meant. They weren't from joy or reunion. They were tears of death, of grief of a

the car as he stretched on

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12.07

Chapter 195

Ivy blinked. "Again?"

"He has colic, hence

Nope.

head. Maybe it was time to find unconditional love

besides a child.

here," Jonathan announced as he turned into Cole's

finish feeding

"Thanks," Cheryl said.

churning with what

think you'll have

her,

in

angry too. Cheryl had done unforgivable

to pity the newborn. Theresa had been hurt,

should have been

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

tightened her chest. Cheryl was an orphan. And

she hadn't spoken to

said, "Okay," and

to ignore the ache

door, she saw

said, hugging

her back. "You left

She smiled.

just avoiding me," he

on." Then she paused. "Cheryl is in the

"What? Why?"

everything, including the incident with Aunt

until she had a place. Mason

voice broke as he

think about it. It hurt too much, so she

embrace.

her ears.

to her about it."

He frowned. "But Ivy-"