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

Theresa's eyes had hurt even more than Aunt May's brutal

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

from her body.

luggage

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

was

gave me some of her clothes

Ivy scoffed. "Yeah."

"I'm calling him Cole."

"What?"

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

Cole. Maybe the depression hadn't fully left

with a strained smile.

-o

car suddenly went silent, and guilt crept back in. But before Ivy could address it, Cheryl

I've hurt you beyond

mounting again. "It's okay. Sorry I sounded cold.

"I get it. If anything, I should've

her. Then

repeat

And she won't stop insulting me.

usual?" Cheryl

They laughed.

heart fluttered at the sound of their laughter. Tears threatened to form, but

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

filled the car as he stretched on Cheryl's lap. She picked him up and nursed

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Chapter 195

Ivy blinked. "Again?"

chuckled. "He has colic, hence

Nope.

head. Maybe it was time to find unconditional

besides a child.

announced as he turned into

stay and finish feeding him," Ivy

"Thanks," Cheryl said.

her lip, her stomach churning with what she was about to

have to go somewhere

looked at her,

something in Ivy. Maybe she was supposed

angry too. Cheryl had done

to pity the newborn.

have been too—or at

understand.

her chest. Cheryl was an orphan. And by family,

relatives she hadn't spoken

Ivy said, "Okay," and got out

inside, trying to ignore the

she saw

she said,

He hugged her back.

had work." She smiled. "I had to leave

were just

"Come on." Then she paused. "Cheryl is

"What? Why?"

incident with Aunt May. "I was

until she had a place. Mason is going

voice broke as he hugged her

It hurt too much, so she gently stepped out

embrace.

her ears. "And

to her about it."

He frowned. "But Ivy-"