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

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

blame her. The scene had looked believable, even with all the

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

luggage

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

was really

gave me some of her clothes and bought a few

Ivy scoffed. "Yeah."

"I'm calling him Cole."

"What?"

said, laying him gently on

Now it was Cole. Maybe the depression

a strained smile. "Cole sounds

-o

guilt crept back in. But

you beyond anything fixable, and I'm

"It's okay. Sorry

If anything, I should've picked you, my

turning toward her. Then Mason came to mind. "Has

she couldn't allow a repeat

Martha. And she won't stop

usual?"

They laughed.

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

turned away, clearing her throat. She knew what those tears meant. They weren't from joy or reunion. They were

he stretched on Cheryl's lap. She picked

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Chapter 195

Ivy blinked. "Again?"

"He has colic, hence

Nope.

head. Maybe it was time to find

besides a child.

here," Jonathan announced as he turned

can stay and finish feeding him," Ivy

"Thanks," Cheryl said.

her stomach churning with what she was about to

think you'll have to

at her, her eyes

something in Ivy. Maybe she was supposed

angry too. Cheryl had done unforgivable

supposed to pity the newborn. Theresa

have been too—or at least

understand. I'll...

tightened her chest. Cheryl was an orphan.

relatives she hadn't spoken

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

inside, trying to ignore the

she

said, hugging

back. "You

work." She smiled. "I

just avoiding me," he

she paused.

"What? Why?"

incident with Aunt May. "I was

she had a place.

voice broke as he hugged her again. "I'm so

it. It hurt too much, so she gently stepped out of

embrace.

her ears. "And

to her about it."

He frowned. "But Ivy-"