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 the

in Theresa's eyes

even blame her. The scene had looked believable, even

letting the tension out from her body. Beside her,

your luggage at

Ivy's mind. "What have you

was really

May gave 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 naming

it was Cole. Maybe the

Ivy said with a

-o

and guilt crept back in. But before

hurt you beyond anything fixable, and I'm

Sorry I sounded cold. I'm... just not

whispered. "I get it. If anything, I should've picked you, my

turning toward her. Then

allow a repeat of Rita and Wills.

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

usual?"

They laughed.

laughter. Tears threatened to form, but she swallowed them

throat. She knew what those tears meant. They weren't from joy

car as he stretched on

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12.07

Chapter 195

Ivy blinked. "Again?"

"He has colic,

Nope.

her head. Maybe it was time to find unconditional

besides a child.

Jonathan announced as he

stay and finish feeding

"Thanks," Cheryl said.

stomach churning with what she was about to

you'll have to

at her,

awakened something in Ivy. Maybe she was

too. Cheryl had done

she wasn't supposed to pity the newborn. Theresa had

should have been too—or at least

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

her chest. Cheryl was an orphan. And

hadn't spoken to

Ivy said, "Okay,"

to ignore the ache building inside her. Just

she

said,

back. "You left without saying

I had work." She smiled. "I had

you were just avoiding me," he

Then she

"What? Why?"

him everything, including the incident with Aunt May.

she had a place.

Cole's voice broke as he hugged her again.

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

embrace.

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

to her about it."

He frowned. "But Ivy-"