A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas) novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180

Chapter 180

“Secrets would kill anyone,” Rosie used to say. “But yours, Thomas? They would drown you, and then drag the rest of your family to hell.

Maybe she was right, Thomas thought as he watched Theresa and Silas flare up. Maybe his crazy wife knew him too well–better than he knew himself.

“What offshore account?” Silas demanded, his eyes sharp, and Thomas knew his brother was past softening up.

What would he do?

“I… used to have… the account for emergencies,” he said, tucking his hand into his pocket to stop it from shaking

Maybe being honest would make things better.

“For emergencies?” Silas shrieked.

Maybe not.

Silas moved closer, and in that moment, Thomas saw a man; not the timid child who used to be afraid of trying new things, not the child who did as he said, but a man with his own mind. And that terrified the shit out of him.

“So you’ve had this account since when?” Silas roared and he flinched.

Lie. You can’t tell the truth.

“Two years.”

“Fucking hell,” Silas scoffed, running a hand through his hair. Behind him, Ivy bit her lip, her eyes wide with fear, her hand in mid–air as if trying to pacify him.

Thomas lowered his head, unsure of what to say.

“I don’t know how to feel,” Silas admitted, shaking his head. “And I don’t know if it’s because you had an emergency account I didn’t know about, or because you lied to me for two years!”

“Baby…” Ivy said softly.

Silas turned to her and for a moment, Thomas watched as his brother’s anger faded at her touch. They stood like that for a few seconds before Silas faced him again.

His voice was softer now, but his eyes were not. “I’m hurt, Thomas.”

“I’m sorry,” Thomas replied quickly. “I never used it, which is why I never mentioned it. I’m sorry.”

“So, when you were investigated for fraud, did you declare the account?”

Thomas’s heart skipped. Another moment of truth. Should he lie?

“If it was an offshore account, I don’t think declaring it would’ve changed the investigation,” Theresa interjected.

He sighed, grateful that Theresa had saved his ass. “Yeah.”

But Silas wasn’t done, his eyes glinted with something that unsettled Thomas. If Silas kept pushing, he feared he might have to tell the truth.

And the truth, like Rosie would say, could drag them all to hell.

Thankfully, Theresa spoke before Silas could continue. “What do we do about Rosie? I don’t like the fact that she has resources to back up her sinister plans.”

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Chapter 180

Thomas wanted to roll his eyes, but he didn’t. Everybody was sounding stressed like Rosie wasn’t his wife, like his name wasn’t dragged through th mud, like his house hadn’t been destroyed, and Uncle Mike wasn’t lying helpless in a hospital bed leaving him to do all of this.

Anger surged through him, but he held it back. He was already stressed out dealing with Mateo Castro, and now none of his family could offer an ounce, of kindness. Everyone just wanted to blame him.

“We should call the police and have the money traced,” Silas said. “If they find out where it went, maybe they can find her.”

“Yes,” Thomas replied calmly.

There was no point telling them he’d already done that. No point mentioning that Rosie had moved the money through two different accounts, bypassing security like a fucking hacker.

Because saying that would mean explaining how she even knew how to do it, which would lead to telling them everything. Right now, he couldn’t afford

that.

So let them dream.

“Yes,” he repeated. “I’ll call the police.”

“I don’t want to imagine how she hasn’t been caught,” Theresa said, wrapping her arms around herself. The stress was starting to tell on her, even her once bouncy blonde hair looked frail and faded.

“It’s getting crazy,” Ivy muttered tiredly.

They went silent before Theresa spoke again. “What do we do about Aria? I didn’t like the way she acted.”

There it was again. Talking about everyone else but him.

His chest tightened with anger, but he clenched his fist to control it. The lie had worked, no point ruining it with a fit.

“I saw her storming out. What happened?” he asked, keeping his voice low.

Theresa explained, her voice shaking slightly.

“That’s unusual,” he muttered. “I think we all need rest. A lot’s been happening, don’t judge her harshly.”

“I guess,” Theresa murmured. “Are you going to stay? Want to hang out?”

“No,” he said. “I would’ve loved to, but I’ve got plenty to do.”

“How’s the… house? And everything?” Ivy asked carefully.

Thomas shifted uncomfortably. “Just there. It’s still under investigation.”

“Then where have you been staying?” Ivy’s voice rose with concern.

He scratched his chin. “In a hotel. Don’t worry, I’m safe.”

Before guilt could settle in his chest, Thomas cleared his throat. “I have to go

“Oh, wait,” Silas said, then told him and Rosie’s letter. “Are you sure she doesn’t have access to that account anymore? She’s going wild.

10:37 Fri 6 Jun Of W・

This wasn’t the plan. He didn’t want to be wifeless, living in a goddamn hotel, lying to his family, and catering to a dangerous man.