A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Ivy watched as color spread across Rosie’s face. For a fleeting moment, her brown eyes widened.

“Oh, that was… just an honest mistake,” Rosie said dismissively, attempting to mask her shock.

Ivy wanted to press the conversation further, but she knew it would only hurt Silas. “Yeah,” she murmured, dropping it.

Thankfully, the door opened, and a young man entered with a trolley loaded with food, interrupting the tense silence.

He placed plates in front of everyone and left without a word. When Ivy reached for her tea with a shaky hand, she glanced at Silas. His expression hardened, and his lips were pressed into a thin line.

“What’s the next public appearance you have planned, Silas?” Thomas asked, breaking the silence.

Silas turned to his brother, his brow slightly furrowed. “More private dinners and lunches. I’m thinking of holding the wedding in two weeks.”

Ivy coughed at his statement, quickly grabbing a napkin to dab her mouth. She wasn’t surprised the wedding was happening so soon, only surprised Silas hadn’t informed her before announcing it.

“That’s good. I’m sure the media will go crazy with that,” Wade chimed in.

“In that case,” Thomas said, “I’ll cover the wedding expenses.”

“You don’t have to,” Silas interrupted, raising a hand.

“It’s the least I could do.”

“Ivy has sacrificed six months of her life to make this happen,” Rosie interjected with a sneer. “She played it well with the fake kiss, giving her body up for this act. It’s the least we could do.”

Rosie’s words finally hit Ivy as her expression made it worse. Her cheeks burned with humiliation and discomfort seized her.

“Yes,” Ivy said, attempting to regain control of the situation but failing. She stood abruptly, unable to bear the awkwardness and the look on their faces as they spoke about her like she wasn’t a human being with feelings. “Excuse me,” she said, leaving the dining room.

She was almost at the stairs when Silas called after her.

“Ivy? What’s wrong?”

What’s wrong? He was seriously asking her that?

“Nothing,” she replied with a forced smile. “I’m just tired, that’s all.”

“You’re overwhelmed with everything. I’m sorry,” he said, his tone genuine, his eyes

kind.

She wanted to believe him–wanted to believe he cared. But she couldn’t. This was a contract marriage, nothing more, nothing less.

“Yes,” she said softly, stepping away.

“I’m sorry about Rosie’s attitude,” Silas said. “She’s not usually like that. She’s probably still upset about yesterday.”

“Yeah, right,” Ivy scoffed, retreating further.

“I ordered new clothes for you,” he added, smiling as if he’d done something extraordinary. “Monica will deliver them soon.”

Did he really think clothes and expensive jewelry could fix everything?

Anger surged through her–toward–Silas, Thomas, Rosie, all for different reasons. “I don’t want your damn clothes,” she snapped. “Just keep your side of the deal and help with my business. That’s the only reason I agreed to marry you.”

Silas’s eyes widened with shock, but before he could respond, Ivy marched to her room and slammed the door shut.

Collapsing on the bed, guilt washed over her. Why had she done that? She’d only hurt herself by expecting the breakfast and family conversations to be special–intimate.

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11:52 AM

Chapter 26

She was a fool for expecting so much from the marriage. She had hurt herself, why was she taking the anger out on Silas?

Her phone rang, interrupting her spiraling thoughts. It was Mason on the line, and she picked it because she needed an outlet for her

anger.

“What?” she snapped.

“I can’t believe you,” Mason said, his tone laced with pain. “I can’t believe you’re in a relationship with Silas Stone.”

“Married, actually,” she corrected coldly. “What do you want, Mason?”

“What?” Ivy froze, stunned by his question.

“It’s not funny,” Mason snapped, his tone stern.

Mason’s voice dropped, his words laced with malice. “End that shit, or you’ll hate yourself. I won’t have you ruining my reputation with your sluttiness!”

His insult struck a nerve and Ivy’s fury ignited. “Get off my phone!” she yelled. “Don’t ever call me again!” She ended the call and threw the phone on the bed.

Breathing heavily, Ivy turned abruptly and froze. “What are you doing here?”

Ivy pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her racing heart. “Leave, Rosie. I’m not in the mood for your games.”

Rosie stepped closer, her voice laced with sarcasm. “But you are playing, Ivy. Since you agreed to this marriage, you’ve been playing a very dangerous game.”

“What is your problem?” Ivy demanded, her anger reigniting. “My marriage to Silas is to help your husband, It’s almost like you don’t want me to help Thomas.”