Chapter 2
-Not
Ivy yelled, the shock of the news weakening her. Cheryl was six months pregnant, and Ivy was just divorced three months ago. So it could only mean…
She looked at Cheryl, the betrayal stabbing at her heart. “You’re supposed to be my best friend! How could you betray me!”
“You can’t shout at her,” Mason interrupted, his hand resting on Cheryl’s waist. “It’s not her fault that you couldn’t take care of me.”
“But I did!” Ivy exclaimed, refusing to release the tears welling up in the corner of her eyes. “I did everything for you. I left because you cheated on me with several women, and now my best friend is your baby mama?”
“Fiancé,” Cheryl corrected, flaunting a diamond ring. “Mason proposed yesterday, I was going to tell you that too.”
Ivy’s stomach knotted with shock and disbelief. Her knee buckled, and she grasped the table for support. “You..how
“We don’t have to explain anything to you,” Mason said coldly. “Take the offer, or forget about it altogether.” He turned to Joe. “This meeting is over. Thank you, Joe,” he added, his grip tightening around Cheryl’s waist. “Let’s go, baby.” Together, they left the room
Ivy collapsed into the chair, trying to process what just happened. Not only was her childhood best friend carrying her ex–husband’s child–they were also engaged!
Joe interrupted Ivy’s thoughts as he packed up his file. “I’ll give you five minutes to get yourself together, Miss Scott,” he said, leaving the
room.
Ivy wasn’t sure how she made it to her aunt’s house, but somehow, she did. Luckily, her aunt wasn’t around, so she went straight to the small space she called her room and shut the door before letting herself cry.
She broke down in fits, her heart aching from Cheryl and Mason’s betrayal Cheryl had been her best friend since childhood, and Ivy had even considered dedicating her time in raising Cheryl’s child–Mason’s child. Now, that thought stung
Her alarm rang, breaking her thoughts. It was time to resume work, but she wasn’t in the mood. She texted Tina, her manager at Dani’s. telling her she was sick and couldn’t make it.
Then she panicked. With no tangible income, how was she going to survive? She couldn’t wait tables forever. Having no other option. Ivy wiped her tears and dialed her brother’s number.
“Cole,” she said when he picked up.
“Yes? I thought I told you not to call me,” her older brother said impatiently.
“Please, Cole. I need your help,” Ivy pleaded tearfully..
“I have nothing to do for you, Ivy. I told you that before–when you left our family for that idiot, I said that was the end.”
The pain of Mason’s betrayal struck her again. She’d given up so much to be with him–only to be hurt. “I know, but I have nothing else, Cole. I inade a terrible mistake, and I need your help,” she whimpered.
Cole went silent before speaking again. “Fine. What do you want?”
“Money–to help restart my photography career,” she said, wiping her eyes.
He hesitated. “Fine,” he finally said. “But Dad can’t know–he’d kill me.”
“He won’t,” she promised.
“Meet me at James‘ Bar in an hour.”
“Oh, Cole, thank you so, so much!” she breathed.
“Just make sure you look presentable,” he replied, hanging up
Ivy quickly showered, her nerves calming slightly. She couldn’t dwell on Mason and Cheryl’s betrayal, she needed to focus on moving forward and coming back stronger
She wore the only exotic dress left in her closet–a black sheer gown, one of the last pieces from her time with Mason. She styled her brown hair, applied light makeup, and left.
1/3
10:13 AM
Chapter 2
Arriving at James‘ Bar a few minutes early, Ivy texted Cole and ordered a drink while she waited. Her heart raced as she glanced round the room; it had been ages since she had gone out Even before marrying Mason, she rarely did. The thought of the single life terrified
her.
“Hello,” a deep voice said from beside her.
lvy turned and found herself staring at a handsome man with hazel eyes. He looked like he had stepped straight out of a painting. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, his muscular frame evident beneath the fabric. His hair was slicked back, and a smile tugged at his lips.
“Do you speak?” he asked, amused.
Ivy blushed, realizing she’d been staring. “Sorry,” she muttered, feeling her cheeks heat up.
“Mind if I join you?” he asked, and without waiting for a response, he pulled out a chair.
Ivy caught the whiff of his cologne and the glint of his diamond–studded watch
“How’re you?” he asked.
“I’m waiting for someone,” Ivy blurted, looking away when she saw the expression on his face.
“Okay,” he drawled, signaling to the waiter. “I’m waiting for someone too. I thought you could use some company
“Thank you, but I’m good,” she replied, suddenly aware of the heat between her legs.
Why was she reacting to this stranger, especially after everything Mason had done to her?
“Fine.” He didn’t even try to hide his disappointment.
As the waiter served his drink, Ivy texted Cole again, scanning the room for him.
“While you wait, let me buy you another drink,” the hazel–eyes stranger offered
Ivy shook her head. “Thank you, but no. I’ll soon be leaving.”
“Alright,” he said, focusing on his drink.
Ivy’s phone chimed–it was a text from Cole saying he couldn’t come. Her heart shattered as she stared at the message, tears threatening to spill.
She texted him back, asking when next they could meet, but there was no response. She tried again, pleading with him, telling him she had nothing else but still nothing.
The man noticed. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?
“Nothing…I’m…L.” she stammered, standing up.
He gently held her hand, sending shivers down her spine. “You can’t go out like this. Sit down, take a breath.”
There was something warm and compelling in his voice that made her obey. He signaled the waiter again and ordered another drink for
her.
“Drink up, it’ll help,” he encouraged.
Truthfully, the alcohol worked, and by the time she finished her bottle, she had loosened up.
Thank you, Mr.”
“Silas,” he smiled, leaning closer. His thighs brushed Ivy’s, making her sizzle. “What’s your name?”
“Ivy,” she whispered.
“Ivy,” he repeated softly. “Who were you waiting for?”
She took a sip, numbing the pain of Cole’s absence. “My brother.”
“What then made you sad?”
2/3
10:13 AM
Chapter 2
Maybe it was his tone, or his eyes, or maybe it was simply the alcohol, but Ivy found herself telling Silas everything–from Mason to Cheryl, her family, and even her passion for photography.
He listened intently, speaking when he needed to. They chatted for a while, laughing, drinking, and then, impulsively, she leaned in and kissed him.
“Sorry,” Ivy said, pulling back, embarrassed.
Silas said nothing. Instead, he pulled her closer, kissing her deeply. “Let’s get out of here.”“
“Yes,” she n nodded, surrendering to o the moment–letting the alcohol take ove
Before long, they arrived at his hotel room–tipsy, kissing, and laughing. Silas led her into his room, unable to keep his hands to himself
“L… I haven’t…in a while,” Ivy confessed softly as he slid her dress off her shoulder. It had only been Mason for more than a year.
“I’ll be gentle,” he mumbled, nibbling at her neck.
now. He kissed her everywhere.
Ivy relaxed into his touch–surrendering. Silas took over, exploring her body as if he knew her before n taking her hard pink nipples into his mouth.
Ivy moaned, responding to him like he wasn’t a stranger she’d just met some hours ago. He carried her to the bed, and they both undressed. He placed kisses all over her as he caressed her inner thighs.
Then, he entered her, melting away her worries–at least for the night
田
AD
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10:14 AM
