Chapter 12
Ivy leaned against the door, bolting it swiftly behind her.
What was that?
She panted, her chest heaving as she tried to steady her breathing. She pressed her lips together, trying to suppress the longing that surged through her. A rush of undeniable heat coursed through her as she kicked off her shoes.
Ivy collapsed into her bed, its softness easing her tension just slightly. She stripped off the hideous gown Rosie had given her and flung it on the floor.
She winced, recalling the argument with Rosie before choosing the dress. Trying to shake off the memory of that and Silas’s touch. Ivy made her way to the tub and soaked herself in warm water.
Some minutes later, she wrapped herself in a plush blue towel, returned to the bed and drifted off into a deep sleep.
The next morning, she was woken by a bang on her door. Ivy yawned and stretched, making her way out of the bed. She wrapped a robe around her and cracked the door open. Monica stood there, beaming.
Good morning, ma’am,” Monica greeted cheerfully. “I brought you breakfast”
-Good morning,” Ivy murmured, opening the door wider to let Monica in
Monica set a tray of food on the table. “Mr. Stone said you have Victor, his driver, and Bud for the day, in case you want to go out.”
“Is he out?” Ivy asked.
“He’s preparing for work, ma’am.”
ank you
“Alright, thank you,” Ivy said.
Monica nodded and left. Ivy moved to the table and popped a strawberry in her mouth. She then walked to the large window and pulled
back the curtain.
The view below was magnificent, and she promised herself to check it out one of these days.
Looking around the room, the realization hit her.
Sise was here at least for six months.
She scrolled back to the bed, and sat.
What happened yesterday? She reflected.
It had been a whirlwind. From losing her job to becoming Ivy Stone, And the incident with Rosie and Cheryl?
Why did she accept that? Why didn’t she fight back?
Yesterday was never happening again–they’re never going to see that vulnerable Ivy again. She was coming at them with full force
“Starting with Cheryl,” she said out loud. She needed to give that backstabbing ex–best friend a piece of her mind.
The door flew open without warning, and Silas entered, cladded in a sharp blue suit.
“Silas,” Ivy breathed, clutching her robe tightly.
His eyes lingered on her exposed neck, sending a blush creeping up her cheeks.
“How was your first night as Mrs. Stone?” he asked, his voice thick with emotion as he stood by the door.
Ivy’s blush deepened. “Great And yours?”
“I was thinking about you all night, I couldn’t sleep,” he confessed.
“Silas she chided, even though his honesty made her stomach knot.
Chapter 12
He chuckled. “Are you going out today?”
“I think I’m going to see Aunt May, why?”
“Nothing. I just want you to have Bud around. He mentioned yesterday’s, incident,” Silas said firmly.
g him
Ivy’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. “I can handle myself. Yesterday was is never happening again,” she said firmly, letting know that she meant it.
“I know,” he said softly, his possessiveness unmistakable. “But I’d prefer Bud handle things before I do.”
She blushed at his tone. “Thank you for your concern,” she whispered.
“You’re welcome,” he smiled. “Do you think you’re ready for the marriage announcement?”
Ivy thought about it. She did want to put some things in place before then; like her conversation with Aunt May. “Soon, I guess,” she shrugged. “If that’s not too long, she added quickly,
“Take your time,” Silas assured her.
“Thank you,” she replied, though she had no intention of taking her time. She wouldn’t want to break her side of the deal.
“Where’s your phone?”
His question caught her off guard. “Uh, there.” She pointed to the bedside table.
Silas walked to the bedside, took her phone and dialed some numbers. “I just realized I didn’t have your number.”
The number incident played in her mind and she cringed in shame. “Thank you.”
“If you need anything, just call me,” Silas said,
“Sure, she replied, her breath hitching as his piercing gaze lingered on her.
For a moment, it seemed as though he might close the distance between them. Part of her wanted him to, another part didn’t
But instead, he shook his head and turned to the door. “Have a lovely day, Ivy.”
As soon as he left, Ivy sighed. She remembered his touch on her breasts–his searing kiss, and desire sprang through her. She knew he wanted her his longing for her was obvious, but she wasn’t ready for that—yet.
Shaking the thought off, she prepared to see her aunt. When she got downstairs, Bud was waiting.
“I’m going to my aunt’s house,” she told him. “And thank you for yesterday”
“My pleasure,” Bud nodded. Then, as an afterthought, he added. “I had to tell the boss.”
“I understand. You were doing your job,” Ivy replied.
If anything, she was the one who should be ashamed. She had been such an emotional wreck that she had allowed everyone to walk all
over her.
She made her way to the garage, where she saw the older man who introduced himself as Victor. Ivy gave her aunt’s home address, and shortly they arrived there.
“Aunt May?” Ivy called as she pushed the door open.
May stepped out of the kitchen, wearing an apron. “Ivy?”
“Yes, it’s me,” Ivy said, moving to greet her.
“I don’t want him in my house,” May said, her eyes narrowing at Bud
“Please stay in the car, Bud. I’ll call you when I need you.” Ivy said apologetically as Bud reluctantly left.
May had always had a dislike for wealth and atiluence. Which was why she managed her life in a modest home, worked as a fast–food manager, and drove a small car. Who would have thought May was millionaire Patrick Scott’s sister?
10:16 AM
Chapter 12
“How are you doing?” Ivy asked as she sat down
“Good. And you? I can see you’re wearing a fancy dress,” May teased.
“I went shopping yesterday,” Ivy said, burying all yesterday’s events that crept in her mind.
-What’s this contract thing about?” May cut straight to the point, sitting down across from her.
“It’s a six month marriage. I get to restart my life, he gets to divert the attention from his brother’s case Ivy explained.
May’s eyes softened. “I heard about Thomas Stone’s case–tragic.”
“He thinks Mason is involved,” Ivy said.
A flash of realization crossed May’s face. “I wouldn’t be surprised. That man is capable of some evil”
“He is Ivy agreed.
When she had first met Mason, his ambition and kindness had drawn her in. It was so easy to give him everything, since she trusted his judgment naturally.
But then, ambition turned into greed, and kindness into cruelty. And slowly, Mason had turned into a complete stranger that she could barely recognize he lied, he cheated, and she just couldn’t handle that chan
“Well, I trust you,” May said with a warm smile. “And I hope Mr. Stone deals with that son of a
The door burst open, cutting her off.
Mason entered, his lips curved in a sneer. “I knew I’d find you here, my low–life ex–wife.”
AD
