Chapter 21
“What?” Ivy whimpered, her knees buckling at Sally’s statement.
vious to the pain etched across Ivy’s face.
ou in that,” Sally said, oblivious to
“I can imagine the look on Mr. Stone’s face when he saw you in
Ivy’s chest tightened, and for a moment, she thought she might pass out. She stumbled toward the red chair, clutching it for support.
“I wonder why Mrs. Stone brought that gown. I tried to say something but she shut me up.” Sally
continued.
Ivy could feel a headache forming as she gripped the chair. Her cheeks burned from embarrassment as she recalled Silas’s cold voice.
Rosie was pure evil–there was no other way to describe her.
“I don’t think you should give in to Mrs. Stone,” Sally advised, moving closer again. “She’s not a good person, and you should give her a
taste of her own-
Sally froze mid–sentence and hurried out of the room. Startled, Ivy turned to the door–and there stood Rosie.
Ivy’s stomach churned with rage. “How dare you, Rosie!”
Rosie gave a scornful laugh. “I warned you, didn’t I? I told you the consequences of marrying Silas.” Her eyes glimmered with malice.
Ivy straightened, letting go of the chair. “I don’t know what your problem is, but I’m not backing down!”
“Oh, you will,” Rosie said, stepping closer, causing Ivy to turn towards the door. She wasn’t going to let Rosie corner her again. “This is just the beginning.”
*Then wait until I tell Silas about this,” Ivy threatened, her voice slightly shaky.
Rosie laughed again. “You think Silas would pick you awful Mason Hunter’s trash over me?”
Ivy gasped, a blush betraying her defiance.
“Oh, I know all about you,” Rosie sneered, her eyes flashing with spite. “My husband told me everything. You were married to Mason. and he divorced you”
She divorced him, Ivy thought bitterly, but the truth felt insignificant against Rosie’s cruel words.
“You’re broke, now you’re clinging to Silas to fix your pathetic life,” Roșie continued, approaching Ivy.
Ivy grew uneasy, backing further toward the door. Rosie seemed to sense her fear and she fed on it, her voice growing louder and sharper.
“I was right afterall. You’re just a low life opportunist who needs another marriage to function. What makes you think this marriage will be any different?
You’ll ruin this one, too–just like the last!” Rosie laughed cruelly. “Face it, Ivy. You’re a sad, desperate woman who’d need seven more marriages to finally get it right.”
Rosie’s taunts struck a nerve, and Ivy surged forward, completely fueled by rage. She shoved Rosie hard, sending her tumbling on her butt.
“I won’t tolerate your insults!” Ivy snapped, pointing at her. “Try it again, and you’ll-”
“Ivy!” Silas’s voice thundered from behind.
Ivy stiffened, her heart sinking as she slowly turned to face him. Rosie ran into Silas’s arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“What have you done?” Silas demanded, his voice sharp with anger as he consoled Rosie.
Ivy scoffed, watching in disbelief as Rosie played the victim. The situation had flipped entirely.
“Are you okay?” Silas asked Rosie, tilting her face to inspect her.
“L. I’m…” Rosie stammered, sobbing harder.
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Chapter 21
Silas’s hazel eyes burned with fury as he turned to Ivy. “You pushed her?”
Ivy flinched at the look. “She started it,” Ivy whispered, gripping the chair again for support. “She threatened me…
“It didn’t look like that,” Silas snapped, his teeth clenched. “I saw you push her!”
“Oh, Silas Rosie sniffled. “Don’t be mad at Ivy–she didn’t mean to shove me.”
Ivy’s irritation deepened at Rosie’s honeyed voice. “You liar! You-
“That’s enough!” Silas roared, interrupting Ivy’s protests. “I’m disappointed in you, Ivy.”
Ivy’s cheeks flushed as she fought back tears. She couldn’t believe Silas was taking Rosie’s side. “Silas. I’m telling the truth.”
“I know what I saw!” he snapped.
Ivy countered. “I’m your wife, you should
“And Rosie is my sister in–law! You’ll treat her with respect!” His words stung, pushing out the tears she had held back.
Silas looked away.
unmoved by Ivy’s tears. “The shoot is over, and so is lunch. Get out of that filthy dress,” he hissed before helping Rosie straighten up. “I’m so sorry, Rosie.”
e even
Ivy stood motionless, humiliated and betrayed, as Silas held Rosie. The scene churned her stomach, and Silas’s ignorance stung more. Then suddenly, anger surged when Rosie casted a sneer at Ivy as she left the room in Silas’s arms.
“That bitch,” Ivy muttered, wiping her tears. She couldn’t believe Rosie had played the victim so freaking well.
Ivy looked into the mirror, cleaning her eyes. Even though Silas had humiliated her in front of the whole team, she wouldn’t go out there looking like someone who needed their pity. Her gaze fell on the blue sapphire necklace, and she shoved it away, resentment boiling within her.
She changed into her yellow gown, discarding the red one. With her head held high, she left the room. As expected, the murmurs of staff followed her, but she ignored them.
At the reception area, Bud was waiting. He waved when he saw her. “Mr. Stone asked me to take you home.”
e emotions.
Ivy’s cheeks burned as she followed Bud silently. Silas’s absence broke her heart further, but she refused to give in to the
Back at the house, she ran straight to her room, shutting the door behind her. She was done with this stupid marriage. If Silas was going to pick Rosie over her, he could as well marry her.
She packed her box of photography equipment, ready to go back to Aunt May’s house when a sudden knock interrupted her.
“Not now, Monica,” she called out
Open the door.” The response was firm–and it wasn’t not a plea.
She marched to the door, her box in her hand. She fully intended to brush past Silas. But he blocked her path.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded.
“Away. I’m done!” Ivy spat, pulling away from him.
“You can’t leave the marriage,” he shot back.
“Why? I’ve had enough of you and Rosie! I’m donel” she snapped, anger surging in her chest.
“Tl sue you!” he threatened, but she caught the fear beneath his words.
“Go ahead–sue mel” she retorted, pulling herself free.
As she turned to leave, Silas grabbed her arm, causing her box to crash to the floor. Before she could react, he pulled her close and kissed her.
Ivy fought his kiss, her defiance evident, but slowly she melted into his arms. His tongue teased her parted lips, delving deeper, igniting fire within her.
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Chapter 21
He tightened his grip, pressing his hardness against her stomach, weakening her. She responded, her nipples hardened, her anger completely gone.
Silas’s hand slid down to her waist, and Ivy clung to him, captured in a web of passion. As his kiss deepened, one hand held her in place. the other slipped beneath her gown searching between her thighs.
When his fingers found her opening, a moan escaped her lips, her body trembled under his touch.
Her mind went completely blank, sizzling with desire. Her knees buckled as she spread her legs in surrender.
“Touch me, Silas,” she whispered, too consumed by the moment to feel any shame.
He didn’t hesitate. He rocked his arousal against her stomach. Shifting her pants, he slid his fingers inside her.
色
