Chapter 25
“What’s wrong! Are you okay?” Ivy asked, noticing the change in Silas’s demeanor.
It was the umpteenth time she had asked that question, surprising herself by her sudden concern for him,
She told herself it was because she knew her own mood shifted the instant she saw Mason and Cheryl, but deep down, she knew it was because she was worried about his feelings.
First, he had seen Dylan–which must have reminded him of the betrayal he clearly hadn’t moved on from. Then, he had met Mason- the man responsible for his brother’s problems.
“Yes, yes.” Silas replied quickly, his mood shifting again.
It was the second time a message had popped up on his phone, and each time his expression had darkened. He dropped her hand, and Ivy knew something was wrong.
Afraid of upsetting him further, she murmured her assent and turned towards the garden. It was a beautiful, immaculate piece of land under the night sky–though a little intimidating.
She glanced back at Silas, catching the frown on his face and the anger in his eyes. She grew worried. “Is it about dinner?” she asked cautiously. “Did something happen!”
He turned to her, surprise replacing the anger in his eyes. “No, no,” he said, shaking his head with an unconvincing smile.
Ivy studied his face briefly for answers but gave up when it revealed nothing. “Alright,” she muttered, “Let’s go back in. We can resume the tour in broad daylight.”
He didn’t argue, he simply turned toward the door and opened it for her. Feeling deflated, she entered and headed for the stairs.
“Don’t go yet,” he said.
Her heart leapt with joy as she turned. Maybe he was ready to talk now!
instead, he gestured toward the living room. “I want you to meet the stall before you head to bed.”
Her heart plummeted, but she forced a smile. “Sure.” She followed him into the sitting room, where his staff were waiting, their faces warm and accommodating.
Sulas sank into the couch. “Introduce yourselves to Ms. Stone,” he said, sounding already exhausted.
Monica stepped forward. “Hello, ma’am,” she smiled. “Here is Bethany, who’s in charge of the kitchen; Mary–Ann and Clara, who handle housekeeping. Lucas takes care of the garden. James is our maintenance specialist. Diana manages the laundry, and Edward is Mr. Stone’s butler. I am the house manager and your personal maid.”
Ivy wondered why Silas had appointed Monica as her personal maid when he could appoint someone else with less work, but she swallowed her thoughts and nodded at them. “It’s nice to meet you all.”
“Nice to meet you too, ma’am,” they chorused.
“Welcome, ma’am,” Diana added.
“Thank you all,” Ivy smiled, feeling heat rise in her cheeks.
“That’s everybody. Goodnight, Silas dismissed them all.
Once the staff left, Ivy turned to Silas, waiting for him to say something–anything. When he didn’t, she started toward the stairs, her cheeks burnhug, “Goodnight.”
“Have a sweet night,” he replied.
Ivy lowered her head, shoulders hunched as she trudged to her room.
The next morning. Ivy woke up to her phone buzzing incessantly. She yawned and stretched, reaching for it on her bedside table
Her groggies quickly faded when she saw she had over twenty missed calls. Her father had left two, Cole lett one with a message after saying: Call me
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Chapter 25
And Mason left the rest with three different messages. One said: pick up, the second said: please, let’s just talk, the third said. You are a fucking cunt–in capital letters.
She already knew what the calls were about–the pictures had been released. If her family was reacting this way, she dreaded what the media was saying.
Ivy shoved that thought in the abyss of her mind–it was too late now. The pictures were already out there.
A knock on the door startled her. She stood and opened it to find Monica, glowing in a bright red gown.
“Good morning. Ivy,” she smiled warmly.
“Good morning.” Ivy replied, sitting on her bed.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Monica asked.
“Good,” she replied. She couldn’t possibly tell Monica that she’d spent the night dreaming about Silas.
“Mr. Stone asked me to help get you ready. You’ll be having breakfast together,” Monica said.
vy didn’t expect to be delighted by the news, but she was. The thought of sharing breakfast with Silas made her heart race with Anticipation.
It reminded her of the mornings she used to beg Mason to have breakfast with her during their marriage. That used to be their thing- before Mason changed.
“I’ll prepare your bath,” Monica said, breaking Ivy’s thoughts as she headed for the bathroom. A few minutes later, she returned. “Do you have a color in mind for your dress? I can help you pick something while you get ready.”
“No,” Ivy replied, shaking her head. “Maybe something flowery, casual… free.”
“Of course,” Monica nodded and went to the closet.
lvy stood up and went to the bathroom, where Monica had drawn a warm lavender bubble bath. As she dipped herself in, she immediately felt more refreshed. When she finished, she saw that Monica had laid out a white gown with floral patterns.
She quickly dressed, eager for her intimate breakfast with Silas. Maybe she could even get him to open up about his strange behavior
last night.
But as she walked into the dining room, her heart sank. This was no intimate breakfast at all. Thomas, Rosie, and an unfamiliar man were already seated.
“Ah, Ivy, you’re here,” Silas smiled, holding a cup of coffee.
Ivy tried to mask her hurt. It was stupid of her to expect anything intimate and thoughtful outside their contract marriage.
“Good morning,” she said, forcing a smile as she entered the room.
“Good morning, Ivy,” Thomas said, his tone making her more uneasy.
“Come, come. Sit with me” Silas gestured to the empty seat beside him.
Ivy walked over slowly, trying to conceal her disappointment.
“This is Wade, Thomas’s lawyer,” Silas said, introducing the man. “He made pur contract.”
Ivy winced at the reminder but turned to Wade. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise, ma’am, Wade nodded, taking a sip of his coffee.
Rosie, who had ignored Ivy since she entered, spoke. “Congratulations again, Silas. I’m so glad your fake marriage is paying off” Her tone was laced with derision.
Ivy’s jaw clenched, but she refused to react.
“Thank you,” Silas replied, giving Ivy a small squeeze
“All thanks to a good show,” Rosie continued, laughing. “Anyone who saw those pictures would think you two actually care about each
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Chapter 25
other.
Everyone else seemed to notice the harsh tone.
“To Ivy and Silas, Thomas said, lifting his mug. “Thanks for saving my neck.”
“The work has just begun,” Wade added.
Ivy felt small, sitting in the room. They were talking about her as
ras if she were just another cog That they’d treat her like family? She almost felt sorry for herself.
or in t
their scheme. What h
had she expected?
“You know what?” Rosie said, leaning forward. “How about I take charge of the wedding dress? I want it to be the talk of
“Absolutely not,” Ivy cut her off, surprising herself with the sharpness in her tone. “I don’t want the red gown incident happening again.”
