A marriage deal with billionaire stone (Ivy and Silas)

"What happened there?" Cheryl asked, scooting closer.

Ivy didn't answer immediately; her heart was still hurting. She turned away, gazing out the car window.

"Are you okay?"

The concern in Cheryl's voice got to her. Ivy turned quickly, offering a faint smile. "Yes, yes, I'm good," she said. "I'm... just in shock."

And in pain, but she didn't add that.

Cheryl squeezed her thigh gently. "Sorry. I-" She was interrupted by her baby's

COOS.

She adjusted him, opened her blouse, and gently guided her nipple into his mouth.

Ivy looked away. She knew she was supposed to be uncomfortable with the sight, but instead, she felt moved-awed by the beauty and technicality of it. And maybe, a little jealous.

If there was one thing Cheryl had that she didn't, it was unconditional love. To be loved without fear. To be loved without remorse.

Her thoughts drifted to Aunt May, and her stomach tightened. There was no one who loved her that way. Not Aunt May. Not Silas.

Pain surged through her veins, but she swallowed it. Maybe it was time

"Holy smokes! What happened here?" Jonathan gasped.

have her own baby.

Ivy lifted her head to see what had made him shout. Across the road, a car had collided with a jeep.

The occupants-which Ivy guessed were an old man and some young children- were talking to a television reporter.

"That looks serious," Cheryl said, leaning forward to see.

Ivy glanced at her, surprised she was even aware of her surroundings. Maybe the depression was wearing off, she thought.

"So many reporters," Jonathan said, slowing the car so they could catch everything.

Ivy turned back to the scene, noticing the other journalists vying for the old man's attention.

"If there are this many reporters, the accident must've been serious," Cheryl said. She had finished feeding her son and was tapping his back softly, like a

seasoned mother.

"Absolutely," Jonathan agreed. "Either serious or-"

"An important person was involved," Ivy and Jonathan said in unison.

Ivy's chest tightened. Only one name came to mind/"Theresa."

Quickly, she pulled her phone from her back and dialed Theresa's number. It rang twice before it was answered.

"Hello?" It was Hector.

"Hey, Hector," she said, panic rising in her voice. "Where's Theresa?"

"She's sleeping."

The panic intensified. "Is she... okay?"

"Not really," Hector replied softly. "But she's good. Just upset."

Upset. Not hurt. Good.

"Alright," Ivy exhaled, relieved. "Thank you, Hector. I'll call again later?

"Bye, Ivy." He ended the call.

Guilt swirled, yanking off the panic. The look in Theresa's eyes had hurt even more than Aunt May's brutal words.

And she couldn't even blame her. The scene had looked believable, even with all the noise.

She leaned back, letting the tension out from her body. Beside her, Cheryl gently rocked her baby to sleep.

left your luggage at my place."

A thought crossed Ivy's mind. "What have you been wearing? You sol, Cheryl

replied. "She was really sweet."

"Aunt May gave me some of her clothes and bought a few things

Ivy scoffed. "Yeah."

"I'm calling him Cole."

"What?"

"My baby," Cheryl said, laying him gently on her thighs. "I'm naming him Cole."

First it was Patrick. Now it was Cole. Maybe the depression hadn't fully left her after all.

"Great," Ivy said with a strained smile. "Cole sounds great."

-o

The car suddenly went silent, and guilt crept back in. But before Ivy could address it, Cheryl spoke.

"I know I've hurt you beyond anything fixable, and I'm sorry."

Ivy exhaled, guilt mounting again. "It's okay. Sorry I sounded cold. I'm... just not there yet."

"Yeah," Cheryl whispered. "I get it. If anything, I should've picked you, my best friend, over him."

"It's fine, really," Ivy said, turning toward her. Then Mason came to mind. "Has he been calling you?"

She knew it wasn't her business, but she couldn't allow a repeat of Rita and Wills. Not when things were this fragile and severe.

Cheryl raised a brow. "No. Just Martha. And she won't stop insulting me. Why?" "Nothing. He's just been... weird lately."

"More than usual?" Cheryl teased.

They laughed.

Ivy's heart fluttered at the sound of their laughter. Tears threatened to form, but she swallowed them down.

She turned away, clearing her throat. She knew what those tears meant. They weren't from joy or reunion. They were tears of death, of grief of a friendship that would never be.

The baby stirred, his tiny cry filled the car as he stretched on Cheryl's lap. She picked him up and nursed him again.

12.07

Ivy blinked. "Again?"

Cheryl chuckled. "He has colic, hence the cat naps."

Nope.

Ivy shook her head. Maybe it was time to find unconditional love in something

besides a child.

"We're here," Jonathan announced as he turned into Cole's driveway.

"You can stay and finish feeding him," Ivy offered.

"Thanks," Cheryl said.

Ivy bit her lip, her stomach churning with what she was about to say.

"I think you'll have to go somewhere else."

Cheryl looked at her, her eyes wide.

Theresa's reaction had awakened something in Ivy. Maybe she was supposed to

be angry too. Cheryl had done unforgivable things.

Maybe she wasn't supposed to pity the newborn. Theresa had been hurt, anger.

Maybe she should have been too—or at least pretended.

Cheryl nodded slowly. "I understand. I'll... call some family."

Guilt tightened her chest. Cheryl was an orphan. And by family, Ivy knew she

meant relatives she hadn't spoken to in years.

Before guilt could paralyze her, Ivy said, "Okay," and got out of the car.

She walked inside, trying to ignore the ache building inside her. Just outside the

front door, she saw Cole.

"Hey," she said, hugging him.

"Hey." He hugged her back. "You left without saying goodbye."

"Sorry, I had work." She smiled. "I had to leave early."

"Or you were just avoiding me," he teased.

She laughed. "Come on." Then she paused. "Cheryl is in the car."

"What? Why?"

tvy told him everything, including the incident with Aunt May. "I was thinking she

could stay until she had a place. Mason is going crazy."

"Oh, Ivy," Cole's voice broke as he hugged her again. "I'm so sorry."

She didn't want to think about it. It hurt too much, so she gently stepped out of his

embrace.

"Thanks," she said, tucking her hair behind her ears. "And I don't want you talking

to her about it."

He frowned. "But Ivy-"

"I'm serious, Cole," she cut him off. "We've all been through enough. Just... let it

be. For now."

She saw the frustration and hesitation in his eyes. She hugged him again, hoping

it would dilute some of his anger.

"Thank you, Cole. Really."

12:37 Tue, 17 Jun

It worked-he sighed and hugged her back tightly.

"You're welcome," he said softly.

"One more thing," she added, lifting her head. "She doesn't want your guards

anymore. Apparently that bastard Wills seems enough for now."

Cole's eyes darkened. "For now."

"Hey, Cole," Cheryl said from behind them.

Ivy stepped away as Cole turned to face her.

He didn't hug her, but his voice was gentle. "Hey, Cheryl. Lovely to see you

again."

For a moment, it felt like old times, and Ivy's heart fluttered. She cleared her

throat, refusing to be fooled by memories.

"I'll be inside."

Cole looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't.

Ivy walked in, ready to lose herself in work until she was fit to deal with her

emotions. Just as she entered the living room,

Silas was there.

she froze.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, frowning.

"I came to see you," he said.

Her toes curled at the look on his face, but she controlled herself.

"You called me earlier," he said, stepping closer.noveldrama

His voice sent shivers down her spine, and for a moment, she wanted to forget

the anger.

"I did," she said firmly. "But that doesn't mean I want to see you."

"Ah, baby," he groaned. "I'm sorry. Just come home. Please."

"You don't get to tell me that," she snapped. "Leave, Silas."

He didn't say anything, but his face changed. She saw his mouth tremble, and her

heart sank.

She rushed to him, all her anger melting. "What happened?"

"It's Thomas," Silas choked. "I... we had a fight."

Then he broke down in tears.

AD

Comment

Send gift