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 10 17 AM 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 .

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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 1017 AM 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 . "