Chapter 41
Chapter 41
“What do you mean dated my husband before?” Ivy asked, aware of the heat on her cheeks and the panic in her voice. God, she sounded so stupid.
“Dated, you know. Smashed. They were an item–they fucked,” Sally explained, oblivious of the pain building in Ivy’s chest.
Ivy tried to act indifferent. But her heart wouldn’t stop pounding.
“I’m sure it’s all in the past now,” Sally said, placing her hand on Ivy’s shoulder as if to console her.
“Yes, all in the past,” Xia agreed.
Ivy faced the mirror, seeing the pink rise on her checks. “I wonder what else I don’t know about Silas,” she murmured, biting her lips.
“Well,” Xia began. “Your husband has-”
“Love for you,” Sally interrupted her.
From the mirror, Ivy saw Sally eye Xia. She looked away, the pain banging in her chest. Why the hell was she feeling this way? It wasn’t as if it was a real marriage. Why was she feeling like a real wife who got cheated on?
“Shall I begin?” Sally asked, smiling at her through the mirror.
Unable to speak, Ivy nodded. Her eyes drifted to the Cartier wristwatch, and a thought crossed her mind.
Damn. She was such a fool to think every time Silas gifted her, it was meaningful. That was his way of playing off the guilt he felt. He’d do terrible things, and then give her expensive gifts to feel better.
Two gifts at a time meant he had done something terrible again–like appoint his ex–girlfriend to be in charge of her styling.
She wanted to yank the wristwatch off her hand and throw away the necklace too. But she couldn’t–not with Sally and Xia around- they lived for gossip.
“Mrs. Stone?” Sally’s voice broke her thoughts.
“Huh?” Ivy blinked, shifting in her chair. “Sorry, what did you say?”
“I asked who did your hair,” Sally repeated.
“Oh, it’s Monica. My friend,” Ivy replied with a smile.
“Well, she did a great job,” Sally said, running a hand through Ivy’s hair. “Is she a professional stylist?”
“I don’t know,” Ivy shrugged. “I’ve never asked.”
“It’s just me and you today. My assistants are not around. Honestly, I told them not to come. I didn’t know it was you I was styling today.”
“Oh okay,” Ivy said flatly.
Sally began to comb out Ivy hair. “So, tell me–how was it with you and the other Ms Stone? I heard you pushed her, and she had to go to the hospital to fix her legs.”
Ivy raised her brow. “Who told you that?”
“Oh, you know. Gossip.” Sally said, smiling.
She couldn’t believe the false news had been circulating. “Rosie didn’t go to the hospital for anything.”
“Oh!” Sally exclaimed, her eyes lighting with delight. “But you pushed her?”
“I did.” She nodded.
There was no point denying it when it was already in circulation. The least she could do was to revamp the lie.
“Damn, I knew you had it in you,” Sally said, laughing. “But I heard your husband got angry at you. Poor thing–guess it’s his sister–in- law over his wife, huh?”
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Ivy knew Sally was just talking for conversation sake, but somehow the statement revived her anger towards Silas. She clenched her fists, wondering why she was even feeling this way in the first place.
“It’s good to stand up for yourself so others don’t take advantage of you,” Sally said, still working on her hair. “You know, one–”
“How long will this take?” Ivy interpreted, already tired of the conversation. She just wanted to be left to her thoughts, away from Sally talks.
A small blush deepened on Sally’s face, and Ivy felt guilty for her embarrassment. “Oh, soon,” she said with a smile. “Let’s go wash it.”
Sally averted her gaze as Ivy stood up, making her feel even more terrible about herself.
She sat gingerly at the wash station, allowing Sally to do her things. Once they were done, they went back to the mirror side. Sally was drying her hair when the door opened.
The lady that had brought Ivy there popped her head in. “How’s it going?”
“Almost done,” Sally said flatly.
“Alright, please faster. Ms Salvatore is already here,” she said and shut the door.
Ivy didn’t expect her heart to leap the way it did, but it did, with eagerness racing through. She couldn’t believe she was eager to see this Aaliyah Salvatore.
“You know that lady that left,” Sally said suddenly. “Rosie
Ivy was spooked by the statement. “Oh my!”
once threw a pen in her eye.”
“Yup,” Sally nodded. “Speaking of Rosie, did you know Kim and Rosie were friends?” She leaned forward and whispered. “A friend of mine said that after Kim betrayed your husband, she sold the red gown to Rosie.”
“Wow!” Ivy’s eyes widened.
“That’s why Rosie had the gown, to think she even kept such a gown is despicable,” Sally said, frowning,
“That’s terrible,” Ivy said, shaking her head in disbelief.
“I guess,” Sally said, fixing some curlers in Ivy’s hair.
Soon Sally finished with her hair, and Xia came to do the makeup. When she was done, Sally called back the lady, who then directed Ivy to another room down the corridor.
“Ms. Salvatore is in here,” the lady said, gesturing to the door. “Once you are done ma’am, please join us in the white room for the photoshoot.” She pointed down the hall.
“Alright,” Ivy nodded as she watched the lady go.
She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat and pushed the door open. The room was cooler than expected, and a young woman with bouncy black hair sat by the window.
She turned to face Ivy and smiled. “The famous Ms Stone. It’s nice to finally meet you,” she said, standing up to greet Ivy.
Ivy swallowed again as she took in Aaliyah Salvatore’s appearance. She was a tall woman, with smooth bronze skin that paired perfectly with the flowy golden gown she wore.
God, she was gorgeous, and Ivy felt a pang of unexpected jealousy. This was the kind of woman Silas would definitely date–a woman that looked like a goddess, one that would compliment any man.
“Nice to meet you,” Ivy said, moving to the chair.
Aaliyah walked over to the rack of clothes. “Your husband mentioned the diamond necklace he gifted you,” she said, glancing back at Ivy. “I’m thinking an emerald gown would pair perfectly.”
Ivy felt anger surge through her. Why would Silas talk to his ex–girlfriend about a gift he gave her? And the guts of Aaliyah to talk about it casually like it’s nothing.
“What do you think?” Aaliyah turned to her. “This should go,” she stretched out a long beautiful emerald gown.
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Ivy’s jaw clenched. “I think it’s weird that my husband is talking to his ex about a gift he gave me.”
Aaliyah laughed softly, unbothered. “I’m more than just Silas’s ex now–I’m a friend.”
Aaliyah’s casual tone made Ivy even more mad. “Still. That doesn’t mean it’s right.”
Aaliyah shook her head as she walked to the couch. She dropped the emerald gown on it.
“I’m not doing this with you. I can’t deal with a jealous wife. You can style yourself,” she said and sauntered out of the room.
Ivy blinked, her heart racing from Aaliyah’s attitude.
