Chapter 58: Salty Ex–bestfriend.
When Ivy entered the car, she let out a deep sigh.
“Are you alright, ma’am?” Bud asked as he started the car.
“Yes,” she breathed, but she wasn’t sure anymore. She sank into the car, pressing her
nails into its leather seat to restrain herself from screaming.
She wanted to scream for all the emotions she was feeling. She was angry at
everyone–her father, Cole, and even Silas.
She couldn’t believe Silas was seeing Aaliyah, and he didn’t even have the decency to do that any other day aside from their wedding day. She pulled out her phone, and searched for the pictures. She had to see it herself.
And there it was, Silas and Aaliyah coming out of his study, smiling. The stupid photographer had even captured a side picture of Ivy in the frame.
She threw the phone, and it bounced off the seat and fell. Bud regarded her from the
rearview mirror.
“I’m okay,” she said as she bent to pick it up. “I’m just angry, but I’m fine,” she admitted.
“Was that your brother?” Bud asked.
“Yes. My older brother,” Ivy replied, looking out the window.
“Sorry about that, ma’am,” Bud said politely and turned his attention to the road.
The anger ignited in Ivy’s chest as she remembered how Cole had supported her father. Even with glaring evidence, he still believed Thomas was guilty. She had to find the solution, starting from why her dear mother was depressed in the first place.
Her phone rang, breaking her thoughts. She reached for it and frowned when she saw it was an unknown number.
“Hello?” she picked cautiously.
“Well, well, Ivy. I can see you’re becoming really smart.”
The voice annoyed her. “Cheryl, what do you want?” she demanded.
“I just wanted to congratulate you. You’ve done so well in becoming a force. I can’t believe you threw me under the bus,” Cheryl said, laughing hysterically.
Ivy rolled her eyes. “It is the truth. They kept asking stupid questions and I told them the truth,” she said, annoyed as she remembered her interview with Luke and Rita.
“I do hope you’re ready for this, Ivy Cause you’ve drawn a battle line.” Cheryl’s voice became bitter.
Successfully unlocked!
“It’s always something with you. Get off my phone,” Ivy hissed.
“Mason is suing you! I do hope you’re-”
Ivy ended the call before Cheryl could finish. She had bigger fish to fry than to tolerate small talks from a salty ex best friend.
“We’re home, ma’am,” Bud announced.
“Oh, thank you, Bud,” Ivy said. “I appreciate what you did back then,” she told him as she got down from the car.
“Just doing my job,” Bud smiled, visibly pleased with himself.
Ivy nodded and made her way inside. She noticed that the bar was no longer in the living room as everything had returned to normal.
“Hey,” Silas called. He was seated on a couch.
“Hey,” Ivy replied.
“How was it?” he asked.
“Okay,” she replied flatly and turned towards the stairs.
“I’ve something to tell you,” Silas said standing up.
Out of curiosity, Ivy stopped and turned to him. “Is it about Aaliyah?” she asked softly, keeping her anger in check.
His eyes widened with surprise. “Yes”
She folded her arms. “I’m listening.”
“Not here,” he said, and before she could protest, he pulled her gently into his study.
Ivy’s cheeks burned as she remembered their escapades, but she stopped the images with the anger in her chest. He had done the same to Aaliyah, there was no point blushing about it.
“We’re here now,” she said firmly.
“Would you seat?” Silas asked, gesturing to the couch.
“Just speak,” she snapped.
“Since you’ve seen the news,” he began. “It’s fake. One of the reporters I paid to cover our wedding decision to go another route for his personal reasons. Don’t worry, I’m dealing with him.”
Anger rushed her chest at his causal tone. “That’s it? That’s all you have to say?” Silas looked at her confused, “It’s false, I didn’t sleep with Aaliyah,”
She couldn’t believe he was lying again. “Of course,” she said ironically. “She’s going through a lot and you were consoling her as usual, right?”
He took a step towards her. “1 understand you’re pissed, but it’s the truth.”
She had enough of this; she had enough of his lies. She couldn’t believe she apologized to Aaliyah. “Alright then,” she said, turning towards the door.
“She’s gay” he blurted out.
2/4
Chapter 58. Salty Ex–bestfriend
Ivy stopped in her tracks, turning slowly to face him.
“Aaliyah is gay. Though she hasn’t come out yet,” Silas said, walking over to her. “She begged me not to tell anyone, but I don’t want this to ruin our marriage.”
Ivy’s anger melted and was replaced with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” she said softly.
“You didn’t,” Silas said. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”
Her heart tugged with emotions. It wasn’t because of his loyalty to Aaliyah, but because he was concerned about their marriage.
“Now you know.” He gave a sheepish laugh. “She’s really going through a lot.”
“I understand now,” Ivy nodded.
“That’s it,” Silas smiled, opening the door for her.
She followed him, her cheeks burning. She was grateful he hadn’t decided to repeat
their last encounter. When she turned to the stairs, she faced him. “Where’s everybody?”
“They left already,” Silas replied. “There was… an argument.”
“An argument?” She heard the shock in her own voice..
Silas took a step closer before he responded. “You told Theresa and the twins about the miscarriage?”
Ivy cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I… thought it was a good idea then.”
“Oh, Ivy,” Silas said, taking her hand. “It was bad timing.”
Her blush intensified. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Silas smiled, squeezing her hand softly. “We all spoke about it. It’s fine.” His smile broadened.
Ivy bit her lip, nodding quickly. She was ashamed of herself, yet she was curious about what they had all discussed.
“Would you give me Rosie’s number so I could apologize again?” Ivy asked.
“I don’t think it was that serious, but I’ll give you her number,” Silas replied.
She turned towards the stairs, ready to go. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. We have a meeting with Thomas tomorrow morning. We are starting your photography business,
“Thank you,” she said. Her heart leapt with excitement.
“You’re welcome,” he smiled, bowing jokingly.
She laughed as she made her way upstairs. Inside her room, she took off her shoes and sat on the bed. She hadn’t even congratulated him on their wedding, it has been issues back to back all morning.
She picked the camera from the bed and removed it from its carton. Her heart
3/4
swelling with delight as she lifted it. She had missed photography so much, she couldn’t even believe she had left it for this long. Even in her darkest time–when Mason was cheating, when they divorced, when she lived with Aunt May, and even when she worked at Dani’s–she had always had time for her passion.
She stood up, about to go get her box of equipment when her phone rang. Out of curiosity, she reached for it. Her heart sank at the notification.
It was a news headline:
Just in: Cheryl Derick, Mason’s Hunter New Wife, Claims Ivy’s Stone Infertility Led To Her Pregnancy Scandal.
“The hell! Ivy yelled, marching out of the room.
She went straight to Silas’s room and didn’t even knock before entering.
Silas was on his bed, half naked, and he stood when he saw her. “What’s it?”
“Cheryl just released an article calling me barren,” she said, breathing heavily. “I’m
done playing nice, Silas. I want my revenge as soon as possible!”
回
2Likes
