Chapter 61: Make An Awful Mother.
“Any comments on Mason Hunter’s new life?”
“Are you willing to open up about your struggles with infertility to help other women?”
A reporter pushed a microphone toward Ivy’s left ear. Silas snatched it away, yelling,” Scram!” as bodyguards created a pathway.
Ivy’s vision blurred, but her hand remained in Silas’s. He guided her into the car, and once inside, she sighed deeply.
“Drive, Victor,” Silas ordered, tapping the headrest. Victor sped away.
Ivy breathed slowly, trying to steady her nerves. She didn’t bother checking to see if the reporters were following–she only hoped they weren’t.
“Are you alright?” Silas asked softly.
“Yes,” she replied softly, nodding slowly. “I was caught by surprise,” she laughed. Not that she found any of that funny.
Silas observed her for a moment before rubbing her thighs gently. “That’s the harsh reality of our world. Personally, I hate it, and I don’t miss it.”
“I thought you’d be used to it by now,” she said, smiling faintly.
Silas chuckled. “Used to it? Never. I hate the lies, the clinginess. It’s only useful when it works in my favor, and most of the time, I have to buy my way there.”
Curiosity coursed through her. “How often have you done that?“.
“More times than I can remember,” Silas admitted, removing his hand.
Ivy nodded, looking out the window. He was a billionaire and had an image to maintain -of course, he would buy his way to anything.
“I’m sorry you were ambushed like that,” Silas said.
Ivy turned to him. “How did they even know we were there?”
“Somebody probably tipped them off. I don’t know.” He shrugged. “We’ll release a statement about what your ex–best friend said.”
te that, bu
Though it hurt to know that Cheryl was capable of something like that, but she wasn’t going to give her the pleasure of a public statement.
“No, no statement,” she told him.
Silas raised a brow. “Why not?”
“I don’t want to debunk anything. Iet them think whatever they want.”
He hesitated before asking, “Is it.
“That I’m barren? No,” she scoffed.
Successfully unlocked!
“Oh,” Silas said gently as he placed his hand back on her thigh. “I’m sorry. No wonder
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Chapter 61: Make An Awful Mother
you understood Rosie’s pain.”
She blinked. “What? No.” Then she understood. “I haven’t… tried with Mason. At all.”
A frown creased his forehead. “Then how do you know that… you’re not…”
“I had tests. Cheryl knows, that’s why she’s saying all that,” Ivy said, anger surging in her chest. “She knows everything–including why I never wanted to have Mason’s child.”
“Okay,” Silas drawled. “Care to share?”
She bit her lip, glancing briefly at the window. “The first time Mason and I argued, he said terrible things to me–things that were enough for me to end the marriage. But I was too stubborn… too embarrassed to do it.”
When Mason told her she would make an awful mother just because she almost dropped a friend’s baby, the words broke her. Every argument afterward, he would refer to the incident, telling her he’d never give her a child.
She knew she should have left then–way before his cheating became obvious–but she couldn’t. She’d invested her money, her time, and she didn’t want her father to mock her–she didn’t want to admit she failed.
“Cheryl told me never to give him a child,” she continued. “She said he’d be a terrible father. So, I took pills, tracked everything–just so I wouldn’t get pregnant.”
“And now she’s using that against you,” Silas said, his voice hard with anger.
“Yes.” She nodded. “But I’m not even angry. I’m just done. She can keep him.”
Silas rubbed her thigh, sending unexpected shivers through her. “You’re incredibly strong.”
She nodded, unable to speak.
“Where’s your ring?” Silas asked abruptly.
Ivy looked down at her bare fingers, blushing. “I must have left it on the table after my shower.”
“I would like you to keep it on until the contract expires,” he said gently.
Ivy nodded. The reminder of the arrangement made her a little uncomfortable. She shifted in her seat, removing Silas’s hand from her thigh.
He noticed her actions and adjusted as well. “You took it off because of yesterday?”
Ivy cheeks burned. “No,” she said. She didn’t want to be reminded that she had slept in his bed. “Who’s Sonia?” she asked, changing the topic.
Silas looked at her. His eyes gleamed with something unreadable. He cleared his throat. “Sonia is one of Thomas’s old clients, now she works with Mason.”
“How did that happen?” Ivy asked.
“Somebody–who we suspect might be Mason–leaked her financial information. She’s the third person under Thomas who had her information released to the
understood Thomas’s attitude. “Let’s get Sonia back.”
Silas turned to her. “Get her back? How?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “But I know it’ll piss Mason off.”
Before Silas could respond, the car stopped. Victor announced that they had reached
their destination.
Silas helped her out of the cat, and together they followed Thomas and Gabriel.
The premises were spacious and served as a parking area. It was enclosed with a small metal gate. The building itself was a single–story structure, and by instantly liked the atmosphere. As she walked in, she could smell some freshly baked bread,
“This is big” Silas commented, taking in the large space.
“You should see the top floor–it’s massive,” Thomas replied.
by examined the place, impressed by what she saw. She could already picture herself working there. She followed Gabriel upstairs and discovered that Thomas was right–it was massive.
“You can redecorate to your taste,” Gabriel said, gesturing.
“I like it” she announced.
“Don’t conclude just yet,” Thomas told her. “Let’s go check out the others.”
By the time they were done with the building’s inspection, it was dark, and by had made her choice. The second building was situated in a dull environment, the third one was too isolated.
“I love the first one,” she announced as they exited the third property “It feels homely”
“Excellent choice, ma’am,” Gabriel said, visibly pleased.
“Alright, hy, Thomas said. “It’s already late. We’ll continue this conversation tomorrOW I’ll have Gabriel have the paperwork ready by then.”
“Wonderful Thank you, Thomas,” Silas said, hugging his brother,
“Thank you,” by repeated.
“You’re welcome.” Thomas said with a smile. Tm glad to help”
“We’ll see you tomorrow then,” Silas said.
“Alright.” Thomas said. “See you tomorrow,” he waved as they all walked to their cars.
They left the street together, and later dispersed.
“Thank you, Silas” Ivy said as Victor reached the highway 1 really like it.
“Just keeping my part of the deal” Silas said, sounding tired.
Chapter 61: Make An Awful Mother.
Ivy turned to the window, tired but happy. Shortly after, Victor broke the silence. “We’re home, sir.”
“Thank you Victor,” Silas said, stretching as he stepped out.
Ivy followed suit, exhaustion nibbling at her bones. She turned to Silas. “See you tomorrow.”
“You haven’t eaten?” Silas asked.
As if on cue, her stomach growled loudly. Embarrassed, she chuckled. “I’ll tell Bethany to make me something.”
“Alright then. Goodnight,” Silas said, heading towards his room.
She waved and trudged upstairs. Once inside, she removed her shoes, undressed and took a long bath. She was putting on a top and shorts so she could go and eat when a knock interrupted her.
“Yes?”
“It’s me,” Silas said.
Ivy opened the door. “Hey.”
“I just spoke to Thomas,” Silas began, a mischievous look in his eyes. “He said Sonia would be at Wallace’s art gallery.”
Ivy’s eyes widened. “Has he…”
“Yes,” Silas chuckled. “He has given you permission to convince Sonia.”
