shock. “Marriage again? Were you married before?" Ivy asked, her voiceced with sh


    It wasn''t that she cared much about Ss''s previous rtionships-she was a divorcée herself-but the fact that he hadn''t mentioned it


    stung.


    What else had he forgotten to mention?


    an engagement, and it


    "Oh, don''t mind Rosie," Ss said, waving his hand as the o other hand tightened around her waist. "It was only an ended six months ago


    two were married. I miss her.


    was as if you two


    Rosie''s eyes glinted mischievously. "Everyone knew how much you adored Kim. It was as if


    "Well, she''s not here anymore," Ss said as he e led Ivy into his living room, dismissing Rosie''sment.


    The living room was enormous and impably decorated, but Ivy was too focused on the conversation to admire the room.


    Rosie followed them, her heels clicking against the tiled floor. She carried herself with a grace Ivy was slightly jealous of bronzed shoulders, lean frame, and a poise that seemed effortless.


    "Do you


    you think she''ll be back soon?" Rosie pressed, "You two alwayse back together after breakups."


    Ivy''s stomach twisted. Rosie''s audacity to talk openly about another woman in front of her was baffling.


    And why wasn''t Ss defending her?


    "This time is different." Ss said firmly, a trace of annoyance in his voice. "It''s been a long time, and I''m married now."


    Rosie seemed to catch the tone too. She turned to Ivy, her mouth curved into a smile that didn''t quite reach her eyes. She extended a hand with long, red- painted nails. "Nice to meet you"


    Heat rose to Ivy''s cheeks as she shook Rosie''s hand. "Nice to meet you too."


    "What brings you here, Rosie?" Ss asked as he took a seat on the couch, pulling Ivy down beside him.


    "I came to talk to you about Thomas," Rosie said, perching elegantly across from them. She crossed her legs, revealing her red bottom heels. "You heard about the whole news right? Mason Hunter is framing him."


    At Mason''s name, Ivy stiffened. Ss seemed to notice; he ced a soothing hand on her thigh.


    "Yes, I''ve heard," Ss replied. "We spoke earlier to


    today."


    "What are you doing about it?" Rosie asked, her concern evident. "We can''t let them tarnish our name."


    Ss leaned back slightly. The marriage is part of the n. I''m hoping the announcement will divert some attention."


    "Ah, Rosie''s eyes flickered with disdain at Ivy before she masked it. "A marriage of convenience."


    "A marriage nheless," Ss replied evenly.


    Ivy felt small sitting there. Maybe it was Rosie''s cutting gaze or the mere fact that Rosie reminded her of the things she used to have when she was married to Mason-the clothes, the shoes, the jewelry-or maybe it was simply the oddness of the contract marriage itself -but Ivy felt ufortable.


    "How do you intend to retine her?" Rosie asked, her tone condescending as her eyes swept over Ivy''s attire. "The media will tear her apart."


    Ivy gasped


    "Watch your tone, Rosie," Ss warned, lus tone a low grunt. "Ivy is a reputable woman. She is the daughter of Patrick Scou."


    Rosie''s eyes shed with surprise before it was reced with a smile. "My apologies, Ivy"


    Ivy hit her lip, annoyance brewing in her chest. Who the hell did Roste think she was! But, she smiled. "Thank you," then she turned to Ss "You didn''t introduce us properly."


    "Rosic is


    "I''m Rosie Glenn Stone. Rosie cut Ss off. Thomas''s wife. My husband is Ss''s elder brother, her smile widened "Wee to the Stone family."


    Ivy swallowed her annoyance and nodded. "Thank you."


    "I do hope your fake marriage benefits my husband''s reputation. Rosie nodded.


    "I hope so too," Ivy murmured, her blush deepening. She turned to Ss, suddenly


    needing an escape. "Can I use the bathroom, please?"


    "Oh sure," Ss smiled and stood up. "We''ll be right back, Rosie."


    followed Ss into a corridor leading to stairs. They climbed to the


    Ivy nodded at Rosie, catching the sharp re sent her way. She fo second floor,


    turned right, and stopped at a brown oak door.


    "Your room," Ss announced, pushing the big door open.


    Ivy walked in. A gasp escaped her lip. "It''s.... it''s beautiful."


    Ss chuckled. “d you like it. I''ll have the maid get you new dresses to fill your entire closet."


    "Thank you," she said, her voice soft with gratitude.


    vy, you won''t regret our six-month marriage."


    Ss approached her, his arms sliding possessively around her waist. "I promise you, dear Ivy,


    Distracted by his touch, Ivy stammered. "Ye-yes."


    He brushed a strand of hair from her face, and without warning, he kissed her.


    Ivy allowed the kiss for a moment before nudging him away. "Ss...”


    "No intimacy, I know," he said, stepping back with a wry smile. "It''s just.. you''re so irresistible."


    His hazel eyes lingered on her, their intensity sending warmth in between her


    legs. "You have to go, Ss," Ivy swallowed, aware of her hoarse voice.


    "The maid would soon introduce herself. I''ll see youter. Make yourself at home," he nodded and with one final, lustful look, he left the


    room.


    Ivy copsed into the plush bed, burying herself in its softness. She kicked her shoes off and covered her legs with the duvet. It was happening-she was finally wing her way back into high society.


    They would have no choice but to respect her now-especially Mason. She couldn''t wait to see his face when he discovered she was married to Ss.


    Sheughed out loud as she got up to explore the room. The closet, though empty, was enormous, and she could picture it filled with lots of exotic dresses. She was going to enjoy these six months with Ss. She was going to get get her revenge on Mason.


    She continued inspecting the suite, finding a spacious private bathroom with a luxurious white tub. She imagined soaking in it, enjoying a ss of cold wine, surrounded by bubbles.


    The creak on the oak door brought her back to the bedroom and Ivy thought the maid had arrived-only to find Rosie standing there in her beautiful gown, her expression cold.


    "Hi. Rosie," she said cautiously as Rosie scanned her from head to toe.


    "I do hope you know your ce. Rosie said, her tone harsh, her gaze harsher.


    Ivy blinked. "Excuse me?"


    "Don''t think because Ss brought you into this family, you can act like one of us. I know your kind-throwing yourself at a rich man to secure your future. I can


    bet you fucked him to get him to marry you. Rosie sneered.


    A blush crept on Ivy''s face. True, she had slept with Ss-but not to manipte


    him into marriage. "I won''t have you insult my integrity," she said evenly


    Rosie let out a long, cruelugh. "Your integrity? You mean your greed. It''s written


    all over your outfit" She ran her hands mockingly over Ivy''s dress


    Ivy stood still, refusing to react, even as Rosie stepped closer with her eyes


    shing.


    "If I were you." Rosie whispered in Ivy''s ear, her tone venomous, "I''d beg Ss to end this marriage."


    "Well, you''re not me." Ivy snapped back, finding her words.


    Rosie''s re turned into a wicked smile.


    1. e. "Well then," she said, stepping back. "Wee to hell."


    With that, Rosie left the room, leaving a shocked Ivy behind.


    ava