20


    "She''s in


    in charge?" Ivy asked, freeing herself from Ss''s embrace, her brow furrowing


    "Yes, Rosie is one of the best stylists in the country," Ss said, his voice brimming with pride.


    "How are you, Ivy? You seem surprised to see me," Rosie said, her eyes scanning Ivy with derision


    Ivy''s cheeks colored slightly. "I didn''t know you were in charge.


    "Oh. Ss is like that. He loves surprises," Rosie said, shing Ss a smile.


    Ss chuckled, pulling Ivy close again. "When do we begin?" he asked Rosie.


    "It''s straight to work." Rosie replied, adjusting her pl


    id skirt. “Il call the team to attend to you while I take your wife"


    Rosie pulled Ivy away from Ss, her grip a little too rough. Ivy immediately yanked her hand free.


    Ss seemed oblivious to the tension. "Alright, I''m sure you''ll do a great job, Rosie."


    JOh, I will," Rosie said with a smile that Ivy didn''t trust, a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. "Let''s go, Ivy."


    "Ill see you soon. Ss said, his voice resonating in the room.


    Despite Rosie''s mean looks, Ss made Ivy blush as she nodded, following Rosie out of the room.


    When they got to the hallway, Rosie suddenly pulled Ivy aside, pinning her against the wall.


    "I can''t believe you''re still on with the marriage!" Rosie snarled, her eyes zing with anger.


    Ivy froze for a moment but quicklyposed herself, pulling herself away from Rosie. However, Rosie was surprisingly strong.


    "I warned you about what to expect!" Rosie snapped.


    Finding her strength, Ivy pushed Rosie away, startling her. "And I told you I didn''t care!" Ivy shot back, breathing heavily from anger. "What''s your problem with my marriage to Ss?"


    "You don''t belong here! You don''t belong in our family!" Rosie hissed through gritted teeth.


    The words stung, but Ivy refused to show it. "Who made you the judge of that? You have no right to interfere in my marriage. I am here to stay, Rosie!"


    Rosie raised her hand as if to strike Ivy, but the hallway door opened, and twodies walked in.


    "Rosie, we''re ready," one of thedies said.


    Ivy watched as Rosie immediatelyposed herself, her countenance changed. "Sure," Rosie said, a smile stered on her face.


    Ivy, still seething, attempted a smile but failed.


    The otherdy gestured to Ivy. "It''s time for your hair and makeup. Pleasee with us, Mrs. Stone."


    "I am Mrs. Stone, Rosie snapped from behind Ivy.


    1, you both are, thedy said and herpanionughed.


    Ivy quickened her steps, ignoring Rosie as thedies led her to another room.


    This one had a huge mirror, with lights around it. On the table were hair essories with two other girls waiting


    She was still stunned by Rosie''s words, but she heaved a deep sigh, trying to calm her nerves. She was pissed and couldn''t wait for another chance to confront Rosie.


    rother


    "Here we are, Mrs. Stone. I''m Sally, and this is Xia," one of thedies said. "I''lI start with your hair, and when I''m done, Xia will handle your makeup. Sounds good?"


    "Yes." Ivy nodded.


    10.16 AM


    "These are my assistants." Sally said, gesturing to the girls.


    Ivy nodded her greeting, sitting on the red chair positioned in front of the mirror.


    "I''m going to create something


    for you." Sally smiled, draping a styling cape


    around Ivy''s shoulders. "Have you always had brown


    "Yes. My mom had brown hair," Ivy said, her stomach suddenly knotting.


    It''s not that she doesn''t think about her mother often, she was only surprised that she''d talked about her more in the past 24 hours than she had in years-and not for a good reason, Guilt and anger churned inside her, fighting for dominance


    "No dyeing then," Sally said warmly, breaking Ivy''s thoughts. "Let''s go wash it.” "Alright." Ivy said, standing up


    1. in. Sally asked, "What''s going on with you and the other


    Sally began the hair process, washing and drying. When Ivy sat down again, Sally


    Stone?"


    Ivy was taken aback by the question. "What?"


    I know it''s not my ce," Sally said, lowering her voice to a whisper. "But Xia and I saw what happened in the hallway."


    Ivy saw her cheeks flush red in the mirror. "Well, I... it''s nothing


    Sally ced a curler in Ivy''s hair and gave her a look. "You don''t have to be nice. Everyone here knows how horrible Mrs. Stone is," she said, and her assistants nodded in agreement. "She makes everything difficult whenever we work together. I''ve worked with her three times-horrible woman."


    As much as Ivy didn''t like Rosie, she didn''t want to gossip. "I don''t think she''s that


    bad"


    "Oh, she is," Sally said, picking another curler. "One time, she made-


    The door opened, cutting Sally off. Everyone jolted, expecting Rosie, but it was just a young boy.


    "Hello, ma''am. I have a delivery from your husband," he said, handing a box to Ivy before leaving.


    Ivy''s face turned scarlet as she collected it. It was a royal blue box designed with a pink ribbon and a crystal charm. Untying the ribbon, she found a stunning blue sapphire ne. The gem glinted in the light, leaving Ivy breathless.


    “It''s beautifull” Sally eximed and the assistants gathered round, admiring the ne.


    Ivy smiled, her heart warming at the gift. She remembered the pink diamond Ss had customized for her and wondered how he managed to get them done so quickly.


    As they all admired the sapphire, the door opened again. This time, Rosie entered.


    "Aren''t you done with- Rosie paused, her eyes dropping to the sapphire. "Who... gave you that?"


    "Her husband sent it!" Sally answered before Ivy could speak.


    A glint of jealousy shone in Rosie''s eyes, and her face reddened, betraying herposure. "It''s beautiful," she said, unable to hide her


    envy.


    Thank you," Ivy replied, pleased by Rosie''s reaction.


    Rosie straightened herself, her expression hardening. "Hurry up now! There''s no time, I''ll be back in ten minutes with her outfit, and that makeup better be done!" she snapped before leaving.


    "Told you," Sally murmured, quickly finishing Ivy''s hair.


    Soon, Xia began working on Ivy''s makeup. Momentster, Rosie returned, holding a short red gown.


    "It''s time to dress," Rosie said.


    "Isn''t that


    "Shut your mouth, Rosie interrupted Sally "Let''s go," she smiled, helping Ivy out of


    the chair


    10 16 AM


    Ivy followed Rosie to another room, suspicious of her sudden gentleness. Rosie helped her into the red gown, and Ivy admired her reflection


    "This is beautiful. Ivy smiled at her appearance.


    "Yes," Rosie said, leading her out of the room.


    In her Christian Louboutin heels, Ivy made her way back to the first white room


    with Rosie following. Ss was already there-dressed and waiting, Ivy''s heart raced, anticipating his reaction,


    Instead, his eyes red with anger. "What are you wearing?"


    Ivy''s smile vanished. "Don''t you like it?"


    "Go and change," he said coldly.


    "Oh, Ss, I''m sorry," Rosie interjected quickly. "Ivy picked the gown. I told her


    she couldn''t, but she insisted."


    "What?" Ivy blinked, shocked and confused.


    "Leave," Ss said firmly.


    Ivy''s cheeks burned with humiliation. What was happening? "Ss-"


    "Go change!" he snapped, and she flinched.


    Fighting tears, Ivy hurried out of the room, her embarrassment intensified by the


    murmurs of the team behind her. She ran to the makeup room, finding Sally


    alone.


    "What''s wrong, ma''am?" Sally asked, concern etched on her face.


    "I don''t..."


    "It''s the gown," Sally said softly. "I knew Mr. Stone wouldn''t like it."


    Ivy stared at her, confused. "What are you talking about?"


    "This is the same gown Mr. Stone''s ex-fiancée wore when he proposed to her,"


    Sally exined, moving closer. "Allegedly. It''s also what she was wearing when


    he caught her cheating."


    色