Billionaire's Bounty Cost Of Love And Revenge novel Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Ivy’s POV

The conversation around the room was muted to me as I stood near the corner, playing my part as the perfect wife.

Asher was by my side, a perfect smile plastered on his face, while my parents laughed loudly and gestured animatedly with their hands.

Across the room, Asher’s parents stood like statues, barely speaking. Their awkwardness next to each other was a sharp contrast to my parents‘ lovey- dovey act.

Marcus leaned against the wall with his companion, a beautiful brunette, murmuring something that made the girl smile widely, while Luca and Janine sat close, their heads together in quiet conversation.

Everyone seemed to be in their own bubble, and I couldn’t help but feel like a stranger at my own birthday celebration. It was a small gathering of only close family members, yet I felt like an outsider, as though I didn’t belong.

Asher leaned toward me, his voice low. “Are you okay?” His hand brushed my lower back, but I stepped slightly away, pretending to adjust the hem of my dress.

“I’m fine,” I replied, my tone clipped. The beautiful necklace he’d gifted me felt like a chain around my neck. The designer handbag, the watch, all of it was meaningless. How could they erase the image of him and Taylor?

The betrayal burned in my mind as though it had happened yesterday. Every time I looked at him, those cursed images flashed through my head. I wanted to forget, even if just for a day.

“Ivy,” he said softly, trying to draw me back into the charade. “Don’t do this now/Ivy. It’s your birthday celebration.”

I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Do what, Asher? Enjoy my party?”

He sighed but didn’t press further. The room erupted in applause as the cake was brought out. It was simple, something Asher had ordered for me. He’d planned the entire event as an attempt to make amends, but it wasn’t working.

Everyone cheered with excitement, but the weak smile on my face did little to hide the storm brewing inside. M

ther’s voice cut through the noise.

“Asher, come closer to Ivy,” she said, waving him forward. “We need a nice picture of you two together.”

Asher stepped closer, his hand grazing my waist. I didn’t lean into him.

My mother frowned. “Ivy, Asher is your husband. You still can’t be shy around him,” she said with a smile.

I muttered under my breath, “I’m not shy.”

My dad chuckled. “Honey, you’re acting like you are.”

“We all see the chemistry and love you two share,” my mother added, her smile too bright.

I snapped. “There’s no love and chemistry!” My voice cut through the chatter, and suddenly, all eyes were on us. Asher stiffened beside me, his jaw ticking.

My dad stepped forward, his face clouded with concern. “Ivy, your mother was just trying to say”

“Asher and I are not in love!” The words tumbled out, my throat tight, but I refused to let the tears fall. “There’s no love here. We have a contract we’re seeing through. That’s all there is to this…” I gestured at us with my hands.

Janine stood, her expression soft with concern. “Ivy, you don’t have to-

“No, Janine, I have to.” My voice broke, then softened. I looked up at all those pairs of eyes staring at me, and the tears finally spilled over Asher c

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11:09 Fri, 4 Jul GA

Chapter 102

on me,” I said softly. “I don’t even know how long he has been-” My voice trailed off.

Asher hissed under his breath. “Ivy, I haven’t-”

But I didn’t stop. “He cheated on me, and now I’m supposed to put on this perfect act for all of you? I’m tired. I can do it for the rest of the world, but not in front of my family.”

I met Mrs. Sterling’s gaze from across the room. She gave me a reassuring smile that warmed my heart.

My mother reached for me, her voice apologetic. “I’m sorry, Ivy. We didn’t notice something was wrong”

“Of course, you didn’t!” I shot back, anger boiling over. “How could you? You and Dad are too busy being obsessed with your perfect little love lives to notice anything wrong with mine! It’s always been that way!”

“Ivy, I know you’re mad, and you have every reason to-”

“No, you don’t!” I cut her off. “You don’t! You like to think you do, but you don’t! You didn’t even know what happened between me and Taylor until it leaked to the media. You weren’t there to help me when I went through my problems. Neither of you was!”

“Ivy, your mother and I have done the best-”

“Where were you on my 10th birthday?” I blurted out, folding my arms across my chest.

My mother dabbed at her eyes and looked away.

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