Billionaire's Bounty Cost Of Love And Revenge novel Chapter 16

Ivy’s POV

“What do you know about the Sterlings?” my mother asked suddenly. We were sitting around the large dining table.

I exhaled and glanced at the door nervously, checking my watch for the umpteenth time. I was a nervous wreck, and rightfully so. I hadn’t seen Asher in weeks, and I was about to introduce our families at our home.

“Aside from the fact that they own a huge company? Nothing,” my dad answered. He turned to look at me. “Usually, this part of the introduction happens before my daughter gets married to their son.”

My mother gripped his hand to stop him.

I let out a huge sigh. “Dad, we’re already married.”

“And I’m still pissed about it!” he blurted out.

I tucked my hair behind my ears. I had sent Asher a long email describing my parents, hoping he had read it and prepared for this. I needed this evening to go well. So much between us already wasn’t, but this had to.

You’d think I would have called off the wedding–it was a joke, after all–but no. For reasons I couldn’t fully explain, I was going through with it. Even though Asher had hurt me so badly, made me cry my eyes out, I was still continuing the marriage. At first, I thought it was simply because I was stubborn. I knew it bothered my parents that I was married to a stranger, and I didn’t want to back down. I didn’t want to quit. I wanted to see it through to the very end, if only out of spite.

But with each passing day, it felt like there was something else. Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

The last week had been hellish. It was easier with my parents away–no one to answer to—but then it turned lonely. Waking up every morning to heart–wrenching memories. I thought about Max’s response to my pathetic “I miss you” message. Somehow, he made it seem like our breakup was my fault, like I was to blame for him hooking up with Taylor. I turned off my phone and stashed it away.

Each day felt agonizingly long, like it would never end. It was exhausting, draining. “Please, Dad, please, Mom, can you not ruin tonight? Can you act as normal as…”

“As normal as a parent would if they were meeting their daughter’s husband and his family for the first time?” my dad asked.

I sighed. “Yes, Daddy. Exactly.”

My mom caressed his chin, pulling him close to kiss him.

“And please, don’t be cringe,” I muttered under my breath.

Our housekeeper, Lady Marie, walked in just then. “Your guests have arrived.”

I shot up from my seat, eyes wide with panic. I smoothed my hair and dusted invisible specks from my dress. My mother walked up to me and whispered, “Don’t worry, Princess. They’re going to love you, I promise. You’re perfect.”

I managed a small smile at her. It wasn’t his family I was worried about–it was him. Asher. I was nervous to see him again.

My dad led the way as we walked towards the living room. “Mr. and Mrs. Sterling?”

Mr. Sterling was a tall, bulky man, only a few inches shorter than Asher. He had a full head of silver hair, neatly cut, with a beard. He was smartly dressed in a dark blue suit, his eyes a lighter shade of grey. “Mr. Whitfield,” he greeted, extending a hand. His voice was a deep baritone, much like Asher’s.

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Chapter 16

Mrs. Sterling was the most elegant woman I’d ever seen. I was practically gawking at her–maybe I’d missed the memo. She was dressed in a sleek black dress that looked like it was straight off a magazine cover, with heels that made her even taller. I glanced at my mother, who was wearing casual shorts and a top, with sandals on her feet. Maybe I hadn’t made it clear enough to Asher that this was just a casual family dinner at my house–not an event where anyone needed to dress like they were attending a ball.

“Hello,” my mom greeted Mrs. Sterling with a wide smile. She extended a hand to shake, but my mom pulled her into a hug, which Mrs. Sterling clearly hadn’t expected. Her eyes went wide, and her body stiffened.

“We’re sisters now!” my mom declared excitedly.

Mrs. Sterling’s gaze was intimidating, piercing in a way that felt like she was staring deep into your soul. A lot like Asher.

Asher.

Then I saw him. He was staring straight at me, dressed in a casual black–and–white suit. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. He was the most confusing man I had ever met. He didn’t move to come to me; he just kept staring. I couldn’t deny the effect his stormy grey eyes had on me from across the room. Everything else seemed to fade–the overly excited chatter of my parents, the Sterlings‘ polite responses.

All I could hear was the thudding of my heart, pounding in my chest. I felt the tingles as his eyes traveled down the length of my body. I fidgeted with my hands, then tucked my hair behind my ears, unsure of what to do with them. I had mentally prepared for seeing him again, perfectly rehearsed what I’d say, but the moment we locked eyes, all rational thought fled.

“Hi… He…”

“Ivy Whitfield?”

I turned sharply at the voice. That damned deep Sterling–family voice.

“Marcus Sterling,” he introduced himself, extending his hand and flashing a wide smile. I knew Marcus, the same way I knew Asher. Marcus was the older, responsible brother–always present at formal functions, prim and proper. He had his father’s lighter eyes and dark hair cut short, unlike Asher’s unruly style.

I returned his smile and slipped my hand into his, expecting a handshake. Instead, he brought my hand to his lips, kissing it while maintaining eye contact with a smile. His lips lingered on my hand longer than was appropriate, especially with an audience.

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