Billionaire's Bounty Cost Of Love And Revenge novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Ivy’s POV

His request for Sterling Winery. Responsible… Choice to be married. The words hung in the air between us. My body grew rigid. Thankfully, my parents were too preoccupied with whatever they were whispering to themselves. In that moment, I was glad for their obsession.

“Thank you, father,” Asher answered. His voice lacked all the excitement it had before.

Maybe it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to me; it was clear as day. He had made it obvious in his words and actions that our marriage was just a joke. It meant nothing. Yet, there was some delusional part of me that kept holding on, hoping for something more. He didn’t make it any easier when he walked in and kissed me with so much passion, like we were actually lovers. It didn’t help that, in barely an hour, he had managed to convince my parents that we had somehow found love, which was absurd. I hadn’t spoken to him in weeks.

I stole a glance at him, and when I did, he was looking right back at me with an apologetic expression, but I looked away immediately. The price for being married to me was a huge company–maybe I should be thankful.

“Do you know Ivy plays the piano?” my mother blurted out, beaming with pride. I’d have thought she had drunk too much wine if I didn’t already know that she was always like this. At this point, it looked like I was a broodmare she was trying to sell

off.

“Ma, there’s no need to…”

“I play the piano too,” Marcus chimed in, looking straight at me with a smile.

I smiled back at him. I didn’t miss the looks he had been passing my way all night. I tried not to think too hard about it. I didn’t want to think about anything. It was hard to, sitting next to Asher. His intoxicating scent filled the space. I was always on edge, waiting for the next thing he was going to say or do; it always left me wide–eyed and tongue–tied.

Right now, he looked annoyed. I had gotten the hint that the two brothers didn’t like each other much. I wasn’t going to dabble into that. It was best to steer clear.

“You should play something for all of us, Ivy. I’m sure the Sterlings would love to hear you play…”

I froze, my fork midway to my mouth. She was really trying hard at this point. I shook my head. “I don’t think that’s a great idea…”

“Nonsense,” Marcus interjected. “Everyone at this table wants to see that, including your husband. I bet it’s one thing, among many other things, he doesn’t know about you.”

I stole a glance at Asher, and he looked furious.

“What do you think, Mrs. Sterling?” my mother asked with expectant eyes.

I turned my attention to her. The Sterlings were an eccentric bunch. A sharp contrast to my parents. They sat apart from each other, with Marcus seated between them. They looked completely disinterested in the things my parents seemed to enjoy. They only smiled occasionally, none of that loud, boisterous laughter. I wondered where Asher got his playfulness from; everyone in his family seemed to be lacking it.

“I think it would be refreshing to see that.”

There were hums of agreement, and before I knew it, Marcus was at my side, extending a hand to me. “Shall we, Ivy?”

I looked at Asher. He still looked annoyed. I turned to Marcus and slipped my hand into his before I rose to my feet.

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8:26 pm DD&

Chapter 19

“Lead the way,” he urged.

I did. The rest of the guests followed suit. I could feel Asher’s piercing stare on me. I knew he was annoyed, and a small part of me wanted to annoy him even more. With all that had happened in the weeks before, I wanted him to feel a tiny bit of the pain I felt when I saw him with Taylor- just a tiny bit.

The piano was in the cozy living room, centered against a large window, which was tightly shut. The only source of light was the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

Marcus was the first to sit in front of the piano. He wiped it with his hands and opened it. He stared at me intently and gestured toward the space beside him. I hesitated for a moment before sitting down next to him.

The waiters were passing around glasses of champagne to the rest of the family members.

“What do you want to play?” he asked in a deep, husky voice.

“Lead the way.”

Marcus beamed with a smile. His slender fingers danced along the keys. I recognized the song instantly. It was Echoes of Your Heart by Ava Wynter.

My eyes lit up in excitement. “I love this song,” I blurted out.

“I know,” he whispered.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Asher shift uncomfortably. Maybe Marcus was doing too much. How did he know my favorite song? I was still thinking about it when he nudged me. “Your turn,” he said with a smile. He had a soft smile, but it was nothing like Asher’s. I almost palmed my face. I was thinking about Asher again, even though I didn’t want to.

I took over and shut my eyes, letting the melody take over. When I opened them, Marcus was staring right at me. I smiled and averted my gaze.

Together, we wove a harmonious melody. We were so in sync, like we had played the song together for years. When it drew to an end, our small crowd erupted in loud cheers and laughter. I smiled- a wide smile.

Marcus leaned toward me with a mischievous grin on his face and whispered, “We should do this more often.”

Asher was beside me in an instant. “I’m afraid I have to steal my wife back from you, Marcus.”

Marcus grinned. “Aww, little brother. It’s not my fault that you don’t know how to play the piano. You should have paid more attention to your lessons…” He shrugged. My parents burst into laughter.

Asher had a strained smile on his face. “It’s a good thing my wife knows how to, then.” He pulled me up. “Maybe I’ll pay better attention if she’s the teacher.” He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer.

Everyone else seemed amused by the banter, but I knew that there was anger brimming beneath the surface between the two brothers. Asher grabbed my hand and whisked me away to the balcony.

We were finally alone. He began pacing from one end to the other. “I hate the piano,” he blurted out.

“Okay.”

He stopped in his tracks and turned around. “Really? Okay? Is that all you’re going to say?”

“I have nothing else to say.”

“Are you still mad at me?” he asked. “You still think I was trying to hit on Taylor that day?”

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