Buying My Forever Wife novel Chapter 430

Beside her, Stella was chewing on her fork, looking up at her with big, sympathetic eyes.

"Mommy, why is Daddy still so mad?"

Ivy dragged her gaze back and served the little girl some food.

"It's all my fault. I always make your daddy angry. Eat up, Stella, and then we can practice your dancing."

"Okay!"

Knowing there was nothing she could do to help, Stella obediently focused on her meal.

Later that night, Ivy finished washing up and returned to the master bedroom.

She held out a sleek box to Alaric. "Darling, I saw this while I was out today. I thought it would look perfect on you. It's a gift."

This was the very first time she was giving Mr. Foster a present.

And she had bought it with her own hard-earned salary.

Not with the limitless funds he had provided her.

She hoped that seeing the genuine thought she put into it would finally thaw his icy anger.

But Alaric merely shot it a dismissive glance. He didn't even reach out to take it, let alone open it to see what was inside.

He simply threw out a cold command, "Leave it over there. I'm tired. Don't bother me."

With that, he lay down and completely shut her out.

Ivy remained frozen, her hand still holding the box awkwardly in mid-air.

For a fleeting second, the humiliation was so intense she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

Was Mr. Foster disgusted by how cheap it was? Or did he think she was being insincere, his mind still hung up on the online scandal? Was he really never going to forgive her?

A bitter lump formed in her throat as she quietly placed the gift on the nightstand.

She left him with one final sentence: "Get some sleep. I'm going to sleep in Stella's room."

Rather than sharing a bed with him while feeling worlds apart, it was better to just leave and spare him the sight of her.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind her, Alaric sat up. He leaned against the headboard and reached for the box she had left behind.

Opening it, he found The Silk Necktie nestled inside.

It was a deep, sophisticated shade that perfectly matched his usual wardrobe.

But how could a simple gift erase the suffocating frustration churning in his chest?

Alaric was just packing up to leave the office when Leo Archer walked in with a report.

"Boss, the front desk just called. A woman named Sylvia Shaw is asking for you, and she specifically mentioned Sebastian Valance's name."

Leo had no idea when his boss had ever associated with a woman named Sylvia.

But he knew very well that Sebastian had died taking a fatal blow meant for Alaric.

Knowing this couldn't be ignored, he had decided to bring the news up personally.

In truth, the name Sylvia Shaw barely registered in Alaric's memory, but the mention of Sebastian instantly brought it all back.

Sylvia Shaw.

Stella's biological mother.

The woman who had abandoned her own flesh and blood years ago—what was she doing popping up now?

Alaric gave Leo a sharp nod. "Bring her up."

"Understood."

Leo quickly turned on his heel to escort the guest.