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“Darsh, I need you to take care of a personal matter for me. Look into someone. I have to get to the bottom of the upheaval they are causing in my life.”

“Of course. Send me their details and I will get on it. You want a deep dive?”

“The deepest, and I would like it to be ongoing until I advise otherwise.”

“That sounds serious. Is there something in particular you want me to pay attention to?”

“I don’t know what I’m looking for. So just dig up everything on this Journee woman.”

“Jasmine Journee?”

A muscle ticked in Emmanuel’s jaw as Darsh mentioned her name.Wait!?

“How did you know her first name?”

“I’m already on the case. Frank retained me a few weeks back. I’ve already delivered my initial findings and then I deliver weekly reports. Did you want the initial findings and to be copied in the weekly updates?”

“Since I’m playing catch up. Can you send over the initial report, and I’ll let you know if I need anything else?”

“What did this mousy vice-principal do to get two big bad wolves on her case?”

Emmanuel had given little thought to what the woman did for a living. He didn’t know what he expected her profession to be… but certainly not working with people’s children.Well, that shit would come to an end.

Emmanuel was hesitant to inform Darsh why he wanted the woman investigated, but since Darsh was already on the case, Emmanuel saw no problem in revealing the reason. When he completed his account of the bare facts, Darsh whistled.

“Well, we will keep on it.”

It was good to know that Frank wasn’t just paying him lip service. He firmly believed that his friend was being set up and put the wheels in motion to prove it. Emmanuel was impressed and touched. Frank wasn’t just sitting around concocting wild theories how this could have happened. That is why Frank was one of two people he truly considered a friend. Their bond went beyond friendship; he was like a brother to him. Emmanuel cherished their relationship as an only child.

He shot Frank a quick text.

Me: Thanks for getting Darsh on this.

Frank’s response was immediate.

Frank: Told you I am working on it.

That he did. Emmanuel prayed to God that they would get to the bottom of things soon.

Me: Well, thanks.

Frank: Working, bye

Emmanuel suppressed the natural urge he had to text or call Ivy and catch her up on his morning. Instead, he allowed himself a moment to wallow in the anguish his life was becoming. It was brief because, in a few hours, he and Ivy had to put on a united front for their children. At least they could hold on to their commitment of being the best parents that they could. He allowed work to become his distraction and got lost in reports until he heard a knock at the door.

“Come in.”

“Hey Manny.” Ivy stuck her head in, but didn’t walk into his office.

Trying to keep the annoyance from his tone, he repeated, “Come in, Ivy.”

While closing the door behind her, she lingered. Her steps were tentative as she walked in. Ivy stopped in front of the desk. The furniture stood between them. There had never been a time she came to visit his office when she didn’t make herself at home. It dawned on him that their separation might last a hell of a lot longer than he originally thought.

Ivy cleared her throat. “I didn’t want to disturb you, but dinner will be in half an hour.”

Emmanuel nodded. “Thanks for the reminder. I am shutting everything down.” How the hell was this supposed to work? They seemed off. His children would pick up on this.

“Come here, Doc,” he instructed as he rolled his chair back, allowing room for her. Without hesitation, Ivy rounded the desk and sank into his lap. As if by magnetism, their foreheads drew closer together.

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