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They talked about the children and avoided the newly placed elephant in the room. They would have probably talked longer, but Larson returned. Ivy was all too happy to leave Grace to discuss her recent admissions to her husband.

Chapter Fifteen

WE NEED TO TALK

Ivy had been acting strangely since their date… well, more so since her trip to Alberta. It wasn't like she was pulling away. In fact, it was the opposite. Despite them still living apart, they seemed more connected.

The night she returned; she’d shown up late after leaving his parents’ place. Emmanuel was half asleep when he received the text that she was on her way over. The moment he’d seen her, he knew something was off. She’d worked overtime to keep him distracted. Truthfully, he hadn’t minded. Especially the afternoon visits to his office. The afternoon delights’ meetings had been spectacular.

At the risk of Ivy putting an end to her distraction campaign, Emmanuel had checked in. “What’s going on Doc?”

“I… I just need a little more time… I promise I’ll tell you everything. Soon.”

The worry he felt from hearing that Ivy was keeping something from him must have been evident on his face. Hell, it was certainly weighing on his soul. The last time she internalised her feelings, they had ended up living apart. Although they were making the best out of that situation, it didn’t take away from the fact that it was difficult.

“Baby, look at me,” Ivy implored.

Their eyes locked onto each other. Beacons desperate to hold on to their life partner.

“I’m working to figure some things out. I want us to be stronger than we have ever been. I just need a little… Time to get us there. Trust me.”

For Emmanuel, that was a given. Trusting her was as easy as taking his very next breath.

Sage had decided she wanted to spend the weekend at Karissa’s. As the baby in the family, she enjoyed being around younger children. Especially ones that adore her.

Ivy had called an hour ago. “Do you mind if I come over?”

The fact that she’d ask, and her tone while asking, set off the alarm bells. Yet, he made the conscious decision to play it off. Make light of the nervous energy she gave off.

“I gotta say, Doc, I seriously hoped that you would.”

Ivy’s lips had barely brushed his as she pushed by him and rushed into the condo. Then she had dropped the dreaded four-word bomb. “We need to talk.”

“Okay…”

“Let’s sit on the couch. I have so much to tell you.”

His response was hesitant. “Okay.”

Ivy waited until he was seated before she sat. Which wasn’t beside him, but on the opposite side of the sofa. A warning signal blared in his subconscious. Christ! How much more could he take? Then she angled her body, so she faced him. There was so much hope in that one action that he released a breath he hadn’t even been aware he was holding.

“Manny, before I start, I want to tell you how sorry I am that I allowed doubt to creep into our marriage.” Her smile was apologetic, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Despite her action, he was confident that whatever had caused her belief to waver was now a non-factor.

“You sound very certain.”

Nodding, she opened her eyes. “It’s because I am.”

Ivy cleared her throat. Her nervousness was palpable. “I waited to tell you because I was hoping I’d have all the pieces and proof in place.”

“Tell me what, Doc,”

“Where do I start? Sorry… I thought I had this all rehearsed. A couple of weeks ago, I visited your mom after I came back from Alberta. She shared with me some information?—”

What in the hell was going on? Whatever it was, had seemed to manifest as a vice, gripping his stomach muscle. Why did he feel like his world was about to be upended?

“Baby, stop stalling. Out with it.”

“You’re adopted.”

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