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“I understand why you are angry. Look, I get I shouldn’t have done what I did. I had hoped I could find a way to make this right. It turns out it wasn’t an easy bell to unring. Believe me, if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t have involved you in this situation.”

Ivy didn’t know what she was expecting, but it wasn’t this. It surprised her that Leonardo was so… transparent. He sounded sincere to her, but a glance at Manny told Ivy her husband either couldn’t sense his sincerity or didn’t care, or both.

“What am I supposed to do with that? Do you know what your ‘error in judgment’ could have cost me?”

Leonardo’s gaze drifted briefly to her. “I didn’t consider the full ramifications. Please tell your wife and family how sorry I am for the upheaval my actions might have caused.”

It didn’t go without notice that Manny didn’t acknowledge his brother’s apology. Ivy was certain he wasn’t in a place to hear it, much less accept it. Depending on the kind of man his twin turned out to be, she hoped someday it would be the foundation of healing. After everything her husband had been through, she felt he really needed it. She was always going to be ‘Team Manny’.

“When did you find out?” Although Manny didn’t elaborate, Leonardo seemed to know exactly what he was asking.

“About ten months ago.”

Manny shook his head. “Wait! What? You only found out that I was your twin ten months ago?”

“Yes.” Leonardo nodded.

Frank and Manny exchanged confused looks.

“No, that can’t be true. You gave Jasmine Journee Emannuel’s name from the start,” Ivy interjected. What he was saying made no sense.

“Yes, I did.”

See! I knew it!

“This is… embarrassing. I knew of him, but I didn’t know we were brothers until later. I just thought I looked like some mogul. So, when I met some chick, I gave her his name.”

“You fucking what? How many women have you slept with and gave my name to?”

“It was only twice. A few tops. If I could go back, I wouldn’t have givenherany name but mine. I realised my mistake almost right away. I didn’t know how to correct it.”

Ivy didn’t know Leonardo but knew when someone looked tortured.

A thought struck her, and she snapped her fingers then. “Is that why you told her your nickname is Leo?”

A stricken look briefly blanketed his features. Leonardo cleared his throat, and it was gone. “Yes. You spoke to her?”

“Are you talking to my wife again?”

“Be for real. You wanted your wife, and your friend here. I imagine you wanted them here for support. I’m guessing the two people you trust most. Although your friend has been quiet so far, I guessing at some point he will have questions as well. It’s unreasonable that we won’t communicate.” Leonardo had a bite in his tone that wasn’t there previously.

Ivy could pinpoint exactly when his unbothered demeanour departed. When the topic of Jasmine Journee came up. Interesting.

Manny didn’t push back, instead, he just glared at his brother.

“Well since, I was invited into the conversation… did I hear you right? You found out Emmanuel was your brother ten months ago. My question is, how did you come to find out that information?” Frank asked.

“I finally read my mother’s journals.”

“So, you know who our father is?” Emmanuel asked.

God. He sounded so hopeful. His body leaned forward, eager to receive the information.

“No,” Leonardo answered, causing Manny’s shoulder to sag.

“I was hoping with your resources you were able to find out. Mom didn’t say who he was. Just that he had lied to her.” Leonardo’s jaw ticked. “He really did a number on her. Took one of her twins. She made a tough call, one she never got over.”

“Well, she had all that money to comfort her.”

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