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“Watch your fucking mouth. Don’t you dare talk about my mother. You weren’t there to see how it affected her.”

Given the information in the files, Ivy didn’t expect Leonardo to defend his mother. The man was livid. He looked like he wanted to come across the table at Manny.

No one knew better than her how hurt her husband was. Manny hadn’t been the same since he found out he had a twin. Each new revelation tore at him. Leaving gnashes in his psyche. His hand shook slightly beneath hers. Her fingers slipped between his. Offering her strength.

“How could I be there? I was the one she sold.”

Leonardo snarled at Manny. “Poor you. If you think about it really hard, you’ll find you got the better end of the deal. Sacrifices were made for your, perfect, life.”

The room fell silent as Leonardo’s words sunk in. No doubt, the others’ minds ran on Leonardo’s medical records and his dismal childhood. If you can call it a childhood.

It was Frank who finally broke the silence. “When you found out he was your brother, why didn’t you reach out to Emmanuel and let him know?”

“It was no longer so simple by then. Other people were involved. I was trying to figure out how to make it right.”

Leonardo ran his hand through his hair. The gesture was so familiar. When Manny had long hair, he often did that. Only Leonardo’s gesture was the mirror action.

“In all these months, you haven’t been able to figure that out?” Manny hurled the accusation at his brother.

“It’s a fucked-up situation. I get you are pissed, and you have every right to be. I can’t undo the damage that was caused. At this point, all I can try to do is fill in the pieces I have. And I get you don’t owe me anything, but maybe you can do the same for me.”

“Why would I help you?” Manny demanded.

“I think you are looking at this from the wrong angle. Neither of us asked to be separated at birth. We both deserve to know what happened. Just maybe, if we put our heads together, we can figure it out.”

“I don’t fucking trust you,” Manny answered.

Holding up his hand, he said, “which is fair. I’m not asking you to trust me. Let’s just work together to get the answers we both need. I’ll figure out a way to resolve the paternity situation. If you don’t want anything to do with me afterwards, then we never have to speak again.”

“Excuse me, Leonardo, you said you want to resolve the paternity issue,” Ivy said.

“Yes. I do.”

“Then you would be willing to give me a DNA sample?”

“Of course. I would like to have it cleared up.”

“Well, since you are being so helpful. Can we get an affidavit that you are the father?” Frank interjected.

“I see why you brought them with you. They look out for you. Yeah, I have no problem with signing the document. If I had known about this meeting, I too would have brought along my buddy, who is an attorney.”

“Is he gay too?”

“Frank!” Both Ivy and Manny called.

“Sorry, what? Your buddy, I assume he is your closest friend?”

Leonardo nodded. “Yes. Since university.”

Well, that is uncanny.

“Shit! No kidding. Is he gay?” Frank asked again.

“No. Why?”

“Oh, because that shit would be eerie. I’m curious what other parallels your lives have.”

Manny shot Frank an exasperated look. Leonardo chuckled at the exchange. Then turned to Manny and asked, “so can we work together?”

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