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“We have to get back home and take care of some things, but maybe we can finish this soon. You can fly out or we can come back here.”

Leonardo looked as surprised as Ivy felt. They hadn’t discussed returning home tomorrow. Her brother-in-law just nodded, although he seemed confused.

“Well, we will work something out.”

They said their goodbyes, but just before they exited the conference room, Manny stopped. “Leonardo, thank you for sharing our mother’s journals.” Yet another surprise.

What the hell was going on?

“Emmanuel, are you okay?” Frank asked. They were riding up on the same elevator.

“Yes.”

“What’s going on?” Frank probed further. Ivy wasn’t the only one who sensed something was off.

“It was just a hard day,” Manny answered.

Ivy knew he was holding something back, but it was obvious he wasn’t ready to share it with Frank. She didn’t push.

Ivy didn’t need to. The moment they were back in their suite alone, Manny filled her in right away.

“I know who my father is. It’s been staring at us in the face the whole time. We need to get home.”

It didn’t take them long to get packed. Within a few hours they were on the way home.

“I’m tired Doc. I’m going to close my eyes for a bit.” Manny didn’t say another word the entire flight from Vancouver to Toronto.

Following his disclosure of who he believed his biological father was, her husband became distant. His eyes were closed, but he was very much awake. From time to time, his hand flexed as he held hers. At least with his eyes closed, it concealed the dullness that had appeared once he named his biological father.

In a way, Ivy appreciated the silence. As it left her alone with her thoughts. In particular, since she had dismissed the possibility before she even considered it. Hell, how could she be so naïve to believe thatHEheld at least one thing sacred?

Although Manny had laid his case out for her, she still hoped that he was wrong. The pain would tear an already fractured family completely apart. If Manny was right, what would the truth cost him? How much of himself would he lose to this horrible admission?

Roy drove them from the airport at Manny’s request. While she was glad, he recognised he wasn’t in the headspace to drive; it worried her. The paternity results, the appearance of Leonardo, and now this.

They didn’t have to wait long for his appearance.

“Ivy, Emmanuel.” Larson looked between them both. “I wasn’t expecting a visit from you two.”

It was a fair statement. They were not in the habit of stopping by to see her father-in-law unannounced. He wasn’t the kind of man who appreciated such visits, nor did he inspire them. He just wasn’t the welcoming kind. That honour belonged to his better half. Far more than that. If Manny was correct, he wasn’t worthy of her, not by a mile.

“Your Mother is out,” Larson informed them as he took his seat.

“I’m aware,” Manny answered. “Perhaps that is for the best.” His tone was cool and detached. It immediately put Larson on alert.

“Why are you here?” Larson’s tone held the bite he had always been known for, but there was also something else about it.

“On our last visit here, you promised Mom that you would look into finding out the identity of my biological father.” Manny wasn’t making eye contact with his father. His gaze was on a family portrait that hung off to the side.

“This is the reason for your visit,” Larson huffed. “Considering how disrespectful you were after we last spoke, I am surprised you still expect me to investigate it for you?”

“Disrespect? No, I was looking out for my wife. I slept well that night and since.”

Well damn, Manny. It didn’t seem her husband was interested in going the ‘catching flies with honey’ route.

“So, we will agree to disagree. Besides, the investigation into my biological father’s identity wasn’t promised to me.”

“Well, yes… Grace asked me to look into it. I’ve been busy.” Larson straightened his cufflink.

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