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Emmanuel stood and met his mother halfway in the room. “I’m sorry?—”

“You have nothing to apologise for, Dear. It was past time for the truth came to light. You, and your brother… wait, you have told him, haven’t you?”

“I was thinking it is best if I tell him in person. I just wanted to check with you, if you would be alright with Leonardo coming to Toronto.”

“Very smart thinking. Yes, of course. I have no objection to him being here. You and your brother have been apart long enough.”

Emmanuel didn’t think this was to time to tell his Mom that Leonardo and he would never be close. It was his duty to answer his questions about their paternity, and he would do so.

“I thought I should tell you. Your father has been calling me non-stop. I had to shut off my phone. Well, you know how persistent he can be. I don’t want him to disturb your home.”

“You don’t have to be concerned about him showing up, Mom. They won’t let him pass the gate.” Emmanuel wasn’t sure what reaction he expected, but it wasn’t the smile which lit up his mom’s face.

“Good. Let’s go eat. I really can use a cocktail or two.” She linked her arms with both Emmanuel and Ivy. One on each arm and they headed to dinner.

As they sat around the table, talking and laughing. Emmanuel could almost forget the storm brewing because of the revelation of the truth.

For the night, the children were told their grandparents were going through a rough patch, and their grandma needed a break. Sage had questions, but all the adults who had been present at the revelation wanted the night to process before they let the children in on the kind of man Larson Scott was.

Chapter Twenty-Five

YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND

Ivy checked in on Grace before heading off to bed. “Are you settled, okay? Is there anything you need?” She inquired as she slipped into Grace’s room. She spent several nights a year with them. It wasn’t often, but the room was symbolic that she was welcome in their home and had a place there.

“The staff made sure I have everything.” Of course, Ivy knew they would. She wanted a reason to ‘really check’ in with her mother-in-law.

“Go ahead, have a seat. I know you wanted to stop by to see how I was holding up.” Grace patted the spot beside her.

Ivy took a seat beside Grace in the love seat in the room.

“I don’t mean to push.” Ivy just wanted to offer support to the woman she considered a second mother.

“You aren’t. Not even a little. How is my son holding up?”

Of course, even though Grace had the rug pulled out from under her. Her mother-in-law’s concern was centered on her son. Ivy was grateful she had the example of her own and Manny’s mother’s amazing parenting to model after.

“Manny is still taking it all in. It has been emotional for him. But he is keeping busy, so it helps.”

“Both of you continue to take care of each other.”

“We will. Are you ready for that hug now?”

“Yes. I think I am.”

No sooner than the words came out of her mouth, and Ivy pulled Grace in her embrace. Grace released a sigh, which caused her body to shudder. Her mother-in-law didn’t stay long in her arms. When she pulled out of the hug, she took Ivy’s hands in hers.

“I don’t know how not to call myself all kinds of a fool. How could I not see Emmanuel belonged to Larson?”

It was easy, really. Manny and Leonardo favoured their mother. Ivy felt like her mother-in-law needed to unburden, so she allowed her to talk it out.

“We weren’t a love story, but I grew to love him. I thought he had grown to love me, too. I don’t doubt his love because of the affair. My opinion may seem a little dated, but men of his generation and pedigree often had mistresses. It would have been hard, but I could’ve accepted it. Larson shattered our bond. We shared something over the last fifty years that wasn’t true. We were parents who were raising an adopted child who didn’t know who his biological parents were.” Grace gave her the saddest smile which just broke Ivy’s heart. “I won’t forgive Larson. There is no way I can ever return to him.” Grace released her hands and stood. She paced the room.

“I can’t tell him right away, otherwise he will be vengeful and not tell those boys what they deserve to know. Larson owes us the truth, at the very least. I’ll get it for them. Then I will divorce him.” Her mother-in-law shook her head as she voiced her plans. “Emmanuel is working on getting his brother here?”

“Yes, he is calling both Leonardo and Frank.”

“Good. I know you already do so much but help Emmanuel mend fences with his brother. I think they will need each other. Since I found out he had a twin, I’ve been reading up on it. It explains so much about Emmanuel as a little guy. Well, I will talk to him more about it when he is more receptive.”

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