Chapter 13You know, don’t you?
Chapter Thirteen
YOU KNOW, DON’T YOU?
The weekend had been just what Ivy needed. When she’d agreed to the date, she hadn’t thought it would end in a sleepover. God, she had missed Manny’s touch. A full night of orgasms wasn’t all there was. The rounds of intimacy continued throughout the night and into the morning as they talked and laughed with each other. The way he had also switched from tender to demanding on a dime had her head spinning and her stomach fluttering. It never grew old. Nor being held by him. There was no better feeling in the world. They slept in until their stomachs decided that hunger was more important than sleep.
“I would make you breakfast, but one, I’m exhausted, and two, I hardly have any breakfast food here. Let me take you to brunch. We can finally go out. I promised you a date. Afterwards, we can spend the day together.”
Ivy had been quick to agree. It sounded perfect to her.
It was late by the time they made it there. Luck was on their side when they arrived. It wasn’t busy at all. They were seated right away. It seemed Ivy’s luck continued to hold. She ran into an old friend. It was her greatest hope which the encounter she had would turn out to be the game changer that her family so desperately needed.
Ivy had been on the way to the bathroom when Clara fell in step with her.
“Ivy, I thought that was you.”
“Hey, Clara.”
The two hugged briefly. The last time the schoolmates saw each other was at the Gala. Which seemed like a lifetime ago.
“How have you been?” Clara inquired, as they reached the washroom and selected the stall.
“Good. And you? How’s life at Helix?”
“I’m good. Work keeps me busy, but the compensation is unparalleled. Who knows, maybe I’ll retire early. You should reconsider joining us.”
“No, I think that the hospital is the right fit for me.”
The ladies used the facilities and had some small talk, but there was something about how Clara looked at Ivy when they were washing their hands that alerted her… she knew. Clara ran Helix, the lab that had done Emmanuels’s test. So, the odds were, Clara knew. She should have left well enough alone but look where the inactivity had gotten her. Ivy had no idea what talking to Clara could do to help the situation, but she supposed it couldn’t hurt.
“You know, don’t you?”
It’s what she had always liked about Clara. She never played games. The woman was straight like an arrow, which Cara attributed to her quarter-Norwegian heritage.
“Yes, the test was high profile. When a one percenter has a paternity test come through the lab, it has to be by the books. The new owner of Helix asked me to run the second test personally. Although I had supervised the first one.”
Ivy sighed, “I see.” There wasn’t much more she could add.
The other woman turned to look at her. Then she patted her hand, which sat on the counter. It was a huge sign of affection coming from someone like Clara.
“The results are just data. The facts are up to interpretation. You know how it is. Two things can be true at the same time.”
Clara’s phone rang, and she pulled it out from her bag. Ivy was shocked at the feral growl. “It’s the new owner of Helix. Can a black woman be left in peace to enjoy her Sunday?” Her phone stopped ringing and then started back again. “Of course not. Call me. We should do lunch soon.”
As Clara walked out of the washroom, Ivy overheard her say, “What Oskar? What could you possibly want…” Her voice trailed off as she exited the washroom. Ivy stared after Clara, not because of the way she was speaking to her boss, but because her words triggered something in her.
Ivy felt that they were looking at the whole paternity situation the wrong way. It was why she was disembarking their private jet in Edmonton, Alberta. Ivy flew into the same province but not the same city Jasmine Journee lived in. Roy was renting a vehicle, and he’d drive them the almost two hours.
She was well aware he wasn’t a fan of her plan, but it was like he told her, “I work for you. If this is what you want to do. I’m with you and will make it as safe as possible.”
Technically Manny paid his salary, but her husband was very hands-off when it came to his interactions with Roy.
Ivy wasn’t exactly a fan of the cloak and dagger, but she wasn't ready to reveal her plans to Manny or Frank yet. There was no way of knowing if this would yield any results. She didn't want to get anyone’s hopes up. More importantly, she didn’t want them to try to talk her out of what she wanted to do.
Manny would have lost his shit if he found out she flew commercial. He was super superstitious about her flying. And there was no way for him not to find out that she’d booked a flight with their private jet. So, Ivy had agreed to do a guest lecture at a medical school, so she would have justification to fly out to Alberta.
“I’ll be away for a couple of days. Sage is looking forward to spending time with you.”
“This trip came out of the blue,” he’d commented.
He was correct. Ivy had sprung her trip on him a day before she took off.
“They didn't think they could afford my expensive visit. When she joked it would be nice if I could visit pro bono, I said that wasn’t a problem. I guess she wanted to jump on the opportunity. It's a smaller school, but they are doing good work.” At least she was being honest about that part of her trip.
Now Ivy was here. The entire flight she hadn’t figured out what she’d say to the woman who rocked her marriage to the core. Hopefully, on the drive there, she’d figure out something. This visit just had to point her in the right direction to solve this mystery. After running into Clara, the one thing she was certain of was that her heart was right. She fucking knew Manny. It was about time she proved it.
Thankfully, Ivy remembered the legal documents containing Jasmine Journee’s information. The papers were filed in Manny’s office at home.
They had been driving for half an hour when she received a text.
Manny: You okay Doc?
Me: Yes, sorry I forgot to message.
Manny: No, it’s okay. I noticed you landed. Just checking everything is alright.
Me: Everything is good.
Manny: Have a great trip.
Me: I will. You and Sage have fun. I love you, Manny.
Manny: I love you too, Doc.
This is why I will do whatever I have to do to make sure my family is made whole.
Sage would not end up being a kid who split her time between her parents. Not when those parents loved each other with everything they had.
God, Ivy missed Manny. They were partners in crime. After all these years, she loved how she could be herself with him. Ivy knew at times she came across as a bit socially awkward and an odd duck. Manny never made her feel bad about it. It wasn't like he pretended it wasn’t true either.
“Doc, you have a brilliant mind. You get to be as different as you want. If anyone has a problem with it. Well, fuck them.”
“Ivy,” Roy’s voice called. How had she managed to drift off?
“Ivy, we are a block away from the address you gave me. Would you like to head over?”
“Just give me a moment.”
Ivy took a moment to take in Jasmine Journee’s neighbourhood. It was picturesque. Two-story houses, white picket fences. Most of the driveways had one or two midrange vehicles. The sidewalks were well-shovelled and salted. There were lots of streetlights. When she registered that fact, Ivy finally realised the time. This wasn't the part she had thought through thoroughly. She was showing up at a stranger’s house around dinnertime. Ivy had come too far to just come this far.
“Roy, I am ready to head over there now.” The drive was less than a minute and they stopped in front of a blue house. Roy moved to open his door, but she stopped him.
“No Roy, it is fine. I’ve got this,” she said, reaching for the door handle.
In the driveway there was a small luxury SUV. Ivy glanced inside as she walked by, and the sight of the car seat sent a chill up her spine. Of course, she knew why she was there, but the sight of the child’s seat put everything into perspective. There was so much at stake. Not just for Ivy and her family, but for this woman, too.
Christ! The thought she hadn’t looked up this woman slammed into her as she reached the door. She had no idea what she looked like. Well, it was too late to turn back.
Ivy pressed the doorbell and listened as the chime rang out.
“Coming!” a sultry voice called out.
Ivy had to remind herself to breathe, but it was a useless instruction as the door swung open. The sight of the woman before her had bile rising in her stomach.
“Hello…” Jasmine Journee’s greeting died on her lips. Her jaw hung slack.
The woman who answered the door, bore an uncanny resemblance to Ivy. Jasmine Journee could attend a Burton family reunion, and no one would question why she was in attendance. She looked like a younger version of Ivy. The most noticeable distinguishing factor was the other woman was slightly shorter, and her curves were fuller, more pronounced. They even had similar coloured eyes. Jasmine Journee’s eyes were comically rounded in shock.
Ivy mentally shook herself. She couldn’t let the woman’s appearance derail her from her mission. “Hello, I’m Ivy Scott, and I would like to come in for a visit.”
The other woman opened and closed her mouth. She swung the door open and then said, “alright, please come in.”
Once she had stepped inside the foyer, Ivy took in the space. From what she could see of the open floor plan, the house was cozy and very organized. The warmth in the pastel colours created a welcoming atmosphere.
“May I take your coat?” Ivy wanted to hold on to it, but she was in the other woman’s home.
“Yes, please.” She gave up her coat and then slipped out of her winter ankle boots.
“We can go through to my kitchen.”
The ladies were quiet as they walked through the small living room and family den. Rather than paintings, the walls were decorated with pictures. There were pictures of Jasmine Journee and what she assumed was her family. An older couple, and another woman. Then there was the picture that caused Ivy’s step to falter for a moment: Jasmine Journee with a little boy. The sweet little cherub-cheeked boy was a replica of Oliver at a similar age. Then they finally reached the spacious eat-in kitchen.
“Please have a seat,” she instructed, pointing to a chair closest to the door. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Well, wasn’t she hospitable? Ivy’s plan for handling this conversation hadn’t been thought through adequately.
“No, thank you,” she said, taking the seat. Ivy was ready to get to the bottom of things. This talk was long overdue. The woman pulled out her chair and took her own seat. She visibly gulped.
“I know it is an intrusion for me to visit your home like this, but from your reaction, I gather you know who I am.”
“Yes. You’re Emmanuel Scott’s wife. I am sure you came all this way because you have questions, but can I say something first?”
Ivy nodded. After all, this was her house.
“I want you to know how sorry I am about all of this. I had no idea he was married. If I did, I would have never gotten involved with him. I know you don’t know me, but I am not that type of woman.”
What could Ivy say to this? The woman across from her was apologising for having an affair with her husband. Especially since Ivy believed he did not cheat on her. So, all she could do was nod. There was no way she could bring herself to thank the woman. In order to get through this, she needed to stay objective and calm. It was the only way she was going to get the information she needed to sort this out.
“Where did you meet him?”
“I was attending a conference on Vancouver Island…sorry that wasn’t what you asked.”
“No. It is fine. Go ahead.”
“We met in the bar at Lancaster Vancouver Island Boutique. He was there drinking alone. He said hello, and we started talking.”
“Sorry… drinking. Like drinking alcohol?”
“Yes. He was drinking Grappa. He and the bartender had a long conversation about the region of Italy it came from.”
Region of Italy? What the hell was going on? She could fit on a dime what Emmanuel knew about liquor. Especially one from Italy.
“Excuse me. Are you sure it was Italy?”
“Positive. They were speaking Italian. I actually thought he was Italian. I’ve visited Italy and his accent was flawless. Better than the bartender and he said he was from the region of Val d'Aosta.”
What in the hell was going on? The only other language which Emmanuel spoke was French, and it wasn’t the greatest. Languages were not his thing.
Ivy hoped that her demeanour did not betray her and that her face remained neutral. It was imperative that she heard what Jasmine Journee had to say. All of it. Especially since this shit wasn’t adding up. Later, she would process the information given to her.
“So, after you met at the bar?” Ivy prompted.
“We spoke for a while. When he found out I was staying at the Lancaster, he walked me to the elevator.” Jasmine paused. She seemed to listen for something. “Sorry, I thought I heard my little guy moving. Where was I? Oh, so that was the first night we met.” She looked away sheepishly. “The next night, I ran into him again. We shared a drink, and he invited me back to his room.”
“Do you mean a suite? Including a living space,” Ivy probed. It was a detail that she needed to verify.
“No, it was a regular Queen-sized room,” Jasmine answered. Great, something else which didn’t add up. Manny had a weird quirk when travelling.
They were silent as Jasmine regarded her oddly.
“Um. So, was it just the one night?”
Surprise registered in the other woman's eyes before she dropped her gaze. Her voice was sombre as she answered, “no. It was five days.”
“He visited you five times?” Ivy’s brow wrinkled in confusion.
Jasmine Journee shook her head and looked up at her through her lashes. Her expression was a mix of shame and pity. “No, we’ve only met once. We spent five days together.”
Oh. Oh. No. Wait. That shit wasn’t possible. Manny wasn’t missing for five days, especially not while he was going through his cancer scare. Ivy would check the calendar when she left, but was certain that this encounter could have never happened.
“Did you two keep in touch?”
“A few texts and phone calls here and there.”
“I see. Did you tell him you were pregnant?”
“Yes.”
“What did he say?”
“He said it was his responsibility and he would pay child support, but fatherhood wasn’t his thing.”
The fuck?
“I hoped he would change his mind. Maybe want to meet Tommaso. He’s never been interested.” Sadness blanketed her features. Jasmine Journee shook her head as if trying to dispel the thought.
When she continued, her voice sounded strained, as if she was trying to keep tears at bay. “For over a year, he was true to his word and paid child support. Then I didn’t receive any payments for three months. I didn’t want to ask for it, but my family insisted it was the least he could do. When I asked him about the child support. He said he wouldn’t give me another dime.”
“Is that when you decided to sue him?”
“No, not right away. I accepted it for a while. I’m not hurting for money. But every time I looked at Tommy’s little face, I became angry with him. I know it was my decision that caused him to have a father…” The way she said the word, as if it crushed her.
Under different circumstances, Ivy’s heart would break for her.
“My little guy deserves better than someone who won’t even acknowledge him. I reached back out to him, and he said. You should be happy I gave you a year’s worth of support. I don’t even know if the child is mine. Then he told me if I wanted the support to resume. I should go ahead and sue him for it.”
“Wait! Emmanuel told you to sue him?”
“Yes. Actually, when I didn’t do it right away, he messaged and asked me what I was waiting for?”
Ivy shook her head in disbelief. Emmanuel was genuinely surprised when he was served. There was no way he goaded this woman into suing and forcing him into a responsibility that he wouldn’t have run from.
Jasmine Journee pushed from the table, walked over to the counter, and retrieved a cell phone. After searching for a moment, she slid it across to Ivy.
Leo: Jas, have you filed for the paternity test?
I thought you wanted support.
“I’m confused. Why does this message say it’s from… a Leo?”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Scott. I saved his name under his nickname. I didn’t mean to make this situation harder for you.”
“He shared with you that Leo was his nickname?”
“Yes, he preferred to be called by his middle name.”
“Oh.” This was so much information. Not at all what she was expecting to gather. “Um, thank you for agreeing to see me,” Ivy said, sliding the phone back to her. “Especially since I didn’t call first.”
“I think I half expected you to reach out to me. I just wanted to say sorry again, for the part I played in this situation.”
Ivy stood and then so did Jasmine Journee. They had an awkward moment when they looked at each other, and then Ivy’s gaze wandered around the kitchen. It had a sweet touches. Like the board with toddler artwork. Her eyes landed on a piece of artwork that looked out of place. It took Ivy a moment to recognise it contained the name of the woman’s son.
“Getting a tattoo for your little guy?”
“Yeah. The artist just finished designing it. It will be my third. Leo couldn’t understand how I could stand getting a tattoo. He told me how he hated needles and wouldn’t be able to bear one touching his skin for any length of time.”
Ivy’s head whipped in the woman’s direction. She couldn’t possibly have heard her correctly. “I have to go,” Ivy muttered.
Then she walked briskly to the woman’s front door. Blindly, she put on her ankle boots and struggled to open the door.
“Wait! Mrs. Scott, let me get that. The door is a left handle. I made small changes because Tommy is left-handed. He needs to feel comfortable in his home. My sister thought it was silly since he’s the only one who is left-handed. We have no idea where he got it. I mean… I don’t know your husband’s family, but he is right-handed, too.” Jasmine Journee handed Ivy her coat. Ivy was so preoccupied she couldn’t even speak as she bolted out the door, clutching it.