Chapter 19A quarter of a million dollars
Chapter Nineteen
A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS
Emmanuel didn’t make it a habit to keep things from Ivy. It wasn’t the tenet that their marriage was built on. With everything they had gone through, he would not start now. So, when Ivy asked what was going on. He instructed her to hold tight, got off at the next exit, pulled into a coffee shop parking lot and put the vehicle into park. Removing his seatbelt, he turned and looked at her. Once she had mirrored his action, he finally spoke.
“I asked Darsh to look into Leonardo for me.” Emmanuel started off with information she already knew.
This was clear by the way she arched one perfectly arched eyebrow at him as if to say, “go on.”
“I requested a deep dive so I can have all his information. So, I suggested if he was having difficulty gathering information, maybe he should contact Asher.”
“Oh,” she answered, her eyes rounded.
Emmanuel had expected more of a reaction, but despite her obvious shock at his admission, she remained quiet.
“What Leonardo did was unacceptable. I guess this is where the scientific question of nature versus nurture comes into play. It turns out I’m proof the answer is nurture. There is no way what Leonardo did will go unanswered.” Emmanuel could feel his anger rising as he spoke. Ivy placed her hand on his thigh, and immediately he could feel the anger receding.
“Why didn’t you think I would understand your feelings?” she asked.
“I didn’t think that you wouldn’t understand. We’ve been through a lot lately, and I didn’t want you to be disappointed in me.”
“Hm, and you thought maybe I would try to talk you out of it?”
“Yeah, that too.” Emmanuel smiled. They both understood once his mind was set on doing something, the only thing that would make him reconsider… was Ivy. He didn’t want to be talked out of it.
“You realise I know you? Right? There was no way that you wouldn’t respond to a threat to our family. I am only a little surprised you would consider turning to Asher, but all of this has been way too much to handle at once.”
“I’m fine Doc.”
“No, you’re not Manny. But guess what? Right now, with everything going on, it’s perfectly okay not to be.”
Emmanuel considered his wife’s words. Until they left her mouth, he didn’t know how much he needed to hear them. His hand covered hers, and he squeezed it.
“So, you are on board with me making Leonardo pay?”
Ivy sighed. “I understand your need to want to make him pay. Hell, part of me wants to see him rot as well. I don’t know… maybe it’s the scientist in me.”
Emmanuel didn’t like where this conversation was heading, but he would hear her out.
“I would caution before you take any action, get all your facts together. Because what is bothering me about all of this? Is why? Why would he do this? Not only why, but why now?”
“I’m not sure I care why. He came for my family. My children, you, our friends, and family doubted my devotion to you. Fuck, he could have come for my material shit; I could possibly show mercy. Not for coming after what I love most. Never that.”
“I get it. Just one more thing to consider. There is an innocent child involved. A child that happens to be your nephew.”
Nephew. Emmanuel hadn’t thought of the child in those terms… being raised without siblings and having a spouse who also didn’t have any siblings, a nephew or niece, was never something that he had to consider.
It wasn’t like Leonardo was a part of the child’s life, anyway. Or he wanted to acknowledge him, otherwise they all wouldn’t be in the mess they were in.
“I’ll take it into consideration when I act,” he informed her.
“Also, consider that I am pretty certain Jasmine Journee is probably innocent in this.”
“Yes, you might have mentioned that before. Any more little truths you would like to share with me?” Emmanuel had meant it as a joke, but the look on Ivy’s face put him on full alert. “Doc? Something you want to share with me?”
Ivy stared at him for a bit. Then she sighed. “Okay, here goes. I’m not sure Larson was being truthful about knowing about your twin.”
“You had me worried there for a moment, Doc. Of course, he knew. My Dad is full of shit. There was no way Chester would make such a move without his approval. He made his career serving my Dad. He wouldn’t do shit without his say so.”
“You didn’t let on.”
“It’s bad enough, he already has confirmation we know of the existence of twin. Maybe he will be sloppy with his cover up and Darsh can catch him at it.”
“God. Here’s hoping.”
Emmanuel winked at her.
“Information is power to my Dad. The less of it he has, the better. Besides, I wouldn’t confront him without proof. My Mom was blindsided in there. When the truth comes out, it has to come with a side of irrefutable facts. I’ll tell you one thing I would hate to be my Dad when this all comes out.”
“We should probably get going. This conversation has been very informative.”
“One more for the road. Roy is going to need to step up his role.”
“Really, Manny?”
“Yeah, really Doc. It should have already happened. There are too many unknowns. I won’t take a chance with your safety.”
Emmanuel and Roy had a ‘discussion’ about him allowing Ivy into the Journee woman’s house unprotected. Roy had remained stoic as his boss ripped into him about allowing Ivy to be put in danger.
“I assessed the risk. I was on the porch the whole time. I turned on the listening device on her cellphone so I could monitor the situation. You hired me to ensure she gets from point A to point B and keep your wife safe. I take that job very seriously.”
“Okay, fine, but to be clear, only Roy.”
“I can’t promise that, but he will try not to be too intrusive. You don’t go anywhere without him. Which means he comes inside the hospital with you.”
If looks could kill. Thank God he knew she loved him.
They drove to the condo, and just as the couple walked through the door. Darsh called again. This time Emmanuel answered and put the phone on speaker.
“Hey Darsh, hang on a moment,” Emmanuel instructed, and he sat, then pulled Ivy into his lap. Having her there was like a security blanket. While he wanted… no, needed the information. It wasn’t easy having all of these family secrets unearthed.
“Okay. I’m back. You have news for me?”
“Yes, as it turns out, and I didn’t have to make a deal with the devil.”
“Well, that’s good to know. I’m all ears.” A part of Emmanuel was relieved. While he was willing to involve Asher, the price of such dealings was now something he didn’t have to concern himself with.
“Leonardo was raised by Concetta Bianchi. She is your birth mother. Someone went through a lot of trouble to make sure that her name didn’t remain on your or Leonardo’s birth certificate.”
Emmanuel’s mind was reeling. This woman, Concetta, his mother, had kept one twin and given one away. Given him away. No, more than likely sold me. He was certain money was involved.
“Did money exchange hands?” Ivy gripped his hand as Emmanuel asked.
“Yes.” Darsh sounded… sombre.
“How much?” Emmanuel shot back.
“A quarter of a million dollars.”
So that was what babies went for fifty years ago. No, that is what the rate I went for. You got ripped off Concetta. They… no Larson could have given you more. So much more.
Emmanuel tuned out whatever Darsh was saying. Just when he thought he couldn’t take it anymore. There were more… secrets. So many secrets. Huge ones tearing at his sanity. At whom he was. Maybe he should stop his quest for more answers. Emmanuel had his family, the love of his life. His children would be told that he didn’t betray their mother, and they would move on with their lives. No need to pursue any more heartache. Except, someone had to pay for the lies. He would see to?—
Ivy cupped his face and looked down at him in concern. She no longer sat in his lap.
“Hey Baby, I told Darsh, to email you all the information. If you had questions, you would call him.”
“What?” Emmanuel was confused.
Ivy handed him a glass of water. “You were out of it for a bit.”
“I’m fine.” Emmanuel took the water and drank. “Don’t worry about me.”
“How could I not worry? You are my everything, Manny.”
“It isn’t anything we can’t get through.”
The question was, would anyone outside his bubble of protection have the same fate?
“ T here were no listening devices in or around Ivy’s office. However, I left a little something behind should someone attempt to bug her in the future.”
When Darsh had updated Emmanuel on his team’s findings, he wasn’t sure what to feel; relieved or ticked off. Part of him wanted to go after his father. Especially considering the recent discoveries. The secret had been kept for fifty years, and the paper trail was non-existent. While Emmanuel was certain the quarter of a million dollars had come from his father or rather was given to his birth mother on behalf of his father, there simply wasn’t any proof.
Speaking of proof, Emmanuel wished they had more tangible facts to present to their children, Frank, and Kimberlin, but Ivy assured him what they had was enough. Ivy was certain once they knew he had a twin, all the other pieces would fall into place.
Well, the news had been delivered, and now the room was completely silent. Emmanuel took in the looks of shock. The only ones who didn't have comically rounded eyes were him and Ivy. It was a great party trick. For once, Frank was speechless. He turned his head and looked at Ivy, and she just shrugged.
It had been his wife who delivered the news. There had been no comment since she revealed the paternity test was positive because he had an identical twin. In fact, it was his unknown sibling who had gotten the Journee woman pregnant. The room pulsed with a weird energy. Emmanuel could not name it. Had they believed her?
“Guys?” Ivy prompted.
Frank was the first to speak. No surprise there. “See? I was right. Didn’t I say this was the reason why the paternity test was positive?”
“What? You never said I had a twin.” Emmanuel was genuinely confused. Frank had thrown many theories at him, but he was sure he would have remembered the ‘twin theory’.
“Well, I didn’t say twin, but I remember it clearly. I said and I quote, the only way this shit could have happened is if you have a clone.”
His admission got everyone talking at once. Emmanuel couldn’t make out exactly what they were saying, but the consensus was Frank’s theory didn’t line up with what happened. His takeaway was they accepted the truth. Once the levity of arguing with Frank dissipated, they turned their attention to gathering information. Emmanuel and Ivy did the best they could to explain and provide what information they were willing to divulge. The focus was on the more serious questions. Leave it to Sage to provide a new perspective.
“So, I have an uncle?”
Emmanuel accepted Leonardo as his twin. A twin who used his familial connection to cause havoc, but he hadn’t thought of how Leonardo would impact his family. Now his children had lost an uncle before they even knew he existed.
“Sagey,” Oliver called gently. “He might be Dad’s biological brother, but haven’t you been listening? This guy messed with our family. I doubted Dad’s word.”
Emmanuel watched his son transform from the confident young man before him to a lost little boy. He would pull him to the side and talk to him. Oliver could have handled the situation more respectfully, but he was looking out for Ivy. It was a point on which his son and he could agree.
“Crap. It would have been nice to have another uncle. Another Uncle Frank would be wicked.” Sage seemed excited by the idea.
“The coolness of your Uncle Frank can never be matched. Girl, you know better.” Frank boasted.
Sage laughed at Frank’s antics. “Of course not, Uncle Frank. What about the baby? Can we keep him?”
“What?” More than one person asked.
“Well, obviously, we don’t want Evil Unc to be part of our lives. After we teach him a lesson, he probably wouldn’t want to be a part of our lives anyway. But we have a little cousin. Do we get to meet him?”
It was a challenging question to answer. First off, that was his girl! Sage understood Leonardo’s stunt wouldn’t go unanswered. Second, he didn’t know if he could ever think of the Journee’s woman child as his nephew. How would incorporating the boy into their lives even work?
Your dad is persona non grata. Oh, and I ruined his life, but you wanna play catch champ? This was not something he could see working out.
“Sage, I think we will need time to figure it out. This is all so new,” Ivy answered.
“This shindig is lacking in hospitality Ivs. Are we going to get some refreshments or what?” Frank asked.
“Let me see what I can arrange,” Ivy answered as she stood.
“Don’t forget to get the crow pie for Kimberlin. She looks hungry.” Frank added.
Emmanuel bit back the laugh, attempting to escape him. Kimberlin had been a part of their lives for a long time, but her brand of ‘friendship’ contributed to making a difficult situation even harder. The fucking STI test still stung.
Emmanuel recalled a conversation he had with Kimberlin. The two had run into each other while he was getting a coffee after moving out of the house.
“I just think you owe Ivy the truth. Be honest with her and let her decide if she wants to give you her forgiveness.” Her tone dripped with veiled contempt.
“I’ve been honest with Ivy. There are no secrets between us.”
What he had really wanted to tell her was to fuck off.
“The test says otherwise, and she is hurting.”
Emmanuel was infuriated by the interaction. When he and Frank had spoken about it, his exact words were, “Kimberlin means well, but the crow is going to taste the same either way. Just remember what she means to Ivs.”
“Frank!” Ivy admonished.
While Kimberlin flipped him the bird, “Bite me, Franciscus.”
Benjamin occupied his mother’s vacant spot. “Hey, Dad. Are you okay?”
“Right as rain.” His feelings about his world being turned upside down didn’t need to be shared with his son.
“I’m sorry. This all seems so surreal. I doubted… I didn’t want to believe it.”
He cupped his son’s neck. “I know. You did nothing wrong.”
Benjamin shook his head. “I could have done?—”
“I know. It’s forgotten. Thank you for looking after your mom and sister. For being here.”
Benjamin looked up and saw his brother staring intently at them.
“I’m going to see if Mom needs help.”
He nodded at his brother then. It was all the encouragement Oliver needed. Unlike his brother, he didn’t sit beside his father. Oliver kneeled in front of where his father sat.
“Can I talk to you for a second, Dad?”
“I’ve always got time for you, Oliver.” Emmanuel meant it too.
“I know I said this before, but I am sorry for the way I spoke to you when I found out you were moving out…” Oliver stopped then. His regret was plastered all over his face. “I knew I could have handled the situation better, but I was still mad at you because I believed the worst.”
“I get it. This shit was hard on everyone. It was a hard ask for you to look past the results.”
“But I shouldn’t have doubted you, because I know what kind of man you are.”
“You were looking after your mother. It is what I taught you to do. It’s okay Ollie stand up son.”
As Oliver did what his father instructed, Emmanuel followed suit. He wrapped his son in what he intended to be a quick embrace. Instead, his oldest held on.
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
Emmanuel couldn’t be sure, but he thought he heard a sniffle. Although he was a grown man by the world’s standards, it didn’t matter to him. Oliver was his child, and he was hurting. Emmanuel held on tighter. Add this to the list of why Leonardo should pay. His awareness of others in the room resurfaced when he felt a hand wrap around him.
“Aww. This is so awesome. You two made up,” Sage practically sang.
Emmanuel opened his arms to include both his children. “Of course. We might have disagreements, but this family will always come together. No matter what life throws at us.”
“Okay guys, we should have refreshments in a few,” Ivy announced as she entered the room.
“Oh good! I hope there is enough. I’m starving.” Sage announced as they separated from the hug. It was good to hear his little girl’s appetite had returned. He looked up and shared a smile with Ivy. Her face was awash with relief.
Being with his family as they ate, talked, and laughed was what he desperately needed. Especially now their faith in him was restored. Emmanuel had never been unappreciative of his life, but at this moment, it overwhelmed him how truly blessed he was to be surrounded by so much love.
It became apparent to Emmanuel that he still needed to grow. The forgiveness and graciousness which he felt towards his children didn’t naturally extend to Kimberlin. She was there waiting when he came out of the washroom.
After a few false starts, Kimberlin got to the point. “I owe you an apology for doubting you.”
“It was a little more than doubting, but I know you were looking out for Ivy. But let’s be honest, you let your prejudices influence your… advice.”
Emmanuel could feel himself getting worked up. Ivy didn’t throw her friend under the bus, but he knew who planted the seed for the need for an STI test. Kimberlin had been through a lot in her past. This was something he’d work to remember. “Listen… I don’t want to dwell on it. Ultimately, you are family. You mean everything to my wife and children. I’m not holding onto anything.”
“Well. I appreciate your understanding,” Kimberlin told him. “I am happy about this outcome. I find it comforting knowing you have always been the man you said you would be to Ivy. This is something she deserves.”
She smiled and almost collided with Frank as she turned away.
“Franciscus,” Kimberlin sneered.
“Your edges are looking fragile, Kimmy,” Frank laughed at her outraged huff.
“Why do you let Kimberlin work you up?” Emmanuel asked. She was the only person who seemed to draw those kinds of reactions from Frank.
“Work me up? Nah. She and I are always good. It is all in love.”
“If you say so.”
Frank asked for a moment, and they went to Emmanuel’s office. It was surreal. It had been a while since he was in there.
“What’s up?” Emmanuel asked.
“No, what’s up with you? I can read between the lines. You guys have known for a bit. In which time, I am sure you have been plotting like a motherfucker. Now bring me up to speed, so I can make sure your revenge doesn’t land you on the wrong side of the law.”