Chapter 87: Rita Donovan.
t least frustrated her into
“Hita?” ivy called, but there was no response. She knocked on the door hoping that she could at le opening it,
but Rda didn't budge
"Rita?" she called again Still, no response
Ivy gave up and trudged her way back to the car, her heart unable to process her feelings. Rita had a child who
was at least three or four years ok, and aunt May doesn't know about him?
"Is everything alright, ma'am?" Bud asked when she reached the ear
"Let's go hoome, she replied, her voice wavering
When they arrived home, she met Silas sitting in the living room. He sprang to his feet and approached her.
"Hey, you gotworried," he said, patting her shoulder. "What happened? You didn't answer my message"
Ivy sank into a couch before she spoke. She was already exhausted from all the events that happened. "I saw
Theresa today," she said.
Silas sat on the couch closest to her, his voice rose with surprise. "What happened? Did she do something?"
"Oh no," Ivy said, then laughed, wondering why she had chosen to begin the conversation with that. "She was
great. wants to hang out tomorrow."
"Okay," Silas said, still watching her closely
She
"It was good, really," she said, trying to convince him. "Actually that was the only great thing about today, she
admitted.
"What else happened today?" Silas asked in that compelling tone she couldn't ignore.
"| found out my dad has pneumonia, though he's stable now... but he didn't want to see me.
Saying that out loud hurt more than thinking about it.
Sillas pursed his lips, "Why is your father still angry at you?"
She knew it was a rhetorical question so she didn't answer. She heard the concern in Silas's voice and reached
out for his hand, giving him a soft squeeze.
"It's not his fault. | blmyself for running there like a fool, she said.
"You can't say that, Silas remarked softly. "At least you tried to be nice to him."
"Yeah."
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At least sother things cout of the visit-like seeing Dr Collins and Rita. She stiffened at the memory. Silas
seemed to notice. "Don't be too hard on yourself, You've done what you can," he said with a bright smile.
1 saw my cousin at the hospital today" she said, pulling her hand away.
Silas's brow furrowed. "I'm not following."
Ivy sighed, gaining strength to continue. She told him about Vera, Rita, their father. She also mentioned how she
had followed Rita to her house and met her child. She even talked about Rita's sneaky moves as they followed
her,
Silas nodded, listening attentively. "How do you know Aunt May doesn't know?"
"Well, aside from the fact that | know my aunt wouldn't keep quiet if she knew she had a grandson, Rita
threatenedif | told anyone."
Silas leaned back, his brows furrowed in thoughts. After smoments, he asked. "Why would Rita stay away
for years? And hide her child? Is she that mad at your aunt?"
"I wouldn't know, Ivy said, shrugging. "Their relationship went sour after my uncle died. But | know my aunt-she's
the sweetest soul on earth. If that's what caused the rift, I'm sure it must be deep."
Silas shook his head, his hazel eyes glinting with concentration. "It's so weird."
"I know" Ivy agreed, leaning into the couch.
She couldn't believe she had just shared all that with Silas. Her heart fluttered as she watched him—the focus in
his eyes. the attentiveness, the seriousness in his tone m
-ked away, realizing she was staring too much.
Silas leaned forward. “Rita is definitely hiding: Successfully unlocked!
Ivy's chest clenched as Silas's statement confirmed what she feared.
"Let's just hope she's safe, Silas added with a smile.
"| just had this bad feeling that something dangerous happened, and that's why she couldn't chome."
Chapter BT Aita Donovan
"Hey, hey" Silas placed a hand on her thigh, rubbing it gently "You're overthinking
it. I'm sure Rita has a good reason for
all of this."
Ivy's anger disappeared under Silas's touch 1 hope so, she muttered, looking away.
"You should probably talk to her. You know, get her side of the story. Are you going to tell Aunt May?" Silas asked,
concern
evident in his voice
She hesitated as her thoughts drifted. She knew how much Aunt May would be hurt-and happy-to find out about
Rita But she couldn't tell her just yet, until she
was sure
1 don't think so. Maybe not yet," she said, a little distracted by his touch
“Uhmm” Silas murmured as he continued to rub her thigh.
Ivy bit her lip, as heat crept up her face. Her chest tightened, and her stomach stirred with something. She
pressed her legs together, trying to control herself. When she couldn't take the heat of his affection, Ivy jumped
to her feet.
"I'm going to rest. It has been a crazy day," she said, avoiding his eyes as her blush deepened.
"Alright, Silas replied, standing up too
"Thanks for listening," she said, stepping away from him.
A smile spread across his face. "You're welcome."
She headed for the stairs. "See you tomorrow."
“Alright. The gala is tomorrow night," he reminded her. "Your outfit will be delivered in the morning."
She remembered Thomas's invitation.
"Thank you very much. Goodnight" she said.
ivy..." Silas said, his eyes lingering a little longer. Something in his tone changed
as well, sending shivers through her.
Her blush deepened as she looked away. She knew what it was, her body was already reacting to it. But she
knew she couldn't wait, waiting was sure to lead to other things. So she ran upstairs, acting like she didn't hear
him.
When she got to her room, she lacked the door and laid on the bed. She closed her eyes until she could suppress
the heat between her legs.
After smoments, she took a deep breath, freshened up, and changed into her pajamas. Then her thoughts
drifted to Rila
Ivy reached for her phone and began to search for her cousin on all social media platforms...
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"Rita Donovan," she murmured as she typed.
To her disappointment, but definitely not surprise, nothing cup. She searched
three more apps, hoping to anything on Rita, but there was nothing.
With a sigh, Ivy gave up and dropped the phone.
fand
Yet, she couldn't quite get Rita out of her mind. As much as her threat had terrified her, Ivy was still determined
to find out what really happened.
As she lay back down, her phone buzzed. She checked it-Eagleheart had sent an appointment reminder for
tomorrow Ivy sighed as thoughts of talking to Dr Collins overshadowed that of Rita's. She wondered what she
would find about her
mother.
She laid in bed, waiting for sleep, when a thought flashed in her mind. She picked
up her phone and texted Silas.
'Please sendTheresa's number."
"Okay.” He replied immediately.
Few seconds later, her phone chimed with a new message. Ivy unlocked it and
dialed the number.
"Hello" Theresa answered.
"Hey, Theresa, it's Ivy," she said.
"Oh, Ivy. What's up? | hope you're not bailing on our outing tomorrow? Theresa asked playfully.
"Oh, not at all" Ivy chuckled "Actually, | wanted to ask-do you think we could go hiking on Mount Tamalpais?"
"Of course!" Theresa cheered, excitement filling her voice. "That's such a good thought, Ivy. We can definitely do
that"
"Awesome!" Ivy cheered, pleased with herself.
Tomorrow, she will bond with Theresa, hiking in Mount Tamalpais and then pay
her lovely cousin a visit again
Killing two birds with one stone.