Chapter 82: Flying Back To California.


    "Oh...are you sure?" Ss asked softly. He stood up just as Ivy did, his eyes searching hers


    "Yes," Ivy said, averting her gaze.


    He could tell she wanted to cry but was holding it together. His heart shattered as she sniffled and coughed to hide her


    emotions


    "I just want to go home," she said sadly


    He wanted to hold her hand, tofort her, but she was already ahead of him- moving faster. He exchanged looks with Bud as they watched her go.


    "Bud will help with your luggage," he called after her.


    Halfway into the hotel, she tumed briefly. "Don''t worry, I''ll do it and dashed in


    Ss''s heart shattered as he entered the hotel. He didn''t even know the full details yet-only that Thomas had called. sounding distressed. This honeymoon had been doomed from the start, but he hadn''t wanted to end it. Too much had gone into nning it. Now, all of it was for nothing


    As he stepped into the elevator, he dialed Thomas''s number. There had to be a reasonable exnation for this sudden change.


    "Hey. St Thomas answered, his tone weary.


    "Hey, Thomas," Ss said as the elevator doors slid shut. "I don''t understand. Why did the seller change her mind?"


    Thomas sighed heavily. "I have no idea. She was supposed to sign yesterday. I thought giving Ivy the documents when you guys got back from the honeymoon would be a nice surprise. But Ms. Josh suddenly backed out."


    Ss stepped out of the elevator and headed to his room-well, one of his rooms since he had booked all the rooms on that floor.


    "I still don''t get it," he said, feeling confused. "Did you two have a fight?"


    "No, nope," Thomas replied. "She just changed her mind. She also refunded us immediately, too."


    "And she told you Mason got the ce?"


    "No, but she hinted at it. Sab confirmed it," Thomas said. "The worst part? She also pulled two of her other properties from my care. She doesn''t want to work with me anymore, and she won''t say why"


    Ss leaned against the door, trying to steady his heart. He knew how awful Thomas must be feeling, but he also knew his brother would never speak about his pain openly.


    "We''reing back home," he said gently.


    "Oh, Si. You don''t have to. Thomas replied. "I''m already working on another building for Ivy. How is she, by the way?"


    Ss''s heart shattered as he remembered the expression on Ivy''s face-the fact that she couldn''t even conceal her pain." She''s upset," he admitted. "Which is why we''reing home today."


    "Mason keeps ruining everything. Thomas hissed. "All our hard work, and for what?"


    Ss sighed at his brother''s tone as he unlocked his door. He sat on the couch, crossing his legs, his head racing with


    thoughts.


    "How did Mason know Ivy bought that building in the first ce?" he asked, his chest tightened as he realized he knew the


    answer.


    The leak.


    An ufortable knot tightened his stomach.


    Thomas sighed. He knew the answer too. "We''ve to find that person before the damage gets worse."


    "How do we even begin to do that?"


    "A step at a time, Si Thomas said. "We''re getting close to finding the person who hacked myptop. When we do f who it is, we''ll know if it''s the same person as your side."


    s sighed. To acknowledge that there was a leak on his side was to admit that someone close to him wasn''t loyal. And that angered yet terrified him.


    "I''ll try talking to Ms. Josh again," Thomas con Sessfully unlocked! ny she really changed her mind"


    Ss sighed, rubbing his temple in frustration. "Alright. Let me know how it goes." "Definitely." Thomas said. "See youter."


    "Bye."


    After ending the call, Stasey to pack his stuff When he finished, he told Bud to find the batboys Wide Bud eft, Ds


    began


    He knocked gently Hey Fry Are you a


    wice was bowNA


    I s reached for her


    hand attempting tofort her


    half expected her to pull away but instead, she took his hand and squeezed it as they walked to the elevator Sitas helped her into the car grateful she wasn''t protesting When the ride to the airport began, the rested her head on his


    shoulder


    His heart fipped when her fingers traced the wins in his arms. He shivered, closing his eyes to her sizzling touch


    Despite the emotions coursing through him He found his voice "Are you alright, you need anything?


    "No, thank you," she replied, straightening up the adjusted and turned towards the window where she then rested her


    head


    Ss''s heart sank. He had ruined the moment with a stupid question. He thought about teasing her anything to make her smile, but the sadness on her face discouraged him.


    Instead, he adjusted himself and stared out the window too


    When they arrived at the airport, the staff assisted with their luggage. In no time, they were flying back to California


    Ivy slept throughout the journey, though he drifted in and out of sleep too, but he kept checking on her


    "We''re here," he said when theynded


    "Hurray," Ivy murmured sleepily, stretching


    Ss helped her off the ne, leading her toward his green Panther, where Victor was waiting


    The drive home was distant and quiet, but as they pulled into the driveway, his phone buzzed. An unknown number was calling


    His heart fluttered as he walked away from the car, hoping this call had nothing to


    do with Ivy


    "Hello?"


    The first thing he heard was a gush of liquid, followed by a loud gulp.


    "You know," a voice slurred, "I keep telling myself I deserve everything you''re doing to me."


    Ss frowned. The caller was drunk. "Who is this?"


    "Hold on, the voice said. "Let me vent, because I know you''ll hang up the second you find out."


    Ss said nothing, but he was curious


    "I know I fucked up, but you have to eventually forgive me, Ss.”


    Ss narrowed his eyes as he tried to recollect who this was. Then it clicked.


    "Dn," he said tly. "What do you want?"


    "You, Ss. I want you," Dn said "I miss our friendship. And I hate that you''re too stupid to see how important you are to


    me


    "Is this an apology or what?"


    "A vent," Dn snapped. "Town half of thatpany. I put in the work! But you''re cutting me out over a girl? FYI, Kim was a slut. I did you a favor"


    Ss had no patience for this-especially not when Ivy needed him. I''m not doing this with you right now."


    He ended the call immediately, and went back to the car. He figured Ivy was in her room so he went there.


    He knocked "Try""


    She opened the door and ran into his arms. His heart ached as he realized she


    was crying


    He held her close, rubbing her back "Let it all out," he murmured


    She sobbed softly against his neck. After some moments, she looked up at him with tear-filled eyes


    "Thank you" she whispered


    Ss took her to the bed, andid her down gently. She nestled in his arm, and he yed with her hair, kissing her forehead. Ss''s heart drummed. If she wasn''t so sad, he would have been doing something else to her on the bed