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 Ss sitting in the living room. He sprang to his feet and approached her.


    "Hey, you got me worried," 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.


    Ss sat on the couch closest to her, his voice rose with surprise. "What happened? Did she do something?"


    "Oh no," Ivy said, thenughed, wondering why she had chosen to begin the conversation with that. "She was great. wants to hang out tomorrow."


    "Okay,” Ss 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?" Ss asked in thatpelling tone she couldn''t ignore.


    "I 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.


    Sis 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 Ss''s voice and reached out for his hand, giving him a soft squeeze.


    "It''s not his fault. I me myself for running there like a fool, she said.


    "You can''t say that, Ss remarked softly. "At least you tried to be nice to him."


    "Yeah."


    At least some other things came out of the visit-like seeing Dr Collins and Rita. She stiffened at the memory. Ss 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.


    Ss''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,


    Ss nodded, listening attentively. "How do you know Aunt May doesn''t know?"


    "Well, aside from the fact that I know my aunt wouldn''t keep quiet if she knew she had a grandson, Rita threatened me if I told anyone."


    Ss leaned back, his brows furrowed in thoughts. After some moments, 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 rtionship went sour after my uncle died. But I know my aunt-she''s the sweetest soul on earth. If that''s what caused the rift, I''m sure it must be deep."


    Ss 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 Ss. 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.


    Ss leaned forward. “Rita is definitely hiding: Sessfully unlocked!


    Ivy''s chest clenched as Ss''s statement confirmed what she feared.


    "Let''s just hope she''s safe, Ss added with a smile.


    "I just had this bad feeling that something dangerous happened, and that''s why she couldn''te home."


    Chapter BT Aita Donovan


    "Hey, hey" Ss ced 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 Ss''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?" Ss 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” Ss 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, Ss replied, standing up too


    "Thanks for listening," she said, stepping away from him.


    A smile spread across his face. "You''re wee."


    She headed for the stairs. "See you tomorrow."


    “Alright. The g 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..." Ss 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, shecked the door andid on the bed. She closed her eyes until she could suppress the heat between her legs.


    After some moments, she took a deep breath, freshened up, and changed into her pajamas. Then her thoughts drifted to R


    Ivy reached for her phone and began to search for her cousin on all social media tforms...


    "Rita Donovan," she murmured as she typed.


    To her disappointment, but definitely not surprise, nothing came up. 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 shey 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.


    Sheid in bed, waiting for sleep, when a thought shed in her mind. She picked


    up her phone and texted Ss.


    ''Please send me Theresa''s number."


    "Okay.” He replied immediately.


    Few secondster, 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? I hope you''re not bailing on our outing tomorrow? Theresa asked yfully.


    "Oh, not at all" Ivy chuckled "Actually, I 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.