Chapter 82: Flying Back To California.
“Oh…are you sure?” Silas 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, to comfort 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
Silas’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 planning 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 explanation for this sudden change.
“Hey. St Thomas answered, his tone weary.
“Hey, Thomas,” Silas 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.”
Silas 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 place?”
“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”
Silas 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’re coming 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?”
Silas’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’re coming home today.”
“Mason keeps ruining everything. Thomas hissed. “All our hard work, and for what?”
Silas 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 place?” he asked, his chest tightened as he realized he knew the
answer.
The leak.
An uncomfortable 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 my laptop. When we do f who it is, we’ll know if it’s the same person as your side.”
Slas 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 Successfully unlocked! ny she really changed her mind”
Silas sighed, rubbing his temple in frustration. “Alright. Let me know how it goes.”
“Definitely.” Thomas said. “See you later.”
“Bye.”
After ending the call, Stasey to pack his stuff When he finished, he told Bud to find the batboys Wide Bud eft, Dilas
began
He knocked gently Hey Fry Are you a
wice was bowNA
| Slas reached for her
hand attempting to comfort 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
Silas’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 they landed
“Hurray,” Ivy murmured sleepily, stretching
Silas helped her off the plane, 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.”
Silas 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.”
Silas said nothing, but he was curious
“I know I fucked up, but you have to eventually forgive me, Silas.”
Silas narrowed his eyes as he tried to recollect who this was. Then it clicked.
“Dylan,” he said flatly. “What do you want?”
“You, Silas. I want you,” Dylan 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,” Dylan snapped. “Town half of that company. I put in the work! But you’re cutting me out over a girl? FYI, Kim was a slut. I did you a favor”
Silas had no patience for this–especially not when Ivy needed him. T’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
Silas took her to the bed, and laid her down gently. She nestled in his arm, and he played with her hair, kissing her forehead. Silas’s heart drummed. If she wasn’t so sad, he would have been doing something else to her on the bed
