Chapter 25: Ivy

They stare silently at him and my heart plummets to the tips of my toes before jackhammering painfully. Why would he point out in front of everyone that they have no clue who I am?

But then Nora runs over to an end table and grabs a silver-framed photograph with chubby little fingers. Showing my dad and Leah, who both smile at her, she hesitantly shuffles her way toward me with a shy smile curving her cherub-like lips upward.

As I stare at the photo from my high school graduation, she points to me and says, "Ivy."

Why that should have tears welling in my eyes is beyond me. I can't help but give a thin, wobbly smile as I feel Roan softly stroke his hand over my jean clad thigh before giving it a gentle squeeze. Clearing my throat, I say, "Yep, that's me. Ivy."

She bestows a bright smile on me and my heart, the one I thought was stone cold where these two kids were concerned, begins to thaw.

Leah steps forward, her hand going to Nora's shoulder. "We've missed you, Ivy. I'm re