Page 116 of Mercy (The Sins Trilogy 3)
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Ivy
“All done!” Yuna says as we’re leaving the chocolatier who’s going to create the sculpture.
He already has the design with a detailed layout of how it’s going to be structured, so people can take pieces out without having the whole thing collapse. We also got to sample the dark, milk and white chocolates he plans to use at the wedding. Rich and creamy, they melted on my tongue like tiny, delicious dreams. At my request, he packed a small box for me to take so Tony can taste them too.
“I’m thrilled with the way it’s turning out,” I say. “Thank you for your help.”
“My pleasure,” Mrs. Min says.
“I’ve been taking notes so I know what to do for my wedding,” Julie adds with an admiring smile. “I told Ivy there wasn’t enough time to pull it off.”
“Normally, we wouldn’t have been able to.” I’m certain of that because I know Mrs. Min did a lot during the week while I was at work. I hold her hands. “Thank you.”
“Thank me by living happily ever after. I love a good fairytale ending.” She smiles.
“I will. I promise.” A mix of gratitude, pleasure and determination flows through me. I’m not going to accept anything else. Tony and I fought so hard for each other.
“I’m starting to get hungry,” Yuna says. “We should have dinner.”
Mrs. Min pats Yuna’s shoulder. “We can grab something to eat later. It isn’t even six. But we should let Ivy go.”
Yuna pouts. “Why?”
“Because she’s hardly spent any time with her fiancé today,” Mrs. Min says. “I’m certain Ivy would love to spend some lovely private time with him, without us hovering. And Tony will appreciate not being neglected.”
Her thoughtfulness never fails to surprise me. It’s as though she knows what I really want without my having to say so. Or what Tony might need or feel.
“But soon he’s going to marry her, and spend all the time in the world with her,” Yuna says.
“That’s why he’s her fiancé and you’re not.”
Julie and I laugh at Mrs. Min’s dry tone and Yuna’s less-than-thrilled expression.
“I really should get going,” I say. “I do want to have a dinner date with him.”
Mrs. Min arches an eyebrow at her daughter. “See?”
We say goodbye in front of the store and part ways, Julie getting inside her car and Yuna, Mrs. Min and her people in a huge SUV.
When Bobbi and I arrive at the penthouse, I say, “Honey, I’m home!”
Two beats of silence pass. I frown. Is Tony out for a walk or something? I saw his Audi in the garage.
I pull out my phone to text him.
“Welcome home.”
I turn around and see him at the kitchen counter, his elbows braced on the smooth surface. His face is tight and slightly pale.
Did Margot call and say something hateful?Nobody else would put that expression on his face. I should’ve known it was too easy when she just returned to Louisiana after the confrontation with Mrs. Min.
Then I notice the blood on his swollen knuckles, and my heart almost stops for a second. I run to him, dropping the box of chocolate on the floor.
“What happened?” I examine his hand, unsure if the blood is his, how hurt he is. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
