Ivy swallowed hard and quickly retraced her steps to the exit, her cheeks burning with embarrassment at the looks on the people seated in reception.

She stepped outside and hurried toward the car.

“Are you alright?” Bud asked as she slid in.

“Yes,” Ivy said, swallowing as she tried to catch her breath.

She couldn’t believe it—Rita had denied knowing her, which was unheard of. Yet, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that Rita might be in danger. The thought that Rita had been in San Francisco for five years without visiting Aunt May was appalling.

A thought crossed her mind, and she turned to Victor. “Would you mind waiting a moment?”

Bud raised his brow from the passenger seat. “Is everything alright, ma’am?”

“Yes, yes,” she nodded quickly, “just need you to follow someone.”

“Alright,” Bud said. He turned to Victor, “Move the car somewhere hidden.”

Victor maneuvered the car to a spot in the garage. From where they were, they could see the entrance of the hospital without being spotted immediately.

Ivy texted Silas, letting him know she was going to be a little late, just in case Theresa mentioned seeing her.

Silas replied immediately: Where are you going?

She had no answer, so she didn’t respond. Immediately, she set her phone down; Rita walked out of the hospital.

It was then Ivy really looked at her. Rita wore a black hoodie and trousers, her hair tied in a messy bun. Ivy’s heart broke as the pain of Rita’s denial sank in.

Rita was seven years older, but that had never stopped them from being close. Ivy had spent her childhood holidays at Aunt May’s house before her uncle’s death.

Walter’s death had drawn a wedge between May and her children, and when Vera, Rita’s younger sister, had died, it possibly had ruined what was left between May and Rita.

“Follow her,” Ivy said, pointing to Rita who was walking really fast.

“Alright, ma’am,” Victor replied, starting the car.

They waited until Rita left the hospital premises before beginning to follow. She was on foot, which meant she likely lived nearby. But that knowledge came with the pain of realizing that Rita had intentionally avoided her mother and their family for five years.

They followed her, watching as Rita continued on foot heading over Sanibel Street. She kept her hands tucked in her hoodie, and continuously glanced behind her.

Ivy leaned forward, her eyes darting around Rita. Nobody seemed to be following her, but Rita’s body movements screamed discomfort.

What was she hiding? Who was she hiding from?

It was when Rita took a narrow pathway leading to a bridge that Ivy actually began to freak out. Her chest clenched as she realized Rita had parked her car miles away from the hospital and gone there on foot.

Was she not staying close? Ivy wondered.

“Let’s follow her, please,” she said, her voice slightly shaking.

“Drive down Mela Road and go left,” Bud told Victor. “We should see her.”

Victor nodded as he drove. Thankfully, they saw Rita as she was about to enter a small black Honda.

Victor slowed the car and they waited. Ivy watched Rita throw a piece of paper from her windscreen before getting into her car.

As soon as Rita started driving, they immediately followed her. Ivy’s mind swirled as different thoughts swirled in her mind.

Was Rita in trouble? Was she running from something? Hiding from someone?

None of her questions made sense.

Successfully unlocked!

Ivy bit her lip, settling into the seat as Victor drove. After what felt like a long time, Rita finally turned toward Mill Valley.

Mill Valley was a cozy town with serene vibes and cute shops. Ivy knew Mount Tamalpais was nearby—her mother had taken her and Cole sightseeing there when they were kids.

She gnawed at her fingernails as she tried to settle her knotted anxiety. She couldn’t help but feel like something was wrong.

Rita stopped in front of a beautiful pink house. Victor slowed the car, parking across the street.

Rita got out of the car and walked into the house. A few moments later, a young lady exited the house, hopped on a bicycle, and rode off.

Ivy waited, expecting Rita to come back out, but she didn’t, so Ivy got out of the car.

“Stay here,” she told Bud. “I’m coming in with you,” not wanting to scare Rita.

But doubt crept in. What if she was being dangerous? What if someone was going to get Rita, and she got in the way? What if she was being traced? A voice in her head said, “She hasn’t seen you in five years,” another voice added.

Ivy sighed as indecision took over. It was either she took a chance on her safety, or she frightened Rita. She turned to Bud, her worry showing slightly. “Stay outside, just in case,” she said, and he nodded.

She turned toward the pink house, noticing the hedges decorated nicely along the stony pathway. The front doors were luxurious and elegant. The gardens were beautiful and added to the elegance of the house’s exteriors.

But if she had money, why was she driving such a rickety Honda?

Ivy rang the small bell with flowers designed around it and waited.

She heard a click. Then another.

Finally, the large door swung open.

Rita came out smiling. “Alex, did you forget the—” Her smile trailed off, the smile on her lips immediately faded, her eyes widened with shock. “What are you doing here, Ivy?”

“Oh, you remember me now,” Ivy said, relieved that Rita hadn’t greeted her with a gun or something worse.

Rita quickly stepped outside, shutting the door behind her. “You have to go.”

Ivy scoffed, “I have to go? I haven’t seen you in what? Five years? And that’s the first thing you say to me?”

Rita’s cheeks turned pink as she averted her eyes, moving away from the door. “I’m serious, Ivy.”

Ivy’s heart plummeted, and she made no effort to hide the pain in her voice. “What’s really going on, Rita? You live here in Mill Valley, and you never came to visit any of us?” Her voice rose in an accusing tone. “Not even your mother? Aunt May is going crazy thinking you—”

“You know nothing, Ivy,” Rita said, cutting in sharply. Her forehead creased and her mouth twisted. “So shut your—”

The sound of the door interrupted Rita, and almost instantly, Ivy watched as the anger in her eyes melted as she quickly composed herself.

She turned to the door, her voice also devoid of anger. “Hey baby.”

Ivy gasped as a small child came out of the door.

“You have a child?” Ivy whispered.

Rita ignored her, crouching to pick up the little boy. “Mommy’s coming in soon, okay?”

“The phone is ringing,” the boy said. “Daddy is calling.”

Rita’s eyes widened in panic, and she quickly set the boy down. Both of them rushed inside.

“We need to talk, Rita,” Ivy called after her.

“Stay away from me! And if you tell anyone you saw me, I will make your life a living hell!” Rita threatened, slamming the door.

Ivy stood still, too stunned to speak.