In our world, it detonated instantly.
Associates started fleeing.
Partners hired counsel.
Two investors froze participation.
Peter pulled out entirely and called me that same evening.
“Congratulations,” he said dryly. “I’ve decided I prefer backing the man who built the engine over the one who rented the exhaust.”
By then, my mother had started calling again.
This time her tone was softer. More uncertain.
“Sweetheart, Ivy’s really upset.”
I said nothing.
“She wants to talk. I think maybe she sees things differently now.”
Still nothing.
Then Ivy emailed me.
Not texted. Emailed.
I know I failed you. I let people define you because I was afraid of disrupting the version of life I thought I wanted. Logan is not who I believed he was. I should have listened to you sooner. I should have stood beside you when it would have cost me something. If there’s any chance at all, please come to the wedding. I’ll change the seating. I’ll acknowledge you. I miss my brother.
