Jamison left with Ivy, both heading back to Ludwig Mansion.
Once they’d settled into the car, Ivy handed him a few elegantly wrapped gift bags. “Here–take a look. See if you like them.”
“What’s all this?” Jamison took the bags, pausing in surprise. When he caught sight of the designer logo, his eyes lit up with delight. “You actually got me a present?”
“I was in a good mood, so I picked a few things up.”
Jamison grinned ear to ear and immediately started unwrapping the boxes.
Inside: dress shirts, cufflinks, a silk tie…
He held each item up to himself, admiring the fit in the car’s window.
As he tore open the last box, Ivy watched him start to unbutton his shirt, her brows knitting in confusion. “What are you doing? You can’t just undress in the car.”
Was he really trying to get up to something new in the backseat?
Dr. Ludwig shot her a devilish smile. “You’re overthinking it. I just want to try on the shirt you bought me.”
Ivy rolled her eyes and snatched the shirt away before he could go any further. “You can’t wear that yet–it hasn’t been washed!”
For a man with such a fastidious streak, Jamison was getting surprisingly lax these days.
“Then at least help me with the tie,” he said, holding it out to her hopefully.
Ivy gave him a look and, without a word, grabbed all the gift bags off his lap.
“Drive. I have something important to talk to you about.”
Jamison watched her confiscate his gifts, a bit worried. “You gave them to me–you can’t take them back.”
“I’ll give them back to you later.”
He sighed, resigned, and finally started the car.
“So, what’s this important thing you wanted to talk about?”
Ivy fell silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts, then said, “My biological
mother still refuses to give up on her attempts to guilt–trip me. She’s hoping I’ll
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plead with you to help out the Windsor family.”
If only they knew that the one quietly speeding up the Windsor family’s downfall was none other than their own daughter.
Jamison shot her a sideways glance. “What, are you feeling sorry for them?”
A cold, humorless smile touched Ivy’s lips. “No. I’m ready to lay my cards on the
table.”
Jamison nodded, a spark of anticipation in his eyes. “Now this is going to be interesting.”
“I told them to come to Golden Maple Estate tomorrow. They’ll probably think I’m going to give them money, but I’m planning to confront them face–to–face–really drive the point home.” Ivy could already picture the scene. The thought of it filled her with equal parts bitterness and satisfaction.
She knew that, to outsiders, she must seem cold, heartless–even a little cruel.
But she refused to swallow the injustice. She wouldn’t just let it go.
She wanted the Windsor family to regret everything, to realize that the daughter they’d tossed aside was the most valuable person they ever had.
There’s nothing more painful in this world than “If only I’d known-”
They’d be beside themselves with regret.
“How are you setting up Golden Maple Estate? If they know your apartment number, what if they come back to bother you later?” Jamison frowned, concerned. “It doesn’t matter. I hardly stay there anymore. And if we met at your place, they’d only start pestering you too.”
She didn’t want to drag Jamison into her family mess.
Jamison could see her intention and smiled softly.
“I’m telling you all this because I wanted to ask if you’re free tomorrow morning. Can you stay with me for this, before you get on with your day?” Ivy asked, looking
over at him.
“Of course. I’ll be right by your side.”
Ivy’s face lit up, then she added, “I’ll need Boyd and that agent to come as well.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Jamison promised.
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“Thank you, sweetheart.”
“If you really want to thank me, I’d prefer you show it with actions, not words,” he teased.
Ivy just shot him a look. She’d love to show him her gratitude, but the timing wasn’t right–their personal life was still on pause, and besides, she was still working through some lingering issues. The first week of classes had kept her busy, but things would ease up soon. She’d already decided: once she was back on campus, she’d schedule a session with her therapist.
She was serious about building a real life with Jamison, and that meant making sure every part of their marriage, even the most intimate, was healthy and happy.
When they pulled up outside Ludwig Mansion, Ivy gathered her scattered thoughts. Another issue loomed.
“Are we really staying at the old house tonight?” she asked, a bit uneasy.
Jamison parked the car and turned to her. “What, you don’t want to?”
“It’s just… it feels a little awkward.”
“I get it. But it’s only for one night–and you’re heading back to campus tomorrow.”
Ivy thought it over. Just one night. She could manage that. After all, their moments together were few and far between; it was worth making the most of them.
Danny greeted them as they walked in, looking pleased. “Go wash up–dinner’s almost ready.”
After saying hello, Ivy tugged Jamison’s sleeve. “Let’s go see your mother first.”
Jamison glanced down at her, a gentle look in his eyes. “Of course.”
After checking in with his father, the two of them headed to Adela’s room.
She was resting, eyes closed, with a professional nurse nearby.
When she opened her eyes and saw her youngest son and daughter–in–law, she looked surprised.
“Mom, Ivy wanted to come see you,” Jamison said quietly.
Ivy chimed in, “How are you feeling, Mom?”
Adela nodded. “Much better. Thank you for thinking of me.”
“It’s the least I can do.”
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But Adela had only one thing on her mind. She looked at Ivy and said, “I asked your to make sure he sees his doctor. Don’t forget–keep after him, all right?”
At the mention of this, Ivy felt a pang of guilt, but nodded anyway. “I know. I’ll go with him to his appointment tomorrow.”