Emma’s voice trembled with excitement as she heard him on the line. She immediately switched her phone to speaker and demanded, “Micah, did your uncle say yesterday at the restaurant that we’re not allowed to see Ivy anymore, or else he’d come after us himself?”
Now that things had soured between them, Emma no longer called him affectionately–just a
curt “Micah.”
Micah hesitated, thrown off. “Why are you asking about this?”
‘Just answer me–did he say it or not?”
“He did. Why? Are you still planning to go see her?”
Emma shot a triumphant look at her father and brother, eager to prove she hadn’t lied. “See? Jamison really did say that. So stop bothering my sister.”
Adkins‘ expression twisted with uncertainty and frustration. After a tense pause, he suddenly snatched the phone out of Emma’s hand and barked, “Micah, when exactly are you planning to marry Emma?”
Micah listened, piecing things together from the conversation. He hadn’t expected Adkins to confront him so directly.
For a moment, he froze. Then, without hesitation, he said, “Adkins, I can’t marry Emma.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Adkins‘ voice rose, trembling with fury. “You got Emma pregnant, then she lost the baby, and now you want to walk away? What are you expecting her to do with
the rest of her life?”
Micah gripped his phone, his nerves fraying. He was anxious and ashamed, but deep down, knowing his uncle liked Ivy–and that he’d now have to compete with him–gave Micah a strange sort of courage. He decided to just lay it all out.
“Emma wanted it too. I didn’t force her. Why is it always the guy who has to take responsibility? She’s impossible–spoiled, petty, always picking fights. I’ve had enough. I’m not marrying her.”
For once, Micah–usually so meek and passive–finally stood his ground.
His words were selfish and cowardly, the kind you’d expect from a classic jerk. But for Micah,
this was his one moment of bravado.
In the opulent living room of the Ludwig family mansion, the elders listened in grim silence.
Farley, furious, stormed over and kicked his son, yanking the phone away.
“Adkins, it’s me… Listen, these kids, we parents shouldn’t interfere in their affairs, but things have gotten out of hand…”
Farley cared deeply about appearances, and since the Shepherds and Windsors were all business folks, running into each other at every turn, he couldn’t afford to burn bridges. So he
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forced a strained smile and apologized on his son’s behalf.
All in all, tension filled the Ludwig estate that evening, and a heavy mood hung over the Windsor mansion as well.
Only Ivy seemed untouched by the storm. She’d just learned her artwork had been chosen for the centerpiece at an upcoming exhibition–a huge honor–and her spirits soared.
And that wasn’t the only good news lately.
Two weeks earlier, she’d applied to return to Neo Haven University, the college where she’d left her degree unfinished. Thanks to her stellar academic record and the special circumstances of her three–year hiatus, the university made an exception and accepted her application.
In September, she’d be heading back to campus to finally complete her senior year.
Good news always seemed to come in pairs.
That evening, she spent some time chatting in the “Stonks Only Go Up” group, sharing her latest thoughts on the stock market.
Dr. Handsome hadn’t said a word in the group chat, but once again, he sent her a private
message.
Seeing his familiar icon flashing, Ivy made a point of ignoring it.
At his computer, Jamison watched her lively banter in the group, but when his private message went unanswered, he could only shake his head and smile helplessly.
He’d never met a woman this hard to pin down.
After days without speaking, he was getting restless. On impulse, he grabbed his phone and called her directly.
When Ivy saw his name light up on her screen, her brows drew together in exasperation.
Shapter BU
Chapter 180