Chapter 68
“Micah, why don’t you take her for a walk?” Baillie suggested, reading the tension in the room. “Girls just need some gentle coaxing now and then. Emma’s only acting this way because she loves you so much–she cares, that’s all.”
Micah nodded, wrapping his hands reassuringly around Emma’s shoulders as he tried to calm her down. “Didn’t you say you had your eye on a car? How about we go for a test drive today? If you like it, we’ll buy it.”
“Really?” Emma’s teary eyes lit up, her tantrum vanishing in an instant. Though she was thrilled, she still pouted, “But… can you really afford it? It’s so expensive…”
Micah clenched his jaw and forced a smile. “If it makes you happy, it’s worth every penny.”
Rosetta looked surprised, then immediately chimed in, “See how good Micah is to you? Don’t take it for granted!”
Emma blushed, looping her arm through Micah’s, her voice soft and sweet. “I’m sorry, Micah… I lost my head earlier, but I just love you so much. That’s why I got jealous.”
“I know. Let’s go,” Micah replied quietly, glancing discreetly toward the bathroom before leading Emma away.
Inside the bathroom, Ivy heard every word. She couldn’t help but let out a cold, bitter laugh.
The Micah she used to like–gentle, caring, intelligent, dependable. How had three years turned him into this–a spineless, fickle, foolish man with no principles? Was it just the company he kept? Had Emma managed to drag him down with her? Or had this always been his true nature, finally exposed?
When Ivy stepped out of the bathroom, she found Adkins sitting sternly on the sofa, waiting for
her.
“Ivy,” he said gravely, “Micah and Emma are getting married soon. Don’t get any ideas. If you cross the line, don’t blame us for turning our backs on you, family or not.”
It was the height of summer, but Ivy felt a chill wind cut through her heart.
She stopped and looked back at her parents and brother, a mocking smile curling on her lips. “Micah? That kind of trash belongs with trash. Even if you forced him on me, I wouldn’t bother to spare him a glance.”
“You-!” Adkins exploded, face flushing with rage as he leapt to his feet.
But Ivy had already turned and marched back to her room, slamming the door behind her.
“What a disgrace! How did I end up with a daughter like this?” Adkins clutched his chest, breath short with anger.
Rosetta hurried to fetch his medicine, gently patting his chest and soothing him, “Don’t get
worked up. Your health comes first. Just pretend she’s not our daughter anymore.”
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Chapter 68
For the next several days, Ivy was barely home, running errands with Katrina from one mall to another, finally ticking off every item on her new apartment shopping list.
After their last stop, they loaded their purchases into the car. By then, it was nearly dinner time, so they headed back into the mall to find a restaurant.
That’s when they spotted someone familiar.
Jamison.
Katrina saw him first, nudging Ivy and nodding in his direction. “Look, Dr. Ludwig!”
Ivy glanced over and saw Jamison seated across from an attractive, stylish woman. The woman’s smile was dazzling, but Jamison wore his usual cool, unreadable expression.
Ivy frowned slightly. She remembered how Jamison had helped her just a few days ago when her cramps were unbearable. She hadn’t had a chance to thank him. So she flagged down a waiter. “Excuse me, could you add that table’s bill to mine, please?”
“Of course,” the waiter replied, heading off for Jamison’s check.
Katrina stared, puzzled. “What are you doing, Ivy?”
Ivy explained what had happened a few days ago, then shrugged. “I don’t like owing people favors. Consider it a meal to say thanks.”
Katrina’s face scrunched up in concern. “Your cramps were that bad? I told you to see a doctor–did you?”
“I’m planning to this week. My period just finished.”
“I’ll go with you. Make an appointment.”
“Okay.”
The waiter soon returned with the bill, which Ivy paid without hesitation.
Katrina kept glancing over at Jamison’s table, curiosity getting the better of her. “Do you think that’s his girlfriend? They seem so formal, almost like a blind date.”
A blind date?
Ivy found the idea amusing. Jamison, of all people, on a blind date?
“Why bother about other people’s business? Eat your food,” Ivy said, clearly uninterested.
The food arrived, and the two women chatted about what else the new apartment might need.
But then a shadow fell across their table. Ivy looked up, mid–bite, and saw Jamison standing there, his usual coolness radiating from him as he stared down at her.
Katrina immediately stood and greeted him politely, “Good evening, Dr. Ludwig.”
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Jamison ignored her, fixing his gaze on Ivy. “The waiter said you paid for our meal. Care to explain?”
hvy kept eating, barely looking at him. “You helped me out last time. I don’t like owing favors. We’re even.”
A cold laugh escaped Jamison. “Even? Do you have any idea how hard it is to get an appointment with me? Let alone have me personally treat you? You think a dinner covers it?”
Ivy finally met his gaze, her eyes icy. Then tell me, Professor Ludwig–how much do I owe for your services? I’ll pay.”
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