After finishing the call, Jamison couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that Ivy might be growing suspicious of his true identity. He mulled over the situation, torn between worry and regret.

He knew it was only a matter of time before the truth came out. And right now, Ivy’s opinion of “Dr. Handsome” was far from flattering. If she ever discovered who he really was and realized she’d been misled—played for a fool—the fallout would be immeasurable. That was the last thing he wanted. He couldn’t bear the thought of Ivy cutting him off completely.

So, before his cover was blown, he had to do everything possible to change Ivy’s impression of “Dr. Handsome.” Only then would he have the slightest chance of salvaging things when the truth inevitably surfaced. That’s why he kept searching for ways to keep the conversation going, always mindful to present himself in the best possible light.

At this point, Jamison couldn’t help but regret the joke he’d made a few days earlier—claiming he was forty. Up until then, their online chats had actually been going well. They’d moved past their initial clashes, settling into a polite, even friendly rapport—almost like they could be real friends. But that one offhand joke about his age had instantly shattered the illusion for Ivy. He’d sabotaged himself, plain and simple.

Now, after sending his latest message, Jamison stared at his phone, feeling an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. He actually felt nervous, anxiously awaiting her reply.

Meanwhile, Ivy was also fixated on her screen, mulling over his words.

[So… you’re not mad at me anymore, right?]

Why would “Dr. Handsome” even care? They were just online acquaintances, strangers who’d never met in real life. Was there any need to worry about each other’s feelings?

Unless…

Ivy couldn’t help recalling how, not so long ago, she’d treated “Dr. Handsome” with a hint of special attention. If she hadn’t learned he was supposedly a middle-aged man, maybe their conversations would have kept getting friendlier—maybe they’d even have become real friends outside the internet. But now that she knew, it felt impossible to continue as before.

Still, the question lingered. Did this mean he saw her as more than just another online friend? Lost in thought, Ivy hesitated, unsure how to respond. Before she could decide, another message popped up.

Dr. Handsome: Is it really that hard to answer? Are you still upset? 1/2

Ivy snapped back to the present, let out a quiet sigh, and resolutely typed her reply.

Mrs. Smith: I’m not angry, exactly. I just think there are boundaries when chatting online. Once you cross certain lines, you invite unnecessary complications.

Dr. Handsome: I get what you’re saying. But I’m single, so there’s no risk of complications for me.

Ivy’s heart skipped a beat as she read that.

Could it be…?

She took a deep breath and decided to be blunt.

Mrs. Smith: So, what are you saying? That you want to pursue me? Trying to act like the younger crowd with some kind of online romance?

Jamison stared at her message, momentarily stunned. Then, a subtle, complex smile played at the corners of his mouth—one that was impossible to decipher, hovering somewhere between amusement and something else entirely.

Directness was Ivy’s trademark. She’d always approached things head-on, never worrying about sparing anyone’s feelings or about whether she might be mistaken. She just said what was on her mind. And now, she was as straightforward as ever—even with the most delicate, unspoken emotions between a man and a woman, she laid them bare.

Jamison’s smile slowly faded as he sat in silence, his gaze darkening with thought. He found himself seriously considering the possibility.

He didn’t even know when he’d started caring for Ivy like this. If she were just another acquaintance, would he have gone out of his way so many times, meddled in her life, or worried about her opinion? If she were just another acquaintance, would he be afraid of her discovering his real identity—afraid of losing her entirely? If she were just another acquaintance, would he try to stop her from getting back together with her ex, or find ways to keep his own nephew away from her?