Chapter 278

Ivy frowned, her gaze locked on his equally tense expression. “Why would you think that?”

“Because back then, that’s what everyone in my family believed.”

After all, Davina was over a decade older than him.

Even these days, people are far more accepting of an older man marrying a younger woman than the other way around.

“My family thought something was wrong with me. They even took me to see a therapist. The only one who believed in me was my sister-in-law–she said there was nothing wrong, that it was just normal curiosity and attraction for a teenager hitting puberty.”

Ivy listened, amazed, though she tried not to let it show on her face.

So, Miss Foster had really been different.

Most women, in her shoes, would have instantly assumed the worst–labeling him a creep, a pervert, or suffering from some Oedipal complex.

But Davina had looked at it all with remarkable composure and reason.

“After they got married, I left the country. I was abroad from middle school all the way until I finished my PhD. I only returned afterward.”

Ivy’s heart ached for him.

To spend all those years alone in a foreign country at such a young age–he must have felt lonely, even helpless.

No wonder he was a little withdrawn, his words always tinged with cool detachment.

“So when you finally came back and saw your sister-in-law again…” Ivy hesitated, wanting to know if he’d truly moved on.

“It’s been over for a long time,” Jamison said, his expression softening as he looked at her. He reached up and gently pinched her cheek, his voice teasing. “If I still had feelings for her, why would I have married you?”

“But then, why did you stay single all these years?”

He shrugged. “I was too busy for relationships. And, honestly, I never met anyone better than my sister-in-law.”

Someone better than Miss Foster?

A strange pang of jealousy tugged at Ivy. “So she’s still your gold standard?”

“What’s wrong with that? Who doesn’t want to marry someone they admire and genuinely like?” Jamison seemed oblivious to her jealousy, answering with candid sincerity. “But look, I’d rather wait for the right person than settle. And I found her, didn’t I?”

Ivy’s face lit up. “Are you saying… you think I’m even better than your sister-in-law?”

“Yes.”

Her jealousy vanished in an instant, replaced by a radiant, bashful smile. “I mean… not to put myself down, but honestly, compared to Miss Foster, I know I’m lacking in some ways. You don’t have to say things just to make me happy–”

“If all I cared about was a checklist, I could’ve married a hundred times over. Every woman my family set me up with was perfect on paper.”

He smiled, shaking his head. “But it’s about that connection. I think you’re incredible–and that’s all that matters.”

Ivy nestled into his arms, grinning dreamily, suddenly at a loss for words.

This was all so unexpected.

After Carla had left earlier that day, Ivy had been turning things over in her mind. She’d always assumed their marriage was just a transaction–a battle of wills, a partnership of convenience.

But now, she realized she’d gotten it all wrong.

This was love!

She blinked, and the question tumbled out before she could stop herself. “I never really finished asking before… Jamison, do you think I truly feel nothing for you? I mean, apart from the fact that you can help me with the Windsors, or support me financially, or maybe even help me if I get sick in the future–do you really believe I have no other feelings for you?”