Chapter 279

Jamison’s gaze locked on Ivy, his eyes deep and searching. He asked a question–one so vulnerable it almost felt like he was handing over the upper hand. Everyone says that in love, the one who falls first, the one who loves more, is destined to lose.

They’d danced around each other for so long, always skirting the subject, never daring to drop their guard. Maybe they both sensed that electric pull between them, the invisible gravity, but neither dared to name it aloud.

Because whoever spoke first would be the one to “lose.”

But tonight, Jamison couldn’t hold it in anymore.

They were getting married in two days. It was time to stop playing mind games and bring everything into the open. That way, there’d be no room for misunderstandings, no chance for anyone else to drive a wedge between them.

Ivy met his gaze, still and thoughtful. As his words settled in the air, her mind grew quiet, turning over his question with a seriousness she’d never allowed herself before.

Did she have other feelings? Other answers?

She’d asked herself that before, but the answer always eluded her.

Now, with Jamison’s eyes urging her to confront it, the fog around her heart began to thin, just enough for the truth to peek through.

“Jamison… I-” Her lips parted, but her thoughts tangled, emotions whirling too fast to name.

Jamison kept his eyes on her, patient and steady, refusing to rush her.

“I just… I don’t think I know how to love anymore.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, soft and uncertain. She swallowed hard, looking down.

When even your own family can’t be trusted, when even blood ties can let you down, how can you ever let yourself believe in someone else? How can you give your heart away?

Jamison understood the pain behind her words, and it hit him all over again. His eyes tightened, his voice deep and gentle. “You can. You will, Ivy.”

“I don’t know…” she confessed, still unsure, but she looked at him earnestly. “But I do appreciate you–for all you’ve done for me.”

“I don’t want your gratitude, Ivy. I just want you to love me.”

She stilled, her wide eyes meeting the stormy depths of his.

Love him? The way a woman loves a man?

Jamison was asking for her love, plain and simple.

Her heart shuddered, and for a moment she was speechless, just staring at him, her gaze as soft and clear as spring water.

She had no idea how vulnerable she looked in that moment, how her quiet uncertainty tugged at every protective instinct in him.

Jamison saw it all in her eyes–the raw pain she tried to hide, the strength she forced herself to show, the loneliness that lingered behind her brave front.

Everyone, man or woman, strong or fragile, has moments when they’re tired, when they wish for someone to lean on.

He knew that behind Ivy’s independence was a deep, aching loneliness. The stronger she pretended to be, the more he ached for her.

And the more he ached, the more he wanted to hold her close, to keep her safe.

“Ivy, you can love me. I’m not Micah–I would never walk away from you. I’m not your family–I would never hurt you. Please, trust me. Will you?”

His words were low and steady, every syllable a promise.

The doubt and hesitation that had clouded Ivy’s heart suddenly vanished, like sunlight breaking over the horizon after a long night.

She took a shaky breath, her nerves showing in the way she swallowed, but after a long moment, a faint smile touched her lips and she nodded. “I… I’ll try.”

Jamison knew better than to push her. That answer, from her, was already a gift.

They shared a smile then–one that said more than words could. In that moment, nothing else mattered; only the way their hearts drew closer together, the silent understanding passing between them as they leaned in, letting their actions speak for them both.