Ivy shook her head, her mind made up. “I can do this. We’ve come this far—no matter what, I have to try.”

Besides, she still wanted to see Silly.

Before Jamison could try to talk her out of it, she quickly picked up her fork and started eating, urging him along as well. “Come on, you should eat too. It’s been a long day. You barely touched anything on the plane, and this local dish isn’t half bad.”

Jamison glanced at her, eyes lingering for a moment, but let the matter drop. He started eating.

They hadn’t realized how hungry they were until now; after a whole day on the move, they both ended up eating more than they intended.

When they finished and started clearing away the takeout boxes, Jamison’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen and, not bothering to step aside, answered with Ivy right there. “Hey, Mom.”

“Jamison, I heard you went to Westshire. Are you there with Ivy, dealing with something?” Mrs. Ludwig’s voice was brisk, getting right to the point.

“Yes,” Jamison replied, his tone even.

He hadn’t told his parents about this trip—only his brother, Thad, since he needed Thad to inform the Westshire branch office and help arrange things. Apparently, Thad let it slip at home, and now everyone knew.

Mrs. Ludwig’s disapproval was clear in her tone. “I told you the Windsors were nothing but trouble, but you wouldn’t listen. You just got married, haven’t even officially brought her home to meet us, and now you’re running off God knows where, leaving work behind, just to be with her.”

Jamison brushed it off. “It’s just a small thing. We’ll be back in a few days.”

“A small thing? Don’t try to fool me—I wasn’t born yesterday. If it were nothing, you wouldn’t be there with her yourself!”

Jamison fell silent.

Mrs. Ludwig pressed on. “I’m only calling to remind you; whatever happens, your safety comes first. If anything were to happen to you, I’d hold Ivy responsible.”

Chapter 314

Ivy sat right beside him, hearing every word.

Sensing she might take it to heart, Jamison turned and caught her eye. He reached over, took her wrist, and pulled her gently onto his lap. “Mom, everything’s fine. When we get back, I’ll bring Ivy home.”

“We’ll talk about that when you’re back,” Mrs. Ludwig replied, still sounding disgruntled, and hung up.

Jamison set down his phone and tried to brush it off. “My mom’s just upset I haven’t brought you home yet. Actually, it sounds like she’s finally warming up to the idea of you as her daughter-in-law.”

But Ivy wouldn’t let him dodge the real issue. She looked at him directly and asked, “Did you really leave on this trip without telling your parents?”

“I’m an adult. Do I really need to check in with them every time I go somewhere?”

“You didn’t tell them because you knew they wouldn’t approve.”

“No, that’s not it. I just didn’t think it was necessary,” Jamison insisted.

Ivy didn’t push further, but her silence lingered. Then, out of nowhere, she said quietly, “Jamison, being with me… all you ever do is give. I have nothing to offer you in return—not even a real family.”

Jamison frowned. “What are you talking about?”

She met his gaze, her voice steady. “You know my condition. I can’t have children. I can’t give you the family you deserve.”