Jamison hadn’t expected her to bring this up so suddenly. His expression grew serious as he straightened up a little and looked at her. “Who’s asking you to have a baby with me right now? We’re not even married yet… Aren’t you thinking a little too far ahead?”

Ivy shook her head, her eyes clear and bright like crystal. “Not at all. Maybe you haven’t thought about it, but your parents definitely have. Why do you think they kept setting you up on blind dates? Wasn’t it because they wanted you to settle down and start a family?”

“They welcomed me into their home so quickly, and even let you bring me to meet them–that’s probably their way of dropping hints. They’re getting older, Jamison. Of course they hope they’ll get to see your children someday. For them, that would be the perfect ending to a well-lived life.”

Though Ivy was still young, the things she’d been through had given her a sharp insight into people and the world.

She knew Jamison’s parents were nothing like Adkins and Rosetta–narrow-minded and shortsighted. When they realized their son was serious about her, they saw there was no point in objecting. Trying to pull them apart would only cause a rift in the Ludwig family, so they chose to accept reality.

And if they’d accepted her, of course the next step would be encouraging them to have a child.

Ivy’s guess was even bolder than that. She suspected the Ludwigs had already done their homework on her behind the scenes.

Aside from those three years she’d been missing, Ivy’s past was dazzling–she’d excelled at everything she touched.

Families like the Ludwigs cared about pedigree when it came to choosing a partner for their child.

She was beautiful, smart, and neither just a pretty face nor a naive pushover.

Given the choice between their youngest son staying single or marrying her, the elder Ludwigs must have decided she was the better option. At least with her, the next generation’s prospects were secure.

Jamison listened, his face thoughtful, surprise flickering in his eyes. “You met my parents once, and you’ve figured them out already?”

Ivy could tell she’d hit the mark. She smiled faintly. “It’s not that hard to guess if you pay attention.”

“That’s not it.” Jamison still held her hand, gently tracing his thumb across her knuckles, his gaze warm with admiration. “You’re not like everyone else–you always see right through things.”

Ivy pressed her lips together and said nothing.

“Don’t worry,” Jamison added, trying to put her at ease. “There’s no pressure. I’m not obsessed with carrying on the family line. Besides, my brother already has three kids, boys and girls both. My parents have plenty of grandkids–they should be satisfied.”

Ivy laughed. “No matter how many kids your brother has, they’re still his–not yours. For your parents, they won’t feel their lives are truly complete until you have children too.”

Jamison thought for a moment, then said something unexpected. “Well, maybe my brother can have another and let me adopt one. Then it’d be mine, wouldn’t it?”

What? Ivy stared at him, her eyes fixed on his face.

Was he joking or actually serious?

Given how long he’d liked Davina Foster, this suggestion was… strange, to say the least.

Jamison noticed her stunned silence, saw the suspicion in her gaze, and quickly caught on. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I have absolutely nothing going on with my sister-in-law. It was just a joke–seriously, don’t overthink it.”

Ivy let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

But seeing him so flustered to explain himself, she couldn’t resist teasing, “You know, people only scramble to explain when they have something to hide. If you really had nothing to worry about, you wouldn’t be so nervous.”

“I’m only explaining because I don’t want you to misunderstand.”

“Oh? I didn’t say a word, and yet you already assume I’d misunderstand? Maybe that’s because it’s on your mind after all.”

Jamison opened his mouth, but Ivy just smirked, enjoying his rare moment of discomfort.