Facing all that pain and fear head-on—there was no way he’d let her do it alone. No matter what, he had to stay by her side.

Ivy stood rooted to the spot. He reached out, taking her left hand in his right, giving it a gentle tug. “Come on. Warren’s waiting for us.”

“Jamison…!”

“Let’s go.” He insisted, refusing to let go as he guided her toward the elevator.

Seeing how determined he was, Ivy knew there was no changing his mind. Still, with the injury on his back, Jamison couldn’t put much strength into his arm, so she hastened her pace to keep up, careful not to jostle his wound.

They’d barely settled into the car when Thad called.

“What’s going on over there? Will you make it home today?” Thad and his wife had hidden the news about his brother’s injury from the rest of the family, anxious for him to come back as soon as possible.

Jamison answered in his usual calm voice, “We won’t make it back today. We’ll try for tomorrow.”

“Is it serious? Are you badly hurt?”

“It’s nothing—just a scratch. Don’t worry.” Jamison brushed off his brother’s concern, then smoothly changed the subject. “Last night, did you and your wife reach out to the Fosters?”

“Yeah, your sister-in-law called her family. As soon as my father-in-law heard, he contacted some old colleagues in Westshire. They pulled a few strings, and within hours, people were on the case. Word of what happened reached the top brass before dawn. The order came down: no matter who’s behind this trafficking ring, no matter who’s protecting them, they’re all going down. Every last one.”

Ivy listened quietly, her chest swelling with a rush of emotion. She let out a heavy breath.

When the call ended, Jamison turned to her. “You heard him. They’re taking this seriously. It’ll be handled.”

Ivy pressed her lips together, fighting to steady her voice. “That’s good. All those poor girls… maybe this time they’ll actually be rescued, reunited with their families.”

She could only hope those girls wouldn’t be as unlucky as she was—that their own families wouldn’t reject them.

Jamison heard the pain and regret in her final words. He took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You have family now, too. You don’t have to drown in the past anymore.”

Ivy looked over at him, a faint smile flickering across her face. “Your brother’s family is wonderful—especially your sister-in-law. When I spoke to her last night, the first thing she asked was if I’d been hurt.”

Jamison caught something in her tone, a subtle shift that made him wary. “You… trying to say something?”

She met his gaze, eyebrow raised. “What, are you nervous? I just think your sister-in-law is a genuinely good person. It makes sense, though—considering, you know, back then…”

She didn’t finish, but her meaning was clear.

Jamison’s lips pressed into a firm line, his expression darkening.

“What, I can’t even mention it? I don’t mind. I’m just stating a fact. Why are you so bothered?” Ivy asked, genuinely puzzled.

Jamison wasn’t upset, not really. But every couple knows: bringing up an ex is always dangerous territory.

He didn’t want to dwell on it. No sense in accidentally sparking an argument.

Seeing his reaction, Ivy assumed he still wasn’t entirely over his “first love,” and fell silent.

Still, she couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy that crept in.

So this is what loving someone does to you—it makes your heart so small, there isn’t room for even the faintest trace of anyone who came before.