“I give everything I have to my patients,” Jamison Ludwig said, his voice steady. “I have a clear conscience, and that’s enough for me. I have my own life outside the hospital. If I started seeing myself as a saint, I’d spend my whole life shackled by it.”
“You’re absolutely right. That’s a wise way to live,” Ivy Windsor replied, nodding with genuine admiration. She felt she understood Jamison just a little bit more.
Jamison acknowledged her praise with a small, relaxed laugh. “Anyway, I’m getting off track. The point is, if one day Emma Windsor was brought into the ER, beaten within an inch of her life, and I was the one on duty, I’d do everything I could to save her. That’s my job as a doctor. That’s my calling.”
He spoke calmly, then shifted gears.
“But as for how she ended up like that, or who did it–well, that’s for the police and the courts to handle. It’s a separate matter. I know exactly what kind of person Emma is. Showing sympathy to someone who does harm is no different from doing harm yourself. I’m not that naïve. So, if you want justice, if you want revenge, I’ll stand by you.”
Ivy froze, her face gone still as she turned to look at him. Something reverent and awed filled her chest, her breath suddenly shallow.
Just then, the car rolled to a stop at a red light.
Jamison turned in his seat and reached back, gently clasping her hand. His voice dropped, earnest and subdued. “Ivy, we’re married. We’re a team. Whatever you do, you speak for both of us. Even if you make mistakes, I’ll be right there making them with you.”
Oh God. A shiver shot through Ivy, like a current of electricity from head to toe, leaving her trembling.
She stared at him, transfixed by the sharp angles of his handsome face as he turned toward her. Waves of emotion crashed through her chest, leaving her skin prickling with goosebumps.
The truth was, after seeing how disappointing her father, her brother, and her ex had all been, Ivy had long since given up on men.
With the whole world seemingly shouting that marriage and children were traps, she’d resigned herself to growing old alone.
She’d always thought this whirlwind marriage was just another reckless leap into the fire, prepared to get burned.
But to speed up her revenge against the Windsor family, she’d been willing to sell her marriage for this man’s resources–his money, his support.
And yet, now, it turned out her gamble had paid off.
Here was a man who had it all: looks, wealth, power, ability.
Even his morals and principles were flawless–and perfectly in sync with hers.
But most importantly, he trusted her. Unreservedly. He was on her side.
Not even her own parents had ever done that.
A heavy, helpless sigh filled Ivy’s chest. She was falling for him, completely and utterly.
And if all this turned out to be a mask, if he was hiding some secret agenda–well, even then, she thought, she’d gladly fall for this moment. She’d let herself be fooled, and never regret it.
“Jamison…” she whispered, her voice low and hoarse after a long silence.
But just then, the light turned green and the cars behind them started honking. Jamison turned back to the wheel and pulled forward.
“What is it?” he asked, his tone gentle. He must have heard the emotion in her voice, because he teased her, “Did I win you over again?”
Ivy blinked, snapping back to herself.
“What exactly do you even see in me?” she asked, a curious smile tugging at her lips.
He glanced at her, half-serious, half-joking. “Maybe I’m just crazy about you. Is that so bad?”
“Pig,” Ivy shot back, rolling her eyes. “If you were really that much of a playboy, you wouldn’t have waited this long to meet me, would you?”