Worried about his mother’s health, Jamison hurried over to check her vitals. Once he saw the numbers on the monitor gradually stabilizing, he finally let out a breath and began to explain, “I have severe infertility. I was diagnosed last year during a physical. It’s pretty serious, so I can’t have children. Even if by some miracle I managed to father a child, there’s a high chance it’d be born with health issues. There’s really no point in trying.”

Adela Ludwig stared at her youngest son in disbelief, studying his face as if she might spot a lie. “How could that be? You’re so healthy.”

“Good health and fertility aren’t the same thing,” Jamison replied calmly. “I’ve spent years working long hours, barely sleeping, eating at odd times—never on a schedule. Sometimes, I’m in the radiology suite for procedures, exposed to radiation, even if we use protective gear. I’m not surprised something went wrong.”

Surprisingly, Ivy actually believed him.

But Davina still looked skeptical. “Don’t doctors wear lead aprons during those procedures?”

Jamison nodded, “Sure, but there’s still some exposure. You can’t avoid it completely. Over time, it takes a toll.”

Ivy stared at him, speechless.

So this was the reason he’d “lowered himself” to marry her in such a hurry?

Adela Ludwig fell silent for a long moment. Her face softened, and it seemed she finally accepted it. She pressed her hand to her heart, her voice trembling with pain. “You… You could have had an easy life, but insisted on being a doctor—such hard, dangerous work. And now, you can’t even have children. Oh, my poor child…”

Thad, worried that the shock would worsen their mother’s condition, quickly shot Jamison a look and said, “Modern medicine is advanced, Jamison. If you get proper treatment, there’s always a chance.”

He gave his brother a meaningful glance. Jamison picked up on it and followed his lead. “I didn’t take it seriously before, since I was single. Now that I’m married, I plan to get treated—but it’s not something that gets fixed overnight.”

“Mom, Jamison will get treatment. Please don’t worry yourself sick,” Thad soothed, trying to calm her.

Chapter 463

Adela Ludwig sighed heavily, but her anxiety eased a little. She turned to her youngest son and urged, “Promise me you’ll go through with treatment. Cut back on work—don’t push yourself so hard.”

Jamison nodded. “I will.”

Then, suddenly, she turned to Ivy, her gaze sharp, her tone almost commanding. “Ivy, you keep an eye on him. Make sure he follows through with treatment.”

Ivy was a little dazed, still unsure if Jamison was telling the whole truth. But for the sake of the old lady’s health, she nodded quickly. “Yes, I’ll keep a close watch. Please don’t worry, just focus on getting better.”

Seeing Ivy’s earnest promise, Adela Ludwig finally looked relieved, though her brow was still furrowed with sadness.

Davina seized the moment to smooth things over. “All right, you two go on. I’ll stay here with Mom. Don’t worry about us.”

Jamison nodded and glanced at Ivy. “Come on, I’ll drive you back to campus.”

Ivy shook her head, speaking softly. “No need. I drove myself here yesterday. I can get back on my own.”

“I’ll have Boyd bring your car by later—”

They were still discussing it as they walked toward the door.

But as soon as they opened it, both stopped short, faces stiffening in surprise.

Micah Shepherd was standing on the threshold. From the look on his face, he’d been there for a while.

Jamison had zero interest in dealing with his nephew. He took Ivy’s hand, intending to walk right past, but Micah glared at him, fists clenched.

“Uncle, is it true? You can’t have children, and you still married Ivy? Isn’t that fraud? That’s so wrong!”

Jamison was about to reply, but Ivy cut in first. “What’s it to you? I agreed to it. Mind your own business.”

Micah’s face twisted in frustration. “Ivy, can’t you see right from wrong? I’m trying to help you! I told you, there had to be some hidden reason for this rushed marriage. Now look—”

Jamison’s expression darkened, and he cut him off. “Why are you here? Didn’t I tell you to stop bothering your grandmother while she’s recovering?”

10:45 Chapter 463

Before Micah could answer, Jamison gave him a firm shove, pushing him back a couple of steps.

Micah didn’t resist, but retreated awkwardly under Jamison’s intimidating glare. He hesitated, then blurted out, “I was going to see Grandma, but talking to you works, too…”

Jamison fixed him with a steely look. “What do you want?”

Micah’s face hardened with resolve. “Uncle, I’m not going abroad. I know you and Uncle Thad talked my parents into sending me away, but I’m not going!”