Katrina fixed her gaze on her best friend, frowning slightly. “So, you agreed to marry Dr. Ludwig because of all that?”

Ivy gave a small, unembarrassed shrug. “Yeah, at first, that was exactly my thinking. He treats me well, doesn’t mind spending money on me, and honestly, he’s got nothing wrong with him. Why would I turn him down? But now…”

Her words trailed off as a shy smile broke across her face. “But now, I really love him. More than I ever thought I could. When I look back on my relationship with Micah, it feels like nothing but kid stuff.”

Katrina raised an eyebrow, unable to suppress a teasing click of her tongue. “Listen to you! If I recorded all this and played it for Dr. Ludwig, he’d be so thrilled he wouldn’t sleep for a week.”

Ivy’s eyes sparkled. “I don’t need you to record anything–I tell him I love him every day! Men are easy: make them feel adored, and they’re yours, heart and soul.”

Katrina studied her friend, a mix of curiosity and amazement in her expression. “Ivy, you’ve changed so much since you got married! You’re nothing like the woman you were when you first came back.”

“Maybe that’s just what love does to you.” Ivy’s smile was radiant, but then her tone turned earnest. “That’s why, if you have feelings for Naylor, you should go for it! You know what they say: it’s so much easier for a woman to win over a man than the other way around. He won’t be able to resist you for long.”

Katrina didn’t answer, but the look on her face betrayed her interest.

Sensing an opening, Ivy pressed on, telling Katrina more about Naylor’s family. “His parents are both professors at the med school–respected, cultured, and understanding. Just think: if you really end up with him, with his parents’ standing in the medical community, your mom would get the very best care possible.”

As soon as she said it, Ivy realized how calculating she sounded and cleared her throat awkwardly. “I mean… don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should be scheming. But taking advantage of your connections isn’t a crime–it’s just being practical. If you’re with him and he treats you well, be loyal and love him. If things don’t work out, don’t hold a grudge. Stay friends with him, and be good to his parents no matter what.”

Katrina listened carefully, thinking it all over before asking anxiously, “But if I make the first move, won’t that put him off?”

“Hmm…” Ivy considered. “If you’re worried about scaring him away, you can always take it slow. Look for chances to spend time together, or ask him for help with something. Test the waters, see how he reacts, and adjust your approach as you go.”

“That… sounds kind of complicated.”

“Try it. For your own happiness, and for your mom’s sake, so she can get the best treatment possible.”

Katrina didn’t say no–if anything, she seemed to be weighing her options.

When they reached the hospital, Ivy accompanied Katrina to her mother’s room. Katrina’s mother had pulled through the worst and was awake, but the head injury had damaged the nerves in her legs. She hadn’t regained full movement yet; walking was out of the question for now.

The doctors hadn’t given any promises about whether she’d walk again. But at least she was alive, and to Katrina, that meant everything.

“So, what’s the plan for her breast cancer? Has the hospital given any options?” Ivy asked quietly after they left the room.

“Yeah, the doctor talked to me yesterday. It’s just… cancer treatment is brutal, and my mom’s not strong enough to handle it right now. We have to wait a bit longer.”

“How’s her attitude? When it comes to cancer, you need a fighting spirit–otherwise, no medicine in the world will help.”

“I’ve talked to her a few times. She’s finally come around and agreed to cooperate with the doctors. She promised not to do anything reckless again.”

As Katrina finished, tears slipped down her cheeks. She let out a soft sigh. “Not that she could do anything now, even if she wanted to.”

She couldn’t move, couldn’t get out of bed, couldn’t even take care of herself. There was no way she could get upstairs, let alone do anything drastic.

After visiting Katrina’s mom, Ivy remembered her own husband was also in the hospital. She wasn’t sure if he was still around, but after checking the hospital map, she made her way to the infectious diseases wing–a separate building on the grounds.

She’d just crossed the covered walkway and hadn’t yet reached the entrance when she suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from behind a patch of greenery nearby.

“None of this would’ve happened if it wasn’t for you! If you hadn’t tried to steal Ivy from me, we’d have gotten back together. I wouldn’t have ended up with Emma, and I wouldn’t have caught this damn disease!”