No matter how hopeless Micah was, he’d still been the old lady’s grandson for over twenty years–the one she’d watched grow up with her own eyes. Now that something like this had happened, how could she not be heartbroken?
Jamison immediately called the family doctor and sent him to the hospital to check on his mother. Then he tried to call Carla.
She didn’t pick up.
In fact, Carla hung up on him the moment she saw his name.
Jamison stared at his phone, caught somewhere between anger and helplessness.
It was Monday–he needed to be at work.
He checked the time. It was almost time to leave.
But Ivy was still at home…
After a moment’s hesitation, Jamison quietly pushed the bedroom door open and stepped inside.
Ivy was asleep, but not deeply. The soft click of the door startled her awake.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice groggy.
Jamison sat on the edge of the bed and leaned down to kiss her gently on the cheek. “Nothing serious. My mom found out about last night–she didn’t take it well. I called the doctor to check on her. It’s Monday, and I have a full day at the hospital, so I need to head out.”
Ivy sat up, worry in her eyes as she took in the fatigue etched on his face and the bloodshot exhaustion in his gaze. “You barely slept three hours last night,” she said softly. “Now you’re heading in for a long shift. How can your body handle this?”
He smiled, trying to reassure her. “It’s fine. Pulling all-nighters is part of the job. I’m used to it.” Then, more gently, “Go back to sleep. When you wake up, call Boyd and have her drive you back to campus.”
“No, it’s fine,” Ivy replied. “I don’t have class today–I can work on my paper and study here just as well. I’d rather stay close, in case you need anything.”
Jamison’s expression softened, a hint of warmth breaking through his fatigue.
“All right. I’ll have Boyd bring lunch over.”
She rolled her eyes, but smiled. “If you insist.”
Seeing her so agreeable, Jamison chuckled and playfully tapped her nose. “Get some more rest. I’m off.”
“Okay.”
Jamison left soon after. Ivy tossed and turned for a while, but eventually sleep overtook her again.
Back at the hospital, Jamison didn’t go to the ICU to see Micah in person, but he did call in to get a detailed update on Micah’s vital signs.
There was still no improvement–Micah remained in critical condition.
Jamison also heard that Carla, after staying up all night and being overwhelmed by grief, had fainted that morning and was now resting in a hospital bed herself. Quietly, he instructed the nurses to keep a close eye on her and to inform him immediately if anything changed.
He may have had a reputation for being cold, but he wasn’t heartless.
Even though Carla misunderstood him deeply, he still did what he believed was right.
For several days, a heavy cloud hung over the entire Ludwig family.
Micah showed no signs of waking; he lingered in the ICU, his life hanging by a thread.
Bad news travels fast.
Despite their best efforts, word of Micah’s condition spread quickly through their social circle.
And because Micah, Sheridan, and Emma had all contracted HIV, the entire Neo Haven elite was thrown into a panic.
All those party-loving trust fund kids–boys and girls alike–rushed to get themselves tested, terrified to even think about going out again for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, when Emma heard that Micah had tried to end his life and was in the ICU, she managed to sneak in for a visit.
Carla had been keeping vigil outside the ICU day and night. The moment she spotted Emma, she froze, thinking she must be seeing things. But once she realized it really was Emma, something inside her snapped. She lunged at Emma and shoved her roughly.
“What are you doing here? This is all your fault! How dare you show your face? People like you deserve to burn in hell!”
Emma said nothing at first, letting Carla vent her rage.
She hadn’t meant to contract HIV, much less pass it on to Micah.
She had truly loved Micah, and would always be grateful that, even when she was at her lowest, he’d reached out a helping hand.
She knew she’d ruined his life, so she let Carla scream and shove her.
But Carla wouldn’t stop, and eventually Emma’s patience broke. She snapped back, “Push me again and I swear I’ll drag you down with me!”
At this point, she didn’t much care whether she lived or died.