The past couple of days had been a whirlwind for Jamison–his department was slammed with back-to-back surgeries, barely giving him a moment to breathe.

Worried that Ivy might spiral into negative thoughts while holed up alone in her hospital room, he confided in Katrina and asked if she could drop by to keep Ivy company whenever she had time.

When Katrina heard the news, she was both shocked and deeply heartbroken.

“I can’t believe you happened to get pregnant at this exact moment. If it weren’t for Emma… you might’ve been able to have this baby.”

Katrina understood her best friend’s longing; ever since Ivy had fallen for Dr. Ludwig, she’d been full of hope about starting a family of her own.

Who could’ve predicted that even after Emma had died, she’d still manage to leave Ivy with a wound this deep?

Ivy had finally managed to stop dwelling on the baby, but Katrina’s words brought the tears right back to her eyes.

Hormones after pregnancy were already sending her emotions on a rollercoaster; add on the looming loss of her child, and her mood had hit rock bottom over the last two days.

Seeing Ivy’s eyes turn red, Katrina realized she’d messed up. She smacked her own lips in apology. “I’m sorry, Ivy, I shouldn’t have brought it up. Try not to think about it–oh! How about I tell you about my latest drama with Naylor? You always love those stories.”

If that’s not a real friend, what is?

Doing her best to distract Ivy from her heartbreak, Katrina immediately offered up her own "gossip" as a sacrifice.

Sure enough, a flicker of interest crossed Ivy’s face. She dabbed at the corners of her eyes, rallied herself, and looked at Katrina. “So, what’s going on with you?”

Katrina sighed and blushed. “Honestly… it’s not so much what happened, but how different it’s turning out compared to what I expected.”

“What do you mean?”

“Remember that older guy I told you about from my last blind date?”

Ivy nodded.

“Well, I have no idea what got into him, but he’s been after me non-stop. I ditched him on the day we were supposed to meet, figured he’d be furious and complain to Waller so I’d get an earful. But nope–he wasn’t mad. Instead, he spoke to my dad, said he was really pleased with me and wanted to take things further! Now he keeps showing up wherever I am. Just the other day, he even came to the hospital, said he’d cover my mom’s medical bills if I agreed to marry him.”

Ivy stared, dumbfounded.

Since when did these grandpas get so bold?

She remembered reading news stories about some elderly ladies exchanging bags of gold jewelry. When the pawn shop owner asked where it all came from, the woman just shrugged and said, “Oh, just gifts from the fellas at our dance group. Got plenty more at home!” Ivy had always thought those were just jokes, but apparently, generous old men really did exist.

Seeing Ivy’s stupefied expression, Katrina could only shrug in exasperation.

“Isn’t it wild? And get this–his wife died of breast cancer. He spent five years fighting the disease with her, learned a ton along the way. He even recommended a few imported medications for my mom. When I checked with the doctors, they actually asked if I’d consulted with an overseas hospital!”

Ivy was floored.

She interrupted before Katrina could finish. “Wait, don’t tell me you’re actually considering him? I don’t think I could handle you showing up to girls‘ night with a sugar daddy in tow.”

Katrina’s face scrunched in anguish. “Honestly… If Naylor weren’t in the picture, I might really think about it.”

“Think about what? Sharing a bed with him at night? Weren’t you the one who said he smokes and drinks so much his breath could knock out a salted fish?” Ivy’s voice shot up in disbelief.

Katrina winced. “It’d be tough, sure, but you can’t have everything. He’s been so kind, and he cares so much about my mom’s health–how can I not feel grateful?”

“No way. Don’t even think about it! If your mom found out you married some old guy just to save her, she’d be furious.”

Katrina waved her hand, cutting Ivy off. “Just listen! After he found out about my mom’s diagnosis, he was all over helping us–recommending medications, finding suppliers. I felt so awkward about it, I agreed to have dinner with him again. And guess what? I ran into Naylor.”

Ivy shot her a look, eyebrow raised. “Mr. Wilson tracking your every move now?”

Katrina pursed her lips, glanced sidelong at her friend. “Do you want to hear this or not?”

Ivy zipped her lips, letting her continue.

“Naylor saw me, but I didn’t spot him. He called to ask what I was doing. I just said I was at the hospital with my mom, not thinking. He hung up right after.”

Ivy frowned. “What does that mean? Was he jealous?”

“I’m not sure. But after dinner, while the old guy and I were fighting over the check, the waiter came over and told us Mr. Wilson had already paid for everything. That’s when it clicked–what Naylor’s call was about.”

Ivy let out a low whistle. “He’s definitely jealous.”

Katrina sounded doubtful. “Really? He’s such a playboy–always cool, always in control. Why would he get jealous?”

“That’s exactly why! He’s used to calling the shots. So when he finds out you slept with him and then went on a date with some salty old dude, of course he’s mad. He probably thinks you played him–and lost out to a guy who reeks of cigars and whiskey! That’s a real blow to his ego.”

After years of being pursued by every type of man imaginable, Ivy had learned to read these complicated creatures like an open book.