“All I’m saying is, just be extra careful,” Thad said as he patted his younger brother’s shoulder. “I’ll need your help looking after Mom and Dad for the next few days. I have to manage the company, and there’s still everything with Micah’s funeral to handle.”

“Don’t worry about the hospital. I’ve got it covered,” Jamison replied.

When Thad left, Jamison made his way back to Ivy.

But Ivy was already on a call.

Sophia had really come to Neo Haven again, inviting her out to check out the coffee festival. But Ivy wasn’t in the mood for anything like that. She told Sophia that a relative had passed away, and she needed to help with the funeral arrangements for the next few days—it just wasn’t a good time.

Sophia immediately understood, offered her condolences, and hung up.

Setting her phone aside, Ivy looked up at her husband, who’d been quietly waiting nearby. Worry creased her brow. “Why don’t you try to get some sleep? You barely closed your eyes last night, and those dark circles are getting worse.”

“Yeah, I have a little time now,” Jamison agreed.

He nodded and walked with her back to the hospital room where they’d slept the night before.

“How’s your hand? Still hurting?” Ivy asked softly.

Jamison glanced down at his bandaged hand, pretending to be nonchalant. “It’s fine. It’ll heal in a few days.”

But the gauze was still wrapped tight around his palm, and a faint line of blood seeped through.

Ivy gently took his fingers in hers, her nose stinging with worry. “You really shouldn’t be operating with your hand like this. Just take a break and let it heal.”

“I’ve already handed off my surgeries to my colleagues,” he murmured, noticing the redness in his wife’s eyes. He sighed heavily and pulled her into his arms.

Ivy stepped forward instinctively, wrapping both arms around his waist and leaning into his chest.

She breathed in the familiar scent of him, and little by little, the knot in her chest loosened.

Jamison was just as exhausted. None of this was his fault, but now the weight of it had fallen squarely on his shoulders.

He knew Ivy still blamed herself, and no amount of comforting words would change that. All he could do was hold her tightly, hoping that would bring her even a little peace.

After a few moments, Ivy steadied herself and pulled away, managing a faint smile. “Go on, try and get some rest. You’ll need your energy for the work ahead.”

“What about you? Want to nap with me?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ll just read for a while.”

Even if she lay down, she doubted she’d fall asleep, and tossing and turning would only disturb Jamison.

That morning, she’d gone home briefly to feed the cat, take a shower, get changed, and brought back a few books to pass the time.

Jamison didn’t press her. He nodded and lay down to sleep.

Ivy settled by the window with a book.

Moments later, her phone buzzed—Katrina was calling.

Ivy quickly set it to silent and glanced at the bed. Jamison had his eyes closed; she couldn’t tell if he was really asleep.

Not wanting to wake him, she cancelled the call, switched her phone to silent, and sent her best friend a message.

Ivy: I’m at the hospital. Jamison just fell asleep. If you need anything, just text me.

Kiki: Naylor just told me—Micah passed away last night, and now his father is dead too?! Was it true that Micah’s mother killed him herself??

The barrage of question marks showed just how shocked Katrina was.

Ivy: Yes, the family tried to keep it quiet, but the Shepherds are holding a funeral, so by now, everyone probably knows.

Kiki: Yeah, it’s all over. Naylor says the fallout is huge. The Ludwig Group is definitely going to feel the impact.

Staring at her phone, Ivy felt her mood sink again.

Two lives lost overnight, and now Carla was in custody.

No matter how she looked at it, this would rock the Ludwig family.

When Ivy didn’t respond, Katrina grew worried and sent a voice message: “I’ll just send you a voice note and you can read it as text,” she said, then rattled off three long messages in a row.

“I heard what happened from Naylor last night. If the Shepherds press charges, your sister-in-law could be looking at ‘manslaughter’ at the very least. That’s a minimum of ten years.”

“But the Ludwigs will hire the best criminal defense attorneys. There’s still room to negotiate the sentence. I also heard there’s something suspicious about Micah’s death. If they can find proof that his father was involved, or at least establish a motive for your sister-in-law, that could help reduce her sentence.”

“And you please, don’t let this eat you up inside. I know it’s a lot to process, but don’t blame yourself. I’m heading to the hospital now—let me know when you’re free, I’ll come find you.”

Katrina was a law student, not specializing in criminal law, but she’d flipped through enough textbooks to get a sense of how the case might unfold, and wanted to offer a bit of advice.

She also knew Ivy must be struggling. If you really wanted to trace the root of it all, Ivy was arguably the spark that set off the whole chain of events.

Katrina just worried Ivy would be consumed by guilt.

And with Jamison busy handling a thousand other emergencies, Katrina thought she should come keep her company.

Ivy read through Katrina’s voice transcripts and replied: I’m okay. Seeing everything last night was a shock, but I’m feeling better today.

Kiki: None of this is your fault. Don’t start blaming yourself.

Ivy: I know. Thanks.

After a sleepless night, Ivy’s heart was finally a little steadier.

When she was younger, she’d naively believed she could shape her own destiny, that sheer willpower could bend fate to her will.