Chapter 754

But as the years slipped by, and as life’s trials and hardships accumulated, Ivy came to accept a simple truth: sometimes, fate decides everything, and there’s only so much we can control.

She wasn’t powerful enough to decide whether three people lived or died. In the end, the path they’d chosen had been their own undoing—one wrong step led to another, and then there was no turning back.

Understanding this brought her a sense of relief, as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from her heart.

Yet when it came to Micah’s passing, she still felt a pang of sorrow. Part of it was for the friendship they once shared; part of it was for Jamison—after all, he and Micah had been family.

Jamison managed to nap for half an hour before his phone buzzed again.

The sound startled Ivy, who’d been reading quietly. Realizing it was just the alarm, she hurried to turn it off so he could sleep a bit longer.

But before her hand reached the phone, Jamison was already awake.

“It’s just the alarm,” Ivy explained softly. Seeing the red-rimmed weariness in his eyes, she gently urged him, “If nothing’s urgent, why not rest a little more?”

But Jamison was already shrugging into his jacket. “I’ve got a meeting this afternoon, then two more consults after that.”

Ivy’s heart ached for him. “With everything going on at home, maybe you could hand off some of your work. Your health matters most, you know.”

“I have been,” he reassured her. He hadn’t scheduled any surgeries lately.

Jamison could see she was worried. Once he’d stood up, he turned back, resting a hand on her shoulder with a note of apology in his voice. “I’ve been so busy these days, barely had time for you.”

“I know,” Ivy said, catching his hand, gently pulling it down and holding it tight. “I’m a grown woman. I can take care of myself, so don’t worry about me.”

He nodded, offering her a soft, affectionate smile before squaring his shoulders again. “I’ll get going, then. I’ll have dinner with you tonight.”

Ivy nodded and followed him to the door of the hospital room.

Then, for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, a sudden wave of reluctance swept over her. Acting a little like a child, she blocked his way, tilting her head and burying herself in his embrace.

Jamison looked down at the top of her head, unable to hide his amusement. “What’s this? Don’t want me to go?”

“That’s right. I don’t want you to leave.” Stripped of her usual strength and courage, she was, after all, just a girl in her early twenties.

Still, the things she’d been through, the hardships she’d faced, would have been enough to fill several lifetimes for most people.

She felt tired, drained, and lost.

But in this man’s arms, her weary heart found peace at last.

Hearing her muffled confession, Jamison’s heart melted. She hardly ever acted this clingy—it was impossible not to be moved.

“Maybe I’ll just call in and skip the meeting,” he said impulsively, already reaching for his phone, unwilling to leave her alone like this.

“That’s not really fair to them, is it…” Ivy lifted her head from his chest, her face etched with indecision.

“It’s fine. They know I have a lot on my plate right now.”

Jamison understood—she wouldn’t ask for this unless she was truly at her limit. If he couldn’t be there for his wife at a time like this, what kind of husband would he be?

“Really, you don’t need to stay. Go take care of your work. I’ll go visit your grandmother and keep her company for a while. If we’re both here, she’ll definitely get suspicious.”

Everyone knew Jamison was a workaholic—dedicated and responsible to a fault. But if Ivy went to visit alone, nobody would think twice.

It was Saturday, and she didn’t have to work, so she had plenty of time.

Jamison hesitated, but she’d already let him go. “Come on, you’ll be late if you don’t leave now.”

The afternoon meetings really were important. Seeing her look composed again, Jamison felt a little more at ease. “I’ll try to finish early and come back soon.”

“Okay.”

He grinned, affection softening his handsome features, and Ivy understood. Without a word, she tilted her chin up, meeting him halfway in a brief, gentle kiss before he left the room.

She stood at the door for a moment, gathering herself, and only when her face relaxed into a more natural expression did she head next door to visit Adela Ludwig.

As luck would have it, Halley Ludwig was there too.

The little guy still had no idea about the upheaval at home. He was as bouncy and cheerful as ever.

“Aunt Ivy, I missed you so much! Mom said you were sick and I shouldn’t bother you—but are you better now?” Halley’s warm-hearted nature was on full display.

Ivy hesitated, still wary about close contact, but then she remembered all the times Jamison had reassured her—even people with serious illnesses could interact safely in daily life. That thought eased her worries.

“I’m all better, sweetheart. In fact, I was just thinking of asking you to play with me,” she said, sitting down and pulling Halley gently onto the couch beside her.

“Really? Can I come over to your house tonight? Mom and Dad are so busy lately—they just leave me with the nanny. It’s so boring!”

Halley spoke with the seriousness of a little adult, eyebrows furrowed in a comically expressive way.

Ivy knew what Thad and his wife were dealing with, but she couldn’t say anything. She just smiled and went along with him. “If your mom and dad say yes, you’re welcome to stay over.”

She couldn’t do much for the family right now, but at least she could help with Halley.

From the hospital bed, Adela Ludwig looked concerned. “Hal, why are your parents so busy? They’re never home? The nanny’s the only one with you?”