Chapter 818

Ivy knew her sister-in-law was genuinely concerned. “Thank you, Davina,” she said with a grateful smile. “I had a check-up, and the doctor said I’ve recovered well. She said because of my medical history, I’ll need to be extra careful during pregnancy, with more frequent check-ups. But as long as we catch any problems early, it should be fine.”

Dr. Beckett had been very clear with her. While losing her spleen didn’t directly affect her ability to conceive, the absence of an organ put extra strain on the body, and pregnancy was a major test for every system. She had told Ivy to think very carefully before making a decision.

But Ivy had already made up her mind. She didn’t have a burning maternal instinct, but she wanted the experience of a complete life. She wanted to have at least one child, to feel the wonder of creating a new life. Having someone to care for, someone to love… it would give her life a new, deeper meaning.

“Jamison adores you, I know he’ll take good care of you,” Davina said with a warm smile. “And once you’re pregnant, if you have any questions, you can always ask me. Some things are easier to talk about with another woman.”

“Thank you, Davina. I will.”

After dinner, the older children took the younger ones out to the garden to set off fireworks. Ivy, sensitive to the cold, watched from behind the floor-to-ceiling windows. It had been over three years since she had seen fireworks, and the sight filled her with a sense of wonder, as if she were seeing them for the first time. As she watched the brilliant colors explode against the night sky, tears streamed down her face–tears of joy.

Life is full of suffering, some of it by fate, some by human design. But in time, even the most painful experiences become part of your story, part of what makes you who you are. The good and the bad, the triumphs and the tragedies… they all shape you. Sometimes, what feels like a disaster in the moment becomes the foundation for your greatest strength.

As she reflected on her past, and on the man standing beside her, all the pain and hardship seemed to dissolve, disappearing like the smoke from the fireworks.

“Look at that blue one,” Jamison said, caught up in the festive spirit. “It’s beautiful. When we have our wedding, we should rent a field and set off fireworks for three whole days.”

Ivy was lost in her thoughts and didn’t respond.

He looked down at her and saw the tears glistening on her lashes. His heart clenched. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Are you not feeling well?”

“No…” She looked up at him, her eyes shining. “I’m just… so happy.” She smiled, embarrassed, and quickly wiped her eyes.

Jamison sighed and pulled her into his arms. “You silly girl. We’re going to be this happy every day from now on. Are you going to cry every day?”

She laughed and playfully hit his chest.

The older generation, unable to stay up late, had already gone to bed. The cousins were still chatting, catching up on the year’s events. Jamison, a doctor, had little in common with their business talk, so he took Ivy out to join the children with the fireworks.

As the clock struck midnight, Jamison, surrounded by the laughing, cheering children, couldn’t help himself.

“Happy New Year, my love…”

He leaned in and captured her lips in a passionate kiss, a fiery start to the new year.

The next morning, Jamison and Ivy were on a flight to a famous tourist destination in the Indian Ocean. A “pre-honeymoon,” he called it.

After a seven-hour flight, the plane descended through a blanket of brilliant blue, and Ivy’s spirits soared. As she stepped off the plane, the hot, humid air of the tropical climate hit her, an immediate, intoxicating immersion in a new world.

The unfamiliar, romantic setting, the feeling of pure, unadulterated joy… she sipped a sweet, refreshing fruit wine and gazed at the stars, which seemed close enough to touch. She was drunk on happiness.

Before she knew it, her glass was empty. She was about to signal the waiter for another when Jamison stopped her.

“You shouldn’t be drinking.”

“It’s fruit wine. It’s practically juice.”

“Still. No.”

A little was fine, but too much would spoil the beautiful evening. Besides, he had other plans.

On the beach, a group of young people were dancing around a bonfire. Ivy’s eyes lit up. “Come on, let’s join them,” she said, pulling Jamison to his feet.

“I can’t dance.”

“Who cares? It’s about having fun.”

It wasn’t a formal ball, after all. Everyone was just moving to the music.

As they joined the crowd, Ivy turned to him. “How can someone with your background not know how to dance? Didn’t you go to balls and galas when you were younger?”

Jamison was frowning, trying to copy the movements of the people around him. Despite his best efforts, he was clearly out of his element. “I wasn’t interested. Those things are so boring.”

“…” Ivy couldn’t help but laugh. “You really were a rebel, weren’t you?”