Chapter 89

Jamison peeled back the bandages, and just as he suspected, blood still seeped from Ivy’s wound. Clearly, her blood wasn’t clotting as well as it should. But that was hardly a surprise. She’d been missing for three years, and God only knew what she’d endured. Just one look at her frail, almost skeletal frame told him she’d suffered more than most. With how weak she was, it would take at least a year—maybe longer—for her to get back to normal.

He dabbed her injury with an alcohol swab. Ivy flinched and instinctively turned her head away, her face contorting in pain.

“Hold still,” Jamison said sharply, guiding her face back toward him.

“It hurts…” she whispered, voice barely audible.

His hand paused at the sound, a strange pang softening his stern expression. When he resumed, his touch was noticeably gentler.

Katrina burst in just as Jamison finished rewrapping Ivy’s bandage. Seeing the scene, Katrina’s relief was palpable. “Dr. Ludwig, I can’t thank you enough! If you hadn’t been here, I’d have been at a complete loss. Thank you, on behalf of both me and Ivy.”

Jamison stood and snapped his medical kit shut, offering some final instructions as he prepared to leave. “If she’s still feeling dizzy tomorrow, she should go to the hospital for a proper checkup. She might even need to be admitted if it gets worse.”

“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Katrina promised.

“She’s got poor clotting right now. Keep the wound dry. If she runs a fever, make sure she takes her antibiotics.”

“I will, I promise!” Katrina nodded, grateful and attentive.

“Alright, I’m heading out!” With his job done, Jamison turned to leave.

Katrina walked him to the door, thanking him over and over.

That night, Ivy slept deeply while Katrina stayed close by her side. Her phone lay silent. Once again, she hadn’t come home, and once again, the Windsor family didn’t seem to care.

After two days convalescing at home, Ivy finally felt well enough to get out of bed and move around on her own. At breakfast, Katrina relaxed for the first time in days, letting out a long sigh when she saw Ivy looking more like herself.

“If you hadn’t started getting better, I’d have taken you back to the hospital. Dr. Ludwig specifically said that if you kept feeling dizzy, you needed a proper exam.”

Ivy managed a faint smile. “Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

Katrina studied her for a moment, then lowered her voice. “You know, we really owe Dr. Ludwig. He brought you home that night and took care of your wound all over again. Once you’re feeling up to it, you should reach out and thank him properly.”

Ivy’s hand stilled on her spoon, her expression suddenly distant. She’d been so out of it that night she could barely walk straight, but her mind had been clear enough to remember Jamison carrying her into the house. She also remembered that last time, when her cramps were so bad Micah wanted nothing to do with her, it was Jamison who’d carried her out of the car and into Micah’s place. She might not like him—sometimes she downright resented his presence—but she couldn’t deny he’d helped her twice now. She’d already bought him dinner the first time. But this time…how was she supposed to repay him?

After a moment’s thought, Ivy nodded. “Alright. Once I’m feeling better, I’ll ask around and get his contact details.” She hated owing anyone a favor—especially Jamison.

Katrina broke into a smile. “So your opinion of Dr. Ludwig has improved? He might be quiet and a little cold, but he’s a genuinely good person. And a fantastic do—”

Ivy didn’t reply. Instead, she glanced at her friend. “Wait, don’t tell me you have a thing for him?”

Katrina laughed, shrugging. “Not likely. He’s way out of my league.”

Watching Katrina’s reaction, Ivy had a sneaking suspicion her friend really did have feelings for Jamison. The realization left her with mixed emotions.

After breakfast, Katrina got up to clear the dishes. Ivy was just about to stand when her phone rang. She answered—it was the Maserati service department.

“Miss Windsor, we had a specialist from headquarters inspect your car. The brakes were definitely sabotaged, and we’ve prepared a full report. We strongly recommend you contact the police.”