At the hospital, an exhausted Jamison dragged out a chair and slumped into it, his tone relaxing as he explained, “That was my nephew. He’s sick, and his dad’s away on business overseas. The two nannies at home can’t handle him, and his mom’s swamped at work. I just stepped in to help for a bit.”

So it really was just that! Relief washed over Ivy, her heart finally settling. What a ridiculous misunderstanding.

“You’re quite the family man,” Ivy teased, suddenly in much better spirits. “Looking after your godson and now your little nephew too.”

Jamison chuckled. “When you put it that way… no wonder you think I have a thing for taking care of kids.”

The atmosphere between them grew warmer and more relaxed. Outside, the city was quiet and still. This kind of late-night, meaningless conversation – especially between a man and a woman alone – had a way of making the air feel electric. Jamison knew exactly how he felt now, and he let himself savor the moment. Ivy, on the other hand, was completely oblivious. When she sensed the shift in the mood, a sudden awareness jolted her back to reality.

“Um… It’s getting late. You should finish up at work, and I need to get some sleep.”

“All right. Sorry for keeping you up.”

“Not at all…” Ivy replied politely, but just as she was about to hang up, something occurred to her and she quickly stopped him. “Wait – about that dinner I owe you. When do you have time?”

A faint smile tugged at Jamison’s lips. “You remembered.”

The truth was, he hadn’t forgotten either – and he’d been looking forward to it.

“You’ve helped me so many times, it’s the least I can do,” Ivy said. “I just… I don’t like owing people favors.”

Jamison pressed his lips together, seeming a touch dissatisfied with her words. It felt like she was trying to draw a line between them. But then again, some things couldn’t be rushed.

“I’m off the day after tomorrow. Free whenever.”

“How about lunch then?” Ivy asked.

“Sure.”

Holding her phone, Ivy hesitated as the idea of dining alone with him made her uneasy. “Would you mind if I invited my friend to join us?”

“Ms. Lester?”

“Yes. She’s staying with me for the summer. If I go out, she’ll be left alone.” Ivy carefully crafted a reasonable excuse, feeling confident she’d covered her tracks.

But Jamison saw right through her. The more she tried to avoid suspicion, the more suspicious she seemed.

“Fine by me. You arrange it.”

“Okay, I’ll make the reservation and send you the details.”

After settling the plan, they said their goodbyes and hung up. Ivy exhaled slowly, setting her phone aside as her thoughts spun in a tangled mess. Thinking back on the way Jamison had been treating her, she had to admit – it was just as her friend had said. He wasn’t the same as before.

Could it really be that he… No, no, impossible. Never mind the fact that she’d been trafficked for three years and, in everyone’s eyes, was “tainted” and her reputation ruined. She’d also been his nephew’s girlfriend. There was no way he would harbor such ridiculous ideas. After all, the Ludwig family was one of the most prominent in the country. They cared deeply about reputation. There was no way they’d accept something so scandalous. If anyone heard, it would be the joke of the year.

Ivy forcibly dismissed the thought and shut her eyes, determined to sleep.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Jamison ended the call in a surprisingly good mood. It had been years since he’d felt anything close to infatuation, so long he’d almost forgotten what it was like to fall for someone. He hadn’t expected to be moved by a girl like her. He knew he shouldn’t be. His family would never approve, and his nephew – her ex – would be adamantly against it. But what could he do?

His heart wouldn’t listen. He even regretted not saying he was free tomorrow – he could have swapped shifts with a colleague and seen her a day sooner. Now, he just had to wait.

Jamison was filled with both anticipation and trepidation. Feelings, after all, weren’t a one-person affair. After what Ivy had been through, she clearly had no intention of starting another relationship. If she ever sensed how he felt, she’d probably pull away from him immediately.