Chapter 290

She turned to Jamison, half-teasing and half-serious, and said, “I love that he’s handsome, charming, gentle, generous, and loyal to a fault.”

“What–what did you say?” Naylor stared at her, genuinely shocked, not sure he’d heard right.

In his mind, aside from the first quality, the rest sounded like pure fantasy when it came to Jamison.

Jamison shot him an annoyed look. “Why? You don’t believe her? Clearly, you don’t know me at all.”

Naylor was momentarily speechless. After a resigned shake of his head, he smirked. “So you’re two different people now? We get all your worst sides, and your wife gets the best?”

“Obviously. Took you long enough to notice.”

Laughter broke out around the table, and dinner drew to a close in a warm, lighthearted mood.

Just as Jamison was about to pay the bill, his phone rang again.

He glanced at the screen–it was his mother. He answered.

But his expression soured almost immediately.

“What do you want me to do? Force-feed him? He’s in the hospital–just put him on IV nutrition and leave it at that.”

He almost added, “He’s not going to die,” but bit his tongue out of respect for his mother.

The others stayed silent, but everyone could guess what the call was about.

Micah was refusing to eat again, ended up in the hospital, and the family was in a panic.

When Jamison hung up, he turned to Ivy, apologetic, “I have to run to the hospital. Why don’t you go home with Ms. Lester first? I’ll come pick you up once I’m done.”

Ivy stood without hesitation. “I’ll go with you. This is my mess too–we’ll face it together.”

Jamison was caught off guard, glancing at her. “My whole family will be there…”

“So what?” Ivy’s tone was unwavering. “The cat’s already out of the bag. Whatever they think won’t change anything now.” She grinned. “Didn’t you say yourself, there’s no hiding from the in-laws forever?”

Naylor gave Jamison a look. “If Ivy’s willing, it’s better you go together. Get everything out in the open. After that, whatever Micah does is his own business.”

Jamison nodded, reaching for Ivy’s hand. “Alright. Let’s go together.”

Ivy slipped her hand into his, and they exchanged a quiet, knowing smile.

They might have been newlyweds in name, but the unspoken understanding between them felt like they’d been married for years.

In the hospital, Micah had just finished a bag of IV fluids and was feeling a little stronger–strong enough to start acting up again.

He insisted on being discharged, demanded to see Ivy, and wailed that he couldn’t go on living without her.

Carla could hardly believe that the son she’d raised with such care had turned out so weak, willing to throw his life away over a woman.

Farley Shepherd was beyond furious. He slapped his son across the face–twice–then kicked him so hard that the frail Micah slid nearly six feet across the floor, crashing into the bed and shifting it out of place.

Carla cried out in shock. She rushed to help her son up, her whole body trembling with anguish, then turned on her husband and unleashed a torrent of angry words. Soon, the whole family was shouting over each other.

The Ludwigs' elderly grandparents were present, but at their age, they didn’t dare step in. The butler and driver, standing off to the side, knew their place and kept their distance.

When Jamison arrived, he could hear the shouting and chaos from down the hall, his face darkening with concern.

A few young nurses were peeking through the door, whispering and watching the drama unfold. The moment they noticed Jamison behind them, their faces paled and they scattered.

He pushed open the door. Instantly, the shouting inside ceased.

The Ludwigs' grandparents turned, relief washing over their faces. “You’re finally here.”

Their eyes then shifted to the beautiful woman standing beside their youngest grandson. Their expressions changed subtly.

Jamison surveyed the room. His nephew was sitting on the floor at the foot of the bed, face twisted in pain–it was obvious he’d been hit. Jamison’s emotions were tangled; he never imagined that falling in love and getting married would end up with his nephew battered and bruised.

Carla shot her brother a frosty glare and turned away.

Jamison ignored her.

Noting his parents’ eyes fixed on Ivy, he didn’t hesitate. He slid his arm around his wife, pulling her close, and introduced her with formal sincerity. “Dad, Mom, this is your daughter-in-law, Ivy. Ivy, these are my parents.”