Ivy couldn’t bring herself to answer. The topic was simply too embarrassing.

She remembered scrolling through short videos that claimed men’s prime years were surprisingly brief – supposedly, things started going downhill after twenty-five, and by thirty, well, forget it. Why else would the pharmacy’s best-selling products be those so-called “male vitality” supplements? Over two hundred million sold each year, after all.

Thinking of Jamison – nearly thirty, always working late, constantly exhausted – she couldn’t help but wonder if he was just putting on a strong front while actually running on empty. But judging by the current situation, he seemed… more than capable. Her cheeks blazed as her thoughts tangled into a chaotic mess. All she wanted was to finish washing him up and send him on his way.

“All right, you can get dressed at your own pace. I need to shower now!”

Jamison was promptly ushered out. Ivy locked the bathroom door, peeled off her damp clothes, and stepped under the water herself.

Unbeknownst to her, this gave Jamison the perfect opportunity.

He quickly slipped into a bathrobe, grabbed his phone, and headed to the study. Ever since he’d started seeing Ivy, he’d logged out of WhatsApp on his phone – just in case a suspicious message popped up and she happened to see it. He’d actually planned to be honest with her about the whole thing once they were back from Westshire. Even if she got angry and started a fight, he was confident he could win her back.

But now, learning that Ivy was going back to university and would be living on campus, anxiety crept in. What if this whole “back to school” thing was just an excuse? What if she was really trying to distance herself from him, to start drawing boundaries? Confessing now that he was “Dr. Handsome,” the one who’d been chatting with her under a fake name all this time – that would be asking for disaster.

So Jamison changed his mind and decided to keep quiet, for now.

He logged into WhatsApp on his computer.

Chapter 374

The moment he was online, a flood of messages popped up. He clicked through them until he found a private chat from Dale Sullivan.

Dale: Dr. Ludwig, what have you been up to lately? Haven’t heard from you at all.

Dale: Dr. Ludwig, the hospital said you were on vacation. Did you go on a honeymoon or something?

Jamison replied: Had to travel for work. Been busy, no time to check messages.

Almost instantly, Dale replied: Dr. Ludwig, finally! You’re back online!

Jamison: What’s up?

Dale: Nothing urgent now. My niece had a follow-up checkup – originally we wanted you, but since you were away, your colleague helped us out. They were very professional, don’t worry.

Jamison: I’ll be back at work next week. You can bring her in again if needed.

Dale: Great, thanks so much, Dr. Ludwig.

Jamison: No problem.

Dale had considered bringing up Mrs. Smith – after all, everyone in their group used to joke that the two of them were like sparring partners in a romcom. But now that Dr. Ludwig was married, it just didn’t seem appropriate.

So after finishing his business, Dale didn’t linger and went back to bantering in the “Stonks Only Go Up” group chat. Jamison, never one for small talk, didn’t ask for more details – and so he had no idea Dale had once messaged him on another app.

Even less did he know that Ivy had seen that message – and quietly deleted it.

His real purpose in logging on tonight was to slip back into his Dr. Handsome persona and fish for information from Ivy. He ignored the group chat and, after wrapping up with Dale, clicked on Mrs. Smith’s icon.

Ivy was still in the shower, of course, and couldn’t answer. But he had to ask, and wait for her reply.

Dr. Handsome: How have you been lately? Haven’t seen you around in a while.