Chapter 401

"Now that we’re married, there’s no need to keep up the act, is there?"

Dr. Ludwig leaned in, his strong nose brushing against the hair near her ear as he whispered, his voice low and suggestive, "Of course, I don’t want you keeping score with me. But… I do think a little thank you, shown in the right way, is something your husband would very much look forward to.”

Ivy Windsor felt her ears grow hot. She knew exactly what he was implying, and her cheeks flushed.

She glanced around, making sure no one was watching, before turning back to meet the deep, smoldering gaze of the man beside her. In a hushed voice, she said, “We’ve talked about this already. You’re still recovering. What’s the rush?”

She forced herself to finish despite her pounding heart and embarrassment, shooting him a pointed glare.

Honestly–flirting at someone else’s engagement party, talking about such private things. How was this any different from when Emma Windsor had just talked about bedroom secrets in front of everyone?

Jamison Ludwig’s lips curled into a faint smile; his eyes grew even more heated as he gazed at her. He couldn’t help leaning closer, pulling her gently into his arms.

“What are you doing? There are people everywhere–don’t forget who you are.”

“No one’s paying attention over here.”

Jamison’s heart was racing; he wanted to steal a quick kiss from his lovely wife. Ivy tried to push him away, but she couldn’t escape his stubborn determination.

“Stop it… This is someone else’s engagement party.”

“Consider it practice…”

Ivy let out a laugh. Just as their lips met, a polite cough sounded nearby.

They both froze.

Ivy looked up and saw Adkins and Rosetta had approached without them noticing.

Jamison turned and, upon seeing them, his mood soured instantly. The easy smile vanished; his face returned to its usual cool reserve.

Rosetta hadn’t expected to find her eldest daughter like this, and she couldn’t hide her awkwardness. She was surprised, yes, to see that her daughter’s impulsive marriage had landed her with a husband as young, handsome, and powerful as Jamison Ludwig–a man who so openly adored her. But beneath the surprise, there was a swift, bitter undercurrent of jealousy and resentment.

Not every mother is selfless, and not every parent’s love is warm. The world is full of small-minded parents who, deep down, don’t want their children to outshine them. Because if their children rise too high, parents lose their leverage–their ability to control.

That was the case with Ivy.

She was independent, resilient, and capable. She could survive just fine without the Windsor family, and that made her impossible to manipulate or use.

Rosetta’s heart twisted with resentment; she hated that her eldest, who had the power to help the Windsor family thrive, chose instead to remain indifferent and distant.

But there was nothing she could do.

Her already formidable daughter was now even more untouchable with Jamison at her side. They had lost whatever grip they might have had.

Ivy, seeing her parents standing there awkwardly and silent, set her expression into a cold mask and finally broke the stalemate. “What do you want?”

Adkins Windsor clenched his jaw, his face rigid. “You can’t even call us Mom and Dad anymore?”

Ivy smiled, unflinching. “You don’t deserve it.”

She paused, glanced at Jamison, and added, “Besides, I have new parents now. They treat me well. Just think of it as me trading up.”

To be honest, Jamison’s parents had been kind to Ivy, whether it was because of their background or simply for their son’s sake. Either way, they’d shown her more decency than her own parents ever had.

“Ivy, we’ve reached out to you again and again, apologized, admitted our mistakes, and you still ignore us. What do you want us to do? We’re still your parents; we gave you life. Don’t you think you’re being a little cruel?” Rosetta tried again, guilt-tripping her.

Ivy remained unmoved. She didn’t want to waste time rehashing the past. “What do you want? Just say it.”