Chapter 413
Half an hour later, Jamison returned.
He wasn’t alone; a group of his male colleagues, all around his age, trailed in behind him.
The moment they spotted Ivy, they burst out laughing. “So this is Dr. Ludwig’s ‘painkiller’? Seeing is believing!”
Painkiller?
Ivy stood up, momentarily puzzled by their laughter. But when she caught sight of Jamison’s awkward, embarrassed expression, the pieces suddenly clicked.
A few days ago, Jamison had gotten into a fight with Micah at his family’s old house. He’d torn open the wound on his back and had to rush to the ER for treatment. Back then, he’d clung to Ivy’s hand, refusing to let go, telling everyone she was his "painkiller"—the kind of line that made the entire medical staff cringe with secondhand embarrassment.
And now, somehow, that story had made its way to his department?
“Don’t mind them,” Jamison said, spotting the mortification on Ivy’s face as well. With a reassuring smile, he added, “I’ll just change out of my scrubs, and we can go.” He headed for the locker room.
The moment he was gone, his colleagues swarmed over, each one introducing himself with exaggerated politeness, calling her “Mrs. Ludwig.”
Ivy smiled and nodded. “Nice to meet you all. I’m sorry I came in such a rush today–I didn’t bring anything for everyone. Next time, I’ll treat you all to afternoon tea.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ludwig!”
“Beauty and kindness–no wonder Dr. Ludwig is so hopelessly smitten.”
Ivy’s smile grew increasingly awkward under their relentless flattery.
Thankfully, Jamison reappeared quickly. Without hesitation, he seized Ivy’s hand.
“All right, enough with the sweet talk. Complimenting my wife won’t get you anywhere—if you mess up, I’ll still chew you out. Get back to work. I’ll be back from leave in a couple of days.”
As they exited the department, Ivy tried to pull her hand free, but Jamison glanced down at her. “What’s wrong?”
“Stop holding my hand–your colleagues are everywhere.”
“I’m not embarrassed in front of them. Why should you be? I told you, bringing you to the hospital was the perfect excuse.”
He tightened his grip, refusing to let go.
Ivy kept trying to wriggle free and shot him a glare. “Exactly how many admirers do you have? Don’t tell me every single unmarried woman in this hospital is in love with you.”
Jamison smirked, clearly enjoying himself. “You think a wedding ring can stop anyone from falling for me?”
“What–so even the married ones have a crush on you now?” Ivy made a face, not bothering to hide her skepticism. “Don’t flatter yourself.”
They stepped into a crowded elevator, and Ivy was forced to let him hold her hand, unable to break his grip.
“We’re going to see Dr. Penn next, right?”
“Yeah, she’s up in the inpatient wing. Once we’re upstairs, if you need any tests, there’s a private suite available–it’s much faster.”
Ivy shot him a sarcastic look. “Family perks, huh? Last time I came in, I waited half an hour just to get seen.”
Jamison shook his head. “You’ve got it wrong. The VIP rooms are open to anyone who pays for them. It’s got nothing to do with being family.”
Ivy rolled her eyes, thinking how dull he could be sometimes.
When they stepped out of the elevator, Jamison leaned closer and said in a low voice, “But Professor Ludwig’s wife? She can get any service in this hospital, free of charge. Still, I hope you’ll never have to use that privilege.”
The words tickled her ear, making her flinch–until she registered what he’d said. Then she couldn’t help but look up at him, her gaze lingering.
She remembered he’d said something similar once in the “Stonks Onl › Up” group chat–hoping everyone would never have any reason to need his services.
A true doctor, she thought, always wishes the world were free from illness and wouldn’t mind if his medicine gathered dust on the shelf.
Jamison, in her eyes, seemed even more admirable than before.
When they finally met Professor Penn, she took one look at Ivy and smiled. “I remember you–you’re far too beautiful to forget.”