The memory of what happened in the early hours–around four or five in the morning–flashed through Ivy’s mind again. With the new semester about to start, she felt she really owed him an explanation before she left.

Besides, it seemed he could barely hold himself back anymore.

And with Professor Penn’s relentless suggestions piling on…

So tonight–was this really going to be their wedding night?

The thought sent a wave of heat to her cheeks. In the charged silence, Ivy pressed her lips together, risked a glance at Jamison, and found him blushing furiously, looking utterly mortified.

She huffed inwardly. Well, that’s a first.

She’d never seen him like this before–not only lost for words, but sheepish enough that he couldn’t even sit up straight.

Professor Penn, noticing the awkward silence between them, tapped the table with his knuckles. “I’m talking to you two. Cat got your tongues? You’re both adults–what’s there to be embarrassed about?”

Jamison cleared his throat and managed a strangled, “Yeah.”

He bitterly regretted coming here today.

He should have taken Ivy to see Professor Brown instead.

Professor Brown wouldn’t have meddled so much or come up with these ridiculous ideas.

“Alright then, if we can’t do an internal exam, we’ll have to go with an abdominal ultrasound. But you’ll need a full bladder for that,” Professor Penn said, then called for his assistant to help Ivy get ready.

Jamison tried to follow, but Professor Penn stopped him with a look. “This is a women’s exam–what are you going for? Relax, she’s on your turf. She won’t get lost.”

Already red-faced, Ivy hurried off without another word.

When the others had left and the hallway had quieted, Professor Penn looked up at Jamison. “Are you serious about this?”

Jamison nodded, his expression earnest. “Absolutely. I’m not like your son.”

Naylor was a notorious heartbreaker, his love life the stuff of legend.

Not that he was a total jerk–whenever he fell out of love, he always parted ways gracefully, offered generous support, and ensured things ended on good terms.

He’d spend a few months single, then throw himself headlong after the next girl who caught his eye–a whirlwind romance every time.

From eighteen to twenty-eight, he’d probably dated enough women to count on both hands.

But marriage? Not a chance. He never even considered it.

At the mention of his son, Professor Penn rubbed his temples. “Don’t get me started on him. He’s a headache.”

Jamison couldn’t help but smile. “Actually, I’ve got lunch plans with Naylor today.”

“Well, good. Talk some sense into him, would you? He could learn from you–settle down for once.” Professor Penn, having gotten that off his chest, turned back to business.

“The reason I asked is, you should know Ivy’s health isn’t great. She might have a hard time getting pregnant, or even carrying a child. You’re aware, right?”

Jamison’s face grew serious. “I know.”

He’d heard Ivy talk about it back when he used to chat with her online under the screen name “Dr. Handsome.”

She’d even considered a hysterectomy at one point–anything to escape relentless pain from her condition.

He added, “And it’s not just me–Ivy knows, too.”

Professor Penn raised a brow, surprised. “And you’re both okay with that?”

Jamison’s answer was calm and straightforward. “Why wouldn’t we be? I’m a doctor; if anything, I should be even more understanding. Whether she can have children is secondary. I just want her to live without constant pain.”

Professor Penn let out a weary sigh. “As long as you know what you’re getting into. There are some targeted medications for her condition now, but the results vary from person to person. Once we have the test results, I’ll prescribe something for her to try. And if you have time, you might also explore some traditional therapies; sometimes they help.”

“She’s already seen Professor Brown and gone through a round of herbal treatments. We’ll see how it goes this time. Every time the pain gets bad, I use acupuncture to help her–it seems to give her some relief.”