Jamison let out a low, amused laugh.

Ivy looked at him seriously. “Well, we’re married now. Whatever it is you want from me, just say it straight. I can’t run anymore, so there’s no need to keep hiding things from me.”

He nodded, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “You’re right, I do want something from you. I want you for a lifetime. So, what do you say—are you in?”

Ivy frowned, studying him intently. But she couldn’t spot a single crack in his facade. Could it really be love? She didn’t doubt her own appeal—objectively, she was a catch. But with Jamison’s background and looks, he could easily find someone “better” by anyone’s standards. Then again, love rarely made sense. Hadn’t she once given her whole heart to Micah Shepherd , only to have reality slap her in the face? That man turned out to be a complete disaster.

After a brief pause, Ivy set her jaw and declared, “I’m in! Why wouldn’t I be? Whoever bails first is a total jerk—an absolute scumbag.”

Jamison clicked his tongue. “Harsh. That’s so you.”

She smirked. “Go big or go home. Otherwise, what’s the point?” The tension in her chest eased, a strange lightness blooming inside her. Even the shadow that her illness cast seemed to lift, chased away by his bold declaration.

But then—she suddenly turned back, eyebrows knitted. “What’s the deal with that female doctor earlier? Don’t tell me she’s an ex?”

“Who?”

“You know who. She called you ‘senior.’ Don’t pretend you’ve already forgotten her.”

Jamison caught on and explained, “She’s just a colleague. Nothing more.”

“She likes you,” Ivy said flatly.

Jamison didn’t bother denying it. “Plenty of women at the hospital have a thing for me. That’s why I brought you along—to show them I’m married now. And that my wife is gorgeous and classy, so maybe they’ll finally give up.”

Ivy stared at him, speechless. Sure, he was complimenting her, but using her as a human shield was seriously infuriating.

“Hmph! I get it now. You married me in such a rush just to fend off all those desperate admirers, didn’t you? Afraid an ordinary woman couldn’t handle the competition, so you went for someone like me—a heartless femme fatale.” After all, if she could cut off her own family without flinching, dealing with a few lovesick nurses would be child’s play.

“A femme fatale… At least you know yourself,” Jamison said with a laugh, nodding approvingly. “I should’ve known you’d figure it out, Miss Ivy. You’re sharp.”

Ivy rolled her eyes and looked away, not dignifying that with a response. She turned to the window, and after a while, said quietly, “Don’t worry. I was made for this job.”

He smiled. “I know you can handle it.”

They fell into a comfortable silence. Ivy felt her spirits lift, a rare burst of brightness chasing away the gloom. Jamison, meanwhile, stole a glance at her when she wasn’t looking. His eyes were thoughtful, shadowed by worry. He couldn’t tell if Ivy was truly happy, or just putting on a brave face. Every time he thought about her possibly lying in an operating room one day, losing a part of herself, his heart twisted with anxiety. What he couldn’t know was that, years later, Ivy would indeed be wheeled into surgery—not to save herself, but to save him…

They had lunch at The Gilded Fork.