Chapter 426
“What are you thinking about?” Jamison glanced in the rearview mirror, noticing Ivy had drifted off, and his concern was immediate.
“It’s nothing,” Ivy snapped back to the present and smiled at Halley. “I was just thinking about how close you three siblings are. The Ludwig family must have some wonderful family values.”
For a family to be so united, for its members to stay close and carry on its legacy, it all came down to the atmosphere at home–the values instilled growing up.
And that all started with the worldview and character of the parents.
The Windsor family and the Ludwig family–two polar opposites, each a textbook example in their own way.
She’d managed to break free from a truly toxic home, only to stumble into something unexpectedly beautiful.
Sometimes she wondered if her life had been lucky, or just tragic in a different way.
When they arrived at Golden Maple Estate with Halley in tow, Katrina Lester caught sight of the little guy and, for a split second, thought the two of them had been hiding a child all this time.
“This is the youngest Ludwig sibling–Halley. He goes by Hal,” Ivy explained quickly. Katrina pressed a hand to her chest. “You gave me a heart attack! For a moment, I thought you’d become a stepmom overnight.”
Ivy: “…”
“So is it a case of ‘the youngest likes the youngest’? Misery loves company?” Katrina teased.
Ivy paused, glanced back at the man following behind, and suddenly it clicked. “Oh! I didn’t even realize–you’re both the youngest in your families. No wonder Halley sticks to you like glue.”
Jamison looked utterly unimpressed. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
He wore that cool, handsome expression even when saying something so ridiculous, and it made Ivy burst out laughing again.
Chapter 427
Later, as they packed up Ivy’s things, Jamison’s sour mood returned, plain as day.
“You’re taking all of this? Don’t tell me you’re not coming back for the weekend?”
Ivy kept packing. “If I’m not too busy, of course I’ll come home on the weekend.”
“What could possibly keep a senior in college so busy?” His tone was half–mocking, as if he thought skipping class was no big deal.
Ivy shot him a glare. “I’ve got finals coming up! And multiple exams to prep for! Plus my internship–how could I not be busy? Just because you’re Dr. Ludwig, saving lives and all, doesn’t mean the rest of us are just sitting around eating bonbons and wasting away, right?”
“…That’s not what I meant.” Jamison pressed his lips together, then muttered an apology. “I just…”
Whatever he was going to say next, he let it drop.
Ivy zipped up her suitcase and glanced around to make sure nothing was left behind. Then she turned to him, all business. “Would you mind leaving your number with the building manager again? If anything comes up, I’d rather they reach you directly.”
Last time a pipe burst, and if the manager hadn’t found Jamison to unlock the door, the place would’ve been a disaster.
She was bossing him around like a husband, and it made Dr. Ludwig beam with pride. He grinned, stepping closer. “Sure. I’ll let them know. Guess I’m the official property owner again.”
He pulled her into a hug, still smiling.
“What are you doing?” Ivy wriggled, faking annoyance.
Jamison held her tight, his arms circling her waist as he looked down at her. “A whole week apart? That’s way too long…”
“It’s just five days,” she said, cheeks flushing as she met his intense gaze. “It’ll go by fast.”
She could feel her heart pounding, especially with Professor Penn’s words echoing in her head and knowing what might happen tonight. The thought made her whole body feel hot, and she couldn’t even meet his eyes.
“What am I supposed to do when I miss you…” he murmured, brushing his nose against hers. “Can I come visit you at school?”