Chapter 429
Jamison fell silent.
Ivy, barely suppressing a laugh, teased, "So this is how you take care of your sister?"
Halley pouted and put on his most pitiful face. "Aunt Ivy, don’t you think I’m a little tragic? Why don’t you and Uncle Jamison just adopt me? You two don’t have any kids—if I moved in, I’d be your one and only. You’d spoil me rotten, wouldn’t you?"
It was a childish suggestion, tossed off without a second thought, but the words hung in the air. Ivy and Jamison exchanged a quick, startled glance in the rearview mirror.
Was it possible this kid really was meant to be in their lives somehow?
Before either of them could respond, Jamison was already steering the car past the gates of his brother’s house. They’d called ahead, so Davina was waiting in the driveway.
As soon as Halley hopped out, Davina came over to greet them. “He didn’t give you any trouble, did he?”
Ivy shook her head. “Not at all. Halley was a perfect gentleman—everyone loves him.”
Jamison stayed behind the wheel. For one thing, they were all family; there was no need for formalities. For another, his history with Davina was… complicated. Even though Ivy had never made a fuss about it, Jamison still felt it was better to keep a little distance, just in case.
Davina invited them to stay for dinner, but Jamison politely declined.
They’d only just left the neighborhood when Jamison’s phone rang. It was Thad.
“You’re all here—why not stay for dinner? Ivy’s never been to our place before.”
“Thanks, but we’ve got plans tonight. Another time, though,” Jamison replied, keeping it casual. Just before hanging up, he added, “Be nicer to Halley, will you? He’s this close to moving in with us and calling me Dad.”
That caught Thad off guard. “He told you that?” Thad barked, then turned and hollered into the house, “Halley! In what universe are we not good to you? Are you out there spreading rumors about us again?”
You could hardly blame Thad for losing his temper. Every time Halley visited his grandparents, he’d grumble about his parents, painting them as the villains. More than once, Thad had been scolded by his own father, accused of being too impatient or too strict with his son, told he was making Halley’s life miserable.
But Thad was Halley’s real father, not some wicked stepdad. Did anyone really think he’d mistreat his own kid?
Truth was, Thad had waited years to have Halley and worried about spoiling him rotten. The last thing he wanted was to raise another “Jamison.”
Still, fate had a way of playing its own games. Halley and his uncle had always been especially close, and Halley’s knack for getting into trouble was starting to look suspiciously familiar.
Once the call ended, Jamison pulled the car over and glanced at Ivy in the back seat. “Come on up front.”
She eyed him, lips pursed. “Is that really necessary?”
“Quit arguing and get up here.”
Rolling her eyes, Ivy got out and slid into the passenger seat. Jamison started the car again, and after a moment, said—almost as if to himself—“You know, not having kids isn’t so bad. Quieter, at least. Less trouble.”
Ivy understood exactly what he meant. Her face fell for a moment, but then she said softly, “You don’t have to comfort me. I’ve made my peace with it. Whatever will be, will be.”
Jamison glanced over and nodded.
Later that night, after dinner, the staff quietly cleared the table and retreated for the evening.
It was still early. Ivy excused herself to work on some investment analysis, hiding away in the study.
Jamison found himself growing impatient, but he knew better than to rush things—especially with Ivy’s lingering wounds. He forced himself to stay put, giving her the time and space she needed.
His back had finally healed, so he headed upstairs, took a shower, and changed into his pajamas.
He’d barely finished when his phone buzzed—a message on WhatsApp.
To his surprise, it was from Dale Sullivan.
[Mrs. Smith says she’s starting school tomorrow. But isn’t she married? She’s still a student?]
Jamison smiled to himself. Ivy must have logged onto WhatsApp.
He fired off a brief reply to Dale, then logged in himself.