But now... considering she and Jamison had already crossed that line as husband and wife, maybe it was something worth thinking about.

“Thanks for your concern, but I’m not planning on having kids,” Ivy replied, cutting straight to the point.

“Childfree?” Celeste raised her eyebrows in surprise. “And Jamison’s on board with that?”

“He knew how I felt from the very beginning,” Ivy said with a faint, almost playful smile. “You tell me–do you think he’d have stuck around if he wasn’t?”

“Jamison chased after you?” Celeste’s worldview seemed to tilt on its axis.

In all of Neo Haven’s medical circles, Jamison was the legendary surgeon–silent, aloof, impossible to approach. Even getting a word out of him was considered a feat. And yet, he’d actually pursued a woman?

Seeing Celeste’s stunned expression, Ivy laughed. “I know, it sounds unbelievable. But it’s true.”

Celeste was left speechless, her gaze flickering between envy and jealousy. She couldn’t help but compare herself to the woman standing before her, and for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out where she’d fallen short.

Academically, she was confident she had the upper hand. Career-wise, she could run circles around her so-called rival. Height? She was every bit as tall. If she had to admit to one area where she was lacking, it was looks. She was pretty, sure, but Ivy was breathtaking; her delicate features were so flawless, it was almost unfair.

But was Jamison really that shallow? Did he pick his wife just for her face?

Celeste’s heart sank with defeat. As Ivy turned to leave, she blurted out without thinking, “If you truly loved Jamison, wouldn’t you regret not having children with him?”

The implication was clear: refusing to have children was somehow letting Jamison down.

Ivy paused and glanced over her shoulder, her eyes studying Celeste for a moment.

“There are so many ways to love someone. Who says it has to mean having kids? Or is it your opinion, Dr. Quinn, that having children is the only proof of true love? Because if that’s the case, isn’t that just reducing women to their wombs? As if the only reason a man is with a woman is to have kids and carry on the family name.”

Her tone was calm and kind, but every word struck home. Celeste had no comeback.

Seeing her silent, Ivy’s lips curled in a hint of a smile. She added gently, “You’re an accomplished woman, Dr. Quinn. But on some things… your thinking still seems stuck in the dark ages.”

Celeste was left completely speechless.

With an air of effortless confidence, Ivy turned and walked away. She’d only taken a couple of steps when a tall figure appeared at the end of the hall. Jamison’s expression was cold, his stride purposeful. The moment Ivy saw him, her heart skipped a beat. Oh no. Just her luck–she’d finally managed to put her rival in her place, only for Jamison to show up at her moment of glory. If he started in on her with a scolding right in front of Celeste, it would be mortifying.

Fortunately, Ivy knew how to keep her composure–and how to handle a man like him.

Her eyes instantly softened, and she hurried toward him, her beautiful features shifting into a perfect mix of vulnerability and playfulness.

“Honey, you’re finally here…” she threw herself into Jamison’s arms, holding him tight.

Honey?

Jamison was taken aback, stopping short, his hands automatically bracing her shoulders. But before he could push her away, she murmured weakly against his chest, “I still feel so dizzy…”

The sight of her–so frail, so pitiable–would have melted anyone’s heart.

Jamison was no exception.

The anger that had been simmering inside him vanished. He tightened his hold on her slender shoulders, his brow furrowing in concern as he asked, “Are you still in pain?”