Ivy had come from the hospital in Jamison’s car, but now, wanting to leave, she found herself stranded, forced to call a cab from the curb.

She barely made it to the sidewalk before the tall, long-legged man caught up with her, grabbing her arm.

Ivy stayed calm. “What are you doing? I’m heading back to campus.”

“Campus? It’s late. Come home with me,” Jamison insisted, reaching for her hand, but she shook him off.

She had a home, but it certainly wasn’t his place—it was her own apartment. She didn’t need to go anywhere with him.

Jamison saw her standing there, stubborn and unyielding, her thin figure outlined against the dark night. Something about it tugged at his heart, and he immediately regretted his tone.

He turned away, composing himself before returning. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice softer. “I shouldn’t have been so harsh just now. I just worry about you. I know better than anyone how fragile your health is, and it kills me to see you brushing it off.”

Ivy lowered her gaze, heat stinging her eyes, but she said nothing.

With a sigh, Jamison stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, cradling her head against his chest. “Ivy, I’ve been exhausted these past few days. I lost my temper. Can we just try to understand each other a little better?”

He was the first to apologize, and Ivy couldn’t bring herself to resist. She was never the unreasonable type.

After a pause, she wrapped her arms around his lean waist, her voice muffled against his chest. “If you’re that tired, why didn’t you just go home after work? Why come all the way to campus looking for me?”

Seeing her finally soften, Jamison relaxed, his tone gentle. “Because I was worried about you. I knew you were keeping something from me. Work kept me busy all day, but after I clocked out, something just didn’t feel right. I had to check on you… who knew you’d end up coming to the hospital looking for me instead?”

Ivy stayed quiet, but tears slipped out, soaking his shirt.

She wasn’t someone who broke down easily, but being wrapped in someone’s arms when her body felt so weak—it was almost too much.

Jamison felt the dampness against his chest and looked down, worried. He bent to kiss her lips, but she turned away. “We’re standing out here on the street…”

“Save it for home, then?” he teased, his voice tender. “I missed you. Did you miss me?”

“Not at all.”

“Oh? Then why’d you drag yourself out to the hospital when you’re not even feeling well?”

“I was visiting your mother, thank you very much.”

“If not for me, would you have anything to do with my mother?”

She glared but stayed silent.

“Stubborn as ever.” He chuckled, then comforted her. “Alright, enough tears. Let’s go home.”

“I’m not crying. There’s just dust in my eye from the street.”

Jamison couldn’t help but laugh.

His downtown apartment wasn’t far from the hospital, and in less than fifteen minutes, they were home.

The moment they stepped through the door, two cats—Snowy and Blackie—trotted over, weaving around Ivy’s ankles and meowing for attention.

Ivy knelt down to stroke them, her voice gentle and sweet.

Jamison couldn’t help but feel jealous. She was always so tough with him, but the cats got the soft side. He teased, “You’re just like Halley Ludwig, chattering away to cats. You know how silly that looks?”

Without looking up, Ivy shot back, “If you stopped talking, no one would think you’d lost your voice.”

Then, switching to a sing-song tone for the cats, she cooed, “Don’t pay any attention to him, babies. He’s always running his mouth and getting on everyone’s nerves. Such a pest.”

Jamison just shook his head, amused.

It was already past eight. He’d spent last night on call at the hospital and barely slept, then powered through two surgeries today without a break—he was completely wiped out.

“I’m going to shower first. Want to join me?” Jamison asked casually, already undoing the buttons of his shirt.

“No, you go ahead,” Ivy replied.