Jamison dropped his wife off at Golden Maple Estate, still trying to salvage the situation as she was about to get out of the car.

“Ivy, why don’t you go inside, relax for a bit, and pack your things? Move in with me tonight.”

He’d been pestering her the whole ride home, and Ivy’s patience had worn thin. She turned, ready to snap at him, but just then his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen–an incoming call from home. He answered at once, “Yes? Where’s the family doctor? Okay… I’ll be there right away.”

Ivy could guess–something must have happened with his mother.

After hanging up, Jamison sighed. “Alright, looks like you’ll have to stay here tonight. I need to go back to the family house.”

“Is your mom’s condition serious?” Ivy asked, concern in her voice.

“I’m not sure. They said she’s having some chest tightness and trouble breathing. I need to check on her.”

“Then go, you should spend the night there,” Ivy said, quickly turning to open the car door.

But Jamison was faster. He caught her by the wrist, pulled her back, and kissed her before she could protest.

She tried to wriggle free. “Hey–stop, I’m serious, you need to go-”

“I’m giving you the night to think about this. I’ll come pick you up in the morning.”

Even knowing he was in the wrong, Dr. Ludwig insisted on steering the rhythm between them. A night apart was both punishment for himself and a chance for her to cool off.

Ivy shoved him away, forcing herself to sound indifferent. “We’ll see about that.”

Without another word, she got out and walked off, not bothering to look back.

Jamison watched her proud, unyielding figure disappear, and let out a helpless laugh. Maybe it was for the best that the truth was finally out.

He suddenly felt lighter, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. No more nerves, no more guilt, no more tiptoeing around her. Even if he’d made her angry, there was a strange sense of relief.

Back inside, Ivy found Katrina peeking her head out from the kitchen. “Hey, you’re back by yourself? Dr. Ludwig didn’t come up with you?”

Ivy set her bag down and slipped off her shoes. “I can walk just fine on my own. Why would he need to come up?”

Women’s intuition was razor sharp. Katrina’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Wait, did you two have a fight?”

“Something like that.”

That only made Katrina more interested. “But why? Dr. Ludwig’s crazy about you, always doting and attentive. And you’re not exactly unreasonable. How did you two end up fighting?”

Jamison’s online escapades were something Ivy had never told her best friend before. But now that everything was out in the open, and she was still a bit annoyed, she decided to tell Katrina the whole story from beginning to end.

By the time she finished, Katrina looked stunned.

“Wow, you two are a real piece of work. It’s like you’re both chess grandmasters–always two moves ahead.”

Ivy rolled her eyes.

“Good thing you’re evenly matched. If either of you was slower, you’d get played for a fool and thank them for it.”

Ivy had to admit, she agreed.

“But look at it this way–Dr. Ludwig’s been planning this forever. He really loves you. You should be happy about that.”

Ivy flopped down on the couch, shooting her friend a look. “So if someone lies to you and messes with you for ages, you’re supposed to feel happy?”

“Oh, come on, look at it case by case. Dr. Ludwig is obviously just terrified of losing you. That’s why he blew things out of proportion and couldn’t come clean.”

Ivy didn’t answer, thinking back to his heartfelt confession in the villa.

“It was a white lie, and you’ve already called him out. He’s apologized, admitted fault–let it go.”

Ivy smirked. “Honestly, I’m not even mad anymore. But I wanted to let him sweat a little.”

“I get it! My Ivy’s the most magnanimous, clever woman I know. You always see who cares about you.”

Ivy frowned. “Did you have honey for dinner or something?”

“Nope, just the truth.”

Ivy laughed, a little self-satisfied. “I think so too.”

She’d always imagined that if this day ever came–if the lies came to light–she’d be furious, maybe even break things off. She’d always hated being lied to or played for a fool.

But now that it was real, she didn’t feel nearly as angry as she’d expected. Maybe her heart had already tilted toward Jamison. As long as he didn’t cross any real lines, she just couldn’t stay mad. Pretending to be upset, acting hard to please–it was just to teach him a lesson. Otherwise, he’d never learn.

Meanwhile, back at the old family home, Jamison arrived to find the family doctor had already given his mother emergency treatment.

Jamison spoke with the doctor, got all the details, and then went to reassure the rest of the family. His father, Danny Ludwig, was especially anxious about his wife. Seeing his youngest son, he worried Jamison would just check in and leave right away. After a moment’s thought, Danny said, “If you’re not too busy these days, why not stay here for a while? Once your mother’s feeling better, you can go back. And if you and Ivy can’t stand to be apart, bring her here too.”

Jamison was caught off guard. His father’s words were a clear sign of acceptance–for Ivy, and for their relationship. Apparently, that little “confession” at the hospital–where Jamison admitted to having health issues and not being able to have children–had really changed the family’s attitude. Now, they probably worried Ivy would leave him over it.

“No need. Ivy has her own place–she’d probably feel out of place here.”