Chapter 557

Jamison knew that Katrina had been running herself ragged ever since her mother’s accident and hospitalization. She looked exhausted, and he offered a gentle suggestion.

Katrina gave him a small, polite smile. “Thank you, Dr. Ludwig, but I’d rather go stay with her. Otherwise, I doubt I’ll get any real sleep tonight.”

“Alright, just be careful on your way over.”

She nodded, then turned to her best friend. “Ivy, you should really rest up these next few days. I’ll head out now.”

“Okay,” Ivy replied softly.

Jamison started to walk Katrina to the door, but she quickly waved him off. “No need, Dr. Ludwig. You should stay with Ivy.”

“If you say so. Just make sure you shut the door behind you.”

Not one for drawn-out goodbyes, he turned back into the living room, scooped his wife up from the couch, and carried her straight to the bathroom.

Nestled in his arms, Ivy rolled her eyes. “You’re actually not going to see her out? She was just being polite, you know…”

Jamison settled her onto the bench and went to grab her pajamas from the bedroom. Ivy had been feeling less woozy a moment ago, but now, perhaps because her husband was near, she sensed her dizziness returning – or maybe she was just allowing herself to be cared for.

Seeing how unsteady she looked, Jamison didn’t trust her to bathe alone. He knelt down and asked quietly, “Do you want me to help you wash up a bit?”

She nodded, her voice small. “Please…”

He smiled, helping her out of her clothes. As he caught sight of the two faint love bites on her pale skin, his eyes darkened, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.

Ivy felt a flush of embarrassment, but at the same time… Well, after everything they’d been through – after sharing so much passion and baring their hearts – she found herself secretly enjoying how much he adored her. There was something intoxicating about the look in his eyes, the way he touched her as if she were precious.

It was a strange, heady feeling – her chest felt tight, full, sweet. Deep down, she found herself longing for more of this closeness. So, letting him help her bathe didn’t seem like much at all. Besides, back when they’d visited Westshire, she’d helped him wash up; it was only fair to return the favor.

The dizziness gave her the perfect excuse not to say much. Sometimes she’d half-open her eyes, catching sight of Jamison’s focused expression as he gently massaged her shoulders. The tingling sensation of his touch, combined with her foggy head, was almost more overwhelming than their most intimate moments.

Jamison noticed something was off. He tapped her cheek gently. “Ivy? Hey, Ivy?”

“Mmm…”

“How are you? Almost done.”

“I’m fine… Just dizzy. My ears are ringing.” She clung to him, arms looped around his neck, utterly pliant.

He couldn’t help but laugh. “You almost look like you’re enjoying this.”

“A little…”

“I thought you’d be embarrassed.”

She snorted softly, “We’re married. What’s there to be embarrassed about? After everything we’ve done, modesty seems a bit pointless…”

He was left speechless, but he steadied her and rinsed her hair one last time. “All done.”

He wrapped her in a towel, drying her off before helping her into her pajamas. He started to scoop her up again, but Ivy shook her head. “I can walk. You must be tired.”

He smiled, letting her lean on him as they made their way back to the bedroom. She slipped under the covers, her head barely hitting the pillow before she closed her eyes.

“I’m going to take a quick shower,” Jamison said, soaked from helping her. She murmured her assent, already half asleep.

When he returned, she was in the exact same position as when he’d left. As soon as he lay down beside her, his “sleeping” wife instinctively scooted closer, curling up against him like a kitten seeking warmth and shelter.

A wave of tenderness swept over Jamison – his heart full, almost aching. If a woman was always soft and dependent, he thought, maybe a man would eventually take it for granted, even get tired of it. But when a woman who’s usually so independent and strong-willed suddenly lets down her guard and leans on you, it’s utterly disarming.

Right now, Dr. Ludwig felt a fierce urge to protect her, as if he’d been entrusted with something fragile and precious. He didn’t know what to do with all the emotion welling up inside him.

“Sweetheart…” A sleepy murmur rose from his chest.

He froze, then bent his head to press a gentle kiss to her hair. “What is it?”

She so rarely called him that. Hearing it now, he thought it was the sweetest sound in the world.

“I don’t like other women liking you…” Ivy wasn’t actually asleep, just dizzy and drowsy enough to let her guard down. The words spilled out before she could stop them.

She couldn’t help but dwell on Celeste’s obvious interest in Jamison. The more she loved him, the more jealous she became. In the clear light of day, her pride would never let her admit it.

Jamison frowned, his voice instinctively gentle. “Did Celeste give you trouble?”

“No, she wouldn’t dare. I’m not exactly a pushover.”

He chuckled. “A little feistiness suits you.”

“It’s just – what a small world. Who’d have thought her brother goes to Neo Haven University too?”

“Yeah, I only found out today myself.”

Jamison had planned to save the rest for tomorrow, worried about tiring her out. But seeing her so lucid, he couldn’t help but fuss. “You need to be careful at school. Stay away from the sports fields, and if anything ever happens, call me first. Your husband’s a top doctor – no need to run to other hospitals.”