Chapter 591

Seeing that Carla Ludwig insisted on knowing the truth, Jamison Ludwig finally relented. “I suspect Emma Windsor might have picked up some nasty infection,” he said quietly. “I’m worried Micah could have caught something as well. I don’t want your whole family getting sick without even realizing it, so for now, please don’t go home.”

Carla was stunned by this news. At first she couldn’t believe it–then panic set in.

“I don’t have any proof yet, it’s just a suspicion,” Jamison continued. “If you’re worried, bring Micah to the hospital for a full checkup. I’ll make all the arrangements and keep everything confidential.”

“Alright, I’ll go ask Micah and call you back in a bit.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up, Carla went straight to the attic where her son was being kept.

Micah Shepherd had been grounded for days. Cooped up at home, he looked a mess–his hair unkempt, face unwashed, a shadow of a beard making him look even more disheveled.

Just looking at him made Carla’s blood boil, but she forced herself to stay calm. “Get up, get cleaned up, and put on some fresh clothes. We’re going to the hospital.”

Micah lay sprawled on the bed and didn’t move. “I’m not going.”

Barely containing her anger, Carla walked to his bedside and pressed, “When you were with Emma, did you use protection?”

Micah was silent for a couple of seconds. He turned to look at his mother, confusion and alarm written across his tired face. “Why are you asking me that?”

“Just answer me. Did you or didn’t you?”

Micah pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

Back when he and Emma were together, she was already pregnant. Nothing else could happen, so neither of them bothered with any precautions. Honestly, what guy would voluntarily put on that thing? It was like trying to touch someone through a winter coat.

Carla saw the look on her son’s face and immediately understood. She grabbed him and started smacking him upside the head. “You idiot! Are you trying to kill me with worry? What did I ever do in a past life to deserve such an ungrateful son?”

The sharp slaps to his face and head jolted Micah out of his stupor.

He scrambled further onto the bed, staring at his mother. “What’s wrong with Emma? Did she… did she catch something?”

The first thing that flashed through Micah’s mind was HIV. When Ivy Windsor was brought back, everyone whispered she had HIV–he’d never forgotten about that disease.

Carla didn’t answer, just barked, “Get up and get to the hospital! You absolute fool, are you determined to bring this entire family down?”

She purposely left out the fact that this was just a suspicion, not confirmed, worried that he wouldn’t take it seriously otherwise.

One way or another, he had to get a full screening at the hospital. That was the only way she’d have peace of mind.

Seeing his mother’s fury, Micah assumed Emma’s illness was already confirmed. Panicked, he hurried to get dressed, stammering as he went, “Mom, what happened to Emma? What disease does she have? Is it HIV? Did she have symptoms?”

“Don’t you dare mention that woman to me again! She’s nothing but trouble–a walking disaster!”

Micah, hopelessly infatuated yet terrified for his own life, was so rattled by his mother’s tirade that he rushed out the door with her, heading straight to the hospital.

Jamison didn’t come back to the faculty apartments at all on Monday or Tuesday.

The only contact he had with Ivy was a quick video call each night.

Through the camera, Ivy could see the dark circles under his eyes. She knew just how exhausted he was.

She found herself admiring him more and more.

He came from such a privileged family–he could have spent his life indulging in luxury, living off the glory of his ancestors. But instead, he’d chosen such a difficult path.

On Wednesday at lunch, Ivy picked up a call from Jamison. He asked what she was doing.

“What else would I be doing? Eating,” she said. “Have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet. Just finished my work and taking a break.” Jamison’s voice sounded relaxed, but she could still hear the fatigue beneath it. “What are you doing after lunch? Heading back to your place or the library?”