Chapter 616
“How’s Micah doing these days? That boy… he had every advantage handed to him, and he still managed to throw it all away. Ruined by a woman for life.”
Adela Ludwig’s real meaning was clear: her eldest grandson had been ruined by Emma.
But her words carried a double edge, and Ivy couldn’t help but feel implicated.
Jamison’s face darkened, ready to snap back at his mother, but Danny – always quicker – intervened first, gently reminding his wife, “That’s enough, Adela. Let’s keep mealtime talk pleasant. Eat, don’t argue.”
Adela caught her younger son’s disapproving look, then noticed Ivy sitting quietly beside him, barely touching her food. Only then did she realize how easily her words might be misinterpreted.
“I wasn’t talking about your wife,” Adela hurried to clarify. “I meant that little vixen the Windsors adopted.”
Even as she backtracked, she couldn’t resist a final jab. “Honestly, the Windsors have no one to blame but themselves. What on earth were they thinking? They have their own children, yet they go adopt a stray. Who knows what kind of rotten bloodline that girl came from?”
On a roll, Adela turned her warning on her sons. “You two, listen up. I don’t care how much money you spend on charity, but don’t you dare bring home some orphan with God-knows-what background. If you want kids, have your own. Blood is the only thing you can trust.”
Jamison shot back with a wry smile, “Micah is blood, and look how that turned out.”
Adela was momentarily speechless.
Ivy sighed inwardly.
What if their own child turned out like Jamison? As a boy, he’d been a little terror – mischievous, impossible to manage. As an adult, he was stubborn, sharp-tongued, and loyal to none but himself. Even with his parents well into their seventies, he still managed to drive them up the wall.
Imagining herself in Adela’s shoes, Ivy suddenly realized raising a child was a risky gamble. If she ended up with another Jamison, maybe she’d be better off with a roast dinner instead.
When dinner wrapped up and it was time to leave the family estate, Halley – as always – was reluctant to say goodbye. He clung to Ivy’s hand, chattering non-stop. “Aunt Ivy, can I come over tomorrow? I’ll be your son for a whole day. I promise I’ll be extra well-behaved – way better than I am at home.”
Ivy couldn’t help but laugh at his earnestness.
She knew Halley was a sweet, cheerful kid and agreed with a smile, “Of course. Is your dad dropping you off, or will your uncle pick you up?”
Before Halley could answer, Thad stepped in and gently pulled his son back. “Your uncle’s busy tomorrow, buddy. Mom will take you and your sister to your grandparents’ place instead.”
“Aww… not again…” The little guy’s face crumpled in disappointment, his handsome features twisted in a dramatic pout.
After a few more rounds of pleading and negotiation, the adults finally soothed Halley’s disappointment, and Ivy headed out to the car.
On the drive home, her mind wandered back to her earlier thoughts at dinner, and she couldn’t help glancing at the man behind the wheel.
“Have you always spoken to your parents like that?” she asked.
Jamison raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with the way I talk to them?”
“Don’t you think it’s a bit harsh? They’re getting old. Couldn’t you try being nicer?”
“They’re getting old, but they still insist on meddling in everything. Honestly, it’s a miracle I haven’t lost my temper more often.”
Ivy was left speechless. He always had some twisted logic at the ready.
Seeing her fall silent, Jamison softened his tone. He reached for her hand in a rare gesture of comfort, but Ivy quickly swatted him away.
“Eyes on the road!”
He chuckled, returning his right hand to the steering wheel, and explained in a low, patient voice, “I know my parents. The only way to shut down my mother’s nagging is to push back until she runs out of arguments. Otherwise, she’ll just keep going. And another thing: I don’t care what they say about me, but I won’t let them put pressure on you. I knew about your health before we got married – I accepted it, and you agreed to marry me because you knew I had. But now, my family keeps making things hard for you. If I don’t handle it, that’s on me.”