“I’m fine,” Ivy replied, though her voice held a note of confusion. “Why aren’t you at work yet?” Usually, by the time she woke up, Jamison was already gone for the day.

“It’s okay. There’s no rush,” Jamison answered quietly.

She studied his face, noticing something off about his expression. Remembering the doctor who’d just left, her confusion deepened. “What’s going on? Why were there so many doctors here just now?”

Before Jamison could answer, a sudden thought struck her, and her heart began to sink. “Was there a problem with my bloodwork from yesterday?” Worry gnawed at her as she spoke. She couldn’t shake the fear that the medication hadn’t worked, that the virus was still quietly spreading through her body. If that was the case…

Her mood plummeted in an instant. She stared at Jamison, who sat in silence, searching his face for any clue.

Jamison helped her sit up, then settled beside her on the edge of the bed. He finally looked at her, meeting her eyes for only a couple of seconds before his gaze dropped to her abdomen.

“Jamison…” Ivy had rarely seen him like this, and her anxiety only grew. She instinctively reached out to grab his hand, desperate for answers. But halfway there, she hesitated, suddenly remembering what her diagnosis might be. She quickly drew her hand back. She knew the virus couldn’t be spread through casual contact, but old habits made her want to retreat, to avoid even the slightest touch.

“Jamison!” she called again, her voice tense. “What’s happening? Just tell me! I can handle it.” She’d already brushed shoulders with death–what else could possibly scare her now? Even if she really was positive, it wouldn’t be the end. With proper treatment, she could still live a full life.

Jamison’s brows knit together as he stared at her, his eyes dark and troubled. After a long moment, he finally spoke, and his words left Ivy utterly stunned.

“Ivy, you’re pregnant.”

She didn’t make a sound, but her face twisted in disbelief as she stared at him, her mind ringing with static. Instantly, her thoughts flashed to the dream she’d had last night.

“What did you say? I… I’m pregnant?” Was last night’s dream a sign? But then, why had the two babies disappeared at the end?

Jamison nodded, his voice low and steady. “Yes, you are. Yesterday’s bloodwork was meant to monitor the virus, but I remembered your period was early. I had the lab run a few extra tests…” He hadn’t expected this. Of all times, this was the last thing he wanted to happen.

Ivy’s gaze slowly dropped to her stomach. She let out a shaky laugh, overwhelmed with emotion. She placed a trembling hand on her belly, her voice full of disbelief and delight. “I can’t believe it… They all said my condition would make it impossible, that I’d never conceive… But now, I’m already pregnant!”

Jamison watched her reaction, his heart twisting painfully with every word she spoke. She wanted this so much. She’d always dreamed of being a mother. And if she learned the pregnancy couldn’t continue… how devastated would she be? “Jamison, what’s with that face?” Ivy asked, her excitement undimmed. “Isn’t this good news? You’re going to be a dad!” She grabbed his hand without hesitation this time, guiding it to rest on her belly.

But Jamison’s face showed no joy. From the moment he’d received the call that morning, he hadn’t felt even a flicker of happiness. He’d never been desperate to be a father–it was only because Ivy wanted it so badly that he’d agreed to try. But now, with the timing so wrong, and the risk to Ivy’s health so high, the thought of this baby only filled him with dread.