Chapter 688
"Yes, I know," she replied, echoing the words she’d used to reassure herself earlier.
But as the conversation turned to work, Ivy suddenly remembered something. "I almost forgot to mention–Mr. Shaw called again today. He asked how I was recovering and said he wanted to visit me at the hospital. I turned him down again. I also told him I’d have to postpone my internship for another month."
Edmond Shaw from Quantum Hedge Securities had reached out after seeing the news online, offering his concern and support.
He’d insisted on visiting the very first time he called, and Ivy had politely declined. Yet, he hadn’t forgotten. Today, he called again to check in.
When Jamison heard this, he frowned. "If he wants to visit, let him. I’d like to meet him."
He was curious–what exactly made this man so attentive and admiring of his own wife? What was it about Ivy that drew such earnest concern from another man?
Ivy caught the underlying meaning in his tone and shot him a sidelong glance. Her voice held a note of exasperation. "What are you planning? Going to stake your claim again?"
"Shouldn’t I? The guy’s divorced and single."
"Exactly. He’s divorced and single–do you really think I’d be interested? I’m working with him, that’s all."
She couldn’t help but boast, a little smile tugging at her lips. "You know better than anyone how brilliant and attractive your wife is. Unless I become a complete shut-in, I’ll always have people lining up to pursue me. Are you planning to go around marking your territory every day?"
Ivy wasn’t being vain. Growing up, she’d spent more time than she cared to remember turning down unwanted attention. Yet, at twenty-four, she’d only ever had one ex and one husband. If she’d been the type to bask in male admiration, she could have become another Naylor–maybe even outpaced her in exes.
"I keep my standards high and my boundaries clear. I don’t need you acting like a jealous teenager." She rolled her eyes at him. "Now, go to sleep."
Jamison listened, his feelings a complicated tangle. He never doubted his wife’s appeal, but his possessiveness was hard to shake.
Seeing Ivy close her eyes, he couldn’t help himself. He reached over and gave her nose a teasing pinch.
“What was that for?” Ivy’s eyes flew open, annoyance flaring. “You’re acting like a child.”
He pressed his lips together, saying nothing, and tried to swallow his restless emotions.
The next morning, Ivy was scheduled for her procedure.
As they sat down to breakfast, Jamison’s phone rang. The caller was Naylor’s mother–Professor Penn.
“Good morning, Professor Penn.”
She got straight to the point. “Jamison, is it true that Miss Windsor is pregnant?”
She’d only heard about it last night from her son, who’d learned the news from Katrina.
“It’s true,” Jamison replied. “But we can’t keep the baby. The procedure’s scheduled for this morning.”
Professor Penn let out a sigh. “You really should have told me about something this important.” There was a note of reproach in her voice.
Jamison grew wary. “What exactly do you mean, Professor?”
“Well, since Ivy has to go through this anyway, why not consider treating her at the same time? Dr. Beckett, our top specialist in gynecology, is back from her fellowship abroad and is excellent with uterine artery embolization procedures. It’s an effective way to manage the pain from adenomyosis. I’d meant to discuss it with you both, but with Ivy’s health, I thought it could wait. But now that she’s scheduled for surgery, maybe Dr. Beckett could evaluate her and see if both procedures could be done at once. That way, she’d only have to go through it once.”
Jamison listened carefully, glancing back at Ivy as she quietly finished her breakfast. He asked, “I know about uterine artery embolization… but can it really treat adenomyosis?”
“Jamison, you’re a doctor. You know no procedure is guaranteed to work a hundred percent, but it’s one of the best options we have. It’s worth trying.”
He didn’t want to make any rash decisions. “Let’s have Dr. Beckett come by and talk to me first.”
“Of course. I’ll tell her right away.”
After hanging up, Jamison relayed Professor Penn’s suggestion to Ivy.
Ivy listened without surprise and nodded. “I’ve read about that treatment online. Apparently, there’s still a chance of recurrence.”
And the recovery could be tough.
Jamison said, “You met Dr. Beckett last time. She’ll be here soon. Let’s get all the details before we decide.”
“Alright.”
Ivy quickly finished her breakfast, and Dr. Beckett arrived not long after.
Dr. Beckett was a renowned expert in her field, respected across the country. She’d just returned to the hospital after a year abroad.
She’d already reviewed Ivy’s medical history and explained the uterine artery embolization procedure in detail–the process, possible complications, post-op care, follow-up checks, and the chances of recurrence.
When Ivy learned that the procedure could improve her chances of conceiving, she made up her mind without hesitation. “Let’s do it. I’ll have both procedures done together.”