“Well then, shouldn’t you show some appreciation?”

“What do you mean?”

Ivy looked up, catching the mischievous glint in his eyes, and instantly understood.

But before she could wriggle out of his arms, Jamison was already prepared–he pulled her firmly against him, one arm locking around her waist to keep her from escaping, while his other hand cradled the back of her head, tilting her face up for a deep, consuming kiss.

“Mmm–Jamison, stop…” Ivy struggled, trying to push him away.

But Dr. Ludwig was clearly determined tonight, unwilling to let her go until he’d kissed her thoroughly.

No matter how she protested, he didn’t budge an inch.

Ivy couldn’t fathom how he still had so much strength left after a basketball game–shouldn’t he be exhausted? Instead, he seemed to have energy to spare.

Their bodies tangled in the steamy bathroom, and soon Ivy felt the undeniable change in him. Her body went stiff, and she dared not move.

After all, it had been over a month–a real ordeal for him.

Right now, he was like dry tinder, and all it took was the tiniest spark to set him blazing.

“Jamison, stop messing around… Just wait and see how you handle things later. I’m not helping you out,” Ivy warned, her voice breathless.

Jamison just grinned, the curve of his lips dark and wicked. “You think you can just refuse? This is a wife’s sacred duty.”

Before she could respond, he scooped her up in his arms and spun her toward the shower, depositing her right inside.

“Jamison!” Ivy shouted, knowing exactly what he was up to, but her protests were futile.

He plucked her nightdress and towel from her arms, tossed them aside, and wasted no time at all peeling off her clothes.

Even if he couldn’t go all the way, he had plenty of other ways to make their connection even deeper.

No matter how much she protested, he simply swallowed her objections with his kisses, leaving her completely at his mercy.

By the end of that passionate, intimate night, all the lingering tension from their fight at the hospital had finally melted away.

News of Ivy’s accident had already spread through the “Stonks Only Go Up” group chat.

Dale Sullivan was the first to spot the news online–he recognized Jamison in the reports and quickly realized the identity of Jamison’s mysterious new wife.

Since the two of them had already made their marriage public in the group, their secret was out, and Dale wasted no time sharing the explosive news with the others.

Once the truth was out, no one gossiped or speculated–they all just felt a wave of sympathy for Ivy.

When word got around that Ivy was out of the hospital and recovering well, the group decided to visit Neo Haven together. It was a perfect excuse to finally meet face to face and check in on the legendary Mrs. Smith, who’d survived against all odds.

Ivy had seen their plans unfolding in the group chat and tried to wave them off at first, insisting it wasn’t necessary.

But their enthusiasm was relentless, and in the end, the long-awaited meetup finally happened that weekend.

Jamison was supposed to be working, but he’d arranged for someone to cover his shift so he could join them and make a proper introduction.

“We should cover all the expenses for this gathering,” Ivy said that evening, glancing over at her husband as she typed in the group chat. “They’re coming all this way. Travel and hotel aren’t cheap.”

Jamison nodded. “Of course. I already asked Boyd to take care of everything.”

Ivy put down her phone, snuggled up on Jamison’s arm, and suddenly asked, “How did you even think to join that group in the first place? It’s so not like you–you’re not exactly chatty online. And back then, you were living abroad. Your schedule was nothing like ours.”