"Forget it. There's nothing left for us to say. Call me if you want, or don't. I'm hanging up." As soon as Ivy finished, she ended the call without hesitation.

If she'd known this call would be so nauseating, she wouldn't have picked up in the first place.

"How did Micah turn out like this? He actually thinks you still love him? That you're just jealous and sulking? Has the Shepherd family gone bankrupt and can't afford a mirror? He really should take a good look at himself," Katrina scoffed, having overheard the conversation.

Ivy shook her head with a mocking smile, not even bothering to reply.

She understood Micah's mindset, unfortunately. That jerk probably thought he was God's gift and that, once she came back, she'd start clinging to him again—especially after finding out about him and Emma. He'd just assume she'd be heartbroken, furious, and unwilling to let go.

He'd cast himself in that role so thoroughly that he imagined her every action was proof she still loved him—so any coldness, any distance, was just jealousy or pettiness.

God, Ivy sighed inwardly. How could she have been so blind? What did she ever see in him?

Her phone buzzed with a new message. She glanced down.

Micah had sent over a phone number, along with a text: Ivy, my uncle said you’re pretty seriously hurt and could use someone to look after you. Even if you don’t want to come back to the Windsor family, at least let me know where you are.

Ivy snorted, shaking her head. The man was still lost in his own little drama, completely immune to reality.

Emma must be blind, too—falling for a guy like that and even having his child.

Ivy didn't bother to reply. She copied Jamison's number, deleted Micah's message, and promptly blocked his number.

The thought that Jamison knew where she was but hadn't breathed a word about it made her feel oddly conflicted.

For someone so cold and detached, he actually respected her privacy. That, at least, deserved some gratitude.

Chapter 94

Still, the idea of calling him first was a little mortifying. What if he didn't appreciate it? What if he just mocked her?

"Why are you spacing out? Did Micah send you Dr. Ludwig's number or not? Hurry up and call!" Katrina prodded, seeing Ivy staring at her phone.

Ivy snapped out of it, took a deep breath, and dialed.

The phone rang several times. Her resolve began to waver, and she was about to hang up when finally, someone answered.

"Hello." The cool, low voice was unmistakable. It was Jamison.

Ivy's heart skipped a beat. She stumbled over her words. "Hi, um… this is Ivy."

On the other end, Jamison was busy at the hospital. He was clearly surprised; his brow furrowed.

He paused, then asked, "How did you get my personal number?"

"I asked Micah for it."

"What do you need?"

"Oh, it's nothing, really… I just wanted to thank you for the other night. I was barely conscious at the time—I didn't get a chance to say it properly. So… I wanted to thank you, specifically."

"Heh." Jamison's laugh was sharp and dry. "Well, isn't that something. Miss Ivy, being so polite and well-mannered."

Ivy's grip tightened on her phone, her expression strained, but she reminded herself this was just who he was—not worth taking personally.

"I don't like owing people. If someone does me a favor, the least I can do is say thank you," she replied politely.

"No need. You paid for the cab that night, and you already thanked me."

Mentioning the three hundred dollars for cab fare, Jamison felt once again that Ivy had an uncanny knack for making things sound insulting.

"Those are separate things," Ivy said calmly. "I paid for the ride, yes, but you helped me upstairs and tended to my wounds. As Professor Ludwig said, that's not something just anyone gets. I didn't pay a dime for it, so I owe you. It's only right to thank you."