Both of their stories were identical, like someone had just copied and pasted the details.
Even Ivy couldnโt dismiss it as mere coincidence anymore; a ripple of unease tugged at her thoughts.
Jamison had, in fact, just gotten off a callโfrom Micah.
After Emma was rushed to the hospital, the doctors determined there was no way to save the baby. For the sake of her own health, they recommended an immediate procedure.
But Emma was inconsolable. She clung to the doctor, sobbing, begging them to do somethingโanythingโto save the pregnancy.
Micah didnโt want to lose the baby either, so he called Jamison, desperate for help. โPlease, find the best OB-GYN you know. We have to save this baby!โ
Jamisonโs patience wore thin. โIf the doctors say itโs over, what are you fighting for? You want to risk her life now?โ
โWe have to at least try,โ Micah pleaded, his voice raw. โThatโs a life weโre talking about!โ
โA fetus that never drew breath isnโt a life,โ Jamison replied, coldly rational.
Micah was stunned, his voice turning sharp with accusation. โHow can you say something so heartless? Iโm your nephew! Thatโs my childโweโre family!โ
Guilt-tripping never worked on Jamison. โIf you wonโt listen, stop calling me. If youโre so capable, go save her yourself.โ
He hung up, but it wasnโt long before his phone lit up againโthis time, his sister Carla, and then his nearly eighty-year-old mother, both urging him to get to the hospital.
He could ignore his nephew, but he couldnโt ignore his aging mother.
So he dropped a quick message in the group chat: Somethingโs come up at the hospital, I have to go. You all carry onโIโm logging off for now.
Reading that, Ivy frowned. Doctors really had it rough, always on call.
Then again, not every doctor was so self-sacrificing.
Take Jamison, for instance. The day sheโd been in that car accident, heโd already clocked out early, which was how he happened to spot her outside the hospital and give her a ride.
For the wealthy, work was just a way to pass the timeโa hobby, almost. Nothing like the grind that most people faced, working endless hours and never truly off the clock.
After ending his call, Jamison drove straight to the hospital. He hadnโt even stepped into the emergency wing before Emmaโs hysterical cries echoed down the hall.
He resisted the urge to turn and leave, but Rosetta spotted him and hurried over, grabbing his arm.
โDr. Ludwig, thank goodness youโre here. Please, you have to helpโMicahโs child needs saving,โ she said, making it clear whose side she was on.
Jamison didnโt like being touched. He gently but firmly removed her hand, his expression unreadable. โIโm sorry, but Iโm not an obstetrician. Thereโs nothing I can do.โ
Micah hurried over, and Jamison motioned him aside, his tone stern and commanding. โCome with me.โ
Seeing Jamisonโs serious look, Micah didnโt dare dawdle and quickly followed.
Once outside the emergency wing, Micah tried to sound hopeful. โDid you find someone better? Another specialist?โ
Jamison turned to face him, lips pressed in a thin line, irritation barely contained. โI spoke with the doctor handling the case on my way here. They already did an ultrasoundโthe pregnancy is over. Thereโs nothing to save. In fact, the bleeding isnโt stopping. If they donโt operate now, Emmaโs at risk for serious hemorrhaging.โ
His words were calm, almost detachedโbrutally logical.
Micah paled, panic flickering across his face. โSoโฆ so thatโs it? Weโre just going to lose the baby?โ
The only reason Jamison bothered to show up was to put an end to their spectacle before it caused a scene. He had no intention of hunting down miracle doctors for a lost cause.
Once heโd made things clear, he turned to leave for his own department.
But Micah grabbed his arm. โPlease, can you talk to Emma? She wonโt listen to me.โ
Jamisonโs patience wore thin, his words tinged with scorn. โSheโs your partner. If she doesnโt listen to you, why should she listen to me?โ
โPlease-โ
Before they could argue further, a nurse burst out from the ER doors. โItโs getting worse! The patientโs bleeding is out of controlโshe needs surgery right away!โ
โWhat?โ Micah spun to Jamison, lost. โWhat do we do?โ
Jamison was fed up. He turned to the nurse, voice crisp with authority. โPrep for surgery immediately. Get the family to sign the consent forms. If they wonโt cooperate, send them to another hospital.โ
โYes, Professor Ludwig.โ Even if he didnโt run the ER, Jamison was a senior executive and a major stakeholder. His word was law.
Knowing his nephew was hopelessly indecisive, Jamison called his sister directly, laying out the risks in plain terms.
Carla wasted no time calling her son. โThe babyโs goneโthereโs nothing left to save! Get the surgery done at once. If Emma drags this out and something happens, youโll be the one to blame!โ
That snapped Micah out of it, and he hurried inside to talk to Emma.
But Emma couldnโt let go.
That baby was her trump cardโher ticket to a future of luxury and security.
She erupted, grabbing whatever she could get her hands on and hurling it at Micah. โI know you donโt love me! You never wanted to marry meโyouโre just waiting for the baby to be gone so youโre off the hook! You still want Ivy, donโt you? Micah, you bastard!โ
The ER descended into chaos, with Emmaโs tantrum leaving Micah flustered and the room a disaster.
Hearing the commotion from outside, Jamison immediately ordered security to have them removedโor transferred to another hospital if they refused to cooperate.