Mag-log inFifteen minutes later, the kitchen was filled with the rich scent of butter and Grace’s excited giggles. Ivy poured the batter carefully while Grace stood on a chair, clutching a spatula far too big for her tiny hands.“Slowly, sweetheart,” Ivy said patiently. “If you rush, it’ll get messy.”Josh st
Ivy clicked her tongue and playfully smacked his arm. “That’s because you were the one who dragged me into that ridiculous plan to take back my house from Rico.”“And you agreed to it,” Josh shot back.“Because I thought you were just some crazy guy looking for entertainment,” Ivy said honestly.Jos
Ivy, who had been busy tossing salad at the dining table, could only laugh. “You two are like kids fighting over Grace’s attention.”Natasha chuckled softly. “She’s right, Ivy. At home, whenever Nathan sees a cute toy, the first thing he says isn’t about me—it’s always, ‘Grace would love this.’”Nat
FOUR YEARS LATER“Grace! Don’t run in the hallway!”Ivy’s voice echoed through the living room, which was now a battlefield of toys, stuffed animals, and a sticky spill of apple juice on the glass table.The little girl with golden-brown hair looked back for half a second before bursting into laught
Josh leaned back on the living room sofa, his gaze fixed on Alena, who was cradling the tiny baby in her arms with the gentlest smile he had ever seen. Grace looked utterly peaceful, occasionally letting out a small yawn and stretching like a kitten in her grandmother’s embrace.“Mom, it’s been almo
The first few days after Ivy came home from the hospital felt like the beginning of an entirely new chapter in their lives.The once-quiet house was now a world of baby cries, Ivy’s soft lullabies, and Josh’s panicked voice every time their little girl so much as twitched.“Josh, please… it’s only t
Until..."Josh," she called, realizing the streets they were driving through didn’t lead to the apartment. "Where are we going?""Somewhere we can breathe easier."***The night air was crisp, brushing against Ivy’s skin when Josh opened the convertible roof. He’d handed her his blazer before doing
Ivy winced as the antiseptic stung her skin. Josh’s hand was steady but firm as he dabbed the wound. Ever since they’d left the ballroom, he hadn’t said a single word. His expression had turned cold—so cold, it sent a shiver down her spine.She’d only known him for a short while, but at that time, I
Ivy stopped, but she didn’t turn around. Her breath caught for a second, but she held it in with her chin lifted and her back straight. A few guests near the edge of the ballroom began to turn in their direction. The soft strains of string instruments still played in the distance, but the air around
“Did she just turn into a dog?” Ivy muttered inwardly, eyes narrowing as she caught Clara trailing behind her like some awkward little shadow. As if Ivy were someone worth following.Yeah, right. Ivy knew better. Clara wasn’t the type to follow anyone without a purpose.Not that it mattered—at least







