MasukFifteen 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
But beneath it all, one truth lingered: whatever secret they were nurturing had already become a ticking time bomb. And when it finally exploded, it wouldn’t just destroy them—it could shatter the fragile balance orbiting Josh and Ivy.***Sometime earlier, while Viona and Clara were still at the re
“Damn it!” Rico cursed, slamming his fist against the steering wheel. The car sped out of the park district, silence broken only by the steady hum of the engine. His hands gripped the wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white.“Why do you look like you’ve just seen a ghost?” Viona finally broke the
Rico stood stiffly, though he tried to maintain his composure. “Mr. Josh,” he greeted politely, dipping his head slightly. When he moved to acknowledge Ivy, however, she turned her face away. Yet that wasn’t what occupied Rico’s thoughts.It was the way Josh kept Ivy close, his hand resting possessi
“Would you mind if we spent some time in the park?” Josh asked, extending his hand to her, helping her out of the car.“Why would I mind?”The midday air felt cooler, softened by shade. Instead of heading straight to the boutique to pick up the dress he had ordered especially for her, Josh followed







