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
“Ugh, how long was I out?” Ivy mumbled, her voice husky from sleep as she squinted against the light creeping into the room.And then—she turned her head. A large, warm arm was still wrapped around her, holding her close.“Is he some kind of hibernating bear?” she murmured with a small laugh.Carefu
Because the space between them was shrinking. Each small step closing it further.Ivy took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. The room was quiet—not awkward, but real. So real it made her nervous. No declarations. No love confessions. Just two people slowly letting their walls down.Jos
“You sure this is the place?” Josh asked, a bit skeptical, though he still followed as Ivy walked ahead with undeniable excitement.He glanced around—the alley was narrow, lined with plastic stools in bright colors. Red and yellow lanterns hung low overhead, and the air was thick with the scent of f
"Are you... sad?" Josh asked cautiously.Ever since Ivy had gotten into the car, she hadn’t said a word. He’d assumed today would go just like the others—he’d drop by her workplace, hang around while she said her goodbyes, then... go home.Or maybe they'd end the evening at one of his favorite bars.







