ログインFifteen 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
Josh wasn’t there.And while part of her felt something was missing, she couldn’t deny that the silence, the solitude... had its own kind of peace.Until the doorbell rang.Ivy groaned, pushing back her chair and heading for the door.“Oh, come on, Danny,” she grumbled, already knowing exactly who i
“You’re completely insane,” Ivy muttered, covering her face, still not believing Josh had done what she suspected.“Do you mind?” Josh groaned softly. “God, I feel like driving straight back to your apartment.”“Don’t you dare do anything that reckless, Josh!” Ivy warned sharply.“Then do what you’v
There was a pause. “I just want to make sure you’re safe.”“I can take care of myself.”“I know. But let me do my part anyway.”Josh’s voice had shifted—less teasing now, deeper, more sincere. It wasn’t his usual commanding tone. It made the Ivy’s guard slip just a little. She closed her eyes and to
“Are you back at the apartment?”Ivy couldn’t say anything in return—she simply let out a long, exhausted sigh. Today had been far too draining already, and Josh wasn’t making it any easier with his relentless need to talk on the phone. That stubborn man insisted she call him immediately, while Ivy







