LOGINFifteen 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
Two days before their departure, Ivy and Josh had dinner with Alena at the family house. Alena looked relieved to see them both finally excited about the trip.“I’m so glad you two decided to use those tickets,” Alena said, ladling soup into their bowls.Ivy smiled politely. “Thank you so much, Ma’a
That night, after a simple dinner, Ivy and Josh sat together in the living room. A white envelope containing their honeymoon tickets lay on the coffee table.Josh leaned back, eyes flicking toward it. “So… we’re really going to Germany?”Ivy stared at the tickets, her fingers brushing the edge as if
An employee arrived carrying a tray of steaming tea. Ivy poured it into two delicate cups, then gently slid one toward Alena.“Try this, Mother. Chamomile blossom tea—it’s calming,” Ivy said with a soft smile.Alena took a sip, her eyes lighting up. “This is wonderful. You really have a gift, Ivy. E
As the afternoon sun dipped lower, they walked along the wooden pier stretching out to sea. The sky glowed in shades of gold and soft orange, and Ivy held Josh’s hand tightly.“Josh,” she said quietly, her voice almost carried away by the breeze. “Thank you for spending today with me. I know how bus







