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
The evening sky over Incheon was painted in soft shades of pale orange as the plane carrying Ivy and Josh landed. The gentle spring air greeted them with a faint scent of the sea drifting in from afar.Josh laced his fingers through Ivy’s as they stepped out of the terminal. “Feels like we’ve been g
Morning light slipped through the sheer curtains of their hotel room in Heidelberg. Ivy stirred beneath the sheets, her eyes half-open. Josh was already awake, lounging against the pillows with a teasing smile that instantly made her suspicious.“What?” she mumbled sleepily.Josh grinned. “Nothing.
On the way back, Ivy leaned against Josh’s shoulder. “I feel… lucky, Josh. Your family is so warm, so big, so full of love. I can understand now why everyone wants to protect that.”Josh brushed a gentle hand over her hair. “I just want you to know, Ivy, no matter what anyone says, I’ll never pressu
On the plane, Ivy sat by the window while Josh fussed with the blanket across her lap. “Try to sleep if you’re tired,” he murmured. “It’s a long flight.”Ivy turned to him, her eyes bright with excitement. “I don’t want to sleep. I want to enjoy every second of this. Can you believe we’re actually







