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
That night, Ivy decided to cook. She prepared roasted chicken with a simple sauce while Josh wandered around the kitchen, getting in her way every few seconds.“Why are you chopping the onions so small? I like them bigger, so they actually have some bite.” He stole a piece of raw carrot from the cou
“Medium-rare steak. I need something strong today.”They both laughed softly. After ordering, Ivy looked at her sister-in-law with a warmth that reached her eyes. “Natasha, thank you. You know, for a while I felt like I was facing all this pressure alone. But now… now I feel like I have an ally.”Na
Nathan let out a long breath before turning to his brother. “Josh, I know you’ve always protected Ivy—and that’s exactly what you should keep doing. Don’t let the family’s pressure destroy your marriage. I’ve learned that the hard way. Natasha and I are proof that a relationship can crack under too
The room was quiet, the only sound the slow, steady rhythm of Josh’s breathing as he slept beside her. Ivy lay on her side, watching his face in the dim light. There was gentleness there, love, and safety. Yet her earlier words to Alena echoed in her chest, tightening it.She whispered softly, almos







