MasukFifteen 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 main hall had grown crowded, classical music weaving softly through the air, mingling with the clink of glasses. Guests in elegant gowns and tailored suits filled the space, their voices a blend of business talk and polished small talk.“Ivy.”The warm call of her name made her turn. Madam Sohyu
The car finally turned onto a wide avenue lined with luxury vehicles. From a distance, Ivy could already see the blaze of lights, a sure sign the grand event had begun.Her throat tightened, nerves curling back into her chest. But Josh’s hand never wavered in hers—steady, unyielding.“We’re here,” J
After hours of staring at the names and faces in the file Dylan had sent, Ivy could finally recall some of them with relative ease. Her nerves were still rattled, but at least a hint of confidence had started to form.She was just adjusting her gown when the apartment door opened. Josh stepped insid
On the other side of the city, in a hidden lounge on the top floor of a luxury restaurant, raucous laughter erupted around a round table. Cigar smoke curled thick in the air, mingling with the scent of freshly grilled meat.“See that?” one man in a gray shirt slapped the table, his voice booming. “N







