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
Josh closed his laptop after finishing the last of his reports. The apartment was quiet that night; Ivy had fallen asleep on the sofa, her head resting softly against the cushion, a blanket draped over her. A faint smile tugged at Josh’s lips as he took in the peaceful sight of her, finally at rest
***Clara slammed the door to her office shut, nearly ripping the handle off in her fury. Her heels struck the marble floor in sharp, angry beats, her face blotched with rage. Rico was already waiting inside, stiff and silent, his head bowed.“Did you see that?!” Clara shrieked, pointing straight at
The courtroom was packed that day, the air was heavier than usual. Kim Ivy sat in the witness chair, her fingers twisted tightly together. From the gallery, Josh’s gaze locked on her—steady, unwavering—as if he could silently his strength into her.The judge called the session to order, then granted
Josh sprawled across the apartment sofa, his tie already discarded, the sleeves of his shirt rolled to his elbows. He looked exhausted, but the moment Ivy stepped out of the kitchen with a steaming cup of tea, a faint smile tugged at his lips.“For you.” She set the cup on the table. “You look like







