The Villainess Needs a Hug (Ivy Windsor) novel Chapter 850

Jamison looked at her, a little surprised.

“What, is there something you still need to take care of?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at his expression.

“No, it’s just… you’re taking this much faster than I expected,” Jamison said with a small smile, seeming to be in better spirits. He had hidden his illness precisely because he was afraid she would be devastated. It seemed his worries were for nothing. The woman he loved was, as always, extraordinary.

He knew she wasn't without anxiety or pain; she was just choosing to face the problem rationally instead of drowning in emotion.

Ivy gave a wry smile. *What choice do I have?* The night before last, she had tossed and turned for hours, a sleeplessness she hadn't experienced in a long time. Last night, she had woken in the middle of the night and been unable to fall back asleep. She knew she was overwhelmed with anxiety, but she had to hide it, to adjust, to avoid transferring that burden onto her husband.

“Would my denial make your cancer disappear? If it worked like that, I’d cry you a river,” Ivy retorted as they reached the elevator. She turned to face the tall, handsome man, her heart still aching, but her expression was composed.

“I’m going home to pack. Not just your things, but mine, too. For the next little while, the hospital is our second home,” she said with a determined smile, then tilted her chin at him. “You go take care of what you need to. Get your work handovers done today.”

Jamison knew it was a forced smile, but he didn’t call her out on it. He stepped forward and gently caressed her cheek. “Alright. Whatever you say.”

The elevator arrived. As the doors opened, Ivy waved goodbye and stepped inside. The moment the doors closed, cutting off her view of him, the stoic mask she had been wearing finally crumbled.

The lead physician’s words echoed in her mind. Just as Jamison had said, even if the treatment was successful, the chance of recurrence was high. They had to be optimistic and have faith, but they also had to be prepared for the worst. It was a delicate balance. It felt like being given a death sentence, but with an unknown execution date.

Even for someone as resilient as her, the thought made her stomach churn and her nose sting with unshed tears.

The elevator was crowded. She stood in silence, lost in her thoughts. When the doors opened and she stepped out of the building into the sunlight, she pulled herself together once more.

On the way home, Sophia called.

“Hey, Sophia…”

“Ivy, are you feeling better today?” Sophia had been worried sick after Ivy’s breakdown at dinner the night before.

Ivy felt a little embarrassed. “I’m fine,” she said with a laugh. “Sorry I scared you last night. I was just feeling a little emo. I felt much better after a good cry.”

That evening, Jamison came home from work on time. Ivy had her driver take her to the hospital to meet him, and from there, they went to his parents’ house together. He knew he wouldn't be able to visit for a while after being admitted, so he wanted to spend one last evening with them.

Thad and Davina were there with their children as well. The kids were confused about a weekday visit to their grandparents, but Halley was thrilled to see her favorite aunt and uncle and ran to greet them.

The senior Ludwigs were also surprised. Adela couldn’t help but tease, “What special occasion brings you all here today?”

Jamison replied with his usual sharp wit. “When we don’t come, you call us ungrateful. When we do come, you act like you want us gone.”

Adela shot her son a glare.

Jamison’s father, Danny Ludwig, frowned thoughtfully. “Is there really nothing going on?”

Thad stepped in to explain. “It’s nothing, Dad. Halley was begging to see her aunt and uncle. I asked Jamison if he was free tonight, and he said he could get off work early. I happened to have an easy day too, so we all decided to come for dinner.”