With Ivy knowing that Ray was going to leave again after a short weekend, she went on a short stroll with him by the garden that evening.

“It seems you really fulfill your promise sis?” Ray teased as he held on to Daisy’s leash.

“I was worried honestly on the day you came back that I might not be able to fulfill it. All thanks to Daddy.” Ivy smiled as she breathed in the fresh air.

“Oh yes, keep this a secret from Ryu. I want to tease him when he is back. That naughty boy is finally having some love luck. So, when is yours?” Ivy teased as Ray chuckled.

“Don’t push it. I have a huge responsibility and that’s to take care of you and the family. That’s enough of problems.” Ray whined as Ivy scoffed.

“Why did you not sign up for college? You’re missing out on a lot. I know you’re overlooking the business there while Marcel is guarding Jeremy but never neglect your studies, Ray. It’s essential especially if you want to be in power.” Ivy nagged as Ray pulled her close to him.

“Speaking of that, why don’t you sign up for second-year college? If you sign up with that spectacular results in law I bet you will ace it. Then I will consider signing up in business here.” Ray counteroffer as Ivy chortled.

“You ought to be kidding… With the situation now there’s even more reason for me to be here taking business faculty.” Ivy stopped to take a seat on the bench overlooking a pretty sunset.

“You know the deal too. I would personally think it’s best you stick with law faculty and it’s what you do best.” Ray insisted as Ivy leaned on his shoulder.

“Everyone tells me so but not the situation Ray. I listen but I also observe and assess. None of the courses are in my way. I need to meet Nick tomorrow but before that, I will greet my little brother properly first before I head down to Manes and stay with you alright?” Ivy asked as Ray was caught by surprise.

“Oh, Phyllis told you?” Ivy nodded. “I nearly forgot about him. Is he well?” Ivy asked as Ray shook his head.

“Don’t worry I will help you out. Let’s solve him first and he will help you with Rahi’s consulting. Then, I can focus on Ophal’s side. Besides, I need to meet with Auntie Daisy soon. I am sure she is having a hard time.” Ivy said as she looked out over the horizon while Ray nodded in agreement.

“That little brother of yours should have a proper place to study and not use the gazebo here. It would only make people suspect they are doing some indecent acts.” Ivy said as Ray burst out laughing.

“Alright, will let Dad know about that,” Ray said as Ivy eased into his hug.

“The sunset is so pretty today… I wonder how many chances will we get to enjoy such sight after this?” Ivy mumbled as Ray chuckled.

“If you would like, I will send you the pics of sunset daily although if it rains.” Ray offered as Ivy smiled.

“That would be awesome!” Ivy squirmed as she hugged Ray while recalling the sunset she once watched with Jason on the plane and she sputter nonsense with him.

“Ray, what if the sun rises from the east and sets on the west? Would you like it?” Ivy asked as Ray laughed.

“Then that’s the day I will eat desserts for a meal!” Ivy laughed along with Ray as she felt a sense of gratefulness in her.

That night, Ryu returned and Ivy was packing to head to Manes. While she was recovering, her brothers had always come to keep her company and update her about work and the businesses but never once mentioned Nick. After a long time in denial and on and off breaking down, her mind was finally calm enough to think through the entire event and Nick’s condition was finally taking up her attention.

She decided to walk over to Ryu’s room knowing he should be home but there wasn’t anyone there. She then went to check on Peter who was soundly asleep downstairs before she finds Ryu sitting by the balcony with Daisy, reading a book.

“Hello, stranger?” Ivy greeted which startled Ryu for a moment. When he finally realise it was Ivy who spoke, he was overjoyed.

“Ivy!” Ryu threw his book onto the couch before running towards Ivy and pulling her in for a hug as he broke down and cried.

Ivy then felt how blessed she was to have a family Jason had left for her. It was a motivation for her to strive on and live as she returned Ryu’s hug and rubbed his back.

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She rested her head on his chest. “You’re so tall… I still envy that…” She teased as Ryu laughed and cried at the same time when he let her go from his embrace.

“I’m so glad you're fine.. everyone will definitely be…” Ryu said as Ivy nodded and gave him a sad smile before patting his head.

“All thanks to what happened to Daddy. Now stop crying would you, big boy? You will wake him up who is still in need of rest.” Ivy gave him some tissues to wipe his face.

“So, tell me what is going on with Melody?” Ivy teased as Ryu snarled at her while wiping his face. “Nothing.”

“Start studying at home with her and not the gazebo. Have a proper place. Is that how bad you treat your guest? Do you want the neighbours to think differently about you both?” Ivy nagged as Ryu nodded while they both couldn’t help but giggled.

“Initially we studied at her family’s restaurant but ever since we invested in the business and it became so crowded, so the gazebo was a temporary measure…” Ryu explained.

“Wait a minute. We? Who?” Ivy questioned. “Me and Ray. In fact, Cassie too. Jin and Ray also are shareholders of Grandma’s chili noodles shop with Auntie Soh.” Ryu explained as Ivy raised an eyebrow.

“Let me be one of the shareholders too in both,” Ivy said as Ryu scratched his head.

“Hmm… You don’t have to anymore…” Ryu said awkwardly.

“Spill the beans now, boy, or else…” Ivy warned him as she got into the act of trying to tickle him.

“Alright, alright!” Ryu giggled as he began to explain the entire situation to Ivy about the unsolicited loans under Jeremy’s illicit acts and how Jin figured it out.

“Looks like you’re all doing well after all.” Ivy praised as Ryu shook his head.

“Not at all. It was miserable without you Ivyyyy…” Ryu whined comically as Ivy chuckled.

“Would you tell me what happen to Nick?” Ivy finally gathered some bravery to ask.

“Nick…” Ryu sighed and looked at the ground.

“He was equally shocked like you and had been secluding himself ever since the accident. He was after all the only eyewitness that was conscious and the entire horrendous accident must have traumatised him too much that I heard he had fallen into depression…” Ryu explained slowly as Ivy blinked with her tears falling onto Ryu’s arm. Ryu quickly wiped away her tears.

“So Ray and Marcel took turns to take care of him?” Ivy questioned as Ryu nodded.

“Is he still in Manes? In the same address?” Ivy asked with a shaky voice as Ryu nodded. More tears rolled down her cheeks.

“He can’t stand being outside or in the crowd for long. Besides, he is an orphan. No one could look after him. And apparently being at grandma’s house was conducive for him at the glass house doing gardening. But he still will hide in his house if he wasn’t forced by Ray or Marcel out. They both had to keep an eye on him…” Ryu explained solemnly as Ivy wiped away her tears.

She could understand what it felt like to lose someone you love so dearly once but she couldn’t imagine how it was to be entirely alone in this world. If it wasn’t because Jason’s greatest gift for her was finding her family, she could relate to what Nick was feeling as she scolded herself for wasting so much time when she should have reached out to Nick earlier and help him to move on too.

The guilt may have overwhelmed her but it made her tell herself to be stronger as Nick needed help more than herself. “I will go see him tomorrow. While I am away, look after Daddy would you with Jin?” Ivy said as Ryu nodded and hugged her.

“You’re their only hope to help Nick,” Ryu said. “I know. I will try my best.” Ivy assured as she messed up Ryu’s hair and they both continue to enjoy teasing each other full of laughter.

The next morning, Ivy went to see Peter before she left. At first, Peter refused to let her go after all she had just recovered but he could see she will be strong. He knew Nick and Ivy both needed closure as well.

“If you have any trouble, just let Ray know alright? We would always be here to support you, Ai Lee…” Peter said to Ivy.

Ivy gave her dad a big hug. “Thank you, Daddy… You know I need to do this… He needs it too…I promise I will help out from there and come back to help you fight Jeremy. While I am away, promise me you will recover and get back to the company. With your presence, at least it would delay and suppress his plans. I will try to meet with Auntie Daisy and sort out things.” Peter gently rubbed her back hoping his daughter could stay stronger this time after what she had been through.

“It would be tough Ai Lee. When it gets too tough, always remember you have all of us.” Peter said as Ivy nodded and smiled.

She turned around to pat Daisy and carried her up. “Now, while I am away, please take good care of Daddy alright? Thank you for accompanying me all this time.” Ivy said to Daisy who was trying to lick her face as she squealed trying to avoid it. Peter watched with delight as he gently combed Ivy’s hair.

Ivy was already looking forward to visiting Nick the first thing she landed on Manes. Along the way, she recalled the times she first set down in Landsfield for a weekend part-time job with Jason and all the times they flew together for such jobs. She chortled at her naive self back then but she was glad that she met Jason who turned her naive self into a strong character she is made of today.

“It’s been a long time hasn’t it, Manes…” Ivy asked as she walked out of the arrival gate and let herself be embraced into Ray’s sturdy arms.

“Ray!” Ivy called out to him. “Hello, Princess! Welcome home!” Ray greeted happily.

Marcel who stood by the side was proud of Ivy and touched to finally see her recovering. She was even taking a flight by herself.

“Aww, you’re still so strong… These muscles haven’t sagged have there?” Ivy joked as Ray laughed and messed her hair up. Behind, she saw Marcel who was standing quietly while watching both siblings.

Ivy gave him a sad smile with glistening eyes as she walked over and hugged him too.

“It’s been a while Marcel. Have you been well?” Ivy asked after a brief embrace.

“Hello, Ms. Director.” He greeted as Ivy smiled.

“Still the same old Marcel I know…” Ivy said as she stood in the middle of both men.

“Welcome back, Ivy.” Marcel smiled as Ivy nodded. “Thank you.” She said as she hooked her arms at one of each men’s arms while walking over to the car.

“Let’s go see Nick first?” Ivy requested the moment they got in the car as Marcel who was driving nodded noticing her urgency.