Jeremy could not help but count his blessings that it was only an accident this time. Occasionally at traffic lights, he would help to wipe Ivy’s face and hold her hand to comfort her as she gradually calmed down.

By the time they reached Mane’s hospital parking lot, Ivy was staring at the brightening dawn in her seat.

It’s going to be fine, Ivy. It was just an accident. It will be alright, Ivy. Ivy thought to herself, trying to take a deep breath while shutting her eyes thigh to believe herself.

Jeremy watched her struggles before pulling her in for a kiss to distract her.

“She said it was an accident. You should head in with a smile and give him a good scolding.” He coaxed her and that made her smile a little before she burrowed her face into his neck and reminded herself that it was all fine.

“Thank you. Come with me?” She urged as he shook his head.

She frowned. “It’s not exactly appropriate.” He said as she sighed.

“Just come with me. I need to start explaining myself about us to them. I need you…” She pleaded with him cause she knew if she was to go alone, she was afraid she would break down again.

Back then there were Ray and Marcel but today, she could only rely on Jeremy. It took him a while to agree.

Ivy dared herself to think of all the negative possibilities that did not happen cause she knew it was the only time she could when there was a refuge by her side on the way to the emergency ward. She thought she was doing well till a rush of medical officers pushed an accident victim past them. Ivy felt the instant pangs of the accident memories like a huge slap on her cheeks as she held onto Jeremy’s hand tightly till he could feel her nails poking at his palm.

Jeremy held her by the side and gently rubbed her back as he could feel her fast heartbeat on his chest till the officers were quite a distance. It was comforting for Ivy but most importantly, assuring her of him being by her side constantly. He began to understand ways she was enduring the fears she had been toying with all along and it ached his heart to learn she was all alone. The waves of emotions made her shut her eyes forcing herself to surrender by earnestly building back the walls of refuge as she trembled in his arms, struggling to keep her composure.

“We can come back later…” He whispered gently as she met his gaze moments later gratefully.

“I’m alright.” She forced a smile as she continued to lead him down to the ward number given by Phyllis over her text message to Ivy.

“Phyllis…” Ivy hugged Phyllis at the sight of her waiting in front of Nick’s ward.

“I’m sorry. I should have helped him up to his house with him being drunk and all…” Phyllis started apologising. Ivy felt strange about them drinking together and wondered if there was something between them but she decided to put that aside first.

“That’s alright. It’s an accident. Is he awake?” Phyllis who was still a little shaken, nodded at her question.

“Let’s see him?” Ivy urged as they both stepped inside leaving Jeremy standing by the doorway. Nick was stirring awake when he saw the sight of Ivy and thought it was a dream.

“Am I dreaming? How could you be here Ivy?” Nick half laughed and grimaced at his fractured arm.

Ivy thought she would be able to make it strong but the sight of his frail self kept reminding her of the past, made her tighten the grip on her palm till she felt it hurt. She held herself from looking at the door’s direction knowing it would only worry Jeremy.

“Didn’t you say you would take good care of yourself? Didn’t you promise you won’t die before me?” Ivy scolded as she forcefully blinked away her welling tears.

“I’m sorry... I really... It was a mistake… An accident. I just drank too much and lost my footing. Don’t scold someone who just woke up from a groggy sleep?” Nick pleaded jokingly as Ivy folded her arms and looked away while he shook her.

“Then tell me who is going to replace you? You’re irreplaceable after Jason you know that?” Ivy pretended to put pressure on him.

“I… I still can work. I just had a fractured arm that’s all.” Nick retaliated as Ivy raised an eyebrow, judging him thinking that she would fall for it as he shrugged.

It made Ivy furious that she smacked his wrapped arm. “Ouch, but I deserved it I know!” Nick yelped as Ivy gritted her teeth.

“How did you come so fast? Shouldn’t you be resting?” Nick questioned as everyone followed Ivy’s gentle gaze to the main door. Nick smiled a little at Jeremy who nodded in acknowledgement.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Long story. We are here for work.” Ivy put her hands on her waist as she met with Jeremy’s comforting gaze when her mind wandered back to the phase two launch and the adjacent shop lot construction.

Before anyone could say anything further, they heard a loud dash from outside yelling at Nick’s name. Ivy could instantly recognise it was Ryu’s.

“What’s he doing here? Who told him? How did he know?” Ivy began her naggy self while walking towards the door right when Ryu appeared behind Jeremy who let him past into the room.

Ryu was still catching his breath when he saw Ivy in the room and turned around, surprised to find Jeremy standing with his hands folded and leaning against the wall.

“What’s he doing here?” Ryu frowned as he pointed at Jeremy.

“Why, you’re welcome is all I can say.” Jeremy teased Ryu as Ryu squinted his eyes at him.

“Same question I am asking you…” Ivy walked towards her brother who had forgotten he had just seen Ivy in the room.

“What are you doing here?” Ivy snarled at him. “At the break of dawn?” She took one step forward and Ryu knew her anger was flaring.

“Aren’t you supposed to get ready for school?” She took another step towards him as he stepped backward.

“Who told you? How did you know?” At every question, Ivy took a step forward pushing Ryu closer to the couch behind him as the other trio in the room could not help but smile at the siblings' feud.

“Hold it! Hold it! I can explain. Ughhh just let me breathe first!” Ryu demanded as he quickly took several deep breaths which turned out to be comical that even Ivy could not hold her smile.

“So?” She demanded her answers as she folded her arms in front of him with a stern face.

“Marcel changed his condo’s emergency contact to me since I’m living here…” The moment Ivy heard that she moved in closer to Ryu.

“And you slept like a pig. If this was worse, what’s the point of putting you as the emergency contact?” Ivy pointed at Ryu.

“Ivy… It’s fine. It’s over. Stop blaming the poor boy. Didn’t you want him to stay out of it too?” Nick helped to save Ryu as Ivy squinted her eyes at Ryu who was finally sitting but her finger never lost him but followed the direction of where Ryu was.

“Only if you change the emergency contact back to Marcel or me,” Ivy demanded Ryu as he nodded in surrender. Noting Ivy’s anger had subsided, Ryu stood to hug Ivy instantly before she could turn away.

“I will, I promise. Just don’t get too mad… The cringe on your forehead makes you ugly…” He joked nonchalantly which made Nick laugh too.

Ivy stood still for a moment, wavered by the rush of Ryu’s emotions.

Ivy, embrace him. Can’t you feel how much he misses you… And the family? This poor boy... Ivy sighed at the thought of it before embracing her little brother.

“Don’t laugh! I’m not done with you!” Ivy pointed in Nick’s direction while letting Ryu tighten his arms around her.

“I miss you,” Ryu whispered sadly as he shut his eyes to absorb the moment.

“I will be here for a while for work.” She announced in a way to comfort him. Ryu smiled before jumping in joy with her in a circle which immediately lifted the mood in the room by the sound of their giggles.

It was then that Jeremy realised the reason Jason hesitated so much with their relationship. Ivy deserved a great life with her family. He had never seen her this happy before. At least, he can be assured that she would still be this happy when he needed to serve his jail time, surrounded by her family eventually. A part of him envied her as his thoughts flew to Daisy and John as well as his sons, wondering if he would ever feel the warmth of a family.

When they walked out to the hall that morning, the organiser of a charity event in the hospital recognised Ivy and Ryu instantly as the Ophals had been making headlines too often on the news lately.

“Hello, Ophals. Could you spare us a few moments to make an offer?” The tall slim lady asked as Jeremy instinctively stood by Ivy’s side and held her hand for fear the siblings were being harassed but Ryu nodded skeptically sensing she was harmless.

“I’m Pasya. The organiser of Manes’ hospital charity event. We are looking for manpower or anything to help support the event. So…” Before Pasya could continue, Ivy raised her hand.

“We can donate,” Ivy said politely while still letting Jeremy hold her hand. She discreetly rubbed the top of his hand with her thumb to keep him from being too hostile.

Pasya shook her head. “We would like to invite Ms. Ophal and maybe your band to perform for us instead. It would be simple songs since it’s for children mainly. We have heard of your performance lately at the cultural event launch. But, we understand you might be packed…” Pasya was once again interrupted by Ivy who had an idea popping up in mind.

“I see… Sure. We will prepare a couple of old folklore to sing along with the crowd. When is the event?” Ivy agreed as Pasya was very delighted.

“In two days. Would that be too short of a notice?” Pasya asked concerned while Ryu met Ivy’s gaze. They both had a tacit answer to her question.

“We could even perform now. Impromptu.” Ryu joked as Ivy smiled before Pasya thanked them and let them both walk with Jeremy to the main entrance.

“Strange of you to agree to such an event?” Ryu questioned as Ivy took a good look at her brother and decided he was too gullible to know about her tricks yet.

“It’s a game…” Ivy replied and Jeremy could not help but smirked by the side at the confirmation of his thoughts of her actions. Ryu raised an eyebrow trying to calculate in mind her plans but could not make out anything.

“Don’t worry about it. Let me know what songs we are playing. I will practice them.” She waved her hands at Ryu as Jeremy trailed her from behind.

“I was thinking…” Ryu said while they were leaving which made Jeremy and Ivy turn around.

“We might need a pianist and Jin is having an exam week. So…” Ryu turned his gaze to Jeremy as Ivy raised an eyebrow and smiled.

“Alright, done deal. I will practice with him. Send the notes.” Ivy said nonchalantly leaving Jeremy stunned at the lightning-speed change of events while trailing her from behind.

Ryu smiled watching the couple walk off. A part of him was happy to see Ivy managed to live well but he was still weary of Jeremy’s intentions.

You play your games of controlling the company while I play my games in keeping you safe, sister! Ryu thought to himself knowing keeping Jeremy who was still the family’s enemy closer would do less harm to Ivy.