Jeremy was called to meet Charles while waiting for Ivy. He could not reject otherwise it might only stir more problems. However, he did not expect it to be a bait lured by Charles. On the way to Charles’ bar in Landsfield, another gang ambushed him, Real and Chiang.

It was suspected that Charles provoked the other party on purpose by informing police to raid them and they were seeking revenge in return. The trio escaped narrowly, saved by paparazzi reporters who began to record the fight which caused the other party’s gang to retreat.

Jeremy tried to hide his injuries when he headed home. He was lucky that Daisy was taking a shower and Ivy was still at Manes.

Charles was already not happy with the press release Ivy had just announced at the charity performance yet the news of the fight accidentally caught on by paparazzi erupted his temper even more.

Jeremy got frustrated at Charles when he called Jeremy to warn him to do something to keep his niece under control. Jeremy knew he needed to endure since it was his decision to play both sides and it was essential to keep Ivy under his protection even more in such a situation.

After getting Real’s message on their sudden departure to meet Charles in Landsfield, Ivy felt uneasy that she too drove back to Landsfield. On the way back, she glanced at Marcel’s reminder that it was her mother's birthday end of the week.

Mummy, time to see you again… Sigh, how have you been? I’m so busy and so tired.

I just want to rest in your hug Mummy… Ivy thought to herself while driving and was half worrying her uneasy feelings were bad signs that something bad was going to happen.

True enough when Ivy walked quietly upstairs and sneaked into Jeremy’s room, she noticed he was limping while getting up from his bed to the washroom.

“What happened?!” Ivy gasped which startled him as he fell to the ground.

“When did you come in? No… When did come home? Aren't you supposed to be in Manes?” He asked while raising both hands in the air as she inspected his bruises and knew he was fighting earlier.

“What did Charles do to you this time? What demands is he punishing you for?” Ivy gave him a stern glare.

“It’s…” He was too furious to explain as part of him was still angry with her for not listening to him to stash cash at Charles to fulfill his demands.

Ivy knew she would not be able to get him talking just yet and she did not want Daisy to worry so she went to boil hard-boiled eggs and ointment from downstairs before rushing back up to his room.

He was still furious that when she attempted to unbutton his shirt while he protested, she did not give him a chance to retaliate. He instantly regretted sparring with her lately.

At the speed she was working at, it stunned him for a long while, trying to register her actions.

She saw two bruises, one on his shoulder and another on his stomach as she gently rubbed it with an egg in a cloth. There were a few mild scratches here and there and knew he was not hurt so bad.

“Why are you pretending to be nice? After all, you have done. Didn't I tell you to give him what he wanted? Stuff him with money.” He cursed out in gritted teeth in pain.

“Looks like you taught them a good lesson. Not many heavy bruises.” Ivy complimented as he scoffed.

“Thanks to some paparazzi and now made the news again. Adding more oil to Charles’ flaring temper.” He cursed in agitation.

“What’s wrong with that? If you’re outnumbered, you run. You use your brain to fight, Jere. If we have so much money and give it away freely, then are we just slaves to the whole world? So having this in the news will only keep you safe in the eye of the public. Watch how I’m going to use this news to my advantage tomorrow.” She gently knocked his head as he folded his arms in agitation.

“Stop creating more trouble!” He scolded in return.

“I had my reasons. And I just didn't want Mum to worry. And you were lucky that the paparazzi were following always. Else who knows what Mum will do tomorrow? Probably put you on house arrest.” Ivy said solemnly.

He knew the one who cared for him the most was still Daisy.

Daisy had heard Ivy’s hasty footsteps after showering and was surprised to find Jeremy was home too. She could never watch them both in the same room alone in peace as she went and knocked on Jeremy’s door startling the couple. Jeremy quickly got dressed to cover up his bruises properly as Daisy opened the room’s door when they hid the ointment under the blanket.

“What are you two doing at home? I thought you both would stay a long while there in Manes?” Daisy asked suspiciously.

“Erm… It’s my mummy’s birthday this weekend. So, we decided to head home earlier.” Ivy did not have a choice but to come up with an excuse which coincide to be the truth for once. Daisy was taken aback a little but the smell of the ointment did not escape her nostrils as she noticed the eggs Ivy was holding with a cloth.

“Are you injured, Jeremy?” Daisy asked which sent the couple to panic again.

“No, no, I am not. It's just her being hungry and I lost a bet having to eat the eggs with her.” He quickly made up an excuse as Ivy chuckled and nodded to play along.

Daisy was not convinced but she trusted Ivy would take good care of him if he was injured.

“Alright, sleep early after that. In your OWN room.” She emphasised the last sentence before leaving the room.

“Close call!” Ivy whispered under her breath as he made him sit back.

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“That's enough. You should sleep too. You haven't been sleeping well the past few nights. I will handle this myself.” He sternly instructed but knowing Ivy, she never listened and resorted to using ointment as she pushed him to bed.

It made him even more surprised at her ruthless self that night. She stuffed a towel in his mouth before rubbing his bruises, sending him screaming for his life, muffled by the towel.

“Quieten a little now else mum will come back.” She reminded him as she secretly laughed, having a good time giving him a hard time.

After she had enough fun, he caught her in his arms and scooped her up onto his lap.

“Is this how you thank your life savior?” She teased while putting the eggs aside as he sighed.

“Vivi, I'm doing my best to protect you. So, whatever it is you're planning, you have my full support but please be careful.” He told her as she kissed him, smitten at the new nickname he gave her.

“Vivi?” She raised an eyebrow as he chuckled. “Jere?” He retorted which sent them laughing together.

“Tell me… are you still afraid of the accident?” Her eyes darkened at his question.

She tried to loosen his arms but he did not barge as he kept his gaze fixated on her weary self.

“You know it’s fine to be vulnerable with me. I will never take advantage of you.” He assured her as she bravely nodded.

“Hence, the occasional nightmares or rather sleep paralysis and your little paracosm?” He questioned. “It was… actually… since young… probably triggered… when… my biological mother… tried to throw me off the balcony…” She replied half stuttering as he gently rubbed her back to calm her.

“That's where it helps you to find refuge isn't it?” He asked as she nodded.

“When was the last time you dreamt of them?” He asked as she tried to recall but realised it had been a while.

“Rather long ago when Phoenix exploded with me to escape the tower of reflection leaving Avinha with my poison Ivies. I wonder if he made it too…” She pouted as he raised her chin to face him.

“There's good and bad to this…” He told her as she smiled.

“You're my refuge now that’s why they stopped maybe…” She leaned onto his chest but pouted as she recalled that was the only place left she got to see Jason.

“Second question.” She sat up straight facing him trying to stay composed but he caught her pout earlier.

“You miss being there in your own little world?” He coaxed.

“It’s the only place I could see my grandma, Jason, and your grandma as though they were real…” She confessed as he kissed her forehead to comfort her.

“You’re afraid of losing Nick?” She nodded almost instantly at his easy obvious question without denying it.

“You knew what happened as I explained before. We promised each other when he was suicidal at his breakup with Nancy back then that we would not ever take our life as long as we both are still standing in this world. So, if it meant I had to go instead of him, I would gladly take his place in death…” Ivy's eyes reddened a little as Jeremy hugged her.

“I would never let that happen. Let me instead take that place.” Ivy shook her head at his statement.

“No, no one deserves it. No one deserves such death. Perhaps other than my uncle but a slow and painful process suits him better…” Ivy stared into the space intensely as Jeremy quickly pulled her gaze back to meet his.

“Third question.” He prompted her to distract her.

“Kyle.” Ivy’s breath shook a little at his name. “...is your greatest fear?” He asked as she took a deep shaky breath before nodding.

“I…” She shut her eyes tightly and forced the sight of Kyle landing upon her away as she struggled to explain to Jeremy.

“I understand. I do. I know what happened… This… I could help you with provided you’re willing to work with me.” Jeremy said as Ivy looked at him skeptically.

“How exactly are we going to deal with Kyle?” She questioned trying to understand his plans.

“Not with him but you...” He said which added more confusion to her.

“Meet me here or I will arrange a safe place every night and I will help you overcome that fear of yours against Jeremy till you can overcome it.” He whispered to her right ear seductively.

She was not sure of his plans but she knew she had to trust him as she nodded wearily in agreement to the man she was learning to love.

That weekend, Ivy went to visit Permisla on her birthday with Marcel along with Permisla’s favorite mung bean cake. Ivy recalled her grandma telling her back then when they were poor, mung bean cake was all her mother could manage to make and afford for Ivy's first birthday. Ivy had seen from the pictures her father kept that she longed to be able to taste Permisla’s cooking again.

“Mummy, happy birthday…” Ivy said as she knelt by the side of Permisla’s wheelchair watching her mother enjoying the mung bean cake.

“Do you remember you used to make this for my birthday?” Ivy let a tear slip down her cheek, not expecting an answer as usual but the sight of her enjoying them was enough.

Instead, her mother held her hand asking for more. “More… More... It's delicious.” Ivy smiled as her eyes reddened and gave her the last piece.

“I promise to bring more next time, mummy.” She said hoping to be able to reach out to her mother's sanity just even for a second.

Lucky for Ivy, Permisla began to gently lift her hand and patted Ivy’s head as she gave Ivy the last bite. It came as a surprise to Ivy as she embraced Permisla, feeling Permisla’s motherly love resonating with her.

“Mummy…” Ivy called out when she regained control of her emotions as she finally took the bite from Permisla’s hand.

Ivy blinked away her tears to have a better sight of Permisla but it was too late. Permisla had gone back into her own world again.

An old nurse known as Nurse Khoo who stood by them, gently patted Ivy’s shoulder as Ivy sobbed quietly. “It’s an improvement…” Nurse Khoo said gently as Ivy nodded in agreement.

“She always had that little doll by her side and called out to her daughter “Yee Yee, I will protect you…” I think she remembers you, Ms. Ophal.” Nurse Khoo comforted as Ivy smiled, tightening her grip on Permisla's hand.

Her brief moment with Permisla was cut short when the doctor attending to Permisla’s case walked into the room with Marcel, asking to speak with her outside. Ivy reluctantly left Permisla to herself with Nurse Khoo.

“Ms. Ophal, your mother had a history of drug abuse and hence the effects were coming back on her one by one.” Doctor Kang explained as Ivy frowned.

“Despite looking strong, her organs were failing her one by one. Now that she only had one functioning kidney, her bowel is beginning to be affected. Her condition is worsening as there were cancerous cells detected in her liver.” Doctor Kang explained as Ivy felt very overwhelmed by the sudden news.

“Is there… Is there… anything we can do? Chemo? Operation?” Ivy prompted anxiously at Doctor Kang while Marcel was calmly trying to find a solution in mind next to Ivy.

Doctor Kang shook his head to Ivy’s disappointment. “I’m sorry but it’s on the last stage. Her days are numbered.”

With that news, Ivy shut her eyes in agony as she tried to shake away her waves of emotion.

“How… How long does she have?” Ivy forced herself to ask with her shaky breath.

“A month. Spend more time with her.” Doctor Kang comforted before he walked away.

That news came like sharp swords piercing into her.

Strangely, she was reminded of the swords she pulled out from her paracosm which she was still searching for the seventh and she could feel the pangs of being pierced by the six swords repeatedly.

Was this how Avinha felt when I destroyed the tower? If it was I might as well just die… Ivy thought to herself as she leaned onto the wall behind her, still struggling to digest the news.