After saying her brief goodbyes to Andrew and Sandra, Ivy stood inside the glasshouse and enjoyed the sight of the plants reminiscing of the past when she was still recuperating from Jason’s death and how all these plants had saved Nick from suicidal depression.

A gentle knock at the door made her frown turn into a huge grin as Nick stepped in and hugged her tightly. “Oh… you’re crushing me and I can’t breathe now!” Ivy complained comically in his arms as he chuckled and messed up her hair.

“How could you joke at this time? Even my tears were scared away…” Nick joked as Ivy giggled.

“Hello stranger…” She greeted him as he passed her a small pot of mimosa he brought with him.

“Mimosa? Why?” She asked reminded of the times flowers were used in her therapy with Phyllis.

“It was from here… Phyllis said your therapy was heavily influenced by flowers… So, this… was my lucky charm and I think you need it more than me now.” He explained as Ivy raised an eyebrow but noticed a few minions outside roaming.

“Ray did take good care of the plants here after I left… Ryu isn’t that bad I guess…” Nick chuckled while holding on to a yellow leaf of a plant to distract Ivy.

“Mimosa are shy plants bearing cute flowers when they bloom…” Ivy said randomly to distract herself from the sight knowing that he too noticed them.

“Just like you. When a stranger approached, the one thing that stood strong was still its flower. And its’ flower resembles your courage.” Nick highly praised her as she forced herself not to tear up.

“I’m happy for you… Very…” She said sincerely, nearly choking at her words while he was holding onto her shoulders and searching into her gaze.

Nick knew she meant his relationship with Phyllis as he messed up her hair. “Same to you too. This is a celebration of us successfully walking out from the hurtful past and growing strong with our loved ones now.”

Ivy smiled as Nick held her hand and discreetly passed her a note. She hid her hand in her pocket after that knowing he had already completed his mission for the visit.

“I have to go…” Nick said and she knew it was her cue to leave too.

“I will walk you…” Ivy was interrupted.

“No, don’t. Go say your goodbyes and do what you have to.” Nick said solemnly as Ivy grew solemn and rushed off to tell Auntie Soh she was leaving only to return to the car she drove there, alone. She opened up the paper she had from Nick.

Your investment needs you there. Come and have a meal.

Ivy squinted her eyes and thought about her recent investment other than Ophal and Rahi’s business, it was only Auntie Soh’s business but she just had a meal with her. She tried to crack her brain for clues when a glimpse of the new roofing reminded her of the old scary bear head stuck at the roof. It also reminded her of how she volunteered to invest in Melody’s family business.

She instantly started the engine of the car and drove over to the restaurant in Landsfield. On the way, her mind wondered the reason she was suddenly called up to Melody’s family restaurant.

Hmm… Maybe it’s time to head back to the boutique’s basement… She thought to herself.

But that’s also where Dad is… Why would they want me there? It would only bring danger. She sighed as the thought of her mother crossed her mind.

Mum… Maybe I should visit her too before I leave tonight with Kyle. Ivy texted Nick telling him she was on her way.

Drive safe. He replied.

Come along with my brothers. I want to visit my mother. Ivy replied as Nick quickly replied to her with an agreement while he made the arrangements.

It was her first time visiting Melody’s family restaurant but Melody’s mother, Mrs. Jenny had already recognised her instantly and specifically led her to sit in a hidden corner. Ivy was then handed a puzzle.

“Try out our contest. Who knows you could win our local delicacy?” Mrs. Jenny said as Ivy felt strange but nodded meekly and took a look.

The puzzle read:

Question 1: Who is usually the breadwinner of a family?

She answered “Dad” in the crossword which has three boxes.

Question 2: What do you prepare before a funeral?

She found the question to be very strange but since the crossword could fit four letters she wrote “wake”.

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She thought she completed the crossword puzzle but found the answers were sinisterly written vertically downwards. At the far top left was written “time” and at the end of the puzzle wrote “a.m.”.

She matched up all the answers and instantly got the clue that her father was awake. With a bittersweet feeling, she handed the paper to the cashier and Mrs. Jenny congratulated her with a plate of mung bean pastry.

“Jin knew you very well that you could solve his puzzle. Here, enjoy…” Mrs. Jenny smiled. “Come back again at eleven.” She said as Ivy finally made sense of the time clue. She teared up while eating her mung bean cake as Mrs. Jenny gently patted her back and discreetly thanked her.

“Why?” Ivy asked, a little confused as Mrs. Jenny smiled. “For helping to protect my business and my little princess with your brother.” Mrs. Jenny said as Ivy smiled.

“I promise I will make sure he takes good care of her.” Ivy pledged as Mrs. Jenny nodded.

With that, the front doorbell rang and Mrs. Jenny knew it was the cue to lead Ivy out of the store just that it was a little early.

“Change of plans.” The person said to Mrs. Jenny who nodded meekly as Ivy could guess he was probably one of Uncle James’ minions. So she discreetly trailed him before being led to a mall and walked around to make the minions lose their tracking. When they were not alert of her being disguised after entering a boutique in the mall, the minion led Ivy to a secluded alley and she saw Nick’s car before quickly hopping in to find Jin, Cassandra, and Ryu on board.

“Welcome back princess!” Cassandra cheered as she hugged Ivy who chuckled.

“Dad…” Ivy said as Cassandra nodded happily. “Yes, he’s awake but first let’s go see your mother. We still have time” Ivy turned to meet with Nick’s gaze on the front mirror as he gave her a comforting smile.

“Thank you…” She mouthed it at the front mirror as Nick nodded.

Ivy recalled to herself the last time she was here, she had gotten the news of Permisla’s deteriorating health and now she was bedridden and frailer. Ivy forced herself not to tear up at the sight of Permisla who was still lost in her own world while her body slowly depleted away yet Ivy’s situation was not helping to let her spend more time with her mother.

“Mummy, look who I brought. My brothers and Nick, our family friend. This is Jin and his girlfriend, Cassandra. This is Ryu the youngest. There is another brother, Ray who is the eldest but he couldn't make it today cause of our family condition… He had to be at work.” Ivy explained and introduced as Permisla began to slowly keep her gaze on Ivy.

“Have you been well, mum?” Ivy asked while smiling.

“Where is your boyfriend?” Permisla asked as though she was sane. It took Ivy by surprise as she smiled.

“He is not here today. He is busy with work… I promise I will bring him to visit you with Ray next time alright?” Ivy coaxed as Permisla held out her hand to Nick. Nick held her hand as she placed it in Ivy's hand.

“Boyfriend… Yes… boyfriend…” Permisla repeated as she slowly caved back into her world.

Ivy teared up as she felt a lump in her throat while Nick gently caressed her hair. The brothers and Cassandra were equally sad. Cassandra could not help but teared up while Jin comforted her.

“Mummy, I need to head out for work… I won't be able to come see you for a while. I promise I will come when I finish my mission, alright?” Ivy forced herself to stay composed and tried to act naturally.

Her mother was falling asleep as Nick urged her to leave but somehow Ivy could not bring herself to move.

She then heard her mother mumbling in her sleep. She went closer to her. “Ai lee… I… love you…”

Ivy teared up even more as eventually, Nick had to carry Ivy out of the room and into the car.

In the car, Ivy poured out her agony in Ryu's arms while Nick drove after Jin and Cassandra spoke with the doctor that Permisla’s condition was at its worst. On the way to the basement, Ryu had a hard time trying to get Ivy to calm down.

“Ivy… We’re almost there. Do you need more time to calm down? You will worry Dad…” Ryu coaxed her to no avail before mumbling to himself the next line. “It’s a mistake to bring you there first.” Ivy heard him before snarling and beating him lightly.

Ryu yelped in pain and smacked Ivy lightly but it was so loud that Ivy began to smack Ryu harder. Jin rolled his eyes at the siblings’ fight again while Nick was parking near the boutique.

“Get out of the car if you’re both going to fight. Don’t fight here!” Jin yelled as the siblings stopped fighting and stormed out of the car.

Ryu was prepared to fight her, but she tickled him instead and they ended up laughing happily entering the boutique, leaving Jin in annoyance.

“Kids…” He mumbled to himself as Cassandra and Nick chuckled before following him to head down to the basement.

Though Ivy’s heavy heart was still aching from her mother’s visit, she knew she had to keep it away from her father who just got well. She forced herself to stay strong before she pushed open the door to the basement and saw an unfamiliar figure, Hazel. “Who are you?” Ivy questioned while blinking a few times trying to clear her surprise state.

“Oh, I forgot to inform… This is Hazel. Hmm, Ray’s…” Cassandra moved in closer to Ivy and whispered. “...Girlfriend…” Cassandra and Ivy shared a smile.

“She was saved from the police raid in one of the bars and came from the children's camp before this…” Cassandra explained as Ivy instantly wondered if Hazel knew about Jeremy’s children.

“Oh, I finally get to meet you…” Hazel said in tears before hugging Ivy.

“Hi, Hazel…” Ivy managed as she smiled when they broke away from the hug. “Hope you had a great stay…” Ivy continued as she was lost for words for a moment.

“Make sure you save the kids… There’s a bomb soon…” Ivy’s eyes grew deeper as though her secret was revealed. “You knew Jeremy’s…” Hazel nodded and tightened her grip on Ivy’s hands. Ivy nodded with conviction trying to assure Hazel and did not deny the fact to Jin that she knew. While Jin was left worried and weary of what was going on since Andrew and Sandra had not updated him yet, Ivy stepped into the basement and saw Peter was about to have his lunch with Uncle James.

“Ai Lee… My dear niece! You’re finally here! Oh, come hug your uncle!” James greeted her and rushed over for a hug while Ivy had not taken her sight off her father. In the end, she could not control her tears anymore as she ran to embrace Peter.

She knelt in front of him as she sobbed uncontrollably. Peter held Ivy’s head onto his lap as he gently patted her head.

“Daddy…” Ivy kept calling him as she sobbed uncontrollably. Ivy felt as though the walls that she had built to hide her vulnerable self in it crumbled down at the mercy of her father. All her promises to Jeremy were stripped away as she let herself daringly face her fears of losing her father. She even let all her suppressed sadness of losing her mother soon all out.