Ivy forced herself to regain her composure as she knew it was not the time to appear weak although it was her biological mother. She calmly called Ryu whose contact was on her emergency contact list.

“Whose idea was this to hide from me my mother’s death? Where is the wake? I want to go…” She instructed but Ryu did not dare to reply over his phone's loudspeaker.

“Now!” Ivy snapped as Jeremy entered the room again before slowly making his way to her who was struggling not to sob facing the window.

Jeremy pulled her tensed-up body into his embrace. “Hey… It’s alright to cry. It’s all over now Vivi… Cry all you want. It’s your mother after all… I didn’t think it was safe to let you go to the wake.” He tried to comfort her but she struggled not to give in.

“No, it’s not over yet... We still have the engagement… Judging by the looks of it, Kyle has not known I’m alive?” Ivy questioned as Jeremy nodded while the rest peeked from the half-opened door.

“Let’s get my mother buried first before we proceed with the engagement while he is still not aware of my whereabouts.” She insisted as Jeremy sighed heavily and nodded knowing once again she was neglecting her emotions.

He hugged her tightly knowing she was putting on a strong will to not worry her siblings. Fortunately, the wake was just in the next building. Ivy went over to pay her last respects and sat numbly by the body of Permisla till night came. She was ensuring she remembered her mother’s face for good as she feared she would have forgotten her looks in short term time like she almost did with Jason.

Mummy, I didn’t mean to introduce my boyfriend this way. I haven’t shown you Ray yet and here you are, gone. Did you know about my little paracosm for you to come visit me earlier? Ivy wiped her tears away trying to stay calm.

Thank you for the delicious meal. Your mung bean cake will always be my favorite. Mummy, I know you’re fine and in a better place. I know you love me too. If destiny permits, I would love to be your little girl again but this time, let me pamper you with all the goodness in the world. Ivy forced herself not to tear up as Ryu came over to her with some news.

“Ivy… Dad will come tomorrow but you cannot be here again cause Kyle’s minions have found you. You’re being watched… Jeremy’s back in his ward.” Ryu discreetly told her while holding her in his arms to comfort her.

She could only hum in acknowledgment. “I’m sorry sis…” Ryu tried comforting her before she forced herself to stand and lifelessly walked back to her ward.

Mummy, I will always love you. Thank you for being there during my early days. I will look after the family well especially Daddy. Send my love to Grandma alright? She said in her heart on the way back to her hospital’s room followed by a long silence to her unanswered question.

That was when she noticed the individuals in disguise as she approached her ward. When she entered the room, she harshly drew the curtains of Jeremy’s and hers before slamming the door shut which was a sign to Kyle’s minions that she was agitated with them.

She left a small gap for Jeremy to peep at her as she smiled gently at his worried gaze after drawing the curtains at the window panel.

She mouthed to Jeremy. “I know. Don't worry.” She put a finger across her lips as they stared at each other and smiled.

He mouthed “I love you” to her which sent her grinning while he urged her to sleep as she closed her eyes, hoping for a peaceful night's sleep.

Though she did so, Jeremy was worried of Ivy’s mental health that he texted Ray knowing he was half an hour away from the new children’s home refuge place, to return briefly to the hospital and bring back ups to distract Kyle’s minions. As for Kyle’s minions, they were very cautious to not be caught as they continued to watch the room from a distance.

Jeremy went to accompany Ivy at her bedside when she began to fidget in her sleep after awhile. She could vividly recall the scenes of the bombing to the crash inside the bomb shelter. The one she feared the most was running along the tunnel led by little Jonathan. She finally gave in and woke from her nightmares when she turned back to see a rush of fire chasing towards her and Jeremy who was carrying Joseph in his arms.

Jeremy held onto her tightly as he had gotten used to her waking up that way. She clung to him tightly as though unleashing her fear of losing him. “Joseph… Jon…” She mumbled their names in his embrace while catching her heavy breaths.

“They are fine Vivi. They are with Hazel. It’s all a dream. We are fine. Look.” She broke apart from his embrace as she kept her breathing under control while calming down.

She smiled when their gaze met.

“How could you smile from a nightmare?” He asked gently while touching her nose.

“The thought of the kiss… Nursing the boys and you…” She paused as she felt the burn on her cheeks.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“Looks like someone is prepared to be their mother?” He teased her as she shook her head.

“I don’t think so. It’s not the time yet.” She met with his gaze as he gently combed her hair understandingly.

“I know… That’s why I left them with Hazel whom they had been comfortable with all this while. You could take all the time you need to know them.” He comforted her.

She stopped him from combing his hair, knowing he meant this arrangement was final while he served his jail term eventually. “What would we be without you?”

His eyes reddened. “I don't deserve you.”

“Neither do I. Or did any of those you made into collateral damage. We make mistakes. We own up to them. I promise I will keep them safe with Ray and Hazel. We will wait for you even if it takes eternity. So, please don’t give up on yourself.” She pleaded with him as he wiped away her tears and kissed her lightly.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t introduce you properly to my mother and…” Ivy could not help but tear up in his arms as he hugged her tightly.

“It’s alright Vivi… I’m sure she knows her daughter is always in good hands.” Jeremy tried coaxing her as she apologised to him profusely while sobbing.

At that point, Ray stepped in which triggered Ivy to be alert not knowing who it was but the moment she saw him with open arms after he drew open the curtain, she threw herself to him and cried like a baby in his arms.

Ray knew she was still his sister from the core as he lifted her and coaxed her to calm down. Ray had to cradle her to soothe her as Jeremy gladly watched them reunite properly.

Ray was trying to see her face but she refused to open her eyes as he knew her habit of keeping a pool of tears in her eyes to hide them. There were so many questions crossing her mind but all she did was struggle to fight her overwhelming relief, sadness, and concerns.

“Ivy… It's fine. Let me see you. The face and the eyes I have missed, Ivy. Don't you want to see me too?” Ray coaxed as Jeremy gently combed her hair, knowing she was worried about Kyle’s minions and her struggles.

“It's fine. He is fine. It's safe too. He had also distracted Charles’ minions away earlier.” Ivy opened her eyes slowly at Jeremy’s coaxing which was easing her worries. A blurry apparition of Ray whom he missed dearly slowly materialise in front of her before more tears pooled on her eyes.

“Hello, Baby Ivy…” Ray greeted which made her hit his chest lightly at his tease while helping her to wipe her tears away.

Jeremy felt a pang of guilt in him as he repeatedly apologies in his heart to Ivy for causing so much hurt to her previously.

“I miss you… It's alright. It's alright… I'm here… I'm sorry I didn't reach out to you about the whole plan. It's all an act and still an act to counter Charles. And I’m sorry about Auntie…” Ivy noticed there was no longer an uncle being addressed in Charles and upon hearing him addressing her mother, she was brought to tears again.

Ivy kept crying ignoring his coaxing as she was tired of controlling her emotions, especially being away from the family and forcing herself the whole day to not be bothered by her mother’s death. It felt as though she was fighting a tough deadly war all this while.

Ray quit joking and held her closely in his big strong arms. As her cries grew intense, both men's eyes reddened. It only convinced Jeremy more that he was right to trust Ray from the very beginning.

As Jeremy covered her with a small blanket and gave Ray a box of tissues by the side table, Ivy began to quiet down in Ray’s arms. She forced herself to push away all her emotions knowing Ray’s time was limited.

“I have a plan but it will mean…” Ray gently rubs her back for her to take her time and continue.

She turned to look at Jeremy. “You will need to serve your sentence in…” She tears up again as she choked on her words which sent Jeremy to his knees and let her lean on his shoulder to comfort her.

“Vivi, listen… Isn't this your aim? Isn't this all along what you had promised my mother?” He asked but Ivy shook her head as she cried again.

“No, not like that…” She whispered in tears.

“I shouldn’t have let you go this far if I knew you were such a cry baby…” Jeremy teased but Ivy ignored him as she held onto his neck tightly. He could feel how much longing she had for him.

“You just made me a promise earlier that you would wait for me… Don't go turning your back on me, traitor…” He teased gently as she smiled in her sobs.

Ray finally understood how they both could end up together. Jeremy was a very patient and supportive partner as compared to Jason who was always wanting the best for Ivy. Ray felt a little at ease of her sister’s future relationship and at least he would have an idea to convince Peter by then.

“I will graduate and be your lawyer to lessen the years. I will shamelessly declare I can't wait to be officially married to you. So you must behave and do your best to learn more skills there especially woodwork and construction related. You’re crafty.” She instructed in her authoritative voice while making the corner of Jeremy’s lips curve upwards and could not help but chuckle.

“Ivy…” Ray held her as she was still sitting on his lap. “You sounded like you’re selling yourself to him now… Don’t ever let Dad hear you! But… Are you serious?” Ray questioned half laughing.

She raised an eyebrow at Jeremy before cracking a smile by throwing the question at him.

“Yes, I will obey your command. But Vivi, could you repeat what you said again?” Jeremy teased as she blushed.

“No!” She vented as she folded her arms while Jeremy tried to coax.

“Just the first part, please…Marry who?” He questioned playfully which sent everyone giggling.

“Marry someone else…” She replied playfully in an angry tone.

“Oh, then am I allowed to write to other women…” He teased again as Ray chuckled.

“Only to Mum. If you dare to write to other girls, I will put in more years for you.” She warned him with a threatening tone as she snarled at him.

He stole a kiss from her which made her blink and blush in front of Ray. “I love you, Vivi. Thank you…” He gently rubbed her moist cheeks.

Ivy pretended to sulk but the two men knew she had already made her statement as her eyes looked in a far distance solemnly thinking of the plans she had in mind, hoping they really worked out.

“As a matter of fact, I’m proceeding with the fake engagement. I have a plan…” She declared and sent both men becoming nervous at every passing second.

“Tell us first before you act.” Ray sternly said as Ivy unfolded her plans with them both that night.