Ivy met with the doctor while Ching Long kept Sandra accompanied by Andrew after his operation. The doctor had informed her that Andrew had stomach ulcers, which would take some time to heal. He needed more delicate care during his recovery. Ivy walked back to his ward to find him alone. He had urged Sandra to have a proper meal, and Ching Long was there to ensure it.

  “Look at who has come! Hey hey…” Andrew tried to sound like his usual cheery self though he was caught off guard. Ivy sat by his bedside with a sad smile.

  “Stomach ulcer really? What have you two been up to? Why are both of your lifestyles so chaotic? Have you thought of when you both need to settle down? Are you still going to keep up with this chaotic lifestyle?” Ivy questioned as Andrew instantly turned solemn.

  “You have changed so much, Andrew… You used to be the one who took care of us always… Without fail. What had happened to that Andrew? You knew about your condition, didn’t you? Yet you neglected yourself? How am I going to entrust her to you if you are not in a good condition?!” Ivy snapped angrily as Andrew sighed and forced his tears away.

  “Tell me… Why are you so all out for money? Can’t I help? Who am I to you both? Will I ever abandon you all? Even if I am busy I will… “ He interrupted Ivy instantly.

  “I was saving for our wedding. Our marriage… I want to propose to her. We aren’t as privileged as you are. My family has no inheritance whatsoever. So I thought even if I can’t give her a better life at the very least I could give her a lavish wedding at my own expense…” Andrew’s eyes reddened as he swallowed the guilty lump in his throat.

  Ivy looked up to stop her tears from flowing cause everything he said made a lot of sense.

  “Have you even discussed this with her before? Is that really what she wanted? Do you know how bad your situation is now? Andrew, sacrificing health to earn money is a fool’s idea! Look at how much more you need to spend to boost your health back! Is it worth it?” Ivy vented as Andrew laughed mockingly at himself.

  “I have always been the fool in the group anyway… Look now, I am so useless to even fulfill this dream for the one I love… How am I to give her a bright future? I should probably just call it off once and for all.” Andrew mocked himself and at this point, Sandra had been standing outside eavesdropping on their conversation broke down.

  “Ivy… Do me a favor and tell her it was appendix. I don’t want to worry her. She has enough worries with her results that it frustrates her for not being able to get to the hospital she wanted to train with…” Andrew concluded as Ivy finally realised she had missed out on a lot about their life.

  “Would you be fine if I can get an offer for you to practice with Phyllis? For both of you in fact but I felt, you would be more suitable to counsel at the orphanage as it would be less hectic for you while you recover. It will keep a balance of lifestyle for you both?” Ivy suggested as Andrew held her hands and pouted.

  “Thank you very much for your thorough consideration as always Ivy… I wouldn’t know what to do without you…” Andrew sincerely thanked her as she smiled while glaring at him playfully.

  “Marry her with the lavish wedding you can afford when the time comes…” Ivy requested as Andrew laughed but had to control cause his abdomen was in pain.

  “Stop making me laugh so much!” He scolded as Ivy laughed with him, grateful for him to be all well.

  40th week of 2nd year

  Jere, I am a little jealous. I cannot deny it when I saw Sandra and Andrew walking down the aisle today that I wished you were here. Just months ago, he was selling his soul off to the devil to give her a lavish wedding but today, they both tie the knot in the simplest ceremony ever.

  If it weren’t for me, not even a wedding reception was held. It was just among the close family members and friends but I made it a point to try and make it lavish for them in their own unique ways.

  We borrowed the entire neighborhood and Grandma’s house was where the bride and groom had prepared their makeups and attires. She walked the entire stairs down the neighborhood where a small reception was held. Uncle Ghee and Auntie Soh were so happy and blessed.

  Cassie sponsored all their beauty products and attires while Melody sponsored their photos and videos. Logistics none other than Ray. And interestingly, the chef was Hazel and Auntie Soh. While I secretly chipped in all these, the sibling band was up performing earlier with some love songs. I wished you were there to sing that song we sang but instead, Ryu took your place and we sang the original arrangement, leaving the arrangement we sang together when you proposed, special for ourselves.

  I have heard of plans in progress for Ray and Hazel to shift to Manes to help out with Auntie Soh in Grandma’s business. I gave my blessings despite Hazel was not an Ophal cause she had talent. If I don’t grab this chance, I am sure Grandma’s recipe will perish with time. Sometimes, learning to let go wasn’t a weakness but a strong comeback to a crisis. It was just how right was the judgment then.

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  Having said so, it’s another year going by. Ryu was going to graduate and focus on his basketball career, so it was great timing for Ray to have some privacy with Hazel in grandma’s house. Besides, the boys are much older now and need less care. They only stayed with the couple on weekends. On weekdays it was either me, Cassie or Mum taking turns to send and pick them up from school and taking care of their welfare. Dad has been extremely busy with new launches of real estate as usual and so is your Dad with his business affairs.

  These days my paracosm had been very peaceful. It was always the same scene with me at my grandma’s iris plains surrounded by my dogs with Jason. Occasionally, I do see your grandma too accompanying both my mother and stepmother with tea and cookies. I guess they are at ease, aren’t they?

  It will soon be the third year Jere… there are some things I still fear. Most of those who did lighter crimes would be released but how many would let the past be in the past?

  Much later even more will be released, what about you? Don’t tell me you want to serve the entire seven years up… Just don’t. I can’t accept it. It’s not your fault in the first place!

  Over the next few days, Ivy was rushing up on her assignments for two courses since the festive season was once again around the corner. This time, she did not avoid the annual dinner but was looking forward to it as it felt like it was the only time Peter was his old self before her rebellious self upset him.

  However, she could not uphold that promise till the end. She only attended briefly in the beginning and left cause at the welfare home, there was a passing of the oldest granny. She was suffering from dementia and his grandson was still in jail. He was once working under Real and Chiang closely as they too had come to attend the wake.

  Each time someone passes, whether old or young, it hits Ivy sorely cause they were all those whom she was indebted to. She pledged to give them a good life and she knew their deaths were out of her control but she wished they could have stayed longer a little to enjoy her offerings. The worst that hit her was when the one who passed on was alone and had no other family members who were free to be able to prepare their wake or funeral. She would always apply for their loved ones in jail to attend the funeral and it was up to them to accept or reject.

  She sat by the funeral parlor entrance quietly listening to the thunder which was preparing the sky for a downpour. She was reminded of her solitary whom she had spoken to very often and normally on the same weather. It seemed no matter how much she finds ways to avoid solitary, she finds herself heading back to it somehow at some point in life.

  I can’t avoid you, can I? I am much calmer than the very first death I handled I know. I know that’s not my loved ones but after all that I have seen and been through, sometimes I think solitary isn’t so bad after all. You keep me at peace and with that I can only go further to do more for others who are in need.

  She sighed as the first drops of drizzles fell from the sky as though agreeing with her.

  20 days before 3rd year -

  Today, Nick fulfilled his promise to me and materialise the statues you designed for phase two of Manes’ old town. Here’s a picture of me launching them today for you.

  I have grown haven’t I? Sigh, I wish I could still be young and energetic. However, with the festive seasons and the launch, I have been very exhausted from interviews, talk shows, and dinners. I had to burn the midnight oil as I did in my first year of college to finish up both courses of assignments. Thank goodness I still aced my law results and Dad had no control over it! Which meant I am heading into the final year at ease!

  I felt like I was soaring when we received an award for the designs and you know who I really wanted to give it to? You. If it wasn’t because of your designs, Rahi’s consulting wouldn’t even be recognised with such prestige. However, I passed it on to Nick cause it was really all his work this entire time while I took a hiatus from meddling with office businesses.

  Mr. Chang who was the person in charge of the town council was extremely delighted with the progress that I was offered to join the council but I offered it to Nick. The entire old town of Manes under Rahi’s and Ophal’s merged consulting company is purely a remembrance of Jason’s effort.

  I guess, that’s a first great step for me to start unlinking myself with their businesses and prepare for the step down eventually. I am just waiting for you to decide when it will be.

  Merry Christmas Jere.

  Ivy was still upset over the death of the old granny that this Christmas she spent it solemnly and silently mourning for her. She did not want to worry Jeremy about her condition so she avoided writing about it to him. However, her family could see how she had slowly transformed into a quieter and calmer person over the years.

  Peter felt bad for Ivy so he decided to give her a break that night. When she wanted to drag herself to the balcony and stare out in a daze, she heard a soft gentle wavering voice.

  “Do you…” His sudden voice startled her as she did not notice him in a hidden corner of the living room. “... want to play a set of chess with me?” Peter continued as Ivy was taken aback by the request. She smiled a little to herself and could feel he missed her.

  She walked over with no expression and sat in front of him as they quietly made their first few moves. It reminded her of the Christmas she wanted to confess to Jason but instead, she rejected him cause she promised Peter she would resolve her relationship with Jason back then and not let it interfere with the business merger.

  He noticed her playing style was still as stealthy as before but she was indeed much more mature now. He knew his daughter had grown as he poured her some tea and she sipped it quietly.

  He noticed she had not said a word yet since she sat. He frowned when he noticed she still had the skills to checkmate him except quietly.

  “Am I that strict now that you don’t even want to talk to me like we did long ago?” Peter asked gently as Ivy sighed meeting his gaze for the first time in a long while.