Ian left the couple to themselves, giving them their moment of privacy. Though there were not many patients for him to check that day, he did not want to disturb the couple who seemed to be filled with passion. "It's best I knock on the door before I enter the ward next time." He mumbled, closing the door after him.

Ronnie was instructing the guards outside, and as soon as he saw Ian come out, he stopped talking, waiting for his orders, if any.

"Add one more instruction to the list." Seeing their confused gazes, Ian chuckled helplessly. "At any cost, I repeat, at any cost, don't enter the room without knocking. Or you might be presented with an adult movie, live."

The guards immediately understood what Dr. Davis was conveying, and they widened their eyes in disbelief. "But unlike me, who was lucky enough to leave the room unscathed, you might not make it out alive." Ian did not forget to add the possible threat and walked away, leaving a gaping Ronnie and his guards to continue to their job.

"Come here," Joshua reached out to Ivy as soon as Ian left the ward. At some point in time, Ivy had moved away from him during their conversation with Ian. Though Joshua had not liked the distance between, he had not reacted except for letting out a frown. But he could not control himself any longer once Ian was gone.

"Why? Do you need something?" Ivy queried, staring at him dubiously.

"Yes, you. I need you. Now, come here." He shifted slightly, making space for her, and patted the spot with a smile.

Ivy was not convinced. She sensed the man to be planning something, and by the looks of his face, she was certain that it was disadvantageous to her. Instead of taking a step towards the bed, she took a step away from him, making the man narrow his eyes. "No, I won't," Ivy replied defiantly. "I don't know what you will do to me."

"I will do nothing. darling. I just want to hold you closer to me. Now, please come here and don't make me wait any longer." Joshua almost pleaded, hiding his true intentions behind his innocent face.

"Is that the only thing you want to do?" Ivy was still skeptical but she decided to trust him this once, and as soon as the man nodded, she walked towards the bed.

"Please lie down beside me." Joshua patted, smiling lightly. If not for his injured shoulder, he would have pulled her to him at once and embraced her. Ivy did as she was told and quietly lied down beside him, making sure to stay away from him. However, even before she knew it, Joshua swiftly pulled her to him using his uninjured arm, and Ivy squeaked in surprise.

"Joshua, what are you doing?" Ivy tried to wriggle her way out of his grasp. But Joshua held her tight in his embrace, and Ivy could not use much force, courtesy to his injured shoulder.

"What am I doing?" He mumbled and hugged her, making sure to keep her away from his wounds.

"You are injured," Ivy stated.

"Yes. So, sweetheart, I recommend that you stop moving. Otherwise, you might open up my wounds." As soon as she heard Joshua's words, Ivy stilled. She did not want to see him hurt again, and if her surrendering to him stopped him from exerting pressure on his shoulder, she would do so.

Joshua's lips arched up on seeing Ivy not moving, and he kissed her neck. "Good girl." He muttered before he kissed the same spot again, eliciting a moan from the girl.

"Joshua, what are you doing? We are at the hospital." Ivy chided him even though she did not move away from him, allowing him to do as he pleased.

"So what? Nobody will disturb us. Don't worry." He replied before he sucked on the spot he had kissed before, and Ivy held his bicep to stop herself from trembling.

"But you are hurt." She whispered, losing her mind as her man assaulted her neck.

"You are doubting my strength, sweetheart. Now it is my duty to prove you wrong." Joshua was just about to kiss her lips when Ivy covered his mouth.

"Please, can we not do this now? You need rest, and how the hell are you not exhausted by now? You must be sleeping like a baby after being awake for long." She voiced out her concerns, and Joshua chuckled out loud hearing her words.

"I am awake because of you, dear. As soon as I saw you, I was revitalized. And to your request, I just wanted to kiss you. We will not be doing anything else here. Don't worry. This is not the place where I would want to do anything to you. No." Joshua shook his head, and Ivy blushed at his crude words. "My queen will always get the best treatment from me, especially in the matters. I will not do anything that makes you comfortable."

Now, Ivy was touched by his words. Though she saw the burning desire in his eyes, he had not done anything to her. Moreover, he respected her wishes and put her as his priority. This was enough for her to fall for him all the more.

"You are right." She gazed back at the man's questioning eyes. "I deserve to get the best, and that's why I got you."

Ivy did not bat an eyelid when she uttered the words, showing her sincerity to Joshua. Otherwise, he would have assumed her to be flirting with him. "Well thank you, darling. You are good yourself too." He added with a smirk, making Ivy roll her eyes at him for breaking the sweet moment.

"By the way, I am happy that you did not react to seeing Amber here." Ivy lowered her eyes for a brief moment before she fixed them on him again.

Joshua had long expected this topic to arise, and he was waiting for it. He knew that Ivy still had her doubts about him and his feelings for Amber, and he did not blame her for it. It was he who had broken her trust when he had lashed out at her just at getting a call from the girl, who had sent him towards the gates of depression.

Just a mere phone call had rendered him to that state. Ivy feared what he felt about seeing the girl after a long time. Though she trusted Joshua, she could ignore how Amber had affected him the last time.

"Don't worry, Ivy." Joshua stared back at her, trying to show his sincerity and honesty. "Amber means nothing to me. After having a quick chat with the grim reaper, I realized who matters to me the most, and it is you. I agree that Amber was a once significant part of my life. But I am over her. Now, we are mere strangers. I don't feel anything for her, not even hate."

"But.."

"Shh." Joshua shushed her at once. "Listen to me first, Ivy." And Ivy did as she was told, waiting for the man to continue. I don't even want to resent her for what she did to me as it will only keep her in my thoughts. I wish to erase her from my mind and my life."

Ivy smiled hearing his words.

"On second thought, I am glad that she left me. Otherwise, I would never found myself such an amazing girl."

That's it. Joshua had successfully erased all the doubts Ivy had in her words. His words were filled with sincerity and love, and Ivy could not stop herself any longer. She immediately locked her lips with him, pouring out her feelings in the kiss, and Joshua kissed her back with equal vigor.