---- It was then that I realized they knew about Ivy and Toby all along, and they even gave the two their full support. In just under a year, Toby had become the ideal son-in-law to them. I was the only one who was still kept in the dark. At the time, my heart was filled with sorrow and bitterness. I was deeply hurt. However, Ivy simply approached me hesitantly and took my hand in an attempt to reason with me. "I never thought about betraying you. Toby is sick. His doctor says he only has about six months to live. I can't bear to see him die without even having someone to carry on his family name. "T considered discussing it with you first, but you were abroad. I was afraid you'd get too worried about it. I didn't want to affect your training, so I figured I'd tell you about it once you got back. As long as you're fine with it, we can raise the child together, okay?" Raising a child was a monumental task, but she made it sound like a regular grocery run. ---- I'd stuffed my last article of clothing into my suitcase when Cora came into the bedroom. When she saw the suitcase at my feet, she gave me an approving look, as if conveying that I'd finally acted appropriately for once. "Since you've been away the whole time, I allowed Toby to stay in your room. The study has been turned into the baby's room as well, so you'll have to settle for the living room tonight. If not, you can find yourself a hotel room instead." I was too exhausted and had no energy to head off to a hotel. Thus, I nodded and decided to sleep on the living room couch for the night. However, late at night, the sound of a baby crying kept coming from the bedroom. As I flipped over and tried to put on my earplugs, I heard Ivy grumbling, "Hurry up and coax the baby! He's going to keep crying otherwise." "Aren't you my baby? All I need to do is keep you happy. It's fine to let the baby cry. It helps his ---- lungs develop." Ivy chuckled and called Toby cheesy. That was soon followed by the sound of movements on the bed. I pulled the blanket over my head, doing my best to ignore those unseemly sounds. However, when I closed my eyes, the memory of the first time Ivy confessed her feelings to me appeared in my head. She was such a sweet and wonderful person. She had been truly devoted to me back then, but alas, that side of her no longer belonged to me.