Chapter 168: Adorable little potato
Logan arrived at the hospital only minutes after receiving the call from the medical staff.
The moment he pushed open the door and saw Hailey sitting upright in bed, the tension in his body melted away.
"Hailey."
At the sound of his voice, she looked up and offered him a weak smile.
"Logan."
Without a second thought, he crossed the room and wrapped her in a tight embrace, holding her as though letting go would make her disappear.
Watching the scene unfold, Ivy’s brows knitted together.
So this is Logan Mortini...
Hailey was caught off guard by the intensity of the hug. Noticing Ivy still standing nearby, she felt a little embarrassed.
"Logan," she whispered softly, patting his shoulder. "I’m okay."
Reluctantly, he pulled back, though his hands remained on her arms as if reassuring himself that she was truly fine.
She smiled awkwardly.
She had known the moment the hospital informed him about her collapse, he would rush over without a second thought.
Maybe I shouldn’t have asked them to call him, she thought guiltily.
After all, she had insisted on going out alone despite Logan offering to accompany her.
The couple had only been in the country for a few days, desperately searching for a miracle that could save her. But after Dr. Merik delivered his grim prognosis, much of Hailey’s hope had faded.
Rather than spend her remaining time confined to a hotel room, she wanted to make memories with Logan and enjoy every day she had left.
Unfortunately, she had overestimated her own strength.
Skipping meals and pushing herself too hard had finally caught up with her.
"What happened?" Logan asked anxiously, studying her face. "Are you feeling dizzy? Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor back?"
He reached toward the call button, but Hailey gently caught his wrist.
"I’m alright," she assured him with a reassuring smile. "Please don’t worry."
Then she glanced toward Ivy.
Following her gaze, Logan finally realized they weren’t alone.
Hailey smiled warmly.
"This is the woman who helped me after I collapsed. If it weren’t for her, I don’t know what would have happened."
She turned to Ivy, only then realizing they had never exchanged names.
"I’m sorry... I never asked."
"My name is Ivy," she replied with a polite nod.
Hailey repeated it with a smile.
"Logan, this is Ivy."
He turned to face her and inclined his head apologetically.
"My apologies. I was so focused on Hailey that I didn’t even notice anyone else in the room."
Then, sincerely, he added, "Thank you, Miss Ivy. I truly appreciate what you did for my wife."
"It was nothing," Ivy replied calmly. "Anyone in my position would have done the same."
Inside, however, she couldn’t hide her surprise.
She had expected Logan Mortini to recognize her immediately. According to what she had uncovered, the original Ivy had some sort of connection with him.
Yet he looked at her with nothing but polite gratitude.
Doesn’t he remember me at all? she wondered, carefully studying his expression while keeping her own perfectly composed.
For a few moments, silence settled over the room.
Logan remained by Hailey’s bedside, his hand still wrapped around hers, while Ivy quietly observed them.
There was nothing forced about his concern. Every glance and every gesture reflected genuine love and fear of losing the woman beside him.
Finally, Logan broke the silence.
"The doctor told me you brought Hailey here yourself."
Ivy nodded.
"She collapsed at a flower shop nearby. Her pulse was weak, so my friend and I brought her to the hospital immediately."
"You made the right decision," Logan said gratefully. "Thank you."
Hailey smiled.
"I’ve already thanked her, but I don’t think once is enough."
Then she looked at Ivy with curiosity.
"What were you doing at the flower shop? Buying flowers for someone special?"
The question caught Ivy off guard.
For the briefest moment, Xander’s face flashed through her mind.
"I was looking for tulips," she admitted. "Unfortunately, they were sold out."
Hailey’s eyes brightened.
"Tulips? They’re my favorite too."
"Really?"
She nodded enthusiastically.
"Logan buys them for me whenever he can."
Logan chuckled.
"Only because she insists they’re luckier than roses."
"They are," Hailey replied with mock seriousness, earning a small smile from Ivy.
The lighthearted exchange eased the atmosphere.
Watching them, Ivy couldn’t help but notice how naturally they cared for one another. It reminded her that despite Logan’s intimidating reputation in the business world, he was simply a husband desperately trying to protect the woman he loved.
After a pause, Logan reached into his jacket and pulled out a business card.
"I know words aren’t enough," he said, handing it to her. "If you ever need anything within my power, don’t hesitate to contact me. Consider it my way of repaying your kindness."
Ivy accepted the card.
"Thank you."
As their fingers briefly brushed, Logan looked at her once more, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"There is something familiar about you," he murmured.
Hailey looked at him curiously.
"What do you mean?"
Logan frowned slightly before suddenly letting out a quiet laugh.
"Of course. I remember now."
He shook his head.
"I’ve seen you in magazines."
Recognition dawned on Hailey as well.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Aren’t you the new face introduced by Globe Entertainment?"
She studied Ivy more carefully before smiling.
"You’re even more beautiful in person than you are in the photographs."
Ivy returned the compliment with a modest smile.
"Thank you. That’s very kind of you."
Hailey laughed softly.
"I’m not exaggerating. I even showed your photos to Logan a few days ago."
Logan nodded in agreement.
"That’s probably why you looked familiar."
After chatting for a few more minutes, Ivy rose from her seat.
"I’m glad you’re feeling better, Mrs. Mortini. I should get going."
Hailey smiled gratefully.
"Thank you again, Ivy. I hope the next time we meet, it’s under happier circumstances."
"So do I."
With a polite nod, Ivy left the room.
The moment the door closed behind her, the composed smile faded from her face.
Logan hadn’t recognized her—not as someone from his past, at least.
The realization only deepened the mystery.
Either the original Ivy’s connection to Logan had been far less significant than she believed, or there was another piece of the puzzle she had yet to uncover.
"Strange," Ivy murmured to herself as she walked down the quiet hospital corridor.
Her eyes swept the waiting area, but Sal was nowhere to be seen.
"Hm... where did he go?" she muttered, recalling that he had promised to wait outside the room.
Just as she was about to pull out her phone, Sal came sprinting toward her.
"Ivy! Ivy! We have a problem!"
His panicked voice echoed through the corridor, causing several people to turn and stare.
Ivy immediately frowned.
"Sal, lower your voice," she scolded in a hushed tone. "We’re in a hospital. Do you have to shout like the building’s on fire?"
Sal bent over, trying to catch his breath.
"No, but you’re going to panic too once you hear this."
Ivy crossed her arms and looked at him with a flat expression.
"Go on, then. Tell me what’s got you running around like a monkey."
Sal swallowed nervously.
"...Xander is here."
For the first time that evening, Ivy’s composure cracked.
"What?"
***
A few minutes later, the two of them stepped outside the hospital entrance.
Ivy shot Sal an irritated look.
"Why would you tell Xander where I was?" she demanded under her breath. "Couldn’t you have just said we’d be late?"
Sal lowered his head guiltily.
"What else was I supposed to do? He called and asked where you were. If I’d lied, he would’ve figured it out anyway."
He practically threatened me, Sal complained silently to himself.
Ivy pinched the bridge of her nose, resisting the urge to argue further.
Then she looked ahead.
Standing beneath the lights outside the hospital were Xander and Leo.
The father and son were waiting side by side, both watching her intently.
The sight instantly softened her expression.
She forced a smile and walked over.
"Hehe... this isn’t what it looks like."
Neither Xander nor Leo looked convinced.
Before Xander could say anything, Leo hurried forward and grabbed her hand.
"Mommy," he asked with concern, "Uncle Sal said you were at the hospital. Does that mean you’re sick again? Are you in pain?"
His worried eyes made Ivy’s heart melt.
For a split second, she looked at the little boy and couldn’t help thinking, He really is Xander’s miniature version... although I always thought of him as my adorable little potato.
She crouched down to his level and gently squeezed his cheeks.
"I’m perfectly fine, sweetheart."
To reassure him, she spread her arms.
"See? No injuries, no pain, nothing’s wrong."
Leo looked her over carefully, as though conducting his own inspection, before finally relaxing.
"You promise?"
"I promise."
Only then did he throw his arms around her in relief.
Standing a few steps away, Xander watched the exchange in silence.
His expression remained calm, but the tension in his shoulders eased the moment he realized Ivy truly was unharmed.
