The IVF Secret That Shook a Dynasty novel Chapter 219

“It’s not like I can’t live without her,” Joseph retorted, his pride still intact.

Harvey gave him a knowing smile. “Oh, please. In all these years, have you ever cared about a woman like this? Look at you now—ditching work, running around with an injury just to have a meal with her, and even sending your driver to take her to the office. After all that, you’re still going to deny it?”

Joseph’s lips tightened. He had no comeback. In truth, it wasn’t just Vivica’s attitude that was bothering him; it was his own uncharacteristically impulsive and childish behavior.

As his friend had pointed out, he had never been this invested in a woman before. He had always been calm and rational, a “cold-blooded machine” in the eyes of others. When his peers were going through their rebellious phases of puppy love, he had thought them fools, wasting their time and energy doting on girls like servants. When they got married as adults, he thought them naive, their lives revolving around their wives—cloyingly sweet one day, at each other’s throats the next.

In all the divorce cases he’d handled, the couples always ended up hating each other enough to wish the other dead. He had long since seen through the illusions of love and marriage. He preferred a simple, controlled life. To him, women were the embodiment of trouble.

And yet, despite his iron-clad defenses, he had somehow fallen into the very trap he despised, becoming the type of person he looked down on most.

He didn’t know when it had started, but Vivica’s resilience, her fierce maternal protectiveness, even her moments of vulnerability—they had all become like tiny needles, silently piercing the calm armor he’d spent years building.

And it had happened so quickly. By the time he realized it, the placid lake of his heart was rippling, and her shadow had taken up residence in its broken chambers.

But he still resisted, refusing to believe it. It wasn’t until this moment, with his friend calling him out, that he was forced to confront his own feelings.

Harvey knew him too well. Seeing Joseph’s silent, somber face and the storm of emotions in his eyes, he sighed. “Don’t be in denial. You’re not a kid anymore. It’s normal to like a woman. It’s just a relationship, not a death sentence.”

Joseph snapped out of his thoughts. “Sometimes it’s worse than a death sentence,” he said quietly.

“It won’t be,” Harvey said with a reassuring smile. “Don’t think of all women as terrifying. Besides, from what I’ve seen, Ms. Lynn isn’t the type to cause drama.”

Before Joseph could respond, his phone chimed twice. He glanced at the profile picture on the screen, and his expression softened.

“See? Women are always sending messages. So childish,” he grumbled, though he picked up the phone immediately.

Harvey raised an eyebrow. “Is that Ms. Lynn? She just left…”

Joseph ignored him and unlocked the screen.

Vivica: [I was supposed to treat you to that meal, but Mr. Murphy insisted on paying. Could you settle the bill with him? I’ll transfer you the money.]

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