Chapter 119

"Luca, I..." Ivy began, but the words caught in her throat. "I don’t know if I’m ready for this. Everything is so...uncertain."I understand," Luca said softly, "but just know that I’m not going anywhere. I care about you, Ivy. More than you know."Ivy’s eyes filled with tears once more, but this time they were tears of gratitude. She leaned in and hugged Luca tightly, finding comfort in his presence.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I don’t know what I would do without you."

"You don’t have to find out," Luca replied, holding her close. "I’m here. For as long as you need me."They stood there for a moment, the chaos of the hospital fading into the background as they found solace in each other.

Meanwhile, back in the hospital room, Mrs. Rose stared out the window, lost in her thoughts. The empire she had fought so hard to protect was in danger, not just from outside forces but from within.

The secrets she and her husband had kept were threatening to surface, and she wasn’t sure if they cou