Jeremy went back to the Rahi's residence and spoke with John. From there, he knew it was all an act to get Jeremy out and lessen Peter's worries instead. As the boys sat with him, Daisy and John both gave him the box of Ivy's engagement ring which looked so familiar to him. He opened it to find the same ring staring back at him as he noticed the new enhancements.
He traced the trails of ivies engraved on the ring. "It's time for it to return to its fateful owner. We know you passed it to Ray so that he could give it to her but instead, he passed it to us cause it's only right for you to be the one who gives this to her. Think of the enhancements as a gift from us in support of our daughter in law…" Daisy explained as he smiled.
"I promise I will make her your daughter-in-law no matter what it takes this time," Jeremy said with conviction before the couple led the boys to have tea at the dining hall. He excused himself and went into his room to find it had turned into a family room. He could imagine the look of Ivy sleeping in between his sons in his bed as he realised how much he had missed her.
He instantly located his old buddies to find Ivy's location only to be surprised that Real was directing him to a familiar yet distant guy back then, Ching Long. Ching Long had shared with him Ivy's schedule for the day discreetly and the first time Jeremy met with Ivy after his release was when she made her daily visit to one last person whom she still had issues convincing to accept her help.
That was because Xylo's grandmother, Grandma Sui had one wish and that was to hear an apology from Jeremy himself which she wished she could fulfill much earlier but she could not bring herself to tell Jeremy. Every time she does that, it feels like the blame is shifted to him instead.
As she tried her very best to sound cheerful with Grandma Sui, she was once again greeted by an angry grandmother who threw all her gifts away and repeatedly told Ivy her only wish before nearly throwing a pail of water at Ivy but Ching Long managed to block it with an umbrella.
Despite it all, she pulled herself up from the ground and told Grandma Sui to rest well so that she could see her tomorrow and fight her again before walking off strongly trying to regain her composure. Although she was always immune to her treatment but that day, she was exceptionally emotional cause she knew her wish could be fulfilled from that day onwards. It was a matter of Ivy's stubbornness to not let Jeremy know and do so.
Unexpectedly, during that moment, Jeremy pulled her into a hug, which surprised her when they were at another alley. She did not push him away instantly because it was a much-needed hug.
"Is this how you suffer all this while? You're not alone anymore… I won't let you get hurt from now on." He coaxed after hugging her for a long while. It took her a while before she cursed at herself for being easily moved by his words.
She forced herself to push him away and wiped her tears away before glaring deep into his gaze. She knew she was right about her conclusion the night before.
"Where were you when I most needed you?" She vented gently and Jeremy could tell she was furious.
"I could explain…" Jeremy tried to calm her down as she scoffed.
"Where were you when all of these people needed you?! What have you been doing? Thinking you can hide and isolate all you want in there?! Then remain there! Why return?! Why now?!" She vented as she trembled wiping her tears away.
He let her with his reddened eyes.
"I'm sorry…" He apologised but she was too furious to continue with him.
She knew he certainly already had an arduous journey to head on if he wanted to take over from John. So it was only right that at that moment, she kept Jeremy away from all that she had put herself through cause it was enough for her to repay the sins on behalf of her uncle.
"You know what? Let's just call off the engagement.." Ivy concluded heartbreakingly. She turned around but Jeremy wanted to chase her.
"Stay away…" She warned as she halted her steps.
"Do what you do best. Don't follow me!" She stormed off into her car, hoping he would listen and he did cause he knew she needed space though he was caught by surprise. He was also unwilling to accept the sudden breakup decision she made.
Ching Long drove him home that night seeing he was a little emotionally unstable. He was devastated by his efforts as he forced himself to hold his composure in front of his parents and sons when he reached home but he just could not help it.
"Jeremy…" Daisy came to him knowing he was on the verge of breaking down. She quickly hugged him as he began to sob in her arms.
"Mum…" His voice cracked as the boys went over with John. Jeremy hugged Daisy even tighter.
"Mum… Ivy… She… wants to break up…" Jeremy silently sobbed in her arms as she gently rubbed his back to comfort him while the boys gently patted his head.
"Give her some time…" Daisy comforted as she sighed in disappointment.
"Mum… I don't want to lose her. I have my reasons. I haven't been able to tell her…" Jeremy let go of Daisy as she helped to wipe away his tears with the tissues handed by Joseph.
"Give her some time… She is coping with it. It's been tough on her. I'm sure she didn't mean it…" Daisy coaxed him as John sighed at his efforts of faking his situation was bringing the couple apart instead.
"Don't give up…" John said as Jeremy regained his composure and nodded before hugging his sons.
John quickly updated Peter and James on the situation only for them all to lament their failed plans but Peter knew Ivy must have her reasons.
"You see, knowing Ai Lee… She must have wanted to protect Jeremy from getting shunned by society since Jeremy would assist her in the upcoming hotel project with Rahi's management…" Peter raised his doubts as John sighed heavily in his study room.
"It would not be my hope for Jeremy to join the board of directors since it would be too arduous for an ex-convict to gain any trust. But at this point, I have no choice but for them both to take over temporarily…" John explained
"You don't have to worry much either. I'm sure Ai Lee has her plans…" Peter concluded as the old folks chatted awhile more before calling it a night. That night, Jeremy tried his best to collect information on Grandma Sui from Ching Long and made preparations to visit her tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Ivy was at war with herself in the presence of her usual solitary as she drove to the cliff where she always sought comfort. She knew she wanted Jeremy back as she had pleaded for so long. She did all she could to bring him back to her but when he was in front of her, she could not smile cause only then did she realise she was pulling him together into the depths of repaying sins which he should not.
There was also a fire in her that was still igniting in anger for an explanation for his rejections and delays in being early bailed. She knew asking for a breakup was impulsive of her but it was something they both needed or at the very least, she needed, in order to let him have a fair second chance.
The next morning, she woke in the car after receiving updates over a call from Ching Long that Jeremy was visiting Grandma Sui that morning. Fearing he might be injured, she rushed down knowing he would be in trouble.
True enough she witnessed him being splashed with cold water and gifts thrown at him but yet he did not barge. Instead, he let Grandma Sui vent all she wanted as he knelt in front of her and apologise sincerely by bowing to her. Ivy noticed there were some others from the welfare home and one of them was Kerala's grandmother, Aunty Xi.
Smart… Ivy praised in her mind his move to bring the other old folks to convince Grandma Sui.
Ivy was hit by Grandma Sui's question at him in the end. "Just who are you to decide whenever to take someone's else life even if it was an order and who am I to be the one forgiving you?!"
Yes, just who am I to let all of those who had died die yet wanting to be forgiven? Ivy thought to herself as she mocked herself too.
Grandma Sui finally sat on the ground in front of Jeremy who was earnestly seeking an apology from her. She finally gave in and accepted all the offers as Auntie Xi coaxed her with the other old ones. Before Grandma Sui left, she requested to meet with Ivy and Jeremy promised he would relay the message to her.
Auntie Xi then led her to the welfare home where many of their old friends welcomed her warmly. Ivy had wanted to provide all those years but she could not confront Jeremy just yet though she was very delighted with the outcome for Grandma Sui.
That night, Ivy visited Grandma Sui after being informed by Jeremy over a text message and knowing from Daisy that Jeremy was home.
"Ms. Ophal… Thank you… I'm sorry I have always put you in a bad position…" Grandma Sui said softly as Ivy leaned in and blinked her tears away.
"It's alright… Call me Ivy…" Ivy shook her head and forced a smile as she held onto her hand.
"You're all good people and so is Mr. Rahi… My grandson… He deserves it… I promise…"Grandma Sui paused to take a breather.
"I will live a better life… Ivy, you must live happily too…" She finally concluded as Ivy teared up even more and nodded before coaxing her to sleep and leave home.
She continued sleeping in the guest room in Rahi's residence that night after sorting out some work with John's secretary over the phone. However, Jonathan woke to a nightmare with a tantrum as she rushed over to their room when she heard his cries.
"Yiyi… I want Yiyi…" Jonathan pleaded as Jeremy tried to reason with him it was late but he did not want to accept it.
She stepped into the room and instantly hid him in the blanket before hugging him when Jeremy handed him to her. She gently rocked him till he calmed down. "It's alright Jon Jon… I'm here… Daddy's here too now…" She coaxed as Jon Jon began to tickle her and she giggled before flipping the blanket away.
"You're alright so fast now?" She asked while he nodded. "I miss you… I want to hug you." Jonathan pouted and snuggled with her.
"Me too…" Joseph mumbled groggily from his sleep.
She quickly wiped Jonathan's wet face with tissues handed by Jeremy and gave Jonathan some water. Joseph lay close to her and held onto the helms of her sleeves while slowly dosing off. Jeremy sat admiring her who was so clueless in taking care of the boys the last time he left her but today, she had become a diligent mother figure to them.
"Vivi Yiyi, don't leave… Sleep here…" Jonathan mumbled while falling asleep. She wanted to look at Jeremy's gaze but purposely avoided it as she sighed heavily before humming in agreement and lying in between both boys who were snuggling up to her in bed.
Jeremy could not fall asleep though he had closed his eyes at first to get Ivy to feel comfortable asleep so close by cause he finally got the chance to see Ivy all he wanted. He held her hand when he thought she had fallen asleep and tucked them all warmly into the blanket. He noticed she had gotten skinnier but fitter as he smiled admiring the face he had missed for so long.
Ivy though pretended to close her eyes, could not fall asleep either knowing her heart was longing to hold Jeremy in her arms but she was resisting the urge. Only when she felt her hand was being gripped by him g that she let him and savor the moment to eventually fall asleep.
Since that night, she has been contemplating whether to start confronting Jeremy again. Her heart was wavering but her anger had not subsided cause she still could not figure out his reasons. At the very least, she wanted to know the reasons he had been rejecting him before letting him go.
Despite they both wanted to confront each other, the sudden news of Grandma Sui's passing came over a few days later and they both rushed over to the welfare home to prepare for the funeral. While Ivy busied herself with the preparations, Jeremy was curious as a cat with the foundation Ivy had built.
It was Jeremy's first time visiting the entire welfare and everyone to his surprise, was thankful to him. He was even more surprised at Aunty Xi being very understanding.
"We all know you have been repaying for Ivy's uncle's crimes and so is she. Each time someone passes away whether it's young or old, Ivy is always very upset…" Aunty Xi said while Jeremy helped out with folding some hell notes under her guidance.
"You know why?" She asked as he shook his head.
"Because it felt like a family member was taken away from her…" Aunty Xi's eyes reddened.
He finally knew the reason she had turned into a very quiet person. At first, he thought she was upset with him but he had never expected her to go till the end.
"In the beginning when we watched her on the news and running all the businesses while studying, she was a very jovial little girl especially when with you. Now, we hope you could make her happy again…" Aunty Xi said as Jeremy sighed.
"I know it's not easy with her. She always takes part in the coffining of each of those who passed on. This time around, it might take her a longer while since it's Grandma Sui. Ivy had wanted the forgiveness for a long time but life is just so unfair…" Aunty Xi sighed as she got up and gently patted Jeremy's shoulder.
"Keep her company…" She reminded as Jeremy nodded.
"Thank you, Aunty Xi." He said as he quickly went on a search for her and waited outside of the coffining room.
True enough, it took her a long while that when she finally stepped out she looked very exhausted and walked away lifelessly from him. He could only trail her from behind to the garden outside where she was seeking some fresh air but he had a feeling she was about to break down.
He waited and to his surprise, she did not but instead she nearly collapsed from exhaustion. He quickly supported her back and helped her sit on the bench quietly as he wrapped her in his jacket before giving her a bottle of water. Midway while she drank, she mockingly laughed at herself as she unexpectedly teared up and sniffed as he let her lean onto his side.
How am I to deny you this way, Jere? Should I just start reconciling with you? You're here when I need you now. How am I to uphold my honour to let you be free from any more negative news before you takeover from Dad?
Unknowingly, she sobbed all she wanted again not knowing if it was the misery of losing Grandma Sui or her internal conflict as she ignored all her grudge against Jeremy and held tightly to him while he quietly sat to accompany and comfort her that night.