Ivy's eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight before her. Her mind struggled to process the sudden arrival.

"Jeremy?" Ivy whispered, her voice trembling with surprise.

Jeremy's piercing gaze locked onto Ivy, his expression unreadable. "Ivy," he said, his deep voice low with no hint of surprise.

Judy's grip on Ivy's shoulders tightened, her eyes darting between Jeremy and Ivy as her heart hammered in her chest. "Jeremy, please, I'm begging," she whispered, standing up from the sofa and instinctively pulling Ivy gently beside her.

Ivy, still stunned, was even more confused by Judy's behavior; it seemed she was trying to protect her from Jeremy, but he...