Chapter 2030
It was undeniable that Ivy harbored a flicker of hope when she asked the question that hung between them.
What did she mean to Balfour?
There he was, looking at her with a resigned sigh. “Giselle and I, we grew up together, but we’re not childhood sweethearts, just friends.”
He was explaining himself to her.
Ivy’s heart skipped a beat. His explanation, did it mean he genuinely cared about how she felt?
Realizing this, Ivy internally cursed. If things kept going this way, she feared she might actually fall for Balfour!
But that was simply out of the question.
They were from two different worlds. He was born with a silver spoon, and she, well, she was from the wrong side of the tracks.
How could there ever be a future for them?
“Alright, I got it,” Ivy replied, not dwelling on the subject. “Let’s hurry up. Grandma and Grandpa must be waiting.”
Balfour seemed somewhat dissatisfied with her response. He had explained himself to keep her from feeling down, yet she did not seem to take much stock in it.
As they approached the house, Ivy caught sight of Dean and Alyssa tending to their flower beds.
She abruptly stopped, latching onto Balfour’s arm.
He looked at her, puzzled, “What’s up?”
“Grandpa and Grandma are in the yard,” Ivy said, plastering on a sweet smile that starkly contrasted her expression just moments before. “We have to play the part of the loving couple before them.”
Balfour snorted. “Loving couple? You’ve been ignoring me all day.”
“Uh… We can’t let them know we’ve been at odds over Giselle,” Ivy quickly retorted, gripping his arm tightly. “Play along, Mr. Howard.”
With that, she led him into the yard, greeting Dean and Alyssa with a radiant smile, “Grandma, Grandpa, what are you up to?”
Alyssa beckoned Ivy with a warm smile. “Come over here, dear. Look at the flowers I’ve planted.”
Ivy released Balfour’s arm and walked over, exclaiming, “Grandma, they’re beautiful.”
“Yes, they’ve bloomed wonderfully this year. Maybe it’s because you and Balfour got married, my wish came true, and that’s why the flowers are thriving,” Alyssa said, handing her trowel to Dean and leading Ivy back into the house. “As long as you and Balfour are happy, that’s all that matters to me.”
Ivy nodded, glancing back at Balfour, “Don’t worry, Grandma, we’re doing great.”
She had said such things before to deceive Alyssa, to maintain the facade of a perfect marriage devoid of any genuine emotion.
But now, repeating those words, Ivy felt a strange new sensation in her heart.
Perhaps, deep down, she really did harbor a wish to make things work with Balfour.
Back in her room, sitting on the balcony, Ivy’s mind was restless. She used to view her relationship with Balfour as a job, something she could do without guilt, playing her role effortlessly.
But now, she realized her feelings towards Balfour had shifted, and she could no longer treat it as just a job.
Yet any relationship beyond their current facade was impossible. Even if Ivy allowed herself to hope, it would lead nowhere.
