Chapter 2236
“Ivy’s still lying in that hospital bed, and unless you’ve got something earth-shattering to tell me, I’m heading over there now.”
Balfour’s brow was furrowed deeply, a sign of his fraying patience. The mere thought of Ivy, so still and quiet on her hospital mattress, was enough to make his tolerance wear thin.
At a time like this, Mara had the nerve to question why he was short with her?
A sniffle came clearly from the other end of the line.
Balfour, aware of Mara’s tendency to shed tears, gentled his tone. “Look, I’m not irritated with you, okay? Just be patient for now, and I’ll visit when I can. Ivy’s sick, and she needs me, alright?”
“Balfour, have you forgotten what you promised my sister? Before she passed, you swore you’d always be there for me. But now, for a woman you’ve hardly known…”
The mention of her departed sister darkened Balfour’s expression, sealing his lips shut. That was a promise he had indeed made.
If it hadn’t been for his sake, Mara’s sister would not have succumbed to her heart condition so young, leaving the world prematurely. In that respect, Balfour owed Mara’s family, and he knew it.
“Don’t bring her up just to make a point. Do you really think I’d forget what I promised her?” Mara found his icy composure disconcerting. She was well aware of his aversion to discussing her sister, so why did she bring her up at such a critical moment?
Ivy’s presence had thrown Mara off her game. Taking a deep breath, she tried to make amends.
“Balfour, I’m sorry! I spoke out of turn. I know you’re not the kind of guy who forgets his promises. It’s just… you haven’t visited, and you flew back home without seeing me. It hurts, you know? November is coming up, will you be here this year?”
Every November, Balfour would fly to M State a week early to join Mara in remembering her sister.
He sighed inwardly at the memory of the girl who had died for him.
“I’ll be there, like always.”
Mara’s tears turned to a relieved chuckle. She didn’t see Ivy as a threat anymore.
Years had passed since her sister’s death, and Balfour had never suspected a thing. The only other person who knew the truth was gone forever.
1/2
08:25
Chapter 2236
What did she have to fear?
With a little patience, Balfour would be hers.
A sly smile curled on Mara’s lips at the thought.
But Balfour, on the other end of the line, was clueless. By the time she hung up, he was
exhausted.
He had only managed a ten-minute doze by Ivy’s side in the hospital before waking up reinvigorated.
Ivy had always had this effect on him, radiating positive energy consistently.
That was the biggest difference between her and Mara.
Upon realizing his thoughts, Balfour shook his head abruptly. Why was he even comparing Ivy to Mara?
Ivy was Ivy – she wasn’t anyone else.
Meanwhile, Ivy drifted in and out of sleep.
Balfour’s presence acted as a comforting balm.
However, as his scent faded from the room, panic set in. Involuntarily, her brow furrowed, and her rest became unsettled.
In the midst of dreaming about the sea’s engulfing embrace once more, Ivy awoke with a start, her eyes snapping open.
2/2
