Chapter 2271
“Hey, sorry for barging in on you like this, Ivy,” Mara said with an apologetic grin. “It’s just, as Balfour’s good friend, I couldn’t not swing by when I heard you were sick. Balfour, come on, hand over that get-well present we picked up for Ivy!”
She nudged Balfour, who looked as if he had just snapped out of a daze, and he reluctantly handed over the gift he was holding.
“Ivy, I know it’s our first time meeting and all, and I did not have much time to prepare anything fancy. I just grabbed a couple of things at the mall that I thought might come in handy. Hope they help in some way.”
Ivy’s eyes fell as she forced a smile, stung by her familiar banter. “You didn’t need to go to all this trouble. I appreciate the thought, but really, I don’t need anything.”
Mara looked around the room and nodded slowly. “Seems like you’ve got everything you need here. Balfour’s always been generous with his friends and makes sure they’re well taken care of. That puts my mind at ease. But hey, this gift is a little piece of my heart, so please, Ivy, just accept it.
You rest up now, and when you’re feeling better, we’ll hang out for real. Got to pop by my place now; his grandma and grandpa are waiting for me back home. Sorry to dash off, but we’ve got to head out.”
The thought of Balfour’s grandparents waiting for Mara made Ivy’s heart clench. She could not bear the idea that even Balfour’s grandparents’ attention would be diverted upon Mara’s return, leaving her feeling a touch forlorn.
Why did life always seem to play these cruel jokes just when she thought she had everything within reach?
“Then you’d better get going. Don’t keep the old folks waiting,” Ivy said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Balfour glanced at Ivy, seeing the sheets almost swallow her fragile frame. He had planned to let Mara go home alone; he wanted to stay and look after Ivy.
But Mara, as if reading his thoughts, tugged at his sleeve and said, “Come on, Balfour, you need to drop me off. I haven’t been back in years and am clueless about the way home now. I’d hate to get lost!”
Balfour frowned, clearly worried about Mara, who had just returned. He turned to Ivy firmly. “Ivy, wait here for me. I’ll be back as soon as I’ve taken Mara home.”
Despite his words, Ivy did not lift her head, smiling weakly. “Don’t worry about me. Go with her.”
Mara’s grip on Balfour’s sleeve did not loosen. “Let’s go, Balfour. I wonder if your grandma
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09:21
Chapter 2271
and grandpa will like the gifts I brought them. They always said my presents were more thoughtful than their grandson’s!”
Balfour let Mara lead him away, and as the ward door closed behind them, Ivy’s polite
smile crumbled.
Her heart felt like it had been clenched in a fist of broken glass-sharp and painful.
Why did happiness always seem to slip through her fingers just when it was within reach? Was it a punishment from a past life? Why could she not ever seem to catch a break?
Ivy could not help but feel like she was destined to lose now that Mara was back, and Balfour’s heart was sure to be claimed.
She felt ridiculous for even hoping.
Meanwhile, Balfour sat in the driver’s seat, his hand hesitating over the ignition. Mara tried to make conversation, but his responses were short, his gaze deep and distracted.
Finally, Balfour turned off the engine, murmured, “Wait here,” and hurried out of the car as if pulled by an invisible string.
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09:21
“Balfour, where are you going?”
