Chapter 2291
“It’s the least I could do. Let’s go, I’ve asked Althea to whip up your favorite dish. You must be peckish after the hospital, right? Maybe start off with a light chicken soup to settle your stomach?”
Alyssa was pulling Ivy towards the dining table, but Balfour intervened, “Grandma, don’t let her drink anything yet. She’ll be too full for dinner. Her appetite’s pretty delicate these days, and she needs to stick to the lighter fare. That hearty soup might be a bit too rich for her right now.”
During Ivy’s hospital stay, Balfour had been in charge of her meals and knew all too well that her current condition was nothing like her usual self.
She could barely manage a few bites of her once-beloved spicy-sweet dishes, and she’d feel full after just a little nibble.
Balfour had to coax her every day just to get her to eat a bit more.
The mention of eating made Ivy blush a little; in the hospital, it had been just the two of them.
Balfour cajoled and enticed her like a parent coaxing a child to eat, and thinking back on it now, Ivy felt a touch embarrassed.
When Alyssa offered her the soup earlier, Ivy had wanted to refuse, but she didn’t, not wanting to let down Alyssa’s thoughtful preparation.
The soup made by the Howard family chef was naturally not greasy, but after finishing that, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to eat the main course for dinner.
Watching their interaction, Alyssa was quite pleased; a couple should be just like this.
“That’s how it is, then. If you can’t eat or don’t feel like it, just tell me. I just want you to be healthy and happy. If you don’t fancy it, we won’t have it. We can always ask the cook to make it when you’re feeling better.”
Alyssa’s gaze at Ivy was full of flawless affection, while Mara sat somewhat neglected on the side.
She couldn’t see what Ivy had done to earn such favoritism from Alyssa.
Mara didn’t think Ivy was in any way superior to her, so why was Alyssa so set on having her as a granddaughter-in-law?
She just couldn’t fathom what was going through Alyssa’s head!
Ivy had come home intending to spend more time with Alyssa, and now that she wasn’t having the soup, Alyssa suggested they take a stroll in the back garden instead.
Of course, the others didn’t follow.
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Chapter 2291
Mara stepped forward, about to suggest she join them to clear her mind, but Alyssa cut in, mentioning she hadn’t had a chance to talk to lvy alone in ages, dashing Mara’s hopes.
All the while, Ivy avoided looking at Mara; she was afraid that seeing her and Balfour’s overly familiar manner would betray an emotion she shouldn’t show.
Alyssa, arm in arm with Ivy, walked to the secluded back garden.
Here in the chilly November, there shouldn’t have been many flowers, but Dean, knowing his wife’s fondness for them, had arranged for fresh blooms to be flown in daily from all
over.
The mansion even had a gardener dedicated to tending this area, so despite their thick clothes, the garden was still bursting with life.
“Look at these flowers, blooming so beautifully despite the cold.”
Alyssa pointed to a patch of bright red blossoms, and Ivy followed her gaze.
“They sure do! After staring at plain white hospital walls every day, this is a real treat for the eyes.”
Her words carried no self-pity, which Alyssa understood well; she patted the back of Ivy’s hand.
“You’ve been through a lot, my dear. Once you’re better, come back home. I will take good care of you and get you back on your feet.”
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