Chapter 2353
Yeah, Ivy’s exhaustion was her own doing, really. If she hadn’t gone for the acting gig, she could’ve snagged a cushier job, no doubt.
But why was she so beat? Wasn’t it because of Balfour, that she barely got a wink of sleep last night?
And the real culprit had the nerve to critique her life choices?
Ivy felt more than just tired; she felt drained. Being in debt to this man, she was anything but free.
If she had it her way, there would be no debt between them, nothing owed. Then she could declare her feelings openly, without any hesitation.
Instead, she was all kinds of cautious, second-guessing every move.
“So, this is what you really think, huh? That this mess is on me. I had it coming, right? Then do me a favor and keep your distance. Mr. Howard, I’m just a small-time actress, not worth your time or energy. I don’t want to argue anymore.”
Ivy grabbed her crutches that were leaning against the couch and hoisted herself up.
She wanted to wash off her stage makeup and collapse into bed for some much-needed sleep.
Balfour watched her use the crutches, even with him right there, and it stung a little.
“Why insist on those crutches? Don’t you know I’m here to help?”
Ivy turned back, surprised.
“I can walk with the crutches, so why would I need your help? Mr. Howard, are you kidding me? I asked you before I left home if you could be by my side all the time, and you said no. So why expect me to lean on you now? I’m a person, not some trinket. I’m not a vine needing a tree to survive!”
There was a hint of laughter in her voice, as if she found the whole idea amusing.
Balfour averted his gaze; suddenly, he couldn’t bear to look her in the eye.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant that since I’m here, you could ask for my help.”
Her tone was flat, “There’s no need. You’ll leave one day anyway. I’m used to it.”
Ivy had always fended for herself, since she was little.
Maybe it was the way she was raised, her family instilling that fierce independence in her.
No one can rely on someone else forever, a lesson her parents had drummed into her.
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Chapter 2353
Why seek confirmation of that from a stranger?
As a kid, Clara was the older one, but she was always shielded by their parents. She never had to fear. But Ivy was different.
In their house, even breaking a glass would scare Ivy for days, fearing her mother’s
disdain.
That look in her mother’s eyes, almost saying, “Can’t you do anything right? Aren’t you just
a waste?”
No matter the fear, Ivy endured plenty of scorn. She vowed that if she ever had kids, they wouldn’t live on tenterhooks.
And now, if it weren’t for her family, there would be no mountain of debt.
But Ivy never regretted her choices.
Better to be in debt than to wither away in that household.
פור
