Chapter 2357
“Hey, hey, Balfour, what’s the rush? Nolan’s here too, right? You gotta hear what Ivy thinks herself. Maybe she wants to stay.”
Balfour’s face was a mask of ice. “She said she’s tired.”
If she’s tired, what’s there to discuss? Getting some rest is the main thing.
Mara kept interfering, and Ivy knew exactly what she meant.
She didn’t want to drag these people back to her apartment – that was her sanctuary, her quiet place.
“If Ms. Lewis is so keen on this dinner, then let’s go eat outside the studios, and after we’re done, I’ll head back to rest.”
The two men seemed reluctant, but Mara clapped her hands in agreement.
“That’s the spirit! Tired or not, a proper meal is a must. It’ll help Ivy’s ankle heal quicker
too!TM
And so it was settled, and they all prepared to head out.
Balfour and Nolan flanked Ivy on either side, while Mara took the lead.
“What’s this all about? You guys watching me like hawks – I can barely use my crutches.”
Ivy stopped, exasperated, but Balfour saw an opportunity and asked, “You don’t need them, then? Shall I carry you?”
But at the sight of Ivy’s rejecting gaze, Balfour’s outstretched hand retracted.
Nolan, who had never seen Ivy use crutches before, felt his heart twist in sympathy.
His brows furrowed, and his usually composed face etched with concern for Ivy.
“Using crutches must be so hard. If you don’t want Balfour’s help, I could carry you instead?”
Balfour bristled at Nolan’s offer.
“This is between my wife and me, so no need for you to butt in.”
Ivy turned to Balfour. “I only need the crutches for a short while, so what’s wrong with that? I’m not permanently disabled. Besides, isn’t it good that I can fend for myself? Why the pitying looks? It’s overwhelming. Go on, mind your own business. Balfour, you can go with Ms. Lewis.”
With that, the men stopped their worrying looks.
Still, as Balfour walked ahead, he couldn’t help but glance back at Ivy from time to time.
11:35
Even by her side, he worried she might stumble.
Mara remained silent throughout the walk.
Back home, she hadn’t realized what Ivy meant to Balfour, or how far their relationship had progressed.
But this short time together filled her with dread.
Balfour’s gaze was constantly captivated by Ivy’s every move. When had he ever been like this?
When Ivy spoke, Balfour watched her face; when she was silent, he watched her form.
As Ivy limped along, concern was plain on Balfour’s face.
Mara felt like a clown, ignored while the two men focused on another woman – and a crippled one at that!
When had Mara ever been sidelined? She had to be the center of attention among women. And here was Ivy, the siren, garnering the men’s sympathy with her injured ankle.
Men, Mara thought bitterly, always fall for the damsels in distress.
Ivy’s act was sure to trigger their protective instincts.
Mara seethed internally, yet kept a sunny smile on her face, even turning back occasionally to feign concern for Ivy.
