Chapter 2374
How could Ivy explain it to Nolan?
Was she happy with Balfour?
There had been moments of happiness, certainly. Just being in the same room with him seemed enough to make her heart swell.
But ever since Mara came into the picture, everything got so complicated.
Balfour’s gaze wasn’t solely on her anymore. His world now included another woman, one who had known him longer and understood him better.
From that point on, being by Balfour’s side brought more anxiety than joy, but for those fleeting moments of happiness, she was willing to endure.
It wasn’t until she couldn’t bear it any longer that she moved out of their shared house, seeking clarity and space, and also yearning to understand Balfour’s true feelings for her. Did he favor her even a little?
“True happiness requires no hesitation or pondering over. You don’t have to give me an answer now. I can see it in your eyes. Ivy, I’m not asking for a resolution from you, just remember what I said today. Always put your own happiness first, even if it’s against me. Nolan seemed genuinely unattached to any outcome, not even waiting for Ivy’s response before he ruffled her hair affectionately.
“Alright, you’ve had enough to deal with today. I’ve said a lot, and I’m glad you listened patiently. Now, go rest.”
Ivy blinked, her reaction delayed until Nolan ushered her in and was about to close the door behind her. That’s when she suddenly stopped him.
“Nolan-”
“Yeah?”
“Can you give me a little more time to think things through, please?”
Nolan had braced himself for his unrequited love to end without fanfare, never expecting an answer from Ivy.
He nodded almost giddily, “Of course! Now, get some rest!”
After Nolan left, Ivy placed her crutches aside and slowly walked to the couch, leaning
against the wall for support. She sank down, unsure if she could really let go of Balfour.
The contract between them had bound them together for so long.
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08:09
Now, she was certain he no longer held a place for her in his heart, a bitter truth to swallow.
If he had even a shred of feeling for her, he wouldn’t have doubted her so.
“I never thought falling in love for the first time could be this painful. Balfour, I can’t do this anymore, I don’t want to keep loving you.”
Ivy whispered these words to herself in the empty room, a solitary tear tracing down her
cheek.
Meanwhile, Balfour was at Mara’s bedside at the hospital. Despite the doctors assuring that Mara was fine, just temporarily unconscious and would wake within half an hour, he couldn’t leave until she was awake.
Mara’s sister, Victoria, had been kidnapped because of him, and he couldn’t let anything happen to Victoria’s sister!
It was then that he had promised Victoria’s father that he would always take good care of
Mara.
If only he had handled the tension between Ivy and Mara better, none of this would have happened.
08.09
