NovelEnglish
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
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtneed 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
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmand 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.
“Balfour, where are you going?”
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