As Ivyâs thoughts drifted to the unsettling images sheâd seen earlier, her expression soured, her fingers tightening around the stems of the flowers she was absentmindedly arranging.
Alyssa noticed the change in Ivyâs demeanor and asked with a chuckle, âIvy, if you keep at it with that strength, youâre going to snap those poor flowers!â
âHuh?â Startled, Ivy realized she had nearly ruined Alyssaâs cherished potted plant and blushed with embarrassment, âAlyssa, Iâm so sorry. I didnât mean toâ¦â
Alyssa smiled and took the trowel from Ivyâs hand, âItâs just a plant, dear. But whatâs bothering you?
Whatâs got you so occupied?â
âOh, nothing!â Ivy forced a smile nervously, âJust got a bit distracted by some celebrity gossip, thatâs all.â
Alyssa clearly didnât buy the explanation but didnât press further, turning her attention back to the potted fern in front of her, âIvy, remember, things arenât always what they seem. You canât always take what you see in the media at face value, itâs important to hear the other side of the story before you jump to conclusions.â
Ivy pondered over Alyssaâs words.
She was right. The paparazzi always loved to stir the pot!
But how differently Balfour treated Giselle, Ivy had seen it in her eyes.
She knew her place as Balfourâs contractual wife didnât give her the right to meddle in his personal life.
Whomever he dated or was rumored to be involved with was none of her business. But for some reason, the images from the news kept swimming in her head, leaving her restless and irritable.
Unable to focus, Ivy excused herself from the gardening session, âAlyssa, Iâm feeling a bit tired. I think Iâll head upstairs for a nap, and we can continue this another time.â
Alyssa didnât question her, simply advising her to take care of herself and nodding her off to her room.
Back in her room, Ivy lay on bed trying to sleep, but it was difficult.
Every time she closed her eyes, the images of Balfour and Giselle returning to the hotel together filled her mind, causing a tightness in her chest.
She remained in bed all afternoon without a wink of sleep, finally getting up when dinner ne approached.
he walked past the front door, Balfour Their eyes met.
The thought that he was just coming from Giselleâs place made Ivy annoyed. She didnât even bother to greet him as she headed straight to the dining room.
Balfour frowned at Ivyâs disregard, finding it oddly out of character. He followed her after changing into house shoes, âGrandma, Grandpa,â he greeted as he entered the dining room, where Ivy was already seated.
Alyssa beamed, âYou didnât call to say youâd be joining us for dinner. What brings your home?â
âJust have wrapped up some work, so Iâm back.â Balfour replied and sat next to Ivy, who kept her head down on her food, not sparing him a glance.
Usually, Ivy might not have much to say to him. But she wouldnât outright ignore him or wear such a sour expression like this.
âIvy, Balfourâs back. Why arenât you talking to him? Donât tell me you two had a spat Alyssa inquired.
Her grandmotherâs words snapped Ivy back to the moment. She turned to Balfour, forcing a brilliant smile, âOh, Alyssa, we are just fine! I was just really hungry and didnât get a chance to speak to him! Balfour, you must be famished too, right?â
With that, Ivy cheerfully served Balfour some food, âHelp yourself, darling!â