Balfour figured she must have been exhausted after the shock of the day, not to mention the scare her parents put her through. Without giving it too much thought, he let her be.
As he watched her retreating figure, so frail and slight, a frown creased his brow.
It wasnât until Ivy was fully submerged in the warm bath that she finally felt safe. Her whole body was relaxing in the soothing water.
The day had been draining for her. The distance between her and Balfour wasnât just about the contract; it was also about her family. Who wouldnât want their spouse to come from a normal, loving home?
Yet, this simple wish was something she couldnât fulfill.
Balfourâs grandparents were the epitome of kindness, and even when they chided him, it was with genuine concern and love.
Ivy had never felt that kind of affection from her own family.
When Alyssa served her a helping of her latest recipe the first time, and when she was waiting for Ivy to taste the food with an anticipating look in her eyes, Ivy was almost overwhelmed with gratitude.
She wasnât sure if Grandma had noticed her reaction, but her gaze seemed to carry an extra layer of sympathy when she looked at Ivy.
She envied Balfour, who was born into a family with money and love. There was nothing he was in lack of.â
With a soft sigh, Ivyâs face went wet. She couldnât tell if that was tear or bathwater.
She washed meticulously as she thought that Clara had grown such a deep hatred against her without letting her realize it.
Ivy couldnât fathom what she had done wrong. How ridiculous it was that even her own parents couldnât pinpoint her supposed fault, yet they sided blindly with Clara.
After all, their darling eldest daughter was in trouble with the law, while Ivy was out and free.
How could they tolerate such a thing?
Even the presence of Balfour, a man of such caliber, was seen as an outcome of Ivyâs trickery-they believed he should have been a match for their eldest, not Ivy.
Ivy didnât deserve anything good and popular in their eyes.
Alone in the tranquil setting, the chaotic mess of her life rushed at her like a tide, entrapping her completely.
A voice told her not to dream of a real future with Balfour; she wasnât worthy.
He was in the sunlight, but she was stuck in the mire.
Ivy hid all her pain and composed herself before stepping out again.
âHave you finished your shower?â she asked, toweling off her hair, but there was no reply.
When she approached the bed, she saw Balfour already fast asleep on the pillow.
âI forgot how tired you must be. Youâve been running around non-stop since the moment you got the alert about my credit card.â
Reaching out tentatively, Ivy traced the contours of his face in the air.
âYou always end up cleaning up messes since weâve been together. Itâs not just me; there are plenty of exceptional women who would have signed that contract with you. Iâm sorry it had to be someone like me.â
With a sorrowful expression, Ivy whispered an apology to the sleeping Balfour.
If it hadnât been for her, he wouldnât be so worn out, would he?
She wasnât that important, so why did he always go out of his way to help her?
The pain in her heart intensified at the thought.
It was Balfourâs tough exterior and soft heart that had drawn her in, step by step.
So this is what it felt like to have someone to rely on in my darkest hours, she mused.
She believed, without a doubt, that Balfour would always come to her rescue.
Just because the guy was a Balfour.