âHey, sorry for barging in on you like this, Ivy,â Mara said with an apologetic grin. âItâs just, as Balfourâs good friend, I couldnât not swing by when I heard you were sick. Balfour, come on, hand over that get-
well present we picked up for Ivy!â
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.
âIvy, I know itâs 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.â
Ivyâs eyes fell as she forced a smile, stung by her familiar banter. âYou didnât need to go to all this trouble. I appreciate the thought, but really, I donât need anything.â
Mara looked around the room and nodded slowly. âSeems like youâve got everything you need here.
Balfourâs always been generous with his friends and makes sure theyâre 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 youâre feeling better, weâll 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 weâve got to head out.â
The thought of Balfourâs grandparents waiting for Mara made Ivyâs heart clench. She could not bear the idea that even Balfourâs grandparentsâ attention would be diverted upon Maraâs 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?
âThen youâd better get going. Donât keep the old folks waiting,â 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, âCome on, Balfour, you need to drop me off. I havenât been back in years and am clueless about the way home now. Iâd hate to get lost!â
Balfour frowned, clearly worried about Mara, who had just returned. He turned to Ivy firmly. âIvy, wait here for me. Iâll be back as soon as Iâve taken Mara home.â
Despite his words, Ivy did not lift her head, smiling weakly. âDonât worry about me. Go with her.â
Maraâs grip on Balfourâs sleeve did not loosen. âLetâs go, Balfour. I wonder if your grandma and grandpa will like the gifts I brought them. They always said my presents were more thoughtful than their grandsonâs!â
Balfour let Mara lead him away, and as the ward door closed behind them, Ivyâs 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 Balfourâs heart was sure to be claimed.
She felt ridiculous for even hoping.
Meanwhile, Balfour sat in the driverâs 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, âWait here,â and hurried out of the car as if pulled by an invisible string.
âBalfour, where are you going?â