âGrandma, itâs getting late. Maybe skip the coffee tonight? Too much, and youâll be tossing and turning all night.â
Alyssa offered a gentle smile, glad that Balfour had become more considerate of others after spending so much time with Ivy.
âDonât you worry, dear. Iâm sipping on some chamomile, itâs harmless. You two have eased my mind a lot since youâve been back.â
Balfour arched an eyebrow, puzzled by his grandmotherâs cryptic words.
âStill playing coy, are we? Havenât you two taken your relationship to the next level?â
A blush tinged Balfourâs cheeks. He was in his twenties, and having his grandmother fuss over his love life was embarrassing.
But she was right â his relationship with Ivy had transformed. They had become inseparable since the night he poured out his heart to her. Any walls between them had crumbled.
Now, a single glance was all it took to read each otherâs thoughts.
Above all, he was certain of Ivyâs love for him. He wasnât alone anymore; he had found his soulmate.
âBut thereâs one thing, dear, and pardon an old womanâs prattle. What are your plans regarding Mara?â
âGrandma, Iâve got it handled. Maraâs a person, not a possession. I canât just snap my fingers and send her packing. It takes time. But donât worry, Ivy and I have talked it out. She understands thereâs nothing untoward between Mara and me.
Maraâs friend is coming to stay in the country soon, and theyâll be moving out to place. They wonât be staying with us any longer. You neednât fret over this, Grand in the loop, and weâll handle it together.â
Hearing that they were working as a team put Alyssaâs mind at ease. She didnât fea grandson leading someone on; she trusted his character. Her main concern was tha might assume Ivy didnât care and thus keep her in the dark.
Regardless of whether Ivy minded about other women, Balfour had to tell her. It was th least he owed his wife as a sign of respect.
âOkay, as long as you two are on the same page, Iâm happy.â
âDonât worry, Grandma. Itâs getting late. You should head to bed.â
âAlright.â
It wasnât until the film wrapped up that Ivy learned about the episode between Balfour and Clara. But the past was the past, and Balfour had explained everything, so she wasnât too upset.
âIâm just glad she didnât take advantage of you. Iâd be livid! And if she starts spewing nonsense online, I couldnât care less. Iâve been bad-mouthed enough already.â
Balfour chuckled softly. Ivy, it seemed, was still protective over the thought of someone taking advantage of him.
âWho told you she nearly took advantage of me?â
With an exasperated roll of her eyes, Ivy retorted, âDo you think Iâm jealous? This time, she just wanted a kiss. What if next time she tries to poison you, Mr. Howard? Can you be a bit more vigilant next time?
Donât go falling asleep in empty rooms. And with someone barging in without you noticing. Honestly, how do you expect to run a company like that?â