Chapter 1946
âNo, I looked for you, I just couldn't find you.â
Ivy dutifully recounted how she was awkwardly hit on at the party, and how Nolan stepped in to
help her.
"Hit on?â Balfour's brow furrowed slightly, and his face turned a shade darker, âDid someone give
you a hard time?â
Realizing that he might be getting angry, Ivy quickly waved her hands dismissively, âNo, no, it was
nothing. He just chatted me up a bit too much. I was in a rush to find you and didn't want to get
caught up with those people.â
âMhm.â Balfour grunted, taking her by the arm, about to leave.
Ivy, aware that Nolan was still behind her, quickly tugged on Balfour's hand, âBalfour, wait. Can you
give me a moment to speak to Nolan before leaving?â Her words made Balfour halt in his tracks,
and he turned to look at Ivy, âWhat do you want to say to him?â
âJust a minute.â Ivy pulled away from his grasp and turned to Nolan, âNolan, ... I have to go now. It
was great seeing you here. Let's catch up another time.â Nolan looked puzzled as he watched the
two of them, not quite catching up, âIvy, do you know my cousin very well?â
He had thought they were merely acquaintances, the sort who would nod in passing.
But the hand-holding he witnessed seemed to suggest a far deeper connection.
"We..." Ivy glanced at Nolan's inquiring eyes, but suddenly found herself at a loss for words to
explain her relationship with Balfour. Nolan asked, âIvy, are you guys good friends?â
Just as Ivy was about to nod and accept the label, Balfour stepped forward, his hand coming to rest
on her shoulder, âNot friends.â
His touch sent a shiver through Ivy, and she involuntarily locked eyes with Nolan.
She didn't want Nolan to know about her complicated and messy relationship with Balfour. But
Balfour's gesture clearly indicated he wasn't going to help Ivy keep it from Nolan.
Perhaps, he intended to make their relationship known to Nolan.
Balfour spoke with a firm voice, âHow can you call her by her nickname so casually? She is your
âcousin-in-lawâ
Nolan gasped in shock, barely able to believe it as he looked at Ivy, âCousin-in-law? Ivy, you and my
cousin got married?â
Seeing his expression, Ivy felt a deep sorrow. Her years of unrequited love, just when she had finally
reunited with him.
And before she could rekindle that affection, before it could take root and blossom, Balfour had
ruthlessly nipped it in the bud.
Ivy looked down, âYes... we're married.â
âSo, that's how it is,â Nolan said after a few seconds, managing a bitter smile, âThen my cousin is
right, 1 do indeed have to refer to you as âcousin-in-law".â
Ivy lifted her head again, the term âcousin-in-lawâ like two sharp knives, piercing straight into her
heart.
For Ivy, the one unforgettable thing in her life was the warmth of the sunshine that had once
brightened her darkest days!
Now, that very sunshine stood before her, and yet she no longer had the right to reach out for it.
Balfour looked down at Ivy in his arms, his eyes filled with mockery, âYou seem to know my cousin
quite well. Did you have a nice chat?"..
Nolan sensed the tension between them and quickly laughed, trying to dispel the awkwardness,
âWe went to the same high school and haven't seen each other for years. Just happened to run into
each other today and got talking.â