The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2322

After the long evening at the hospital, it was Balfour who lifted Ivy gently into his arms and carried her back into the house.

To their surprise, Alyssa and Dean had been waiting up for them in the living room, their eyes heavy with sleep that they refused to succumb to.

“Back at last! What did the doctor say?” Alyssa bustled forward, concern knitting her brow as she followed them to the couch.

Ivy, feeling a twinge of guilt, took Alyssa’s hand. “Grandma, Grandpa, you should’ve gone to bed. It’s really not a big deal.”

Alyssa sighed with a frown. “How could we sleep knowing you two were still out? Don’t worry, dear. At our age, we don’t need much sleep anyway.”

Seeing Ivy struggling to get down, Alyssa relented. “Alright, now that you’re back, we can rest easy. Just make sure Balfour takes good care of you.”

Balfour, Alyssa finally retreated to her

but Ivy shook her head. Her appetite

some warm soup later if she

long after they settled, Mark trudged in, carrying Mara over his shoulder. He barely greeted them before he scurried away, eager to escape

a sly grin at Balfour. “Next time Ivy gets sick, we should skip that hospital. The doc’s no good. A different one prescribed me

Frustration bubbled within her, but she was indifferent to how Balfour might handle Mara’s punishment. All Ivy wanted was to

not giving Mara the satisfaction of a response, turned to Ivy. “Didn’t you say you wanted to rest? Shall I carry you up to your

a nod, Ivy

watched, eyes brimming with envy, as Balfour lifted Ivy and carried her upstairs. Left alone in the vast living room, Mara’s composure crumbled, and

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