The Kiss that Sparked it All

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. You promised me, you’d stop chasing after Balfour with those daydreams of yours. You better stick to your word.” As she spoke, Alyssa brushed past Mara, intent on leaving.

“And where do you think you’re going, Alyssa?”

Alyssa wasn’t as spry as she used to be, her pace and strength no match for the young and vigorous Mara. Yanked back, Alyssa stumbled and winced, her arm throbbing from what seemed like a twist.

“Aren’t you getting a bit too big for your boots? This is my house, I’ll go where I please. But you? You’re just a guest strutting around like you own the place. Aren’t you afraid I’ll call Balfour down here?”

Mara had reached a breaking point, her voice laced with defiance. Let her call, she thought. They were secluded enough that no one would stumble upon them anytime

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That’s the trouble with big houses, she mused. Their villa was so vast that even if she did something to the old bat right there, it might take hours before anyone noticed.

“If you’re so sure you can get them to come, then just do it. Why waste your breath on me? Didn’t you always look down on me? Why the sudden change of heart, preferring to waste time arguing with someone you despise?”

Mara couldn’t help but feel a surge of pleasure seeing Alyssa, who once held her in such contempt, now seemingly at her mercy.

Was it the recent incident that spooked her? So Alyssa did fear death after all.

“What do you want from me?” Alyssa was done engaging with this madwoman. Sh feared that Mara might snap and do something irreversible.

Mara’s life might not hold much value, but Alyssa’s did. She wanted to be around to se her grandchildren and great-grandchildren flourish.

Mara was nothing to her, certainly not worth risking her life for.

“I don’t want much. Just an apology will do. I mean, you barely acknowledge me when I greet you. How about saying you’re sorry? Admit you were wrong, that I’m the one who’s truly right for Balfour!”

A sneer crossed Alyssa’s face.

“Even if I said that, what would it change? Would it alter the fact that Balfour loves Ivy, not you? After all these years, both Balfour and I have told you over and over, why can’t you understand? It’s not because of my interference that you and Balfour aren’t together-it’s because he doesn’t love you! He feels nothing for you, that’s why it’s impossible for you

10:41

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two to be together,” Alyssa said, pitying Mara’s delusion.

Mara had spent her life fixated on a love she could never have.

What was the point? Didn’t she have any other aspirations?

“That’s a lie! It’s always been you, stirring up trouble. All these years, even if Balfour only flew out to see me once a year, you’d make those international calls to rush him back. Do you think I’m blind to that? It’s because of you he can’t be with me. If it weren’t for your

meddling, we would’ve been together a long time ago.”