The Kiss that Sparked it All

Ivy reached out without thinking, gently massaging the tension from Balfour’s furrowed brow.

“These past days, with all the stress about your grandma, you’ve been all knotted up,” she said softly, her voice tinged with concern. “It kills me to see you like this, but I feel helpless to share the load.”/

With a slight exertion of strength, Balfour pulled Ivy into his embrace. Their bodies pressed face to face. He buried his face in her shoulder, taking a deep, calming breath. “Just having you here with me is the support I need. Ivy, promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Don’t get hurt, don’t fall ill.”

Ivy wanted to offer more words of comfort, but they seemed to get stuck in her throat.

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Love always comes with a sense of debt.

No matter how blissful their current days were Balfour couldn’t forget how destitute Ivy had appeared when he first brought her home.

The hardships she had endured at the hands of her own parents weighed heavily on him. Sometimes, he tormented himself with the thought that had he fallen for her sooner; perhaps he could have spared her from her troubled past sooner, too.

Even now, despite having cut ties with her previous life, the scorn she faced online stemmed from those very familial connections. Ivy just wanted to sever all ties with the Dunhill family once and for all. Why did it have to be so hard?

Balfour tightened his hold around her neck and closed his eyes.

If only he could, he wished he could shrink Ivy down to the size of a doll, keeping her safe in his pocket, away from the world’s worries.

Ivy stayed quiet in his arms, understanding his helplessness was rooted in his love for her. It was both touching and heartbreaking.

Now that she finally had someone who loved her wholeheartedly, it pained her to see that love tinged with guilt. She resolved to heed Balfour’s words, to take care of herself. As for the rumors online, she decided they were inconsequential.

After all, interactions with netizens were one-sided, and their insults couldn’t physically harm her. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel hurt and puzzled when she saw the hateful words they flung at her. Why did these strangers hate her as if she had personally wronged them? Even if she had troubles with the Dunhills, they were only between them. What did it have to do with these netizens?

But now, the opinions that truly mattered to her were those of her fans and Balfour’s love.

She didn’t want to cause them any worry.

The car hummed quietly along the road to the hospital, the two of them holding each other tightly, the silence between them comfortable and reassuring.

Meanwhile, Leo vigorously carried on with his investigative work, attempting to contact Clara.

“Is this Clara Dunhill?”

Since the incident, Clara’s career had taken a nosedive. Where once there were advertising opportunities, now there were none. She spent her days cooped up in her room, crafting stories online to spite Ivy.

It had been ages since she had received a call from a stranger, and she mistakenly hoped it might be a new job offer.

“Hello, is this a director? Are you calling to offer me a role? I’m ready anytime! And we can negotiate the fee,” Clara said, her voice brimming with excitement.

Leo paused for a moment before replying, “I’m sorry, Ms. Dunhill, I’m not calling about a role. I have some information I’d like to verify with you.”

Clara, who had perked up at the prospect of work, slumped back onto her bed in disappointment.

“Oh,” she sighed, the enthusiasm draining from her voice.