Ivy felt a twinge of embarrassment stir within her as she recalled the words Balfour had said to Nolan.
She never felt worthy of Nolan before, and now, more than ever, she knew it was foolish to even entertain the notion.
âWhy are you all by yourself? Whereâs my cousin?â Nolanâs voice pulled her from her reverie, and Ivy looked up to see him approach with that same warm, gentlemanly smile.
Her lips curled into a faint smile as she replied, âHeâs chatting with a friend. I thought Iâd take a stroll.â
âHis friend?â Nolan pondered for a moment. âIt must be Giselle, right?â
Hearing Giselleâs name dimmed Ivyâs spirits.
Of course. Giselle and Balfour had been childhood sweethearts, and it seemed that everyoneâs first thought of Balfourâs friends was her âHave you met Giselle?â Nolan asked, coming to stand beside her. âSheâs quite the celebrity now, with a legion of fans.â
Ivy nodded, maintaining her smile, âIâve seen her. Yes, sheâs very beautiful. But Iâm not really into the showbiz scene, so I didnât recognize her at first.â
âIt seems like even back in high school, you werenât much into that stuff. All the other girls were starstruck, except you. Some things never change.â
Back then, Ivy was a loner; others saw her as aloof and antisocial.
âNo, itâs not that. I was just too caught up in my studies, so I didnât have much time to focus on other things, Ivy chuckled, choosing not to bring up the pressures she faced at that time.
How had she been all these years?
âSoâ¦â Nolan hesitated before asking, âHow did you and my cousin end up together?â
Ivy knew this question was coming. After all, she and Balfour seemed worlds apart; anyone who looked at them would be curious about how they ended up together.
âIt was just a casual acquaintance,â Ivy said with a rueful smile, deliberately vague. âBut, the news of our marriage isnât public yet, Nolan. Please, try not to mention it to anyone.â
A tinge of sadness flickered in Nolanâs eyes as he forced a smile, âDonât worry, nobody dares to gossip about Balfourâs business.â
For years, Nolan had strove to catch up to Balfourâs success.
But Balfourâs starting point was already the finish line for many. Catching up to Balfour was easier said than done.
Now, as the head of the Howard family, even Nolanâs family, independent as they were, didnât dare cross Balfour.
While they conversed, Ivyâs phone buzzed. She glanced at the message from Balfour.
[Giselle got drunk, so Iâm giving her a lift home. Just ring up Quinton, and heâll come to pick you up.]
Sighing at the message, Ivy felt like an afterthought, disposable no matter where she was.
âNolan, Iâm sorry, but itâs getting late, and I should head back. Letâs catch up some other time,â Ivy said with a smile, excusing herself from the party. Walking down the street in her high heels, Ivy felt a suffocating sense of oppression.
She didnât call Quinton, preferring the solitude of her own company on the sidewalk.
But these high heels were nothing short of beautiful torture; they looked great, but walking in them was a nightmare!
Irritated, Ivy slipped off the heels and walked barefoot, feeling out of place amid the glitz and glamour.
A white sedan pulled up beside her, and Nolanâs face appeared at the window, smiling, âIvy, get in. Iâll drive you home.â