Lounging on the couch, Ivy rubbed her temples â they were throbbing mercilessly. She closed her eyes, intending to take a brief respite, when suddenly, the chime of a text message pierced the silence.
Thinking it might be Balfour replying, she slowly opened her eyes and reached for her phone.
[Ivy, are you resting now?]
The message wasnât from Balfour; it was Nolan who had sent it.
Ivy replied with a mix of feelings.
[Yeah, about to catch some zâs. Thanks for the lift home today, Nolan.]
[Donât mention it. Letâs keep in touch often, and if you need anything, just holler.]
Ivy stared at her phone for a moment before sending back a polite emoji. Then she switched off her phone and set it aside.
She wasnât naive. She could sense that Nolanâs intentions werenât just about catching up as old school pals. However, regardless of the motive, she wasnât about to give him any encouragement.
Outside, the sound of a car pulling up diverted her attention. Ivy rose and drifted to the balcony.
Sure enough, Balfour was back.
She wondered if he had seen her message.
Alyssa was probably still in the living room, waiting for him. Who knew what she might ask him.
Worried that Balfour might slip up, Ivy considered heading downstairs. Her hand reached for the doorknob, hesitated, then withdrew.
She decided to wait and see.
Balfour, having had no time to rest all day, entered the house looking worn out. He changed his shoes and headed upstairs.
âBalfour.â
Alyssa, hearing the noise, stood up in the living room and called out to him, âWhy are you back so late?â
âGot caught up with some last-minute stuff at work. Grandma, why are you still up this late?â Balfour paused, turning to face Alyssa.
Approaching him, Alyssa caught a whiff of a womanâs perfume.
This kind of fragrance was clearly not from Ivy â that kid never wore perfume.
âCome with me to the study, we need to talk.â
Alyssaâs face grew stern as she passed him and headed toward the study.
Balfourâs brow furrowed slightly, and after a momentâs contemplation, he followed Alyssa into the study.
âHave a seat.â Alyssaâs expression was grave. âBalfour, Ivy is a good kid.â
Hearing Ivyâs name, Balfour raised an eyebrow, âGrandma, why are you bring this up all of a sudden?â
Balfour was quite surprised. What on earth had Ivy done to earn such high praise from grandma?
âAfter you took Ivy to the party tonight, where did you go?â Alyssa pressed on, seeing that he wasnât volunteering any information.
Mulling over the mention of the party, Balfour said, âHad to sort out some things at the office. Why the sudden interest in these matters, Grandma?â