âItâs the least I could do. Letâs go, Iâve asked Althea to whip up your favorite dish. You must be peckish after the hospital, right? Maybe start off with a light chicken soup to settle your stomach?â
Alyssa was pulling Ivy towards the dining table, but Balfour intervened, âGrandma, donât let her drink anything yet. Sheâll be too full for dinner. Her appetiteâs pretty delicate these days, and she needs to stick to the lighter fare. That hearty soup might be a bit too rich for her right now.â
During Ivyâs hospital stay, Balfour had been in charge of her meals and knew all too well that her current condition was nothing like her usual self.
She could barely manage a few bites of her once-beloved spicy-sweet dishes, and sheâd feel full after just a little nibble.
Balfour had to coax her every day just to get her to eat a bit more.
The mention of eating made Ivy blush a little; in the hospital, it had been just the two of them.
Balfour cajoled and enticed her like a parent coaxing a child to eat, and thinking back on it now, Ivy felt a touch embarrassed.
When Alyssa offered her the soup earlier, Ivy had wanted to refuse, but she didnât, not wanting to let down Alyssaâs thoughtful preparation.
The soup made by the Howard family chef was naturally not greasy, but after finishing that, she was afraid she wouldnât be able to eat the main course for dinner.
Watching their interaction, Alyssa was quite pleased; a couple should be just like this.
âThatâs how it is, then. If you canât eat or donât feel like it, just tell me. I just want you to be healthy and happy. If you donât fancy it, we wonât have it. We can always ask the cook to make it when youâre feeling better.â
Alyssaâs gaze at Ivy was full of flawless affection, while Mara sat somewhat neglected on the side.
She couldnât see what Ivy had done to earn such favoritism from Alyssa.
Mara didnât think Ivy was in any way superior to her, so why was Alyssa so set on having her as a granddaughter-in-law?
She just couldnât fathom what was going through Alyssaâs head!
Ivy had come home intending to spend more time with Alyssa, and now that she wasnât having the soup, Alyssa suggested they take a stroll in the back garden instead.
Of course, the others didnât follow.
Mara stepped forward, about to suggest she join them to clear her mind, but Alyssa cut in, mentioning she hadnât had a chance to talk to lvy alone in ages, dashing Maraâs hopes.
All the while, Ivy avoided looking at Mara; she was afraid that seeing her and Balfourâs overly familiar manner would betray an emotion she shouldnât show.
Alyssa, arm in arm with Ivy, walked to the secluded back garden.
Here in the chilly November, there shouldnât have been many flowers, but Dean, knowing his wifeâs fondness for them, had arranged for fresh blooms to be flown in daily from all over.
The mansion even had a gardener dedicated to tending this area, so despite their thick clothes, the garden was still bursting with life.
âLook at these flowers, blooming so beautifully despite the cold.â
Alyssa pointed to a patch of bright red blossoms, and Ivy followed her gaze.
âThey sure do! After staring at plain white hospital walls every day, this is a real treat for the eyes.â
Her words carried no self-pity, which Alyssa understood well; she patted the back of Ivyâs hand.
âYouâve been through a lot, my dear. Once youâre better, come back home. I will take good care of you and get you back on your feet.â