âI have no idea what youâre talking about. You promised me, youâd stop chasing after Balfour with those daydreams of yours. You better stick to your word.â As she spoke, Alyssa brushed past Mara, intent on leaving.
âAnd where do you think youâre going, Alyssa?â
Alyssa wasnât 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.
âArenât you getting a bit too big for your boots? This is my house, Iâll go where I please. But you? Youâre just a guest strutting around like you own the place. Arenât you afraid Iâll call Balfour down here?â
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 soon.
Thatâs 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.
âIf youâre so sure you can get them to come, then just do it. Why waste your breath on me? Didnât you always look down on me? Why the sudden change of heart, preferring to waste time arguing with someone you despise?â
Mara couldnât 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.
âWhat do you want from me?â Alyssa was done engaging with this madwoman. Sh feared that Mara might snap and do something irreversible.
Maraâs life might not hold much value, but Alyssaâs 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.
âI donât want much. Just an apology will do. I mean, you barely acknowledge me when I greet you. How about saying youâre sorry? Admit you were wrong, that Iâm the one whoâs truly right for Balfour!â
A sneer crossed Alyssaâs face.
âEven 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 canât you understand? Itâs not because of my interference that you and Balfour arenât together-itâs because he doesnât love you! He feels nothing for you, thatâs why itâs impossible for you 10:41 two to be together Alysen aid tying Marcelusion We had para aleve de su ever have What was the poi ch he have a theration Thatâs a thing Tento se mene you think Slime that meddling, we would be all the year even if dalfour only make the national call to rush him track Day cofe cant be with ine if it werenât for veur the longes two to be together,â Alyssa said, pitying Maraâs delusion.
Mara had spent her life fixated on a love she could never have.
What was the point? Didnât she have any other aspirations?
âThatâs a lie! Itâs always been you, stirring up trouble. All these years, even if Balfour only flew out to see me once a year, youâd make those international calls to rush him back. Do you think Iâm blind to that? Itâs because of you he canât be with me. If it werenât for your meddling, we wouldâve been together a long time ago.â