Chapter 2123
While Ivy was grumbling under her breath, Balfour nodded in solemn agreement, âThen let's skip
the fragrance. The natural scent of you is just perfect.â She rolled her eyes and gave her shirt a
strenuous tug, which seemed to catch Balfour off guard. He stumbled, and in a frantic bid to steady
themselves, both collapsed onto the couch in a heap.
âOuch-"
Balfour's hands shot out, cradling Ivy's head in a protective gesture while his own palm took the
brunt of the fall against the armrest.
âIvy's back, but what in the world happened? You two could have given us a heads-up.â
Alyssa Howard's voice suddenly floated in from the doorway, catching them off guard. Before they
could react, the elderly ma'am pushed the door open with concern.
âGrandma?!â Ivy gasped. Pinned beneath Balfour, her attempt to stand stifled by his unmoving
weight.
Their position was very amatory, not helped by the ripped fabric of her clothing.
Pushing against his chest, she hissed, âGet up, for heaven's sake, Grandma is watching us!â
Balfour casually called out, âGrandma, eliciting an amused and knowing smile from Alyssa, who
seemed quite pleased with the tableau before her.
"Oh, you lovebirds carry on. I'm not some old fuddy-duddy and I'll come back after you're finished
to ask my questions.â
âUh... Grandma, it's not what it looks like, Balfour and I are not-"
Alyssa exited with a speed that outpaced her entrance, as if afraid of interrupting something
significant.
âHuff-"
Resigned, Ivy lay still beneath Balfour and gave him a feeble shove, âThis is all your fault. Now
Grandma's bound to get the wrong idea! She must think we were... you know. Her suspicions won't
come off no matter what.â
Ivy's punch on Balfour's body was more a tickle than anything else.
He enveloped her hand in his, "How can such a tiny hand pack any punch?â
Feeling her face flush, lvy stammered, âEnough already. What, you going to tease me about not
being able to fight my way out of a wet paper bag? You're the champ, the strongest man in the
world, happy now?"
But Balfour's sudden laugh caught her off guard. He seldom smiled, and now, his rare display was
stunningly attractive.
It turned out that the usually expressionless person could smile so charmingly. She was
mesmerized.
After his laughter subsided, he lay down beside her, prompting Ivy to blink in confusion, âWhy
didnât you move just now? Grandma's got the wrong idea.â âSo what if she does? Don't forget we're
married now. If Grandma misunderstands, it's only what a husband and wife might naturally do. The
more she suspects, the better for us.â
Balfour's insinuation was clear.
His hand, restless as if with a mind of its own, caressed her cheek constantly.
"Were you deliberately not moving just now?â Ivy clenched her fingers out of his view.
Did he stay on top of her on purpose when Grandma walked in, just to reinforce their marital
status?
"Why else?â
His nonchalant response brought Ivy back to reality. Their relationship was nothing but a contract,
nothing more!
She couldn't afford to get lost in the illusion.
With that thought, the heat from her face receded rapidly. Turning her head slightly, she brushed
Balfour's hand away. âAlright! It's getting late, and I'm tired. I need to freshen up.â