Chapter 2398
"How can a man neglect his wife's feelings? That's exactly why he should respect you more, and
cherish you more. Even if he's never had that kind of experience before, even if he's never learned
how to cherish you, he should change for you,â said Alyssa.
Ivy lifted her gaze to Alyssa, whose relationship with Dean had been rock-solid for decades. Ivy was
filled with envy.
âBut you can't force feelings. If he doesn't love me-"
She bit her lip abruptly, afraid of hearing an answer from Alyssa that she didn't want to
hear.
"Oh, child, I see everything. How could he not love you? Love between a man and a woman isn't just
about the word âlove.â If love alone could keep a man's heart, it would all be too simple.â
Alyssa took a sip of her water, gazed into the cup and began to reminisce about her young days
with her husband.
âDo you see how harmonious Dean and I are, how much you long for something like
that?â
Ivy nodded emphatically. âEven though Grandpa doesn't show it, he cares deeply about every little
thing you do. His eyes are always on you.â
Alyssa smiled faintly, âWhat if I told you Dean nearly did something to hurt me when he was
younger? Would you still think our relationship is strong?â
Ivy's brows furrowed unconsciously; the idea of Dean straying was utterly alien to her and shook the
image she had of him.
âDid he have an affair?"
With a wrinkled brow, Ivy posed the question to which Alyssa chuckled softly.
âSilly child, you're still too young. Sometimes in a marriage, infidelity isnât the worst problem. The
real fear is when he no longer has a place for you in his heart, when he stops caring about you
entirely. Dean didn't have an affair. It was perhaps a brief emotional wandering, but I caught on
quickly.â
Ivy was shocked at how calmly Alyssa spoke of it. âAren't you angry? Don't you feel heartbroken and
let down?â
Alyssa sighed, seemingly lost in the past.
"How could I not be heartbroken and disappointed? We had our children together, built our home.
If I hadn't caught on early, he might have fallen for someone else's tricks!â
Seeing Ivy's disbelief, Alyssa shook her head with a smile, âNow, are you disillusioned with
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Chapter 2398
love? Seeing that even we have had our share of troubles?â
âI'm just surprised. I never considered... So, did you forgive him?â
Alyssa nodded. âThat woman was cunning, ensnaring Dean. To him, it might have been pity for her
plight, but had I not intervened or allowed her to play the victim, it would have spelled trouble. I
love Dean dearly, and I am certain of his love for me. We discussed the matter calmly afterward.
Even he was confused about why he felt pity for her, nearly falling for it.â
Ivy struggled to understand how this related to her and Balfour.
âIvy, what I want to tell you is that sometimes, you need more than a man's love; you need to be
wary of manipulative people. You're too naive, Ivy, especially compared to Mara. Mara may not
always play fair, but why is it that she keeps Balfour on his toes?â
Alyssaâs eyes locked onto Ivy, waiting for an answer.
Ivy, feeling a touch of sorrow from the conversation, couldn't help but start to ponder the question
herself.