The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1940

“We’re just friends,” Ivy said, offering nothing more on the subject but a smile as she glanced at her reflection in the mirror.

Jonah sensed that Ivy wasn’t keen on delving deeper into the nature of their relationship, so he dropped the topic. He smiled and proceeded to apply her makeup with great care.

As Ivy watched her transformation unfold bit by bit in the mirror, it all felt a bit surreal.

Throughout her childhood, she had never worn anything fancy. Every time she saw Clara twirling in a pretty frock, envy welled up within her. However, she didn’t dare to hope for such things for herself, knowing they were beyond her reach. “Mom, tomorrow’s my birthday. Can I have a pretty dress like Clara’s?” Ivy asked, her eyes brimming with hope as she looked up at Tessa, only to be met with her mother’s dismissive tone.

“What do you need a fancy dress for? Haven’t I bought you plenty of T-shirts? Be content, Ivy. Stop comparing yourself to your sister.”

Eight-year-old Ivy never got the dress she longed for.

Now, dressed in the gown she had always dreamed of, the excitement Ivy would have once felt was conspicuously absent.

you yearn for something so deeply and it remains out of reach, its eventual acquisition

a gown personally selected by Balfour, stunning even the seasoned Quinton, who was accustomed to

usually kept to simple attire, rarely bothering with makeup,

dazzling transformation that had taken place. She was now the kind of radiant beauty

to formal wear, was

at the venue. But first, let’s grab a bite. You won’t want to eat much at the reception, and

joint for a stomach-lining snack, Quinton

that Balfour had already gone inside, he

entrance, feeling out of her element, “What

head in and

sighed with resignation, faced the imposing doors of the reception, and took