The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 1957

Ivy had been on a job application spree, sending out resumes like messages in bottles cast into a vast, indifferent sea. Each time she checked her email, the emptiness of her inbox echoed back at her, filled with silence rather than replies.

She sighed in resignation, “Man, why’s it gotta be so tough to land a job?”

Flopping onto her bed, Ivy’scrolled through her contacts on her phone.

Thanks to Clara’s meddling back in school, making friends was like trying to catch smoke with her bare hands – nearly impossible.

After graduation, the numbers dwindled even further.

But there was one girl, Megan, who often shared detention duties with Ivy. They had a good relationship, and even after graduation, they occasionally kept in touch with greetings.

Ivy opened Megan’s chat and hesitated before typing. [You around?]

didn’t take long for Megan’s reply to

hang out soon?]

as a

a bit and agreed to meet for dinner that

uplifted at the prospect of seeing her friend, Ivy decided

open her closet and was surprised to find a bunch of brand-new outfits, all

the housekeeper to shed

are these, and why are they

replied respectfully, “These were personally selected for you by the lady of the

It was Grandmother.

considerate. Touched by the gesture, she picked out

the bus to the rendezvous, Ivy spotted Megan from a distance and quickened her pace to greet her, “Long time no see, Megan!”

about it! You vanished after graduation. What have you been up to?” Megan took Ivy’s hands, looking her up and down. “Whoa, Ivy, something’s off about you.”