The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2260

“I’ll try to keep it down.” Elara whispered.

Balfour had no objections to the physical check-up. His brow furrowed with concern as

he accompanied Elara to the bedside of Ivy, who was just beginning to rouse from her sleep, rubbing her eyes wearily.

“Ugh,” she murmured.

“Ah, Mrs. Howard, you’re awake. Perfect timing, we need to draw some blood. Once I’m done, you can snuggle back under the covers with Mr. Howard for a bit more shut-eye,” Elara said with a soft chuckle.

Ivy, slightly embarrassed, nodded without making eye contact with Balfour, who was standing like a sentinel by her bed. She couldn’t believe she had spent the last half hour just watching him sleep.

As Elara prepared to draw Ivy’s blood, Balfour watched intently, concern etched on his face. At the slightest furrowing of Ivy’s brow, he couldn’t help but interject, “Can’t you be more gentle?”

Ivy glanced at him, surprised, and then exchanged a look with Elara. Elara was being as gentle as possible, but a needle piercing skin was bound to cause some sensation.

It doesn’t hurt much. Elara’s got a good hand –

members could get anxious. After pressing a cotton ball to the

they were alone, Balfour sat down beside Ivy and held the cotton in

lost in thought, staring at the small puncture wound. She

way it’s the same. Don’t lie to me. Promise you’ll tell me right

then asked, “Did something happen

as if debating whether to

do with me? Trouble on the

anxiety. Despite her own frail state,

spell that

behind your accident and traced several clues through him,” Balfour

near drowning was an accident. The idea that someone had deliberately tried to harm her was frightening. Why would anyone go to such lengths to

her expression, Balfour reassured her, “You don’t need to worry about these things. Just remember that you’re the victim here, and you’ve