The Kiss that Sparked it All

Chapter 2286

Dean shook his head with a sigh, the lines on his weathered face deepening with concern. As an elder, he found himself in a delicate position, hesitant to step in directly and halt the unfolding drama.

“All we can do now is hope Mara gets the message that she’s barking up the wrong tree, that she has the sense to back off before things turn uglier than a Thanksgiving turkey left in the oven too long.”

Alyssa felt a pang in her heart for Ivy. She was relieved that the recent awkward confrontation had not unfolded before Ivy.

If Ivy had witnessed that mess, Alyssa could only imagine the storm of hurt that would have churned in Ivy’s heart.

“This can’t go on. I need to find the right moment to have a heart-to-heart with Balfour. The man’s married, for heaven’s sake. He should not be cozying up to another woman like that.”

his wife’s firm resolve, Dean knew no amount of sweet talking

and needles, each day at work filled with the dread of hearing

their

sat together, each

course at a barbecue festival. It hurts to

thrown their way,

said with a nonchalance that had grown since the harrowing experience of being kidnapped. She had emerged calmer,

particular, seemed trivial. Praise or blame, the words belonged to others and were beyond her control. What mattered was their conscience. They knew the truth. of their innocence.

waiting for the perfect moment to lay all the evidence on the table. The truth would shine like a lighthouse when that time came, and the negative image would be

understood all this, but the agony of waiting was almost too much