The Kiss that Sparked it All (Ellinor and Theo) novel Chapter 2195

She turned around in fury and said, "This has nothing to do with Ryan! And you, what's the big idea, going after him like that? He's my coworker. We were working, and you don't even have a clue about what we were doing!"

"I may not know what you were doing, Ivy, but I've got eyes, okay? I saw what I saw. I'm not blind," Balfour retorted, clearly agitated as he yanked at his necktie.

"So, you think I'm fooling around behind your back with another guy?" Ivy couldn’t believe the absurdity. She hadn’t even started on the whole Mara situation, and here he was, turning the tables on her!

What was she to Balfour anyway?

Just some pet kept at home for his amusement, to be played with when he felt like it and tossed aside when he didn’t?

The more Ivy thought about it, the angrier she got. She pointed towards the door, her arm trembling. "I don't care what you think, and I can't make it clear to you right now. Please, leave. I don't want to see you at my workplace again."

Balfour was taken aback.

Was Ivy kicking him out for some stranger?

"What did you just say? Say it again!" He was livid.

Taking a deep breath, Ivy repeated herself.

"Balfour, let me be blunt with you – don’t come to my set again! I want you to understand the difference between public and private spaces. Whatever is between us should stay within the family gatherings."

Ivy had obligations towards Balfour, sure, but she wasn't about to dedicate every waking moment to him.

"Fine, Ivy. Remember what you said. Next time you need something, don't expect me to come running back!"

With those harsh words, he still didn’t leave.

There was a deathly silence between them, neither willing to back down.

But now, she couldn't lie to herself anymore.

If he really cared for her, even a little bit, would he trample on her dignity so recklessly?

Where did she stand in Balfour's life?

She was tired of competing for affection, of chasing after something that seemed forever out of reach. The past with Clara had been enough of a bitter lesson.

It was only through her family that Ivy understood that ‘there are times when you don't get as much as you give, especially when it comes to love – love always flows towards those who are not in need of it.’

She had striven for straight A's, won scholarships, competed and took home the gold, but to her parents, those achievements might never weigh as much as Clara’s whimsical charm.

These painful memories rushed at Ivy and she let out a long sigh.