The Kiss that Sparked it All (Ellinor and Theo) novel Chapter 2416

"You're overthinking it."

Mara's smile was faint. "So, is it the family stuff? While I understand some matters are private, Balfour, you should know I'm more than willing to help you with any troubles you may have."

Her smile grew more understanding and empathetic.

But Balfour felt like he was losing his grip on the friend he'd known for years.

"You don't have to force a smile."

With an icy tone, Balfour dropped that bomb, and it hit Mara like a physical blow.

Her smile froze in place.

"Balfour, what are you getting at?"

"Just what I said. If you don't feel like smiling, you don't have to pretend."

The smile vanished from Mara's face as if it had never been there.

"Balfour, did you hear something?"

Only if Balfour had known about her setting up Ivy would he speak to her with such an attitude.

Balfour had always been accommodating towards her, and this cold demeanor was hard for her to take.

"Hear what?"

Balfour was genuinely puzzled, but as always, his face gave nothing away, leaving his query hanging ambiguously.

"Why didn't you come straight to me if you heard some gossip?"

What did Ivy have to do with any of this?

"Why must you bring Ivy into this? She's never spoken ill of you behind your back."

These past days, Balfour had mulled things over. Sure, Ivy had been down since Mara returned, but she never badmouthed Mara to him.

In contrast, Mara had always been quick to play the victim and cry in front of him, even blaming Ivy for the incident this time.

After hearing it so many times, Balfour was fed up.

"Who keeps bringing up Ivy? I mention her once, and you're immediately upset on her behalf. Balfour, after all these years, did you ever really care about me? Don't you know I've been waiting for you for so long?"

Mara was genuinely hurt, her eyes brimming with tears.

"After all these years, why should this newcomer grab all your attention? You don't care about me anymore! Yes, that incident, I did it!”