After finally making it back home for a visit, Ivy spent practically all her time with Alyssa.
Alyssa was the first person Ivy had ever met who was genuinely kind to her. She wanted to do everything she could for her.
After they finished dinner, Ivy walked Alyssa back to her room and then retreated to her own room for the night.
Her room felt foreign to her; it had been so long since she had been back. It was not really hers; she did not belong there, and it did not belong to her.
Standing silently at the doorway momentarily, Ivy grabbed some pajamas, showered, and then lay in bed.
She was exhausted from not sleeping well the night before, but for some reason, sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned, restless, then heard a car pulling up outside.
Balfour was back.
She was about to get up when she suddenly remembered what Giselle had said earlier that day. Anger flared up inside her, and with gritted teeth, she lay back down and closed her eyes.
When Balfour entered the room, he saw Ivy lying still in bed, seemingly asleep. After a quiet shower, he tiptoed into bed, careful not to disturb her.
But as soon as he settled in, he heard the uneven rhythm of her breathing. She was clearly not asleep; she was pretending.
Balfour felt a twinge of annoyance. What was this about? She was obviously awake, so why pretend? Was she avoiding him?
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