As Balfour sat silently by Ivy's bedside, watching her sleep, thirty minutes slipped away like sand through an hourglass.
Before leaving, he sought out the attending physician and the room nurse. They were outside the room, ready to attend to any patient's need at a moment's notice.
"Mr. Howard."
Balfour nodded in acknowledgment. "I need to head home for a bit. I should be back…" He glanced at his watch, "within the hour. Please keep a close eye on Ivy for me. When she wakes up, just tell her I'll be right back."
They nodded, affirming what was already part of their duties.
With urgency, Balfour left the hospital and drove back to the Howard family estate.
"Master Balfour…"
He waved his hand to dismiss the formalities.
Bag in hand, he went straight to their bedroom to pack for Ivy. Seeing her in such a weakened state, he thought it best if she stayed in the hospital for a couple more days for observation.
Concerned that others might overlook something while packing Ivy’s belongings, Balfour decided to handle it personally. He packed generously to ensure Ivy's comfort during her hospital stay.
However, as he was about to leave, his phone rang.
It was Mara.
"Hello?" Balfour answered.
He was worried Ivy would wake up and think he'd left her again.
Surprisingly, he heard a soft sobbing on the other end, "Balfour..."
"What's wrong? Why are you crying? What happened?" Balfour asked, a frown creasing his brows.
But no matter how much he prodded, Mara remained silent on the specifics.
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