The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 2274

After the calamity years ago, Mara’s brief time around Alyssa left her feeling like Alyssa was distant, almost unreachable. Alyssa even mentioned that she had changed.

Those words haunted her for years, leaving her restless. Thus, she barely touched ground in her homeland before fleeing abroad.

Now, years later, returning filled her with unease.

Somehow, she had this gut feeling that this old lady would be tough to get along with.

Seeing Mara’s nerves, Balfour offered, "Do you want to postpone the visit?"

She forced a smile. "No need. I want to see them right off the bat. They'll be thrilled. Otherwise, it might seem impolite. Besides, Balfour, I don't even have a place to stay yet. Can I crash at your place for a while?"

Mara was curious about the life Balfour and Ivy had built together. She wanted to grasp the threads that might reveal Ivy's place in his heart.

Balfour hesitated when she suggested staying with him. "I've got other places. Maybe I could set you up somewhere else? You're worried about Grandma, right? It might be more uncomfortable under the same roof."

His reluctance irked Mara. "Balfour, don't you want me to be a part of your life? Or is it that now you have Ivy, you don't care about me as much? I thought coming back would mean being closer to you."

Her words were laden with longing for him.

But Balfour, ever so focused, did not take it in a romantic direction. He was all about responsibility.

She had just returned with hardly anyone she knew around. The thought of her being alone bothered him.