The Kiss that Sparked it All novel Chapter 2546

Ivy reached out without thinking, gently massaging the tension from Balfour's furrowed brow.

"These past days, with all the stress about your grandma, you've been all knotted up," she said softly, her voice tinged with concern. "It kills me to see you like this, but I feel helpless to share the load."

With a slight exertion of strength, Balfour pulled Ivy into his embrace. Their bodies pressed face to face. He buried his face in her shoulder, taking a deep, calming breath. "Just having you here with me is the support I need. Ivy, promise me you'll take care of yourself. Don't get hurt, don't fall ill."

Ivy wanted to offer more words of comfort, but they seemed to get stuck in her throat.

"Okay."

Love always comes with a sense of debt.

No matter how blissful their current days were, Balfour couldn't forget how destitute Ivy had appeared when he first brought her home.

The hardships she had endured at the hands of her own parents weighed heavily on him. Sometimes, he tormented himself with the thought that had he fallen for her sooner; perhaps he could have spared her from her troubled past sooner, too.

Even now, despite having cut ties with her previous life, the scorn she faced online stemmed from those very familial connections. Ivy just wanted to sever all ties with the Dunhill family once and for all. Why did it have to be so hard?

Balfour tightened his hold around her neck and closed his eyes.

If only he could, he wished he could shrink Ivy down to the size of a doll, keeping her safe in his pocket, away from the world's worries.

Ivy stayed quiet in his arms, understanding his helplessness was rooted in his love for her. It was both touching and heartbreaking.