Ivy's POV
The thought stayed with me even after lunch ended.
Mrs. Hale's warmth was a mirror of a past I was trying to bury. I remembered how Julian's mother used to smile at me with that same gratitude back when I was the only one holding their world together. Back then, I thought it was love; now, I knew it was the look people gave to a tool that functioned perfectly. It made me wonder was she truly kind, or was she just measuring how much more I was willing to sacrifice?
"Are you sure you won't stay a little longer?" she asked again as we stood by the door.
"I've already taken enough of your time, ma'am," I replied with a small smile. "Thank you for the lunch."
"Nonsense," she said lightly, reaching out to touch my hand. "You should come by more often."
I nodded poli
