Two days later, the object was delivered.
A small, glowing sphere, pulsing faintly, as if it carried something alive within it.
Frank stood nearby, looking utterly drained, his face pale, his eyes hollow. Not once did he show hatred… not even resentment.
Later, Ivy learned that Jade had fallen ill again.
She remained silent for a long time after hearing that, her expression unreadable. Then, without a word, she sent Alana to heal him.
Alana's abilities proved exceptional. By the time she returned, Jade had fully recovered.
Frank and his wife came to Ivy's door repeatedly after that, their gratitude overflowing, their voices thick with emotion.
But Ivy only waved it off lightly. "This was an equal trade," she said calmly.
Still… a thought lingered in her mind like a thorn.
'If one day… someone tells Silas that his happiness was built on someone else's sacrifice…'
Her chest tightened faintly. '…that's something he could never accept.'
