How the plant will grow is entirely predictable. How you allow it to grow is more nearly what's in question.

Branches that have an apical meristem (growing tip of the branch) will continue to extend, adding new leaves and shedding older leaves, until you remove the apical meristem or it becomes damaged. At that point, new buds in the axils (crotches) of leaves proximal (toward the roots) to/from apex the will be activated by a hormonal shift caused by removing the apex. In short, the tendency of lyrata is for branches to grow longer until you prune them, which causes branching proximal to the pruning cuts.

Most people consider any growth the plant puts on as sacred, and they tolerate all growth, even if it destroys the plant's eye appeal. I encourage you to move beyond that stumbling block and learn how to prune in a manner that ensures your plant will be as full and compact as it can be. It's not difficult, you just need to take a few seconds to properly pinch it when it's appropriate.

Al