TristinBy the time I step onto the rooftop, it starts raining. Luca is closely behind, asking me to stay in and not get myself wet but I can not stop to listen.Cold air sways my jacket before I feel the rain drenching me. My eyes scan the dimly lit area, searching for her. “ Where is she? ” I mumble.Maybe, she wanted to get some fresh air and came here. She was not suicidal and all that.I walk around the front, and onto the back, sighing in relief. She was not here. “ Did someone— ”The words die on my tongue. I have been watching the area, wanting to find her but I was expecting to find her on the tall wall. Her thin T-shirt moves with the breeze, as she walks along the line, her eyes downcast and her arms wrapped around herself.The color drains from my face as memories flash across my mind, causing me to freeze after a long time.“ She only wants my money. ” My brother’s voice is carried by the wind, emotionless and determined. “ It’s my fault that I didn’t understand this b
Grace Shock will be an understatement. My head spins as Tristin’s lips crash against my mouth. It’s rough, desperate, and breathtaking.There is nothing gentle about the way his arms tighten around my waist and coax me into his lap or the way his teeth sink into my bottom lip, urging me to open my mouth for his tongue. I shudder, the unforgiving rain still pouring over my cold body. The contrast of his heated mouth and his warm hands on my body amidst the biting cold leaves my mind numb and my hands hanging in the air. What…Tristin separates our lips and pants against my aching lips. “ think about pulling this shit again and I will make sure you never step a foot out of your room again. ”I blink, completely still in his arms. What does he think I was doing? “ Luca. ” Tristin yells, his glare still on my confused face. “ go prepare the car. Turn on the heaters. ” “ Yes, Boss. ” Luca’s voice sounds over the rain before I hear his retreating footsteps.Dumbfounded and nervous, I
GraceHis lips press to mine again. This time, it’s gentle and considerate. I stagger back, but Tristin’s arm wraps around my waist and pulls me back to his front. I breathe, inhaling his masculine cologne and the minty taste of his mouth. Tristin tilts his head to the right, deepening the kiss. My lips part, letting him explore every inch of me. A shudder slithers down my cold spine, making me step closer to his warm body. My head is foggy. Even then, I know I shouldn’t do this.I clench his shirt and attempt to pull my head back. Tristin grabs my nape and kisses me harder, refusing to let me go until he has had his fill.Unconsciously, my hand moves up and grazes the skin of his collarbone. Tristin’s body shudders under my fingertips, sending waves of fire down my veins. He releases my lips with a harsh nip and stares down at me. I breathe, hold it in, and watch his unmoving eyes. “ I told you before. ” Tristin’s hand travels lower on my back until he reaches my butt and squeez
GraceI wince, sensing the soreness between my legs. Even with so many injuries, he was relentless and insatiable. We ended up having sex in his bedroom again before he finally called Luca and got his wounds bandaged. I laid there, trying to make sense of things, and he was there, wiping my body with a wet cloth. I didn’t speak, and he didn’t push me into anything. In the end, we found ourselves on the same bed. Now, he is lying beside me, his hand placed so close to mine. My heart is pounding in my chest, refusing to calm down or settle.“ Now, what do we call what happened between us? Is it a one-time thing or what? ” I clench the sheets. “ I want you to stay by my side. You can stay in whatever way you want, Little Butterfly. You can be my girlfriend…or my wife. I don’t…mind. ” His hoarse, tired voice echoes in the silent room.My heart misses a beat. Girlfriend or wife…Both titles scare me.And the fact that Alma was terrified of the same thing happening ticks me off even mo
EthanThe pictures lie on my lap.She kissed Tristin and spent the night at his place. She told me she didn’t want to be with any other man after me. And she lied. “ Where is she now? ” I ask Josh. “ She was last seen at the airport, Boss. ” He reveals, standing beside me.I nod, taking the pictures and dropping them on the side table. My head should be hurting enough to make me sick, but I can not even feel it.It’s because my heart is bleeding.The door to the hospital room opens and Noah, the new man I hired from the professional secretary team at the office, steps inside. “ Mr. Calder. ” He nods respectfully and comes to stand by Josh’s side.Josh looks at him but doesn’t say anything. “ Step out. ” I turn my head towards the ceiling-to-floor window in my hospital room.“ Noah, step out— ” “ I am talking to you, Josh. Get out and close the door on your way. ” I state, narrowing my eyes.“ Uh—Yes, Boss. ” Josh nods and leaves us alone. “ What did you find? ” I keep my gaze
Grace—3 Months Later…It’s not easy leaving your country to settle in some foreign place. That’s what most people say.But I will say that I am having the best time of my life. I go to sleep every night with the plans for the next day in my mind and wake up ready to do my best. This feels different than going to sleep crying or wondering about the people in my life and waking up to think about what scheme I might encounter. I no longer move in the same circle, always finding myself in the same spot. I have left that circle altogether. Although, once in a while, I think about the past, about my loss. But it doesn’t freeze me. I am beginning to accept this new life because I know I will never return to the past again. The change of place has done me good. “ What do you want? ” Celine asks in her all-time chiming voice.“ The usual. ” I shrug, glancing out of the window in the cafe.It’s raining. The weather is starting to become cold. And after a long time, I feel myself just focus
Grace“ I just felt like… ” Tristin trails off and swallows. “ coming to see you. ”I don’t need to ask how he found me. If he wants to, he can find me anywhere. I stay still, staring up into his out-of-focus eyes. He is looking right through me as if thinking about something. My eyes lower to the sleeves of his jacket, getting caught in the drops of water dripping down the edge. I look down at his feet and sigh. “ The rain stopped more than an hour ago. Why are you drenched? ” I frown. Tristin’s gaze follows my eyes and lands on the pool of water around his feet. His shoulders slump, making me blink. This is the first time I have seen him like this—dejected and lost. “ I can ask Luca to come up with a suit and— ”I grab the sleeve of his jacket and pull him inside the apartment. The coldness of his hand seeps into my fingers that brush against his skin.Leaving him standing beside the wall, I close the door and sigh, lowering my gaze to the floor. I thought I wouldn’t see him a
GraceI don’t say anything, just turn my back to him and start brewing tea again. I should only feel some sympathy for him, and his family…But I keep doing more than that.My heart clenches every time that I realize what Tristin must be feeling right now. It hurts more when I think about Alma and Ania. It’s sick to feel anything for Alma…but I can’t help myself. Tristin stays behind me for a few moments. Then, leaves and sits on the couch. I shoot him a side glance, watching his lowered head and his fingers brushing his wet hair. “ The…worst fact in life is that… ” Tristin murmurs in a low voice. “ you can not choose your family. ”My parents’ faces flash before my eyes. He is indeed right. If I could choose, I would have chosen to be born to anyone but them. I would have chosen anyone as my sibling but Lily. “ If that’s not enough…you can’t even change their past or go back to make them choose something else. ” Tristin whispers.I blink and pour the tea into cups before walking
TristinI should have known he is one persistent bastard.“ Mr. Roberto, Mr. Calder is here to see you. ” The secretary’s voice sounds through the speaker.I am tempted to go out and beat the bastard half to death, but I control my temper and tell her to let him in.When his secretary reached out to schedule a meeting two days ago, I told him to tell Ethan Calder to stay hidden if he didn’t want me to disfigure his face. But that hasn’t worked.Like a leech, he has marched into my office and now wants to meet me.What is he here to do? Threaten or play some games?I lean back in my chair and watch the closed door. It opens a moment later, and he appears.The bastard bears no signs of suffering. It’s like he has just returned from a long vacation.I grit my jaw and stare as he walks ahead confidently. Without asking, he takes the seat opposite me and meets my unwavering gaze.“ Tristin Roberto. ” He nods, the corners of his lips lifting into a smirk.“ You caught me by surprise. ” I m
GraceWhat’s…happening? The secretary opens the door for us because the time is already scheduled. I lift my head and step inside just as all eyes turn in my direction.Mona, a senior in the same field, turns towards me. Her green eyes narrow in anger, and her red lips curl into a sneer.“ Good afternoon— ”“ Mrs. Roberto. ” Mona snaps, cutting me off mid-greeting.“ Yes, Mrs. Alfonso? ” I lift my brows, wondering why she is murdering me with her eyes.“ I heard you got the project. ” Her lips stretch into a blood-curdling smile. “ shall I say congratulations? Or shall I say ‘well done’? You used your husband, Mr. Roberto’s influence well, didn’t you? ”Husband. That word alone sets fire to my veins. I was about to ask why she was so mad at me, but I can’t tame my own anger anymore.“ Are you bitter about losing, Mrs. Alfsonso? If so, I suggest showing that bitterness somewhere else and refraining from using my husband’s name. Or else I will have to sue you for defamation. ” I hiss,
GraceI sigh, pulling Seb closer to me. He fell asleep after consoling me. That’s why I took him and retreated to my bedroom. I couldn’t face my family, and I am relieved they didn’t say anything to me.I look down at Seb’s innocent, peaceful face and flinch. I can’t get his scared face out of my mind. When he grows up and recalls this incident…will he think I am mad? Will he be scared of me from now on? My son…scared of me…That thought is doing something to my heart.After my little breakdown in the lounge, I feel embarrassed instead of calm. All these years of pretending that I am fine now, that I don’t remember what my past was like…seem like a joke to me now.The chain of my thoughts breaks when Tristin lays on the bed behind me, his arm around my waist, and gently strokes my stomach over my silk shirt. It was supposed to be a celebration—a happy moment. But now it has turned into something ugly.I close my eyes and release a heavy breath. “ how could you keep it to yourself
Grace“ What are the next big plans? ” Mom asks.I think about it for a second. “ I don’t know, Mom. This is a big project—bigger than I imagined. I will have to give it my all to ensure everything goes smoothly. And if it all goes alright— ”“ It will. ” Mom interrupts, her eyes fixed on me. “ Do not doubt yourself for a second, Grace. ”My heart warms as I nod. “ WHEN it all goes alright, I believe I can take on other big projects and make a name for myself. ”“ You wouldn’t have to work so hard if you had just joined the family business. ” She sighs, leaning back slightly.“ I wanted to do this on my own, Mom. I want to learn and reach the top on my own. ” I whisper and stroke Seb’s hair softly.“ And you will. ” Tristin presses a kiss to my forehead.“ Yes, you will. ” Mom nods, smiling at me gently. “ whatever you do, you will always succeed. And we will celebrate every win with you. ”I nod again, but no words come out. I can’t thank them enough for becoming the family I never h
GraceIt’s dark when Tristin and I step inside the lounge. I frown and blink to adjust my vision to the darkness.“ Why are the lights turned off? ” I mumble and turn around.Before I can walk to the switch, the lights all turn on. Instinctively, I close my eyes and stumble. Tristin catches my waist, holding me up.“ Be careful. ” He whispers.My eyes snap open to land on white and golden decorations, the flowers that are spread everywhere, and the grinning faces. “ Surprise! ” Everyone squeals at once.My heart misses a beat as I stand frozen, just admiring the view in front of me. A balloon bursts above my head, making confetti rain down on me.“ Congratulations, Grace! ” Ania rushes up to me, followed by Mom, Luca, and our little angel.“ We knew you could do it! ” Mom grabs my arms and pulls me in a hug. “ my daughter is so talented. ”A lump forms in my throat as Mom pats my back and releases me. Ania engulfs me next and shakes me excitedly.“ You were worrying for nothing. Beli
GraceMy words tumble out, barely coherent. “ I—I got it. They sent us the confirmation email. We got the project! ”His grin widens, and without giving me the time to process his expressions, he wraps his arms around me and lifts me off the ground with ease.I let out a startled laugh, feeling weightless, the whole world spinning around me. For a second, it’s just us and this moment.I can only feel true happiness when he is around. “ I knew you would get it. ” Tristin murmurs, holding me tight, his voice rich with a pride that makes my eyes sting. I hide my face in his shoulder, letting myself feel everything, knowing I don’t have to hold back with him.“ I was so scared. ” I admit softly, the words sounding hesitant as I say them. “ But I did it. I really did. ”He lowers me gently, his hands still on my waist. He looks at me, his eyes full of love and something that makes my heart beat faster. “ I never doubted you, Mrs. Roberto. Not for a second. ”And just like that, every fea
Grace“ We got it! ” Talia screams at the top of her lungs.I pick up my head and look at her, jumping up and down in excitement. “ we got it. We got it! I can’t believe we did it. ”Her blonde ponytail swings back and forth violently and her green eyes are filled with endless glee.“ Did what? ” My heartbeat escalates.She runs towards me like a child and grabs my hand. “ Come with me! ”Before I can even think, she pulls me to my feet and runs back to her desk. She pushes me down onto her seat and turns the desktop towards me.I glance at her wide grin before looking at the screen. My body turns stiff as the words on the email she received register in my head.“ They gave us the contract. We will be planning CBA’s new mall. All of it, Grace! ” Talia leans down and screams in my ear.Shock makes my jaw hang low. I reread the email and try to understand how this happened.“ Why are you not jumping in excitement like me? You worked for this for so long, and now we got the contract! ” S
EthanThey say love is relief. I don’t believe that now. When you love someone, you burn in a fire that keeps licking at your skin, peeling off another layer of you every moment of your life.You burn…and burn…until you have burned to ashes. Then, you rise to burn again.That’s what love is. It’s painful. It’s patient. It’s the name of enduring in silence.Three years…I have done all of it for three long years, and I have waited silently for the woman I love to take pity on me. If she only pities me…it will be better than the ‘nothing’ she thinks she feels for me.But as I stare at the pictures scattered across the desk once more, I slowly lose hope for that pity. She is happy. With someone she only came to love. With a small child that belongs to them. With her new family.And I have never seen her this happy before.“ You made a good decision. Sacrificing your whole life for a woman and staying in jail wouldn’t have melted that evil witch’s heart. ” My grandmother sneers and tak
Hi Lovelies, Many questions remained at the end of Grace and Tristin's story. How did Ethan kill Lily? Will Ethan stay in prison forever or return for Grace sometime in the future again? How will Grace and Tristin keep supporting each other in the future? To answer all those questions, I am writing a sequel for this story, "Haunting Love: Chased by my Ex-Husband." :) You can read the chapters in this same book right under this Author's note. Updates will be regular from tomorrow, so don't miss out on what's happening next! :) Synopsis: Just when Grace thinks she is finally free from the clutches of Ethan Calder, the man who tormented her in the best years of her life, he returns. But what is this? He claims he didn't kill Grace's sister and is a changed man now. But Grace has changed, too. She loves her husband, Tristin, and their three-year-old baby Sebastian. With her family by her side and her new business venture being successful, Grace has no time to focus on how much Ethan