Grace“ Tristin. ” Alma releases me right away and turns to the man behind me.I swallow, and grip the hem of my dress, unable to do the same as Alma. “ I told you to leave her alone. ” His voice becomes low and cold. My stomach flips, as I lower my gaze to the floor. How hard is it to do things the right way? He can…come to me and tell me that he is sorry instead of giving explanations. “ I was not— ”“ Mom, this is enough. I don’t want you to— ”I turn around. He pauses. Our eyes meet, and a shudder runs down my back.A week. How can I miss someone in a week? I was away from him for three months before. Whole three months with no word, no meetings and I survived.Because I didn’t know what it was like to truly receive his affection back then.And now when I know what he has to offer…I keep wanting more. I have become greedy for his attention. “ Alma didn’t say anything to me. I am fine. ” I whisper, averting my gaze to the flowers.The greenhouse is beautiful, no doubt. But it
TristinI shouldn’t have. Yet, I couldn’t help but come to her room in the middle of the night. But, she was not here. So, I waited. I sat on the chair in the corner and stared at her perfectly made bed as I tried to come up with something I should say to her.‘ I fell in love with you. ’ She said to me, and I couldn’t hear anything more.I could only stare at her, watch her mouth move, her eyes sparkle under the sunlight. I knew I loved her too, and she was important to me.But I didn’t realize how important she was until she uttered those words. After hearing her tell me that she was falling in love with me, the guilt grew, threatening to swallow me as a whole.I gave her a week to come to a decision, and she never once reached me. But now, I can not wait. I want to tell her that I am sorry, that I didn’t mean to stay silent when she said she loved me. It was just that…My mind went numb.It felt like I was in a dream, and I didn’t want to speak up. I was scared she would disapp
GraceI feel like I am burning, literally boiling in a pot. I huff, trying to shift but the arms around my body pull me back to the warmth, refusing to let me go.Annoyed, my sleepy eyes snap open and land on the familiar face. A scream almost spills out of my mouth, but I press my lips together at the last moment and go silent.Tristin is staring at me. His eyes are droopy and look dead but he is watching me from so close. My gaze runs along his exhausted face, his disheveled hair, and the redness in his eyes.What’s…happening? I wonder as I slowly start to recall waiting for him last night. I sat on his bed and fell asleep but he didn’t come back.Now, he is here, holding onto me like I am going to disappear if he lets go.A frown etches between my brows, anger bubbling to the surface. “ Did you not sleep? ”Okay. That’s not what I was trying to say. I wanted to ask why he was suffocating me.“ No. ” Tristin finally blinks, before his eyes close. Curious and a little worried, I l
GraceI don’t realize when I fall asleep beside him again.The next time I wake up, the sunlight burns my back, and Tristin’s warmth consumes me once more.I blink, slowly recalling what he said before he fell asleep. My eyes fall on his peaceful, resting face. Tristin’s breathing is steady, his chest rising and falling gently against me.For a moment, I just lie there, savoring the sensation of being held so closely, so protectively. But then I remember that we are not completely fine yet. My heart skips a beat, and I begin to pull away. But just as I do, Tristin stirs, his arms tightening around me as if sensing my desire to run away. His eyes flutter open, and he gazes at me with a sleepy, soft smile. “ Good morning, Little Butterfly. ” He murmurs, his voice husky with sleep.I bite my lip, feeling a mix of emotions—happiness, embarrassment, and an overwhelming need to be away before the reality of our situation catches up to us.“ It’s noon by now, I am sure. ” I whisper back, m
GraceI sigh, shifting my attention to the roses beside me. “ So you do care about them. But if you care so much, why do you keep hurting them? ”Ania glares at me for a moment longer, then turns to leave. I glance at her back.“ Keeping yourself locked up in your room or hating your family won’t solve your problems, Ania. The truth will not go away, and you won’t stop hurting. ” I whisper, a lump forming in my throat.I shouldn’t be interfering, but I can’t help it. If Ania keeps hiding herself like this, soon, she will find herself unable to break through this wall. I don’t wish for her to find herself in a state where she finds it hard to even get up from the bed.“ How does it stop then? You are talking as if you know a better solution! Are you not as pathetic as me? Your own family hates you, and you— ”“ That’s right. ” I interrupt and look down at my hands. “ You are right. My family hates me, and I am far worse than you will ever be. ”A moment of silence passes between us, b
GraceAlma just can’t leave me alone. I can tell that she is working hard to establish a better connection between us.It feels weird but not bad. “ What do you think about working again if you get bored? ” Alma asks, sitting beside me on the couch in the lounge.I take my eyes off the news channel on the TV and look at her. “ I want to complete my Masters first. ”“ Are you thinking about returning to— ”“ No, Alma. ” I interrupt her before she can go all full panic mode on me. She leans back, giving me the chance to explain what I plan on doing. I smile, noticing how she forces herself to calm down because she doesn’t want to scare me again.“ I am thinking about transferring to a college here. It might not be easy, but— ”“ You have nothing to worry about. I will tell Tristin to handle everything. ” She grins, making me sigh.“ I want to handle this on my own, Alma. He already has so much to deal with, and I can’t continue to rely on him. ” “ Then you can rely on me. I will make
Tristin“ Did you take care of everything? ” I ask Luca without taking my eyes off Grace, who is standing in the distance.“ Yes, Boss. Ethan will be in for life for everything he did. ” He says.I nod, the weight finally lifting off my shoulders. With Lily gone and Ethan paying for everything he did, Grace is now safe. Still, I can protect her from the physical harm, but I can not shield her from the emotional damage.Lily’s death has had a significant impact on her. I didn’t think she would want to involve herself in her family’s affairs anymore, but she proved it to me.Last night, when she told me that she wanted to arrange a funeral for Lily, I was surprised. A little angry, too, but mostly just surprised.Did I miscalculate Lily’s importance in Grace’s life? Did Grace still hold a soft spot for her evil sister? I kept wondering, but in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to ask her any of those questions.It was clear to me. She needed this. So I didn’t get angry or make her unc
GraceI feel a little uneasy.What will Alma think when she finds out, I held a funeral for Lily and spent a whole day by her grave? I don’t need to explain everything to Alma or anyone. But something in me just doesn’t want Alma to be sad. I don’t want her to think that I don’t care what Lily did to the Roberto family. “ You are back. ” The moment we step inside the mansion and get close to the lounge, Alma’s voice stops me.I grimace, imagining the look on her face. She is definitely going to be disappointed. I should have told her before doing all this.“ Alma. ” I turn around to find her walking towards us. “ Did you take care of everything? ” She turns to Tristin and asks.“ I did, Mom. ” He nods in reply and rubs his shoulder.My gaze is drawn to Tristin’s shoulder. He must be tired. I can tell he didn’t sleep well last night, and from the morning, he was dealing with my issues.I sigh, feeling a little guilty over making him tired.“ How are you feeling now, Grace? ” Alma tu
GraceSeb’s breath grows steady, his body soft and warm against mine as he drifts off to sleep. I hold him close a moment longer, feeling the rise and fall of his tiny chest. A fragile sense of peace settles over us.I rise from the couch slowly, careful not to wake him, and tuck him into bed. His small fist curls into the soft blanket as I smooth it over him. Just as I turn around, my breath catches in my throat.Tristin is leaning against the doorway, one shoulder pressed to the frame, his arms crossed. His eyes find mine with a quiet intensity that sends heat rushing to my cheeks.“ You are back… ” He says, his voice low and husky. I swallow hard and nod. “ I am back. ”The silence between us stretches. My heartbeat quickens, and memories swirl inside my head—his rough hands on my skin, his harsh mouth claiming me, the weight of his body. The air thickens with everything unspoken.Tristin’s gaze flickers, a subtle shift of emotion I can’t name. “ I thought you would stay and see y
Grace“ Mommy, I missed you! ” My son snuggles into my neck.He has been clinging to me since I came back unannounced. Now, I know my baby has one more similarity with his Daddy. He only pretends to be fine when I am away. It makes me reflect back on all the times when I was not there for Seb. Sighing, I kiss the side of his head and pull him in my lap.“ I missed you too, Baby. ” He grins, his cute two front teeth showing, before he wraps his small arms around my neck and hangs there. My heart melts. No matter what I am going through in life…Having my son cling to me can make it all better.“ Did you listen to Grandma? ” I ask, stroking his hair.“ Yes. I did. ” He nods, leaving my neck and sliding down my lap to settle on the couch beside me.I notice the sudden change and look down at his face to see him staring at his hands. An invisible, cold hand grips my heart.“ What’s wrong, Seb? ” I stroke his hair, fixing a few strands that have fallen on his forehead.“ You said…you wi
Grace“ I just saw the way he looked at her when I went to meet him. Doesn’t take a genius to guess what’s going on. I thought I should let you know… as a gesture of…goodwill. ” Ethan’s voice lightens, a playful lilt to it. The audacity he has…It will never fail to baffle me.I turn to face him. “ Tristin is not you, Ethan. Send a million beautiful women his way, and he won’t look at any of them the way you are trying to make me think he does. But you? ”I shift my weight from one leg to another as he watches me with all his attention. He lifts his brows, silently urging me to continue.“ You lose your mind over every woman who says ‘I love you’ to you because you…you are not a man, Ethan. You are an insecure little boy who wants to feel loved. But the truth? You are…so disgusting that no woman can actually love you after knowing the real you ” I snicker, noticing the look in his eyes.Judging from the way his jaw clenches and his hand turns into tight fists…I have hit the mark.“
Grace“ This deal can’t go through, Mr. Renaud. It requires a long stay here and I can’t stay for that long. I have family back home, and I need to return immediately. ” I state my reason, and keep my gaze steady on him. “ I apologize for the sudden notice, but it will be better if you start looking for other companies. ”“ Mrs. Roberto… ” He looks at me, and then at Ethan as if silently asking him what to do.My lips stretch into a smirk. Of course. This is all Ethan’s setup. A trap to get me to stay away from my family and get close to him. He wants to strike me when I am already vulnerable. He thinks I will return to him if I am cornered.But he doesn’t understand. After my whole life turned upside down, Tristin…held it together…and if I lose him too, then I will never love another man. And even if someday I find the courage to move forward, it won’t be with Ethan. There is nothing that can ever happen between us.“ This is not very professional of you, Grace. Backing out after
GraceWhen I wake up in the morning, Tristin is gone. I shoot up in bed, and look around but don’t find him anywhere.A strange fear fills me and claws its way up my throat. Did he leave me here alone?In a hurry, I reach for my phone on the floor but before I can dial his number, my gaze falls on the note placed on the side table.I grab it and stare at the message he has left me. —Fred needs to be taken care of, or it will become a problem. I have to go, but I am leaving Luca behind. Stick close to him, and don’t go anywhere alone. Swallowing the bile rising to my throat, I sit on the edge of the bed and turn the note around. The note is written in such a serious tone. It lacks Tristin’s usual smiley.I place it back on the table and look at the floor. My shoulders droop. He has not really gotten over what he saw. Ethan didn’t sleep with me, but I was in bed with him—Naked, with marks all over me. It won’t be easy for Tristin and I to put that past us. But…I am determined to put
GraceRelief creeps in slowly, but it doesn’t stay. Panic follows, threatening to drown me. I lift my gaze to Tristin’s face, my voice breaking. “ Is—Is that why you came to me? Is that why you slept with me? Because you know…Ethan didn’t…sleep with…me? ”His frown deepens, and I try to slip back on the bed, but he is faster. Tristin rolls to my side and wraps his arms around me. His grip tightens around me, holding me firm. His chest presses against mine, steady and warm, before he rests his forehead against mine. His breath is ragged.Tears blur my vision. I hate how easily they come now. One slips down my cheek before I can stop it. “ You didn’t care…” I whisper, my voice trembling with hurt. “ You didn’t care what this did to me. How it broke me. You only care if Ethan touched what’s yours. You left me alone when I needed you and you didn’t…care… ”Tristin sighs. He brushes a kiss over my damp cheek as if that could make this better. “ I was angry because he touched you. Beca
Grace“ Grace— ”“ Don’t call me that. ” I interrupt and press my forehead against his chest before his glare burns a hole into me. “ Please don’t start calling me that now. I hate it…but it’s true that I have had a very bad experience before, Tristin, and every time a problem arises, or you stop calling me by the nickname…I get scared. I can’t help it. It’s…rooted in my head that I am useless, that I am not worthy of anything good and… ”Before I can continue, Tristin grabs my hair, tilts my head back, and slams his lips over mine. I gasp, my breath whooshing out of my lungs. He doesn’t push his tongue in my mouth, but he presses our lips together so hard that a shudder runs down my spine. “ I love you. ” He pulls back and breathes. “ If I wanted an heiress, I would have married one. If I wanted someone else, I would have married someone else, Little Butterfly. But I married you. Because…you are you. And I love you for who you are. ”“ What is there to love— ”“ If you are going to
Grace“ Pathetic…isn’t it? ” Tristin drawls, his hand caressing my thigh as he continues to move on that easy rhythm, slowly bringing pleasure instead of rushing it. “ Pathetic because you don’t want to hurt me? ” My hand reaches for his face, fingers brushing his cheek.“ Pathetic because…you can say and do things to hurt me but I can’t do the same. ” He grunts, his eyes growing half-lidded with pleasure.I lick my lips, feeling the waves of pleasure hitting me in soothing waves. “ I…never want to hurt you, Tristin. I love you. ”“ And how many times have you really said it in our three years of marriage? ” He rolls his eyes, his pace picking up as we draw near ecstasy—a pleasure tinged with pain. “ it’s always been me. I move around you like a dog who is eager to wag his tail at someone who doesn’t give a damn about him. ”“ Don’t say that. ” I cup his cheek, my brows furrowing. “ I…am sorry. I love you. I can…say it every day. I will—I will make sure to— ”His lips press on mine b
Grace“ Sore? ” He rasps against my ear as I lie curled up on my side, my back facing him.I don’t know how many times we have done it. After he took me from behind, he turned me on my back and had his way with me again. Then, he laid me down flat on my stomach and kept driving in and out until I was begging him to stop.I never knew he had this side to him. He has always been so sweet and gentle and nice, always putting me first whenever we are in bed.“ On a scale of one to ten, how sore are you? ” Tristin asks when I don’t reply.My throat feels scratched after screaming so much and my legs ache as if they are going to fall off any moment. And my insides? I think something is rubbed raw in there, burning and satiated at the same time.I grumble under my breath. “ Hundred. ”“ Good. ” He whispers right away, and his hand grabs my bare hip to pull me back into him.“ Are you not done yet?! ” I scream before I can stop myself, my breaths growing labored again.I feel like crying becau