Hi Lovelies, How do you like Tristin in the story? Let me know in the comments :)
GraceI am back on that road, my nails clawing at the hard surface as I watch Ethan carrying Lily away. In my blurred, and bloodied view, I see her smirk at me smugly. They don’t stop for me and don’t care if I die. Or maybe, they want me gone so they can enjoy their life together. They had already taken my inheritance, my talent, my future…and now they want my life too.But why must they hurt my Baby too? I don’t even know if it’s a girl or a boy. I don’t even know what my Baby looks like yet. How can you take it away from me? As I bleed out, and slowly lose consciousness, I feel the warm hands on my shoulder—a savior’s touch.I gasp, sitting up on the bed. My eyes blink wide open as I look around the room. Cold air brushes against my naked skin, making me hyperaware of my state.Horrified, I look down at my bare chest, as the blanket slips away. Color drains from my face, the last night’s memories flashing before my eyes. I pull the blanket up right away, hiding every inch of my
Ethan“ The papers were delivered again, Boss. ” Josh informs as he places the papers on the desk in front of me.I take my eyes off the important contract I am supposed to sign to glance at the divorce agreement she sent. She has demanded I return her grandmother’s inheritance that she gifted me and refused to get any alimony from my assets. It is fucking clear. She wants me to return everything she thinks I took from her. I have no fucking problem with that. But if she wants everything of hers back, she should return my three wasted years.All this fucking time, she pretended to be in love and took advantage of my heart, my power, and my status. She should return all of that before asking anything from me.Anger threatens to burst out of my veins, but I can’t deny the lurking panic behind my eyes. It feels like she is desperate to cut ties with me, and I can not let that happen.Even if we remain sworn enemies, we must stay together. Even if we hate each other, we must not stop fee
Grace “ Yes, officer. ” I nod at the detective who is watching me keenly. “ Ms. Whitlock, you are saying that your sister and husband pushed you in front of a car, and tried to take your life and this resulted in your miscarriage? ” He asks, his old face neutral and professional. My breath hitches when I hear this aloud once more. “ I have proof. ” I whisper, handing the pen drive to him. “ I believe the viral confession was seen by every person in this country already. ” He offers me a small smile as he takes the drive from me. “ but it can’t be called concrete evidence, Ms. Whitlock. Your sister can always claim she was under the influence of alcohol or threatened and there is no mention of your husband being on her side either. ” My shoulders stiffen. “ So you mean to say that… ” “ It’s the Calder and Whitlock family we are talking about, Ms. Whitlock. Surely you understand they can bring in the best lawyers and get out instantly. Knowing that, do you still want to file the
Grace“ Disappearing on my second day of work won’t leave a good impression, right?” I nibble on my lower lip.Earlier, after talking to Ethan on the phone, I lost my mind and rushed to report him and Lily. I didn’t even inform Mr. Costello that I will be taking a day off.I don’t doubt he will have my head on a spike later for it.“ Your leave was approved by the CEO, Ms. Whitlock. Don’t worry. ” Luca answers instead of Tristin who is busy with his never ending documents.I steal a glance at his focused face and sigh. “ That only makes things worse.” Sulking, I slump into my seat and let out another exaggerated sigh. “ Luca, Ms. Whitlock is hungry. ” Tristin says, his tone busy and detached.“ Who said—”“ On it, Boss.” Luca interrupts.I press my lips in a thin line and fold my arms over my chest. It’s clear that no one is listening to me so there is no point in talking.After a while, I am stepping out of the car in front of a familiar expensive restaurant. Tristin str
Grace“ Come home with me, Grace. Come home and I will make it up to you.” He whispers, his eyes holding the longing, and plead.For a second there, my heart stops beating. My eyes search his gaze, now gentle, and focused solely on me.Didn’t I always want this? For Ethan to push Lily aside and reach me for once? I think.Then, I burst out laughing. “ Have you gone deaf on top of dumb, Ethan? Did you hear what I said, and do you hear yourself now? Come home? What home? ”“ Grace—” He takes another step closer.“ Leave me.” I whisper, interrupting him. “ and sign the papers, Ethan. I want nothing to do with you. Besides, you already got what you wanted from me, right? You took my grandma’s inheritance and got control over the Whitlock Corp. Now you are unstoppable.”“ No!” Ethan, grip tightens on my arm. “ I don’t want anything from you! Just come home, okay? I will return it to you. I will give you anything. I will forget you cheated on me and let you—”“ Are you serious right
GraceSilence ensues on our way back to Tristin’s home. I steal occasional glances his way to find his jaw clenched and his eyes glaring out the window.What Lily said is obviously a lie and it ticked him off. Before, I heard that she had killed Sebastian Roberto too.But...if she has murdered Tristin’s brother and Tristin is powerful enough to make her pay...Why is he not doing anything to her?What is he waiting for?“ Stop staring at me. ” Tristin mumbles.I flinch, realizing that I forgot to take my eyes off him this time.Awkwardly, I look out the window and watch the Roberto mansion getting closer. I thought what happened today will leave me shaken up again, but somehow, I am faring better than I expected.Once Lily is in, Ethan will do everything to get her out. But with Tristin’s influence, it won’t be easy.Sighing, I step out of the car once it stops in the driveway. Tristin moves past me, striding straight for the door without looking back.My eyes narrow. It fe
GraceThe next morning, I come out of my room, wearing another one of a grey pencil skirt and a white blouse sent by Alma. But, it fits me well now, instead of being painfully tight.Lost in my own thoughts, I walk down the stairs only to see Alma standing at the end of them, staring up at me. “ Grace. ” Alma calls me out and nods. “ I heard about your sister on the news. ”My body freezes on the second last stair as I look at her. Her eyes are soft, but there is a lingering wariness in them, which became a part of them after she realized that I am Grace Whitlock.“ I— ”“ I didn’t know they had done something like this to you before. Is that why you are staying with us? ” She interrupts me as if she can’t bother to hear what I have to say to her.My cheeks heat up. “ Uh—Yes, Alma. But as I said, it’s only temporary and— ”“ I don’t mind, Grace. This house is big enough for us to not cross paths even if we stay under the same roof. ” She cuts me again.I press my lips in a thin line a
GraceAs I stroll inside the RB tower, I notice the crowd gathered near the reception but don’t pay much attention.I take the elevator and go to my floor. When the doors ding open, some pair of eyes fall on me. Instantly, the atmosphere on the floor becomes chilling and uncomfortable as the always busy people gossip to each other.I have no doubt it’s about the direct approval of a mere leave from the CEO himself.“ How do you think she is connected to the CEO? ” I hear a Redhead talking in hushed voice to the two girls looming over her.“ How else? She probably slept with him. ”“ She is a looker, I must admit but Mr. Roberto can not take a liking to someone like her. He avoids women like plague. ”The comment piques my interest. Avoids women like plague huh? “ That’s true. I don’t think he is sleeping with her. Maybe it’s one of his personal assistants. ”The hushed gossips follow me until I sit down on my desk in the lonely corner of the floor, right beside Mr. Costello’s office.
Grace“ It’s a nice surprise to see you— ”Her shrill voice dies, as I grab my husband by his jacket and pull him down. Before any of us can anticipate my next moment, my lips slam against his mouth, staking my claim on him.Words are not needed. I don’t need to hit another girl either.This man alone…needs to know that I am still here, and whether he hates it or not, we are still married. What I did was not a conscious sin, but what he is doing is a grave sin and it’s…breaking my heart apart.I am sure I hear gasps erupt around me, but why does it matter?I reach forward, and my hands rest on his nape as I deepen the kiss, just lingering there, tasting his minty breath against mine. He doesn’t respond, doesn’t even flinch. We are so used to it that his lips fit right into mine without him trying.He can’t forget it, can he? He can't forget that we have kissed more times than we can count and his body responds to mine with a fervor that he can never experience with another woman...
GraceThere is a bitter taste in my mouth. I can’t get rid of it no matter how many sweets I eat, or how much wine I swallow.I watch as my husband parades that beautiful secretary around like she is his wife instead of me. My eyes narrow just a little, the alcohol in my stream beginning to burn hot—hotter by the moment.Why her? He said he has seen so many beautiful women around, then why is it her he brought here with him or why is it her that he chose over me?I scan her from head to toe, my gaze lingering on the slit in her dress that reveals her whole leg, to her upper thigh. Then, I look at her hair which is curled to perfection and left to fall in waves over her bare back.My trance breaks as her soft laughter filters through the other noise around me. When she smiles, her cheeks push her eyes up a little, making them appear like crescent moons.She is indeed beautiful.But... She is…less beautiful than many women I have seen besides Tristin before.But…she can give a genuine
Grace“ If this doesn’t work… ” She continues, now sighing heavily. “ …my parents will marry me off to Harry. I made a bet with them, remember? They gave me three years to make something of myself in our company. And that time is almost up. ”Of course. She has gone against her parents to stand with me. I don’t even know why she would do that, but I know…I don’t deserve it. “ Don’t worry, Talia. We will make it. You won’t have to marry that trouble. ” I rub my temples, feeling the weight settle onto my shoulders. The car slows as we approach the venue. My stomach twists. This is it. I step out, gripping my clutch tightly as the cool night air brushes against my skin. Talia links her arm through mine, pulling me forward with a grin that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.Inside, it’s a world of crystal and velvet, soft music drifting over the hum of conversations. I show the invitation card at the entrance, and my heart pounds in my chest as we pass through.As soon as we are inside, and
GraceSeb’s little face fills my phone screen. I watch him for a moment, my heart weighing heavy in my chest. His eyes light up, and he grins so wide that I forget to breathe for a second.“ Mom! Look, I built a tower! ” He tilts the camera to show a wobbly stack of blocks leaning dangerously to one side.I smile, warmth spreading through my cold body. “ That’s amazing, baby. You have gotten good at this. ”He looks back at the screen with a proud, toothy grin. “ I wish you were here to play with me, Mommy. When…will you come back? ”My throat tightens, but I keep the smile in place. “ I miss you too, baby. I will be home soon. I promise. ”“ Sebastian. Eat your fruits. ” Mom’s voice sounds from behind him.Seb glances offscreen, distracted by her. “ Granma made snacks! I will be right back, Mommy! ”“ Go ahead. ” I keep the smile on my lips as he looks at me a last time.He disappears before I can say another word, the screen wobbling until a familiar face takes his place.“ Grace… ”
GraceThis was supposed to be my victory. It’s what I wanted.Isn’t it?This is one big step forward in my career. Even bigger than that RB Corp mess. But…it doesn’t make me…happy anymore. “ We will need to finalize the timeline and materials before moving forward. ”Mr. Renaud adds, his voice steady. “ But I have no doubt Elixir Co. would be thrilled to work with you on this project. ”I force a polite smile over my lips. “ I am looking forward to collaborating. ”He rises from his chair, extending his hand. I shake it firmly, feeling his grip but not really registering it. Words of gratitude are exchanged. Professional, courteous. After he is gone, the silence in the private restaurant booth becomes suffocating.I am alone.The presentation folders sit neatly in front of me, the praised designs still in view. But they feel like blank papers to me.As I gather my things, my hand trembles slightly. My reflection stares back at me from the glass walls surrounding the room—a woman dres
GraceAfter I packed up and held my son for a straight hour, I left home. I reached the airport, and then, it occurred to me…I was leaving my son alone again. That thought had stopped me in my tracks for a long time. Even when my name was announced, I didn’t leave. I stayed standing in the middle of the crowd, staring blankly at a white wall. I could have chosen to stay behind, but a voice inside my head kept saying that even my son would be better off without me. It was such a stupid, unnecessary thought.But it pushed me to the plane. And I left, despite the heavy feeling in my chest.Until the plane touched the track again, I was lost in the same thoughts. It felt like I didn’t cherish what I had and kept fearing the future. Now, perhaps, I was the one who had turned her own fears into reality.Something inside me knew these thoughts were not sane, nor were they justified. But I desperately wanted to blame someone.I tried to blame Ethan first, tried so hard to find any evidenc
TristinI sit behind the glass wall of my office, watching the city lights twinkling in the dark. The people out there…are so busy with their world. They all have something to do, all moving every moment of even the quiet night.But I feel frozen in time. I want to move, but I can’t bring myself to.I close my eyes, and her face flashes before my eyes. She acted like a mad woman today. And almost got attacked by an even crazier woman.When I saved her from falling, the look she gave me continues to revolve in my head. Her eyes had been wide, startled, and for a second, I thought she would cry. But she didn’t. It was like she was making a conscious effort to hold back her tears in front of me.It made me angrier at her. If only she would let those tears fall, and tell me that she made a mistake, it could be over. I wouldn’t be able to stand tall against her tears. I would relent without a second thought.But she has decided to build the wall higher between us. I swallow, as I recall
GraceWhat the hell have I become?I don't want to feel this. I don't want to feel any of it. But I can't stop the wave of guilt crashing over me, drowning me in its intensity.“ He is telling the truth, Mrs. Roberto. ” Luca says. My fingers tremble as the words sink in. What are you doing Grace? A little voice asks the question in my head again.And this time, I have the answer. I am trying to turn into a monster. People don’t…hurt monsters. “ He drugged me… ” My hand drops by my side.“ No, Mrs. Roberto. There are no drugs in your system. He is telling the truth. We tested that liquor. It’s alcohol—a strong one. It matches what we found in your blood. And yes, it has side effects. It raises libido. That’s all it does. ”The ground beneath my feet suddenly turns soft. It’s like something wants to pull me under.Fred starts sobbing. “ I didn’t mean to hurt you…Please. I am sorry. I didn’t know he was not your husband. ”I stare at him, my chest heaving, my mind racing. Everything
Grace“ We are here. ” Luca announces, breaking me out of the trance.I sigh, looking around. We are in front of an abandoned warehouse. And the eeriness of the secluded area makes my heart beat faster than it should. Without a word, I open the door and step out. The cold stings my skin, but I barely feel it. Luca leads the way and I follow him like a brainless dummy. It seems now that Tristin is not around, I can easily go back to my robotic self and act dead. As soon as I step inside, I see Fred sitting slumped on a chair. His head hangs low, hiding his face from my view. But the sight of an old man, sitting in a hard chair, without even warm clothes on does something to my mind. A crack appears in the ice wall in my heart and I find myself frozen on my spot for a few moments.What are you doing, Grace? I ask myself, but there is no answer. Suddenly, Fred picks up his face and my breath catches in my throat. His face is unrecognizable—swollen, bleeding, as if they have hit him