GraceIf you trust him, why would you ask him something you don’t believe he can do? That voice whispers in my head again. My conscience refuses to let me ask such absurd questions from him.I sigh, closing my eyes for a moment. “ I went to that meeting in CBA today, and there I met Mona. I am sure you must know her. ”I open my eyes, and Tristin is there, staring at me, silently urging me to continue. I lick my lips and slip closer to him.My heart pounds like crazy, trying to break out of my ribcages. “ She lost the bid, and she was throwing a tantrum. ”Tristin will never undermine me, I repeat to myself like a mantra.“ Can you believe it? ” I huff, my muscles loosening. There is no nervousness in Tristin’s eyes, so I must be overthinking it. “ she said I used you and your power to get that power. She said I am undeserving and only rely on my husband to get everything. Of course, I told her that she was spitting nonsense. There is no way you will do something like this without tel
GraceHis silence is deafening.Why is he not saying anything?“ When I didn’t want you to say that I shouldn’t doubt myself, you kept saying it! Then why are you silent now? Why… ”Lies. He must have been lying all this time. I can’t believe this. All this time, everyone must have thought of me like someone who could be happy with shallow compliments, and words. Now, it’s like someone has gripped my heart, squeezing it painfully inside my chest.Tears prick the corners of my eyes, and I blink them away furiously. “ I—I trusted you to respect my wishes. How could you break my trust like this, Tristin? ”“ You are exaggerating it! I didn’t do anything that would warrant such anger, Grace. ” He gets up, his anger radiating off him like some visible waves I can see. I blink, taken aback by his sudden outburst. I have never seen him like this before—pupils dilated, jaw gritted, and face reddening. All that anger, directed at me.“ I am exaggerating this? ” Disbelief must be written on
GraceAfter getting out of his office, I called Talia. I told her to inform CBA about our unavailability. We can’t do this project, so they should hire someone else—someone like Mona.At first, Talia sounded confused and refused to call CBA right away, but a reminder from me about her position made her do the work I needed. Just an hour later, Mona started calling my phone. I knew she was calling to sound smug or maybe mock me again, so I didn’t pick up. Without thinking about anything else, I just came home like I had told Tristin.Now, after spending a whole day just sitting in the Greenhouse and staring at the white and purple flowers I had come to love…I still don’t feel any better. Tristin’s words keep ringing in my head.But even I can’t deny that whatever he said was true to some extent. That’s what’s making my chest ache.Before Sebastian was born, I had convinced myself that life with Tristin would be happy ever after. But now that I have a son, fears have started taking o
GraceDuring dinner, Seb tells me that he has made a new friend in the private daycare, and he likes him a lot. He continues to talk and moves his hands animatedly.While talking to him and listening to his stories, I almost forget that there is a problem at all.But when everyone retires to their room and Seb falls asleep beside me, everything just comes back to haunt me.I glance at the clock on the side table to notice it’s already twelve in the night, and Tristin hasn’t returned. If he is ever late, he calls to let me know because…We have made a pact at the beginning of our marriage.No matter what problems arise, we will never sleep in separate beds. When he suggested it, I thought it was foolish.He had to go on so many business trips and had to attend so many late-night gatherings…But when he returned every night and held his side of the promise…I thought the pact was not foolish. I was. I didn’t believe he could make it happen. But he had. He was adamant about taking me on
Tristin“ Mr. Roberto, we did what you asked of us. We made sure Mrs. Roberto was given a fair chance. We only gave her the project after seeing her idea presentation. Mrs. Roberto is good at her work, and we were happy to have such talent on our team… ” The man in front of me keeps ranting. I watch him with no interest in my eyes. “ why didn’t you assure her then? You should have let her know that she got that project because she was good at her work and not because I asked you to give her a fair chance at the competition. ”“ It’s not my fault, Mr. Roberto. ” He says, and wipes the sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief. “ you are our biggest investor. We kept it a secret and followed all protocols to not hurt Mrs. Roberto’s pride. But that Mona Alfonso…She threw a tantrum. I heard she has someone big backing her up, and that’s why she was so smug when she insulted Mrs. Roberto and… ”He pauses when he notices me staring at him intently. I watch as the CEO of the CBA, Julian Me
Tristin“ Stop whining. ” I lean back and look towards the nervous man staring at the scene. “ I like actions. Show me your sincerity. ”Mona Alfonso is a smart woman. Before my gaze flicks back to her face, a loud noise echoes through the room. She lifts her hand and slaps her face. But it’s not hard enough.If she doesn’t want me to destroy everything she has built by being everything she called Grace…She should show some more sincerity in her apology. I close my eyes and rest my head on the couch, listening as the noise continues. Once, twice, thrice. I lose count as my mind diverts back to Grace’s face.I should have considered that this time was not right for a fight. Ethan’s return has made her nervous, and she is reacting more strongly to everything around her.But I think his return is having the same effect on me. When she told me she came across him in the corridor, I almost lost my mind and searched her eyes to see what she felt.She is not the only one who fears things.
GraceThe music from the club thunders in my ears, but I barely focus on it. My attention is drawn towards the private room that is Tristin’s usual spot. I make up my mind about everything I will tell him. I will start by telling him that such projects are not as important as the trust between us. We don’t need to fight over such things and get angry at each other. Then, we can talk about everything that he has been keeping inside him. Yes—that’s the way. Mom says that communication saves relationships, and she has learned it the hard way. So, I should not let go of that important lesson.As I near the door, my heart starts pounding. What if he yells at me again?For a moment, I hesitate. I told him we should stay away from each other for a while, but I am the one running to him after just a few hours.This is so embarrassing. But no embarrassment is worse than the cold silence between us, I tell myself. Just as I reach the door, I find it open. When I peek inside, all thoughts dis
GraceGreen eyes. And dark hair. A gaze that’s lazy but deep. Ethan.His arms are locked around me, his hands gripping my waist as if he is afraid I will disappear. His dark eyes meet mine, wide and intense, but there is something else—something off.He is blinking too much as if fighting to stay awake. My gaze drops to the crimson liquid beside his head. Blood.It’s pooling on the sidewalk, a stark contrast to the concrete.The color drains from my face. “ Ethan. ” I can’t take my eyes off the blood that keeps flowing and staining everything. It touches my fingers that are placed over his shoulders, and suddenly, the night when I almost killed him flashes before my eyes like a haunting ghost that refuses to leave me alone.I whisper, my voice trembling. “ Ethan, you are bleeding.”His eyes flutter closed, and for a terrifying moment, my heart almost comes to a stop.“Ethan!” I shout, shaking his shoulders, panic rising in my chest like a tidal wave.His head lolls to the side, and
Grace“ Wait— ” I hiss quickly, stepping closer to Tristin to squeeze some space for myself. “ Tell Mom to come here and—”Before I can finish, the door slams shut. I let out a scream of frustration just as Tristin’s arm wraps around my waist. A startled gasp escapes me as he lifts me off the floor and carries me to the bed easily. “ Tristin, put me down! ” I thrash against him, but his grip is unyielding.He presses me down onto the mattress and hoves above me, leaving me no room for escape. “ Do not act like I am holding you hostage… ” He mutters, his voice returning to the soft note he has reserved for me. “ We are just having a couple’s fight. ”Is he being serious?!I laugh bitterly. “ This is not a couple’s fight, Tristin. When Mom comes, I am leaving, and you will never see my face again. I will make sure of that. Never! ”His jaw tightens as I smirk. I think I have won. But then, in one swift motion, Tristin flips me onto my stomach and yanks my zipper down. My breath cat
GraceI sit stiffly in the wing chair, my arms crossed across my chest and my glare fixed on Tristin. He stands by the locked door, his back against the wall, looking calm—too calm. He has lost his mind. That is the only explanation for this whole thing. I scoff. He cannot stay here forever. That bitch is in the house, and sooner or later, he will have to leave. I tell myself that is why I am so composed right now—because I want to see how long he can keep this up. But deep down, I know the real reason.When I saw Serena here, a dark thought crept into my mind. Maybe another woman had given him a family. Maybe he did not need me anymore. And that thought nearly shattered my heart into pieces.Before I can dwell on it, my phone rings. I glance down, and a frown etches between my brows.Why didn’t I think about calling someone? I reach for my phone and see Talia’s name shining on the screen. Before I can answer the call, Tristin’s shadow looms over me. Not even giving me the chanc
TristinI watch as Grace pushes against my chest, forcing distance between us. The fire in her eyes is like nothing I have ever seen before—not directed at me. Not like this.Her words echo through my head. ‘ We are done here. I am leaving. And you can't stop me. ’I can’t breathe.She turns away from me and grabs her packed suitcase. I want to say so much more, but no words come out of my mouth.She leaves me standing there and moves toward the door without hesitation. I should let her go. I should step back and give her space. I should fix this in a way that doesn’t involve desperate measures.But right now…This doesn’t feel like something that can be handled by giving her space. She looks like if she leaves, she won’t return and will never talk to me again. Panic surges through me like wildfire. My body moves on its own, faster than my mind can process, and before she can even reach the handle, I slam the door shut.Click.The sound of the lock twisting into place is deafening.
GraceI finish packing Sebastian’s things and glance at the bed, my chest tightening when I see him curled up. He fell asleep when he saw me packing for too long. His tiny fingers clutch the edge of the blanket, his breathing soft and even. He looks so peaceful. For a moment, my heart wavers. He loves his Daddy so much. How will he live away from him? I walk towards him and press a gentle kiss to his forehead, lingering for a second longer than intended.If we stay, my son will get more hurt when he realizes he has a brother who shares the same name with him.I straighten up and call the nanny over. She comes rushing and stands by my side. “ Stay with him… ” I say, my voice quieter than usual. “ Don’t leave him alone until I come back. ”She nods, and I force myself to walk away.When I reach my room, I head straight to the walk-in closet and pull out my suitcases. This time, I pack my own things. My fingers move automatically, folding clothes and stuffing them into the bag. I fe
Grace“ Whose child is that? ” I question.An eerie silence falls in the space. Looks are exchanged. Heavy breaths are released.The question must be too hard to answer even if it is so clear. I look into the child’s blue eyes and don’t look away. He stays rigid on his spot, never wavering, even under my penetrating gaze. “ What is your name? ” I find myself asking when the silence stretches for too long.A frown forms between the child’s brows, and he replies without hesitation. “ Sebastian. ”My breath hitches, my chest tightening as if the air has thickened around me. My fingers tremble slightly at my sides, and I curl them into fists to stop the shaking.Sebastian. My son’s name. A dizzying wave of nausea rolls over me, tightening its grip on my lungs. I can barely breathe.I swallow hard, my throat dry, and my heart pounding in my chest.“ Sebastian… ” I whisper, the name foreign on my tongue even though I have said it a thousand times before.The boy tilts his head slightly,
GraceTristin underestimates my understanding of him.I know when he is lying. And when he said that ‘no’, he was clearly, desperately trying to make me believe that there is nothing he is hiding from me. But everything I wanted to know was written right on his face.The question is…Will I ask him that question again? No. I gave him a chance. He didn’t take it.Now, I need to find out everything in my own way. As he tells me that we will go home together and that he just has one meeting to attend, I nod and tell him that I will wait for him.After he leaves, I take out my phone and see the contact information Talia has sent to me—the private detective.Her Aunt has already told the detective about me. So, I click a picture of Serena from the photographs and sent it to him with her name.A message appears on the screen, asking me about what kind of information I seek.I stare at the screen for a moment. What do I want to know? Her connection with Ethan or why Tristin looks so uncomfo
Tristin“ Leave, Luca. Do what I said. I want them gone. Tonight. ” I tell Luca while keeping my eyes on her.“ Yes, Boss. ” Luca hurries out and moves past her.Grace walks inside once he has left and closes the door behind her. I straighten up, my gaze flickering to her fingers that are turning white around the envelope she is gripping too tight.“ What is this? ” Grace’s voice stays low as she comes to stand on the spot where Luca sat moments ago.“ What? ” I blink calmly.Her hands shake as she rips the envelope open and takes out some pictures. Before I can open my mouth, she throws the pictures towards me.They fly across the space and hit my chest before dropping on the desk. Instinctively, my hands clench into fists, and my jaw grits. She is rightfully angry—I reason with myself. But a voice inside me keeps whispering…I have seen her in a more compromising position. But I have not reacted this way. I look down at the pictures. Just like I thought…That bitch kneeled between
TristinHe must have sent her something by now. I rotate the phone in my hand, watching the blank screen. Luca sits on the other side of the desk, watching me closely.“ Boss, you should have explained everything to her. ” He suggests.I lean back and drop the phone on the desk. I have been waiting for her to call me and ask if I have slept with Serena.But Grace has not done that. Now I think she will come here personally, to confront me. In about an hour or so. Luca is right. I should have explained everything to her. But what do I tell? Do I say…Oh Grace, you know what? We have a new family now and you can just accept them. Or maybe she will readily accept everything even if I do not want to.I am…a selfish bastard, and the only people I care about in this world are my mother, sister, my wife, son, and my friend sitting from across me.The rest of the people…They can burn for all I care.It has always been this way.That’s why…I don’t know how to handle this sudden slap in th
GraceA woman should never ignore her intuitions.When something feels wrong…She should believe that something is wrong instead of trying to find reasons to prove that nothing is wrong.Because when you try so hard to prove nothing is wrong, and it turns out to be a mistake, it hurts more.I stare at the three pictures on my desk. In the first one, Serena is kneeling between Tristin’s legs, holding onto his knees In the second, she is hugging him from behind.In the third, she is on her toes, her hands over his coat, and her lips so close to his. Why did he smell like her so thoroughly? It was because she was all over him. It was because…he was doing things he shouldn’t have done with her. I grip the edge of the desk, my fingers digging into the wood, the unease in my chest tightening with every second I spend staring at those pictures. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be looking at these images, shouldn’t be letting my mind spiral like this.But I can’t help it. Every inch of