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
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
GraceI stumble a little, catching myself just in time. When I turn to look at him, he is wiping his hand on his pants like he has touched something disgusting.That hits harder than it should. My chest tightens, and for a second, I forget how to breathe.Does he find me so disgusting?I smile. It’s not a happy one. It’s the kind of smile you give when you are so hurt, you don’t know what else to do.“ You don’t have to act like I am dirty… ” I say, my voice low. “ We both know you are worse than I will ever be. Next time, you should not don’t touch me. I don’t need your help. ”The words hang in the air between us. The tension rises as our eyes meet, and he continues to look at me like he does not recognize me.He doesn’t say anything, and I don’t wait for him to. I turn around and walk away from him as quickly as I can.Once I am out of sight, I find a corner behind a pillar and crouch down, pressing my back to the wall. My knees come up to my chest, and I bury my face in them, tryi
GraceThe moment I see Tristin staring at me, I freeze. Everything else blurs out—the noise, the cameras, the people. It’s just him, looking at me like I am some stranger, and I can’t stand it. His eyes are cold, detached, like he has already decided I am not worth it.I feel something break inside me. That damn wall I have spent hours building to keep myself sane? Gone. Just like that. Just with one cold look from him, I start asking myself questions again, and I start recalling everything AGAIN.He is not asking me anything. He is not blaming me, fighting with me, or trying to hate me. Is this a normal reaction?Is this how husbands are supposed to react? Are they just supposed to decide their wife has become a stranger overnight?Even now, when I am standing here with my life falling apart and Ethan’s fingerprints all over it, Tristin doesn’t bother. Instead, he just looks at me like I am the one who has failed him.It’s pathetic how much that hurts.My throat tightens, but I sw
GraceMona’s face pales, her hands trembling as she stands frozen. She knows what’s coming.Daniel’s voice grows colder. “ She doesn’t just hurt men like me. She traps them. She uses them. She tells them what to do, and when they refuse, she accuses them of things they never did. She ruins their reputations. She ruins their lives. And now, she is trying to do it to Tristin Roberto. ”The cameras continue to flash, capturing every moment, every word.“ You are lying. Daniel, why are you doing this to me? ” Mona tries to grab attention but fail when the reporters keep their focus on her husband instead. Daniel continues, his face grim. “ I overheard her talking on the phone not long ago. She told someone that she went to Tristin Roberto, tried to force herself on him. When he refused her advances, she hurt herself. Hit herself, several times. And then she threatened him—if he didn’t make his wife give up the CBA project, she would destroy him. And now, she is accusing him, all because
GraceHer face drains of color. She opens her mouth to protest, but no words come out. The air seems to freeze around us as her eyes flicker to the door. Oh. She is waiting for someone. “ This is absurd! ” She whispers, her voice cracking with desperation.“ How is this absurd? ” I ask, my eyes going round. “ I am curious because you and I fought before and then you suddenly started accusing my husband of abusing you the next day. I am sure everyone who is seeing you is equally curious right now. ”“ I have never had any discord with you. Why are you lying, Mrs. Roberto. ” She sniffles, her voice lowering, but hidden to everyone, I can see the smug gleam in her eyes. “ Think again, Mona… ” I urge. Then, I let the silence stretch out, watching her squirm under the pressure. “ I have never had any discord with you, Mrs. Roberto. Please stop— ”“ Let’s jog your memory a little. ” My smile widens. I gesture toward the screen to my right, and a video begins to play. “ The cameras in C