TWENTY EIGHT

SYLVIA'S POV

As soon as I closed the door, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "Are you okay? What did he want?" Raymond asked, concern etched on his face.

"It's fine, don't worry about him," I said, waving it off, though my mind was far from settled.

We sat back down at the table, and the kids resumed eating their Chinese food, chatting animatedly about their day at school. I tried to focus on them, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Grayson's intense gaze and his heated words.

Raymond was saying something about his drive from LA, but I could barely concentrate. Grayson's voice echoed in my mind: "I will move the heavens and earth, I will do everything so you and the kids are mine, even if it means destroying Raymond." The way he said it, with such conviction, sent a shiver down my spine. Why did I find that confrontation so attractive? Why did I like the way he wanted to fight for me?

"Sylvia, are you listening?" Raymond's voice cut through my thoughts.

"Yeah,