*Grace*The faint scent of musty paper filled the air as I sat at my desk, tucked away in the dimly lit research room of the museum. The cursor on my computer screen blinked relentlessly, taunting me with each passing second as I contemplated the text message displayed on my phone.'Hey Grace,' Alex's message read. 'Are you going to the artwork exhibition tonight? I'd love for you to join me.'I had completely forgotten about it, but the prospect of attending the event excited me. These events were always exciting to me. However, as much as I wanted to go, I couldn't help but feel torn. David couldn't accompany me due to his work commitments, and even if he could, it would be a risk for Alex to meet him there with me and discover the truth about our relationship. The second option would be to go alone, but I wasn't particularly fond of that idea. The last option would be going with Alex, which honestly didn't seem like such a bad idea. He was a fun and easy person to be around
*Grace*The bitter taste of our argument lingered in the air as I paced through my living room, the worn wooden floorboards creaking beneath my steps, my grip tightened on my phone. David didn't try to call me back, and deep down, I kind of wished he did.With every breath, I felt the crushing weight of his jealousy suffocating me, filling my lungs with a toxic mix of anger and doubt. I struggled between understanding his concerns and feeling smothered by his actions. I didn't know how to feel.I decided to get ready for bed, keeping my mind occupied for a few minutes. As I settled onto my soft mattress, I closed my eyes, attempting to shut out the chaos of my thoughts. But it proved to be a futile effort. Sleep eluded me that night as unrelenting questions tormented my mind.How could a man who ignited such fierce desire within me also evoke such uncertainty? Was that how he really was when it came to relationships? Was he the type of man who acted possessive and jealous whene
*Grace*My heart raced as David pulled up to my building in his sleek, black luxury car. He stepped out and held the door open for me, his blue eyes locking with mine, his smile instantly turning my legs into jelly."Ready for our little getaway?" he asked, a mischievous smile playing on his lips."More than ready," I replied, stepping into the car, the rich scent of leather mixed with his intoxicating cologne enveloping me immediately. As we drove away, the city lights faded behind us, replaced by the darkness of the night sky. We arrived at a private airport, and my breath caught in my throat when I saw the jet waiting for us. Of course he would fly us in a private jet. I didn't know what I was expecting.Boarding the aircraft, I was struck by the lavishness that surrounded me. David's wealth was staggering, and yet he still managed to make me feel like the most important person in his world.As the engines roared to life, the hum filled the cabin, creating an intimate atmos
*Grace*The room was draped in darkness, save for the faint glow of the projector casting a haunting light on David's face. I pressed myself against him, my arousal evident. My fingers slipped beneath the hem of his shirt to brush against the warm skin of his abdomen. He shuddered under my touch, and I reveled in the power I held over him in that moment."Can you see how turned on you make me?" I asked seductively, grinding myself against his already hard cock. David's grip tightened on my thighs and up my ass, and he pulled me down on him, trying to end the distance between us. "Don't tease me, Grace," he warned in a hoarse voice.His strong hands began to roam over my body, exploring every inch of me with a mix of urgency and reverence. He cupped my breasts, his thumbs grazing my nipples through the thin fabric of my dress, causing them to harden instantly. A moan escaped my lips, but it didn't seem to be enough for him. David hooked his fingers around the straps of my dress
*Grace*The weekend flew by in a dream-like state. It was more than I could ever have hoped for–more than I had ever imagined it would be. It felt like I was living someone else's life for a moment. Those had to be some of the best days of my entire life. Getting to spend it with David, away from the prying eyes of society, finally free to express our feelings openly, forgetting about everything and everyone back home for a while.We had walked by the beach while holding hands, enjoyed the sunset in a romantic atmosphere, had sex countless times, and still, I didn't feel like I'd had enough. I wasn't ready to return home yet and face reality and the consequences of our relationship.In our hidden escapades during Sarah's wedding, the imminent threat that someone would eventually find out about us was always over our heads, but this time, it wasn’t there. It had been just David and me, deepening our connection on a whole other level. The sea and the sky were the only witnesses to o
*Grace*"Your place is as cozy as ever," Sarah said, her eyes scanning the familiar surroundings of my quaint apartment. The contrast between my simple home and her luxurious lifestyle was obviously a stark reminder of the rich-poor divide that separated us into entirely different worlds. Yet, Sarah never seemed bothered about it. If anything, sometimes it seemed like she felt more at home in my apartment than her own house."Thank you," I replied, forcing a smile. "Make yourself at home."As Sarah kicked off her shoes and settled onto the couch, we began to catch up. The conversation flowed effortlessly, allowing me to temporarily forget the weight of the secrets I carried. In these moments, it felt as though nothing had changed between us—as if the complexities of my relationship with David were merely a figment of my overactive imagination.I was desperately clinging to the notion that perhaps Sarah would understand the intricacies of both our feelings, especially considering
*David*I was already sleeping when Grace texted me last night. But waking up to her text got me worried, to say the least. I was sure Sarah hadn't discovered anything during their sleepover, otherwise Grace would have let me know. She might have just felt overwhelmed, having Sarah there with her, having to keep the secret hidden from her.I could understand it. And I hated to put her through this. And my daughter.My heart raced as I paced the lavish living room of my penthouse, each step sinking into the plush carpet beneath my feet. I decided to call Sarah and invite her over for dinner. I could prepare her for what Grace and I had to say before Grace arrived. This way, Sarah wouldn't be surprised by the both of us at once. Before I had the chance to call her though, the phone vibrated in my hand, jolting me from my thoughts. A message preview from Victoria flashed on the screen, and I hesitated before swiping it open, my stomach twisting with unease."I warned you, but
*Grace*The faint glow of my phone screen lit up as it vibrated on my desk. The sudden interruption startled me, causing me to sit up straight with a racing heart. David rarely called me during work hours, which got me on edge immediately."David?" I said as I picked up the call."We have a problem." His voice was low and hoarse, as if he had been silent for a long time. "Sarah found out about us. She stormed out of my apartment, completely devastated. We had a huge argument, and I'm afraid she's coming for you next."My breath hitched in my throat as I tried to make sense of what he said, each word sinking its claws deeper into my chest. The heaviness of reality weighed on me like an anchor, dragging me down into the depths of guilt and fear. The moment I had dreaded since our forbidden romance began had finally arrived.Swallowing hard, I tried to piece together my thoughts, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. Fear crept up my spine as I envisioned Sarah's wrath, her pain piercin
*Grace*-Nine months later- David, Daniel, and I gathered in Sarah's hospital room to celebrate the joyous arrival of the precious little life into the family. Balloons adorned the room, their colors dancing in harmony with the soft lullaby playing in the background through Sarah's speaker. The room buzzed with anticipation as we all anxiously waited for the baby to be brought back to the bedroom."Why is it taking so long for them to bring her?" David asked impatiently, pacing back and forth in the room.Daniel chuckled, patting him on the shoulder. "She will be here soon. They just had to take her to run some routine exams.”David groaned in response, and Sarah and I suppressed a laugh to avoid annoying him further.David and I came running as soon as Daniel called to let us know Sarah was about to give birth. David left everything at his company and drove as fast as I was certain was legally allowed to pick me up at the museum and bring us here.It took a while for the h
*Grace*Moving in with David proved to be even better than I had dreamed of. As he promised me, he hired someone to take everything from my apartment and bring it back to his penthouse, but that wasn't really necessary. At the end of the day, I only kept my clothes and some small objects I had emotional attachment to. The furniture and everything else inside the apartment wasn't mine anyway, so I didn't have much to carry on with me.David had insisted that we went shopping so I could give the apartment a bit of my own touch, but truth be told, I already loved everything about it and didn't feel like changing anything, risking ruining its professional and chic decor. The only thing I did buy was a huge Christmas tree I had always wanted to have, and a collection of antique maps that I stumbled upon in a quaint little shop a while ago, but had no room to put them in my old apartment.Of course, David insisted that we grab a whole box of tree decoration ornaments so we could ass
*Grace*The faint hum of the gallery's air conditioning was a soothing background noise as I studied the latest collection of paintings that had been brought in for display. The vibrant colors and intricate brushstrokes captivated me, reminding me of why I chose this career in the first place. It had been a few weeks since David and I had returned from Switzerland, and I had to confess that this one trip made me go back to work with a different enthusiasm. It was like taking that time to ourselves after everything that happened was all I needed to feel a renewed will to live my life to the fullest.I was so engrossed in my work that when my phone rang, I nearly jumped out of my skin."Grace Harrison speaking," I answered without looking at the ID Caller."So formal, huh?" David greeted, his velvety voice on the other end making my heart race instantly. "I came to pick you up. I'm outside the museum right now. I've got a surprise planned for this evening.""Really?" I replied,
*Grace*After a thrilling second day on the Swiss Alps, where David and I had spent hours skiing down the powdery slopes, and visiting a thermal spa afterwards, we finally returned to our cabin. The sky was a dark, velvety canvas punctuated by shimmering stars as we entered our cozy home for the night. My body hummed with exhaustion, but my heart overflowed with happiness.The embers in the fireplace cast an intimate glow over the room, their warmth inviting us to relax. David and I chatted casually about our adventures on the slopes, the adrenaline still coursing through our veins, as we prepared to go to bed.We had showered at the spa, so I was glad I didn't have to get into the shower now."Your skiing skills have certainly improved since yesterday," David teased me, his features sparkling with mischief. I couldn't help but laugh at the memory of my countless falls on the previous day. Today had been a bit better, but not enough so I could consider his words as the truth.
*Grace*When David surprised me by saying he wanted to take me on another trip, I immediately accepted, although he didn't want to tell me where we were going.What I would never have dreamed of was that it would be the majestic Swiss Alps.As David and I arrived, we were greeted by the breathtaking sight of snow-covered peaks–a heart-skipping, jaw-dropping kind of scenery. My excitement was through the roof as I took in the grandeur of our surroundings through the window of our rented car, and I couldn't help but get all giddy with anticipation and pure joy.This trip turned out to be a surprise-packed adventure, and I was already loving every second of it."David, it's absolutely stunning here," I breathed out as we reached the resort we'd be staying at, my voice filled with awe."Isn't it? I knew you would love it," he replied, his sharp blue eyes reflecting the mesmerizing landscape. I couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected escape from reality, a chance to expl
*Grace*David’s tongue danced with mine, making me moan against his mouth as he pinned me to the wall of my living room. "I missed you so much," I repeated against his mouth, my fingers instinctively threading through his hair."Me too. I couldn't sleep without you all these days," he replied hungrily, his arms pulling me closer, his gaze so intense that made my knees weak. His mouth found the curve of my neck and he began to place soft kisses against my skin, making me unconsciously tilt my head, granting him better access.David slid his hands up the sides of my body, softly grazing over my curves as his lips continued their path down my neck. When his fingers slipped under my shirt, finding me completely comfortable and loose without a bra, I flinched under his touch, preparing myself for his next move. He groaned against my skin, his tongue continuing to caress my neck as he took each breast in his hands, kneading them gently and brushing his thumbs across their sensitive
*Grace*I stood by the window of my living room, staring out into the darkened streets below as I grappled with my emotions. My heart swelled with hope and happiness after Sarah's unexpected acceptance of my relationship with David, yet Margaret's chilling threats overshadowed my newfound joy. A knot tightened in my stomach, churning with doubt and fear. Could I ignore her warnings and choose to stay by David's side? Was he strong enough to protect us from his own mother's venomous wrath?As if summoned by my thoughts, my phone vibrated with an incoming call. The screen displayed David's name, my heart skipping a beat at the sight. He'd been silent for days, handling what I now knew were business issues. I felt anxious to answer his call, not knowing how to address him yet, but I was dying to hear his voice for so long, I couldn't simply not answer him now."Hello?" I answered hesitantly."Grace," his voice was a mix of urgency and anxiety, "can you let me in? I'm downstairs.
*Grace*Needless to say that the following days after Margaret came to my building to threaten me were awful. Especially after I read David's answer to my text message. I didn't reply to him, of course–too scared to do anything and have Margaret on my doorstep again quicker than a thunder.For the thousandth time that week, I found myself rambling through my mind, trying to decide what to do. I spent the next few days as if my relationship with David was over. Because that's what it was, right? There was no way I could continue fighting for this love when everyone around us seemed to want to break us apart.I was being weak, I knew that. I could almost hear David's voice telling me to be brave, that our love was worth fighting for… My mother's words replayed in my mind over and over as I tried to convince myself that I should just ignore Margaret and live my life as I pleased.What would happen if I did that though? I would be lying if I said I didn't consider the implications be
*David*As soon as I finished planning my upcoming weekend with Grace–assuming she'd be free and willing to go along with my plans–I decided to head home. After the confrontation with Victoria, I started feeling emotionally drained and my head was pounding like hell, so I felt like I should just go home for the rest of the day.I got home before sunset and headed to the gym to work out. Maybe exhausting my muscles and body would make me sleep a bit better tonight. I hadn't been sleeping well lately, and I was eager to have a tranquil night of sleep for a change.The sudden sound of the doorbell ringing made me almost jump out of my skin. I got out of the treadmill, grabbing a towel to wipe my sweat as I headed to the living room. I wondered who knew I was home already. I hadn't contacted Grace yet, so there was no way it could be her. Right?My heart pounded in my chest as I reached for the doorknob, deep down expecting she had come to surprise me and I would be able to see her