Chapter 4

Contrary to her expectation, Adrian did not call Grace and she understood, his pride was wounded when she got off work, she walked through the park nearby, it wasn't far from where Adrian had spent the night and she was sure he would not have gone far since he had no means to cater for anything at the moment. Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. Adrian was seated on the green grass at a corner in the park. “Would you care to walk me home?” Grace asked.

Adrian blinked, caught off guard by her request. “Me?” he asked, pointing at himself as if she might have meant someone else.

“Yes, you,” Grace said with a small smile. “Unless you’ve got somewhere more important to be.”

He hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Sure,” he said, getting up. “I guess I could use the fresh air.”

Grace grabbed her coat, and together, they stepped out into the crisp evening. The streetlights cast a soft glow over the quiet road, and the noise of the city seemed distant and muted.

They walked side by side in silence for a while, the only sound the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps on the pavement. Adrian finally broke the silence.

“You know,” he began, his voice low, “you’re the first person to treat me like a human being since everything fell apart.”

Grace glanced at him, her expression calm but curious. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Adrian let out a bitter laugh. “Because I’m Adrian Williams, the disgraced son of the great Henry Williams. The guy who ruined his family’s name and lost everything.”

Grace stopped walking and turned to face him. “You’re also a person, aren’t you?”

Adrian frowned, confused by her response. “What do you mean?”

“People make mistakes,” Grace said simply. “And from what I’ve heard, you might not even be the one at fault.”

Adrian stared at her, his chest tightening. “ you’ve heard about me?”

“Of course,” Grace replied with a shrug. “Bad news spreads faster than a wildfire. Half the city’s probably talking about you by now.”

Adrian sighed, looking down at his shoes.

“But,” Grace continued, her tone softening, “that doesn’t mean I believe everything I hear. Life is unpredictable, Adrian. People are quick to judge, but the truth is often more complicated than the headlines.”

Her words struck a chord in Adrian. He had spent the past two days drowning in the weight of his father’s rejection, his friends’ betrayal, and Anita’s coldness. To hear someone speak with understanding, without assuming the worst, was like a lifeline.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Grace smiled faintly. “Because I know what it’s like to be judged unfairly.”

Adrian tilted his head, curiosity piqued. “What do you mean?”

Grace hesitated for a moment before speaking. “When my grandmother got sick, I dropped out of college to take care of her. People thought I was lazy or that I couldn’t handle school. They didn’t know I was juggling two jobs and hospital bills. They didn’t care to ask.”

Adrian nodded slowly, his respect for Grace deepening. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“Don’t be,” Grace said, waving him off. “It taught me not to jump to conclusions about people. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves.”

They resumed walking, the silence between them no longer heavy but comfortable. As they neared Grace’s modest apartment building, she stopped and turned to Adrian.

“Listen,” she said, her voice firm but kind. “I don’t know you well, but I can tell you’re not as bad as people are saying. Whatever happened, it’s not the end of the world. You’ll figure things out.”

Adrian looked at her, a flicker of hope sparking in his chest. “Thanks, Grace. That means a lot.”

"You can stay at my house until you figure things out", said Grace.

“It’s not much,” Grace said, setting her keys on the counter. “But it’s home.”

That was like a miracle to Adrian , he had no idea where he was going to spend the night and a few more days but she gladly offered him a place without giving it much of a thought.

Adrian stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the space. It was nothing like the sprawling mansion he had grown up in, with its marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and endless rooms. But there was a warmth to it, a feeling of safety he hadn’t felt in days.

“It’s perfect,” he said honestly.

Grace chuckled. “You’re easy to please.”

She walked over to the couch and grabbed a folded blanket from the backrest. “This’ll be your spot. Sorry, I don’t have an extra bed.”

Adrian shook his head quickly. “This is more than enough. Thank you.”

Grace smiled and headed to the kitchen. “I’ll fix us something to eat. Don’t get your hopes high, I’m not a chef.”

Dinner was a simple bowl of instant noodles and a piece of toast, a far cry from the gourmet meals Adrian had once taken for granted. But as he sat at Grace’s tiny kitchen table, listening to her talk about her grandmother and her dreams of going back to college, he found himself appreciating every bite.

“It’s not much,” Grace said, glancing at him as she stirred her noodles. “But it’s all I can manage on my budget.”

Adrian shook his head. “It’s great. Really.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a sense of normalcy. No judgment, no pity, just a shared meal and simple conversation.

As the night wore on, Adrian lay on the couch, staring at the ceiling. The blanket Grace had given him was worn but warm, and the sound of the city outside was oddly comforting.

Adrian lay awake on the couch, the blanket pulled up to his chest as the dim light from a streetlamp filtered through the thin curtains. The apartment was quiet, except for the occasional sound of Grace shifting in her room.

The weight of his situation bore down on him like a storm cloud. He couldn’t stop replaying the events that had led him here, the betrayal, the scandal, and the cold rejection from everyone he once trusted. Now, even the people he had called friends avoided him as if his misfortune were contagious.

Adrian turned onto his side, staring at the blank wall across the room. His mind churned with ideas, desperate to find a way to clear his name and reclaim the life that had been ripped from him.

But every avenue seemed blocked.

He needed money. That much was clear. Without it, he couldn’t launch an investigation into what had really happened that night at the hotel. He couldn’t afford to hire someone to dig into his half-brother Benson’s involvement or to bribe the staff at the hotel to talk.

The thought of money brought a bitter taste to his mouth. He had once been surrounded by as much as he needed and beyond but now, he couldn’t even buy himself a proper meal.

Adrian sighed deeply, running a hand through his messy hair. He had no marketable skills aside from business management, and as things stood, no company would dare to hire him. His name was too toxic, and the news of his disgrace was still fresh.

He stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. Was there any way out of this?

The hours ticked by, and the city outside began to stir with the early signs of dawn. Adrian’s thoughts grew darker.

Was this how his life would end? Reduced to nothing, forgotten by the world?

But then, a spark of defiance flared within him. No. He couldn’t let Benson win. He couldn’t let his father’s cold rejection be the final word on his story.

Adrian sat up abruptly, the blanket falling to his lap. If he wanted to clear his name, he would have to start from scratch.

The problem was, where to begin?

Adrian paced the small living room, the faint light of dawn casting long shadows on the floor. He needed money, but he also needed allies people who believed in him, people who could help him uncover the truth.

His thoughts turned to Grace.

She had been kind to him when no one else would, offering him a place to stay and treating him with dignity despite knowing who he was. She wasn’t connected to his world of wealth and privilege, which meant she wasn’t tied to the biases and judgments of that world either.

Could she help him?

Morning light streamed through the thin curtains of Grace’s apartment, casting a warm glow over the modest space. Adrian sat on the couch, the blanket draped loosely over his shoulders. He hadn’t slept much, his mind consumed with plans that refused to come together.

In the kitchen, Grace moved quietly, pulling out a few ingredients for breakfast. She glanced at Adrian, noting the distant look in his eyes. She didn’t need to ask to know he was still wrestling with the weight of his situation.

“Coffee or tea?” Grace asked softly, breaking the silence.

Adrian looked up, momentarily startled. “Coffee, please,” he replied, his voice hoarse from lack of sleep.

Grace nodded and set about brewing a pot of coffee. The aroma filled the small apartment, mingling with the sound of sizzling eggs in the pan. She worked efficiently, moving between the stove and the counter, her mind half on her task and half on the man sitting in her living room.

She had seen people like Adrian before the people who had hit rock bottom and didn’t know how to climb back up. But there was something different about him. Despite his obvious despair, there was a fire in his eyes, a determination to fight back.

Grace placed a plate of scrambled eggs and toast on the small table near the couch, along with a steaming cup of coffee.

“Eat,” she said simply, her tone kind but firm.

Adrian looked at the plate, his stomach growling despite himself. “Thank you,” he murmured, picking up the toast.

Grace poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter, sipping quietly. She didn’t press him with questions or try to make conversation. She knew he needed time to sort through his thoughts, and she respected that.

When Grace finished her coffee, she glanced at the clock. It was time to head to work.

“I have to go,” she said, grabbing her coat and slinging her bag over her shoulder. She paused near the door, Adrian nodded, grateful for her understanding. “Thanks, Grace. For everything.”

She gave him a small smile. “You’re welcome. Try not to burn the place down, okay?”

A faint smile tugged at Adrian’s lips as she stepped out the door, leaving him alone with his thoughts. It was the first time he was smiling after all the misfortunes he had faced, Grace was a kind, beautiful, and considerate woman, he felt her sincerity in everything she did. He walked back inside.

He needed to find a way forward, a way to rebuild his life and prove his innocence. But the road ahead seemed impossibly long, and he wasn’t even sure where to start.

His gaze shifted to the framed photographs on the wall, it was Grace and her grandmother, smiling in happier times. He thought about Grace’s willingness to help him, even when she had so little herself.

Adrian felt a pang of guilt. He had always taken his wealth for granted, never stopping to consider what life was like for people who didn’t have the same privileges. Grace had shown him kindness without expecting anything in return, and it made him realize just how selfish he had been in the past.

For the first time in days, Adrian allowed himself to hope. He didn’t have all the answers yet, but maybe he could find a way to turn things around.

With a deep breath, he stood and began tidying up the apartment. It was a small gesture, but it was something he could do to show his gratitude.

Grace returned home from her shift, her face pale with exhaustion but her spirits steady. She opened the door to find Adrian sitting at the small dining table, his fingers drumming absentmindedly on its surface.

“You’re back,” Adrian said, standing as she stepped in.

Before Grace could respond, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw the hospital’s number flashing. Her heart sank as she answered.

“Miss Grace,” the nurse’s voice came through, urgent and steady, “your grandmother’s condition has worsened. You need to come as soon as possible.”

Grace felt her chest tighten. “I’m on my way,” she replied, her voice trembling.

Without hesitation, she grabbed her coat and headed for the door. Adrian stood frozen for a moment before stepping into her path.

“What happened?” he asked, his tone sharp with concern.

“It’s my grandmother,” Grace said, her voice breaking. “I need to get to the hospital.”

“I’m coming with you,” Adrian said firmly, grabbing his own coat.

The two hurried through the bustling streets, weaving between cars and pedestrians as they raced to the hospital. Grace’s mind was a whirlwind of fear and desperation, but she noticed Adrian keeping pace beside her, his expression resolute.

When they arrived at the hospital, Grace bolted through the entrance, Adrian close behind. A nurse directed them to her grandmother’s room.

Inside, the old woman lay frail and pale against the crisp white sheets. Her breathing was shallow, but her eyes lit up faintly when she saw Grace and Adrian enter.

“Grandma,” Grace said softly, taking her hand.

Her grandmother’s lips curved into a weak smile. Her gaze shifted to Adrian, and the smile deepened. “So you’ve found someone to take care of you,” she whispered.

Grace blinked in confusion. “Grandma, no, it’s not what you think.