Tristin“ You did the right thing. ” Mom says, stepping ahead to fix my shirt’s collar.“ Why do you dislike her? ” I wonder. “ we have common enemies. She shouldn’t bother you like she does. ”Mom’s soft eyes flicker towards my neutral gaze. I sigh, taking a step back and turning towards Luca so he can fix my collar instead.“ I need to meet with the shareholders before they cause a commotion over my absence. Carlos has been plotting for some time. He will get out of hand if I don’t put him into his place now. ” I grit my jaw as the injuries on my back and chest stretch, sending a wave of pain down my whole body.“ He is your cousin. Be kind to him. ” Mom sighs.I press my lips in a thin line. I can always count on Mom to judge every person wrong. Once, she thought Lily was an angel. I told her she was a devil under that sweet smile but no one listened.Now she thinks Grace is terrible, and she is wrong again. To think that she is taking the side of my so-called cousin in front of
TristinBy the time I step onto the rooftop, it starts raining. Luca is closely behind, asking me to stay in and not get myself wet but I can not stop to listen.Cold air sways my jacket before I feel the rain drenching me. My eyes scan the dimly lit area, searching for her. “ Where is she? ” I mumble.Maybe, she wanted to get some fresh air and came here. She was not suicidal and all that.I walk around the front, and onto the back, sighing in relief. She was not here. “ Did someone— ”The words die on my tongue. I have been watching the area, wanting to find her but I was expecting to find her on the tall wall. Her thin T-shirt moves with the breeze, as she walks along the line, her eyes downcast and her arms wrapped around herself.The color drains from my face as memories flash across my mind, causing me to freeze after a long time.“ She only wants my money. ” My brother’s voice is carried by the wind, emotionless and determined. “ It’s my fault that I didn’t understand this b
Grace Shock will be an understatement. My head spins as Tristin’s lips crash against my mouth. It’s rough, desperate, and breathtaking.There is nothing gentle about the way his arms tighten around my waist and coax me into his lap or the way his teeth sink into my bottom lip, urging me to open my mouth for his tongue. I shudder, the unforgiving rain still pouring over my cold body. The contrast of his heated mouth and his warm hands on my body amidst the biting cold leaves my mind numb and my hands hanging in the air. What…Tristin separates our lips and pants against my aching lips. “ think about pulling this shit again and I will make sure you never step a foot out of your room again. ”I blink, completely still in his arms. What does he think I was doing? “ Luca. ” Tristin yells, his glare still on my confused face. “ go prepare the car. Turn on the heaters. ” “ Yes, Boss. ” Luca’s voice sounds over the rain before I hear his retreating footsteps.Dumbfounded and nervous, I
GraceHis lips press to mine again. This time, it’s gentle and considerate. I stagger back, but Tristin’s arm wraps around my waist and pulls me back to his front. I breathe, inhaling his masculine cologne and the minty taste of his mouth. Tristin tilts his head to the right, deepening the kiss. My lips part, letting him explore every inch of me. A shudder slithers down my cold spine, making me step closer to his warm body. My head is foggy. Even then, I know I shouldn’t do this.I clench his shirt and attempt to pull my head back. Tristin grabs my nape and kisses me harder, refusing to let me go until he has had his fill.Unconsciously, my hand moves up and grazes the skin of his collarbone. Tristin’s body shudders under my fingertips, sending waves of fire down my veins. He releases my lips with a harsh nip and stares down at me. I breathe, hold it in, and watch his unmoving eyes. “ I told you before. ” Tristin’s hand travels lower on my back until he reaches my butt and squeez
GraceI wince, sensing the soreness between my legs. Even with so many injuries, he was relentless and insatiable. We ended up having sex in his bedroom again before he finally called Luca and got his wounds bandaged. I laid there, trying to make sense of things, and he was there, wiping my body with a wet cloth. I didn’t speak, and he didn’t push me into anything. In the end, we found ourselves on the same bed. Now, he is lying beside me, his hand placed so close to mine. My heart is pounding in my chest, refusing to calm down or settle.“ Now, what do we call what happened between us? Is it a one-time thing or what? ” I clench the sheets. “ I want you to stay by my side. You can stay in whatever way you want, Little Butterfly. You can be my girlfriend…or my wife. I don’t…mind. ” His hoarse, tired voice echoes in the silent room.My heart misses a beat. Girlfriend or wife…Both titles scare me.And the fact that Alma was terrified of the same thing happening ticks me off even mo
EthanThe pictures lie on my lap.She kissed Tristin and spent the night at his place. She told me she didn’t want to be with any other man after me. And she lied. “ Where is she now? ” I ask Josh. “ She was last seen at the airport, Boss. ” He reveals, standing beside me.I nod, taking the pictures and dropping them on the side table. My head should be hurting enough to make me sick, but I can not even feel it.It’s because my heart is bleeding.The door to the hospital room opens and Noah, the new man I hired from the professional secretary team at the office, steps inside. “ Mr. Calder. ” He nods respectfully and comes to stand by Josh’s side.Josh looks at him but doesn’t say anything. “ Step out. ” I turn my head towards the ceiling-to-floor window in my hospital room.“ Noah, step out— ” “ I am talking to you, Josh. Get out and close the door on your way. ” I state, narrowing my eyes.“ Uh—Yes, Boss. ” Josh nods and leaves us alone. “ What did you find? ” I keep my gaze
Grace—3 Months Later…It’s not easy leaving your country to settle in some foreign place. That’s what most people say.But I will say that I am having the best time of my life. I go to sleep every night with the plans for the next day in my mind and wake up ready to do my best. This feels different than going to sleep crying or wondering about the people in my life and waking up to think about what scheme I might encounter. I no longer move in the same circle, always finding myself in the same spot. I have left that circle altogether. Although, once in a while, I think about the past, about my loss. But it doesn’t freeze me. I am beginning to accept this new life because I know I will never return to the past again. The change of place has done me good. “ What do you want? ” Celine asks in her all-time chiming voice.“ The usual. ” I shrug, glancing out of the window in the cafe.It’s raining. The weather is starting to become cold. And after a long time, I feel myself just focus
Grace“ I just felt like… ” Tristin trails off and swallows. “ coming to see you. ”I don’t need to ask how he found me. If he wants to, he can find me anywhere. I stay still, staring up into his out-of-focus eyes. He is looking right through me as if thinking about something. My eyes lower to the sleeves of his jacket, getting caught in the drops of water dripping down the edge. I look down at his feet and sigh. “ The rain stopped more than an hour ago. Why are you drenched? ” I frown. Tristin’s gaze follows my eyes and lands on the pool of water around his feet. His shoulders slump, making me blink. This is the first time I have seen him like this—dejected and lost. “ I can ask Luca to come up with a suit and— ”I grab the sleeve of his jacket and pull him inside the apartment. The coldness of his hand seeps into my fingers that brush against his skin.Leaving him standing beside the wall, I close the door and sigh, lowering my gaze to the floor. I thought I wouldn’t see him a
GraceMy hand lowers to his collar, and this time, I don’t trace his skin, I just hold on for dear life and try to avert my gaze.“ Look at me. ” He hisses, still holding me in his arms, still trying to suppress his fury. “ did I not tell you about what a cheat my father was? Did I not tell you how much I fucking hated how he cheated on a new woman every fucking week, and destroyed every single life in our house?! ”I flinch and tighten my grip over his collar. My lips quiver, but I don’t look away from his fire-filled eyes.“ And you still…believe…I would do the same to you? You believe I would repeat that cycle? ” His voice rises, making my chest tighten.I flinch again and force the words out. “ I am sorr— ”“ I wouldn’t have done it to my wife even if I had married for business. ” He notices the slight fear that reflects in my eyes and lowers his voice. “ And you think I could have done this to you? Even after you know…I loved you? ”Cold crawls down my spine. Everything stills in
GraceI lift my gaze, and meet his blue eyes. He is disgusted—a voice whispers in my head right away. I kissed him. I knew he felt disgusted around me after what happened, and I still went ahead and kissed him in front of everyone. And like a good husband, he didn’t let me embarrass myself. Shame claws at my chest. I bite my lip so hard it starts stinging. I drop my gaze to the pavement and wish he just goes inside so he doesn’t have to witness my walk of shame.But he is more stubborn than I like.A moment later, his shadow covers the lights around me, and his black, shiny shoes come into my view. “ What happened? ” His voice is low and sarcastic. “ Were not you trying to act like a teasing, happy wife just some time ago? Did you lose all that courage already? ”Tears burn the back of my eyes as my head drops even lower. We didn’t even talk properly after that morning in the cabin, and I don’t know how to take it…now that I am beginning to sober up. He just left me alone without
GraceTristin’s hand clenches into a fist. I watch as he steps back, running his fingers through his dark hair, the way he always does when he is trying to control his rage. My chest tightens, and my heart pounds harder by the passing moments. A server carrying a tray of glasses passes by me, and without thinking, I grab another glass of wine. I lift it to my lips, and Tristin’s hand shoots out. Too late. I down the glass in one gulp, the sharp burn moving down my throat. He snatches the glass from my hand and slams it onto the tray. His eyes darken some more. Now, I can sense him vibrating under that dark suit, just on the verge of exploding. “ Really? ” His voice is low and controlled—dangerous.I shrug, and my heart misses a beat as he steps forward. The air thickens around us. He grabs my arm tightly, but not tight enough to hurt, and starts dragging me towards the exit. “ Tristin… ” I begin, but my words die in my mouth as his grip tightens, warning me to keep quiet.The ro
Grace“ It’s a nice surprise to see you— ”Her shrill voice dies, as I grab my husband by his jacket and pull him down. Before any of us can anticipate my next moment, my lips slam against his mouth, staking my claim on him.Words are not needed. I don’t need to hit another girl either.This man alone…needs to know that I am still here, and whether he hates it or not, we are still married. What I did was not a conscious sin, but what he is doing is a grave sin and it’s…breaking my heart apart.I am sure I hear gasps erupt around me, but why does it matter?I reach forward, and my hands rest on his nape as I deepen the kiss, just lingering there, tasting his minty breath against mine. He doesn’t respond, doesn’t even flinch. We are so used to it that his lips fit right into mine without him trying.He can’t forget it, can he? He can't forget that we have kissed more times than we can count and his body responds to mine with a fervor that he can never experience with another woman...
GraceThere is a bitter taste in my mouth. I can’t get rid of it no matter how many sweets I eat, or how much wine I swallow.I watch as my husband parades that beautiful secretary around like she is his wife instead of me. My eyes narrow just a little, the alcohol in my stream beginning to burn hot—hotter by the moment.Why her? He said he has seen so many beautiful women around, then why is it her he brought here with him or why is it her that he chose over me?I scan her from head to toe, my gaze lingering on the slit in her dress that reveals her whole leg, to her upper thigh. Then, I look at her hair which is curled to perfection and left to fall in waves over her bare back.My trance breaks as her soft laughter filters through the other noise around me. When she smiles, her cheeks push her eyes up a little, making them appear like crescent moons.She is indeed beautiful.But... She is…less beautiful than many women I have seen besides Tristin before.But…she can give a genuine
Grace“ If this doesn’t work… ” She continues, now sighing heavily. “ …my parents will marry me off to Harry. I made a bet with them, remember? They gave me three years to make something of myself in our company. And that time is almost up. ”Of course. She has gone against her parents to stand with me. I don’t even know why she would do that, but I know…I don’t deserve it. “ Don’t worry, Talia. We will make it. You won’t have to marry that trouble. ” I rub my temples, feeling the weight settle onto my shoulders. The car slows as we approach the venue. My stomach twists. This is it. I step out, gripping my clutch tightly as the cool night air brushes against my skin. Talia links her arm through mine, pulling me forward with a grin that doesn’t quite reach her eyes.Inside, it’s a world of crystal and velvet, soft music drifting over the hum of conversations. I show the invitation card at the entrance, and my heart pounds in my chest as we pass through.As soon as we are inside, and
GraceSeb’s little face fills my phone screen. I watch him for a moment, my heart weighing heavy in my chest. His eyes light up, and he grins so wide that I forget to breathe for a second.“ Mom! Look, I built a tower! ” He tilts the camera to show a wobbly stack of blocks leaning dangerously to one side.I smile, warmth spreading through my cold body. “ That’s amazing, baby. You have gotten good at this. ”He looks back at the screen with a proud, toothy grin. “ I wish you were here to play with me, Mommy. When…will you come back? ”My throat tightens, but I keep the smile in place. “ I miss you too, baby. I will be home soon. I promise. ”“ Sebastian. Eat your fruits. ” Mom’s voice sounds from behind him.Seb glances offscreen, distracted by her. “ Granma made snacks! I will be right back, Mommy! ”“ Go ahead. ” I keep the smile on my lips as he looks at me a last time.He disappears before I can say another word, the screen wobbling until a familiar face takes his place.“ Grace… ”
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