《Chased by my Ex Husband》


 Divorce Agreement

    Grace


    "She is back. Sign the divorce and end this. "Ethan says, cold and indifferent.


    Now, I understand that one incident can change your life forever.


    Three years ago, an incident like that turned my life upside down when my sister fled her wedding, leaving me to marry her fianc¨¦. But, I loved him so I didn''t consider it a bad incident. Instead, it was a stroke of luck that the man I adored became my husband.


    But today, another incident awaits me. The life I built is on the verge of destruction.


    I stare at him in disbelief. He doesn''t look like the man who doted on me for three years. He looks like the man who can''t stand me because he wants to be with another woman.


    I look down at the Divorce Agreement ced on the table. My heart twists painfully.


    It''s funny how a signature can bind you into a marriage-a rtionship you are supposed to cherish with all you have. But a signature can also end this rtionship as if it were always fragile and meaningless. "Please Please don''t do this, Ethan. "I whisper, unable to stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks.


    "Why are you making a fuss, Grace? It was already nned that once we found Lily, I would divorce you. That''s the reason I agreed to marry you!" His tone is usatory. His eyes, void of emotions re at me icily. My world spins out of control. Lily, my sister is back and my worst nightmares havee true.


    "Three years, Ethan. We have been married for-for three years. And she returned just a month ago. "I cry out.


    "Does that change anything? You are in her ce. You need to leave and return everything to her. " He scoffs coldly.


    "Three years ago, she fled and left you waiting on the altar, Ethan! "I sob. " Back then, I left everything, my dreams, my studies, my career, and stepped into her spot to marry you."


    "She left the altar because of you! Because you told her that you love me and made her feel guilty for having me. Don''t act innocent now!" He raises his voice.


    My breath hitches. Why does it hurt so much to hear that he thinks everything was my fault?


    "I have told you again and again! "I grip my hair, crying out. "I didn''t tell her that! I loved you but I loved her too. She is my sister, Ethan. I wouldn''t ruin her marriage. Why can''t you believe me?"


    "Why else would she run? She loved me. You destroyed her life by forcing her to marry another man and leaving me to you. Now, she is alone and broken and it''s all because of you. But I won''t let you torture her anymore. Once you sign the divorce, I will marry her as I should have all those years ago. " Ethan roars, and grabs a ss from the table before smashing it on the ground.


    I jump in my spot. Fear twists my guts. I look down at the shattered pieces before ncing at him.


    When Lily returned one month ago and met us, Ethan told me I shouldn''t worry.


    But I should have known. The look of love on his face was not fake. I should have known that she would poison his mind sooner orter, that she would tell a stupid lie that I made her run.


    What is a three-year marriage worth in front of a woman like my sister, Lily anyway? She is the epitome of sess and beauty. Men drool over how unreal and sexy she is. My husband is not different either.


    But I want to scream and tell him that she never loved him. She wanted him for his money. But once she found a man richer than him, she fled the marriage.


    She dumped him and didn''t care how it destroyed him or the reputation of our family.


    I should tell him how miserable he looked when he stood on the altar, confused and angry while waiting for a woman who was long gone.


    I want to tell him that his misery hurt my heart so I abandoned everything and took Lily''s ce to mend the broken heart of a man I loved my whole life.


    But how do I break his heart like this? Even if I do, will he even believe me?


    "I loved her! You knew I loved her. All along, you knew and yet you sabotaged our lives. You destroyed everyone''s happiness and you are still denying it!?" Like a raging beast, Ethan storms towards me and grips my jaw harshly.


    My teeth sink into my inner cheeks. I gasp, tears pooling in my eyes.


    My heart feels like someone has stabbed it. It''s bleeding and it hurts. Why does he not care?


    "I di...didn''t Ethan. Please Please trust me. "I sniffle, gripping his wrist to free myself.


    "Trust you? A disgusting woman like you who can ruin her sister''s life? How can I trust you?!" He is seething.


    His green eyes are bloodshot with anger and an intention to kill.


    He squeezes my jaw harder. I scream, sensing the metallic taste of blood in my mouth.


    "I don''t want to hurt you, Grace. Don''t force my hand. Sign these papers and you are free to go. I won''t seek revenge for what you did. I will even give you enough money to survive for the rest of your life. " His fingers dig into my flesh, earning another hiss. His handsome face appears distorted in my blurry vision. I reach out, trying to touch his cheek but he swats my hand away harshly.


    "Don''t touch me with your filthy hands! " Ethan growls dangerously.


    "Filthy hands?" My blood runs cold. " you touched me first! You made love to me many nights, Ethan. Why didn''t you find me filthy when you were doing it?"


    "Did you think I touched you because you managed to melt my heart with your stupid tricks?" Heughs mockingly. It''s a deafening sound that shatters my heart. "Why?" I whisper, my voice sounding muffled in my ringing ears.


    "Don''t act oblivious. You were supposed to give me a child as a wife. " His icy re burns into my face, destroying everything in me." But you can''t even do that. You are probably barren. It''s divine punishment, Grace. It suits you. A woman like you doesn''t deserve to be a mother."


    His words echo in my ears. I try to breathe but the pain is so strong that I can''t. My chest tightens, agony filling every inch of me.


    "What would you have done if I gave birth to your child, Ethan?" I whisper in defeat.


    "The child would have belonged to Lily. I wouldn''t let you raise my heir. " He answers cruelly and leaves my jaw with a jerk.


    Instinctively, I ce my hand on my stomach. I was supposed to tell Ethan today about the life growing inside me, but suddenly, I can''t. He will take my child away and give it to Lily.


    How can I bear it?


    "Once I return, I don''t want to see your face around, Grace. Sign the papers or I will destroy you this time!" Ethan warns coldly and storms out.


    I am left alone in the lounge. I stare at the papers as my head spins with thoughts. What do I do now?


    In our three years of marriage, he was never cold to me. Until Lily returned to destroy our lives, Ethan and I were happy.


    ''I think spending a life with you won''t be that bad, My Grace. ''That''s what Ethan said to me two months ago and then we made love all night.


    He used to touch me with a passion that would burn my body and leave me with a pleasant soreness for a few days. He showered me with presents and pampered me like a Princess.


    But two weeks ago, he came back home and threw a vase at me in anger.


    I didn''t know what to do because I never faced his wrath before.


    He used me a lot that day, told me that I ruined him and Lily and that I would never find happiness in this life.


    It took me a while to figure out what he meant. Lily had dumped all her faults on me to take back what she thought belonged to her.


    My Ethan. My Husband. He was supposed to be her man.


    All my efforts to convince him that I did nothing but save his reputation when I decided to marry him were in vain.


    I was happy to marry him, I wouldn''t lie but...I never wanted him to be my possession. I would have been happy even if he had married Lily.


    But he doesn''t believe that. No matter what I say, he always takes Lily''s side.


    Now, I realize it. It''s because he loves her and not me. It''s because my family loves Lily more and they are also asking me to divorce Ethan.


    Everyone wants me to sign the papers, and forget that I ever married Ethan Calder. But how do I do that?


    I just love him so much. I don''t want Lily to leech off him for her selfish reasons then there is the child I am carrying. How do I raise this baby without a father all alone? "Madam." Serena, the head maid rushes in and breaks me out of the trance.


    I look up at her elderly face. Pity is written over her expressions, breaking my heart further.


    "You were not picking up the call so your family sent their driver." She informs me.


    "What?" I ask, my voice hoarse from crying.


    "You are supposed to attend your sister''s birthday party." She reminds.


    I take in a shuddery breath, recalling the invitation from my family and the threat that if I don''t attend, they will disown me.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Tell him to wait for five minutes. I will be out." I whisper and rise to my feet.


    I don''t know what awaits me at the birthday party that they want me to attend so desperately, but I can tell it''s going to change my life forever.

 Birthday Party

    Grace


    When I arrive at the venue, dressed in a green cocktail dress, the birthday party is already in full swing. People are mingling and the soft piano tune is ying in the background.


    After I step inside the Hall of the Whitlock''s Mansion that is my home, several eyes turn to me. Most of them are family members who are aware of Lily''s side of the story. They hate me for trying to ruin their reputation three years ago by forcing Lily to make a run. They won''t believe me either because my elder sister is the beloved child. She is excellent at everything she does, and her beauty can charm a stone heart.


    That''s what she is doing even now. She is standing in the middle of the Hall with a group of people around her.


    Her dark locks cascade down her back in waves,plimenting her fair skin and small face. Her grey eyes are enchanting, unlike my ck eyes and simple features. Confidence reeks off her. Shemands attention wherever she goes.


    Inparison, I don''t feelfortable among people. I like staying in and doing things with the people I love instead of socializing. It just shows and people think I hate them.


    "Gracie!" Her sweet voice rings in my ears all of a sudden.


    I blink, shifting my attention to her. All eyes are on me.


    My parents who are beside her share a look of anger and disappointment. While the other family members look me up and down in a humiliating way.


    I told myself that I am used to this treatment but every time, they look at me like I should have died a long time ago, something breaks inside me. Yet, I endure everything in hopes that soon, Ethan wille to his senses and return to me. The world doesn''t matter as long as he is there.


    Come here!" Lily smiles widely, her red lips looking alluring.


    With a heavy heart, I saunter over and stand beside her. Instantly, Lily embraces me tightly.


    "What took you so long, Baby sis? Do you hate me so much that you didn''t want to attend my birthday party?" She whispers sadly.


    "What kind of sister are you? After doing all those evil deeds, you are still arrogant. " Mom snaps angrily


    "Mom, please don''t be angry with Gracie. You know she just loved Ethan too much. I left because she wanted him but it''s not her fault. It was my choice. "Lily pulls apart and turns to our mother who is ring me down.


    She is good at ming me and acting innocent at the same time. It''s nothing new. All our lives, Mom and Dad cherished her like their treasure.


    Whenever she wanted something, they got it for her. Even if that thing belonged to me, even if it was something I loved and would cry days over, my parents would snatch it away and give it to her.


    In the end, they would tell me that my sister needed it more than I did, that I was strong and would get over it but Lily wouldn''t.


    Lily is innocent. Lily is sensitive. Lily''s heart is weak. You should give up everything for your elder sister. Don''tpete with her.


    "Such a shameless sister! Wanting your sister''s man and yet acting innocent! " Aunt Maria scoffs from the side.


    A self-deprecating smile ys on my lips. How does my husband belong to her? I don''t understand that.


    These people were grateful when I married Ethan in ce of Lily who abandoned him without a thought but now, they hate me for it because she is back.


    "She was always like this. It''s my fault for not correcting her before. " Mom sighs, cing a hand on her chest.


    "Salma. It''s fine. It''s not your fault. The children are responsible for their mistakes." Dad embraces Mom and shoots me a re.


    His eyes tell me that he hates me. Everyone does.


    "What are you waiting for? Apologize to your Mom and sister! " Dad adds.


    "Dad, please don''t be too harsh. Gracie didn''t mean to upset us." Lily rushes to their side and hugs Dad''s arm.


    Like this, they look like a perfect family-the three of them. I don''t exist anywhere.


    What have I done?


    Why must I endure this?


    Silently, I stare at him as my heart aches inside my chest. Why can''t they love me too?


    "Grace! " Dad yells, attracting the attention of others around us.


    My heart leaps to my throat. I blink, pushing the tears back.


    "Dad, Mom..." I whisper, doing my best to speak without a break in my voice. "I won''t apologize because I did nothing wrong. I married Ethan because you wanted me to marry him. I left everything to save your reputation. How am I to me now?" "How dare you! You ungrateful child!" Mom shrieks, lifting her hand to strike me.


    p!


    The harsh sound echoes in my ears. My head turns to the side.


    My parents have never liked me but they didn''t hit me either. I touch my cheek, disbelief making me numb for a few moments.


    "She is shameless!"


    "Her mother is teaching her manners now."


    "She deserves it for wanting her sister''s man."


    People gossip, not caring to keep their voices down. I suck in a struggling breath and turn to look at my parents. Mom''s eyes betray a hint of shock. But I am sure I look worse.


    "Mom, please don''t hit Gracie. It''s all my fault." Lily sniffles and clings to Mom.


    Instantly, the shock from Mom''s eyes disappears and anger fills her again. She points a trembling finger in my face.


    "You better stop causing trouble, Grace or we will disown a terrible child like you! We don''t want someone who stabs her sister in the back."


    I utter, my hands shaking by my side. "I stabbed her in the back?..."


    "Stop denying it! The least you can do is to apologize like a decent person." Dad scoffs, his old face frowning


    I stare at him, as my mind races with several thoughts. There is no one for me here. It was better to get disowned instead of suffering this humiliation.


    I turn around to leave but Lily rushes to my side and grabs my arm. " please don''t leave, Gracie. Mom was angry just now but she loves you. You know that! She has always loved you more than me." I sigh. " Lily-"


    "You need to watch the gift I prepared for you." She leans in and whispers into my ear wickedly.


    Others are unaware of what she said. Before I can ask her anything, she goes back to crying and begging me to stay.


    I find my body frozen on the spot, my heart aching inside my chest. Why can''t they ever see through her?


    Slowly, my eyes lift to the man standing in the corner, sipping his wine leisurely. My heart misses a beat as his green eyes stare into mine.


    Ethan looks unfazed by the p, by the humiliation and the treatment I get. Instead, he looks like he wants to approach and take part in this. So this is what has be of us?


    A part of my heart turns cold. My eyes harden as I jerk my arm free from Lily. I walk ahead briskly, unable to stand this anymore.


    "What''s that?" A woman gasps.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Is that Grace Whitlock?" Other voices join in.


    Ie to a slow halt. I don''t know why but I feel like something horrible awaits me. If I turn around, I might never be able to stand straight again.

 My Baby

    Grace


    Gathering my courage, I turn on my heels. Everyone''s eyes seem to be glued to the screen in the distance. I follow their line of sight and the world indeed stops and my knees weaken.


    On the screen, the slideshow of several pictures ys. It''s me and a man I can recognize. We are sitting in a dimly lit room, too close.


    I gasp and stumble back a few steps.


    A week ago, Lily called me out to talk. When I went to the VIP room of the club where she called me, a man was already waiting. He groped me forcefully and I barely escaped from him. I thought it was a drunken ident but now, it turns out Lily had nned that long ago. "She not only stole her sister''s man but she is also a cheater!"


    "A filthy cheater!"


    "Grace Whitlock turns out to have peculiar tastes. She doesn''t want a man. She wants men."


    Laughter and usations filter in. The ground shakes beneath my feet. It''s like everything I ever stand for in life has been cruelly snatched from me.


    Another pnds on my face. I gasp, shifting my attention to Mom who is seething in front of me.


    Before I can recover, she grabs my hair and ps me again.


    "How dare you! How dare you shame our family like this?! What kind of a bitch did I raise in my house?" Her screams force people to look our way. Her hands m into my shoulders, my cheeks, and my head as she hits me over a mistake I never made.


    It feels like the world has ended. Why do I deserve this?


    "I did I did nothing. "I cry out, raising my arms in front of my face to defend myself.


    Dad grabs Mom''s shoulders and pulls her back. I lower my trembling arms, trying to reach out and exin myself.


    "Dad, I-"


    "I refuse to admit a shameless woman like you is my daughter!" Dad roars in a voice that steals my breath.


    I stumble a few steps back, " Dad. "


    "Get out of my house! Get out and don''t show your face again. I disown you today!" He yells, his face turning red with anger.


    Suddenly, his eyes roll back into his head. Mom and Lily scream, running to his side.


    "Dad! " I shriek, trying to get to him too but Mom pushes me away, causing me to fall on my butt.


    Pain shoots up my tailbone. I wince, still trying to reach out desperately.


    He is my Dad. I love him. Even if he hates me, I still love him.


    "Will you leave after killing him? Is that what you want?" Mom screeches.


    Her eyes show a mixture of hate and disgust, both emotions I can''te to terms with.


    "N-No. Don''t-don''t die. "I stutter, rising to my wobbly legs.


    Amongst the crowd, I search for the man who means the most to me. Anger simmers beneath his eyes as he looks at me. Tears pool in my eyes.


    I shake my head, muttering. "I didn''t. No, I didn''t."


    But who am I kidding?


    Ethan is not looking for an exnation. He believes the pictures which were clicked with a twisted angle.


    Instead of protecting me at a time like this, despite knowing that I loved him and devoted myself to him...he stands there, with the surety that I betrayed his trust.


    Is this what I earned after three years of marriage? My world crumbles as reality ps me in the face.


    Without love, there is no trust.


    Without trust, there is no love.


    I stumble out of the Hall as people watch the slideshow on repeat mode and my Dad faints on the floor. Rain starts pouring but I can''t care.


    Blindly, I run to save myself from the allegations, from the disgusted gazes, from people. They scare me so much.


    In my haze, I don''t notice the loud clinking of heels behind me. When I do, it''s toote. She has caught up.


    "Gracie! Don''t run!" Lily yells.


    I pause and face her. She stops in front of me, a twisted smirk ying on her lips.


    "How did you like your gift? "Augh escapes her mouth.


    "Wh...Why? We...We are sisters." Tears get washed away in the rain but the saltiness lingers.


    "You stole what was mine. I never share, Gracie. You should have known." She whispers menacingly and slowly closes the distance between us.


    "I didn''t want to. I didn''t want to take anything from you. "I sob, stepping back shakily.


    "Lily!" Ethan appears in the rain, running towards us.


    He didn''te for me. But he hase for her.


    "But you did, Gracie, and I think, I will have to take extreme measures to get rid of you." Her voice lowers.


    Something shes in her eyes, an emotion so evil it makes me tremble all over.


    "What?" I utter.


    "You think you can give birth to Ethan''s child?" She grins.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Chills run down my spine. "Lily"


    "That right is mine!" She whisper-yells and grabs my arms.


    The sudden grip startles me. I don''t get the time to register what''s happening or prepare for what''sing next.


    "Don''t hit me, Gracie! I had no part in this. "Lily cries out, forcefully raising my hand to hit her cheek.


    I try to break free but she is stronger, constantly pulling me forward to make me hurt her.


    "Grace Whitlock!" Ethan closes in on us.


    With a harsh push, he shoves me back on the road behind me. A car zooms ahead. The world slows down as I get hit by the speeding metal.


    I don''t even get the time to scream. My body rises in the air and then hits the road.


    Pain shoots in every inch of my body. I try to breathe but find my lungs aching. The world spins in front of my eyes, red painting my vision.


    Amidst the searing agony, my hand touches my belly and my blurred gaze lifts to Ethan. He is looming over Lily who fell due to the hard push. "E...Eth...Ethan. "I croak, my head arching off the hard road.


    Please, help me. I-I am with your child.


    He looks up as if he heard my silent plea. His eyes re at me hatefully.


    Instead ofing to me, his wife, he picks up Lily in his arms and turns away from me, leaving me bleeding in the middle of the road.


    A lone tear slips out of my eye. My Baby.

 A Stranger

    GraceContent is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The beeping noise of the machines attached to my body wakes me up from the slumber. I blink numerous times, trying to remember what happened and how I came here. The hate on Ethan''s face when he left with Lily is the first thing I recall. Instantly, I shoot up in my bed and touch my stomach.


    Something is wrong.


    I can feel it.


    My Baby!


    "What...What happened to my Baby?! " I scream.


    Nurses rush in. My shoulders are pushed down in an attempt toy me down. Doctors follow suit. They are saying something but my mind is stuck in a few words. "You had a miscarriage..."


    "You were lucky to survive.


    11


    A violent force takes over me as I struggle and thrash and find the will to destroy the world.


    It hurts. It hurts so much.


    I can''t see anymore. I just want to turn back time and save my Baby.


    Heart-wrenching screams and sobs leave my mouth. I don''t recognize this woman, this wild, tortured soul who feels broken and defeated.


    To suppress my anguish, someone gives me an injection. I remember the moment I start to lose consciousness and slip into a dreand.


    In my dreams, I see myself with a family. The Baby, a small, beautiful boy with green eyes runs around me.


    His gentleughter fills my ears and the world appears bright. Ethan is closely behind, his eyes soft on me like they used to be.


    This is my life. My Baby. My Husband.


    Before Lily came. And took everything.


    When I wake up again, it''s gone. Everything is gone.


    I stare nkly at the ceiling. My mind seems to be numb and cold. I don''t have the energy to feel anything anymore.


    The man I loved and the father of my child pushed me and caused a miscarriage, and instead of choosing to save me, he saved Lily.


    If he had chosen me, maybe they could have saved the child. We tried for three years for it. I still remember how excited I was when the pregnancy test came back positive.


    I took Ethan out for dinner to tell him about the good news. Our family was going to beplete.


    Me, Ethan, and our Baby.


    But Lily came to the restaurant that day and the trajectory of my life changed. Ethan forgot I wanted to tell him something and rushed to make Lily have dinner with us instead.


    I was shocked and hurt. He should have gotten angry. He should have med her for leaving. Instead, he acted as if he was relieved that she was back in his life.


    Now I understand it more clearly. It''s not even about love.


    Ethan Calder is just a heartless man. He doesn''t care about anything as long as he gets what he wants.


    "Feeling any better? "A deep voice asks from some corner of the hospital room.


    Startled, I blink my eyes and direct my gaze to the wing chair to my right. There sits a stranger, d in an expensive, tailored ck suit. His light brown hair shines under the sunlight and his blue eyes appear as deep as an ocean. He looks familiar but I don''t know where I saw him before but he does look like he walked out of a magazine just now.


    "Who...are you?" I whisper.


    I can no longer register the pain in my body. Doctors say I am lucky to survive with just a concussion and unfortunate to lose the child.


    "You were hit by my car." The stranger says in a bored tone.


    My ears perk up. "You-"


    "It was not the driver''s fault. You came out of nowhere. "The arrogant man regards me coolly.


    There is a regal air around him. He appears dark, like a viin with his snake-like eyes staring in my soul.


    I sigh. "what are you doing here then, Mister?"


    "Tristin Roberto." He answers, resting back in the chair.


    I blink in confusion. "why are you here, Mr. Roberto?"


    "You would have bled out. No one wasing to save you." He waves his hand as if exining the weather.


    I try to feel pain in my heart but instead, anger burns. I grit my jaw and avert my eyes away from the handsome stranger.


    "You saved me then?" I whisper.


    "You caused quite amotion. "Tristin drawls.


    My throat clogs when I think about what I did a few hours ago." were you here all along?"


    "You owe me. " Tristin says instead of answering.


    So, he saw everything. I must have looked like a crazy girl who wanted to kill herself.


    "Thank you, Mr. Roberto. "I face him and say softly.


    It''s indeed fortunate that I survived and didn''t die with my unfortunate Baby because I will make them pay. Those who ruined me will beg for mercy and I won''t settle until they cry tears of blood.


    "Your eyes are dangerous. " Tristin smirks, his voice lowering and taking on a husky note. " I like that."


    My heart misses a beat. "What?"


    "I don''t want your gratitude. When I say you owe me... "He stands to his height, towering over me. The room suddenly appears small because a six-foot-something man is standing so close to me." It means I will collect a favor. " "How?" My hands shake by my side.


    Tristin ends the distance between us and ces his hand on my pillow before leaning in." You, Ms. Whitlock will have to do something for me."


    He looks like he is ready to ask for my soul. That thought makes my mouth dry. His expensive, masculine cologne perfumes the air, drowning the smell of disinfectants and providing momentary relief.


    "W...What?" I stutter, my heartbeat quickening.


    He smirks, a small dimple appearing on his left cheek but there is nothing innocent about that gesture. I suck in a sharp breath as he leans closer.


    Before he can speak, the door to the hospital room slips open and a man growls. "what''s happening here?!"


    Tristin''s lips twitch and his eyes darken. He leans away, fixing his coat with the ease of a predator.


    I turn to re at Ethan and scream back. "What do you think you are doing here?!"

 Sister in Law

    Grace


    "Who is he and what is he doing here?" Ethan stalks towards me and grabs my arm harshly.


    Forcefully, he sits me up in the bed and gives me a violent jolt." Is he the father of the bastard that you miscarried?" "What?..." My heart hardens.


    "You were nning on dumping that child on me, right? But you are a fool to think that I will believe you are carrying my child after the whole world saw what kind of a woman you are!" Heughs humorlessly." It''s good that the bastard died!" p!


    I p him across his face. His eyes show confusion before anger takes over.


    "How dare-"


    "Call my child that one more time and I will murder you, Ethan Calder! I will trample all over you and show you what happens when you mess with my Baby!" I scream, pointing my trembling finger in his face.


    I want to hurt him so badly. My hands itch by my side as he res down at me, the confusion lingering in his eyes.


    "You-"


    "Shut up!" I shriek, hitting his chest with my fists." Shut your stupid mouth, Ethan! You are a fool, an idiot who believed that bitch Lily and killed your child. You idiot!"


    He grabs my hands and pushes them on my side forcefully. "what did you say?''


    I re back, equally hateful as him. "You know what! You deserve her! A heartless man like you deserves a cunning bitch like her! You two suit each other. I hope she sucks you dry and leaves you to die on the road."Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Don''t you dare insult Lily! She is your sister. How can you be so disrespectful towards her?" Ethan looks conflicted, his voice betraying the shock.


    He must have not expected me to talk back like this. I know he was waiting for me to cry and beg him to believe that the baby was his.


    How ironic!


    All my devotion went to hell after he saw a few manipted pictures. But I don''t even find it surprising anymore.


    What''s surprising is that...I am done. I don''t feel anything now that I look at him but a memory keeps revolving in my head.


    He pushed me. He caused the miscarriage. He left me to die.


    I whisper through my gritted jaw." Sister?"


    "Grace"


    "She is nothing to me anymore. And you, Ethan Calder, are nothing! Congrattions, you did it! I hate you. I hate you with every fiber of my being. Bring me the divorce agreement right now so I can free myself from scum like you." I jerk my hands out of his cold hands and push at his chest.


    "You will sign the divorce?" His eyes twitch. " is this a trick to get me to change my mind?"


    I can''t help butugh. He wanted the divorce before, but now, instead of running to get it, he is asking me if I am joking? What an idiot!


    "You killed your child, Ethan. " I whisper, pain erupting in my heart all over again. "Your child, do you get it, stupid man? After what you did, do you think I want anything to do with you?"


    "What happened was unfortunate, Gracie. But don''t me Ethan anymore, please. It was my fault." Lily rushes inside the room and grabs Ethan''s arm. " besides, you slept with so many men...how can we be sure that it was Ethan''s child?"


    "Yes, it''s your fault. So go cry somewhere else. Get your filthy face out of my sight!" I yell, earning a shocked look from her.


    She must not have expected this either. But she should know. This time, they did it. Now, the Gracie they knew has died with my child that they murdered.


    I can''t stand her repulsive face. Instinctively, I pick up the vase on the side table and throw it in her direction.


    Unsurprisingly, Ethan steps in front of her. The vase hits his back and shatters. He winces. Now, he knows what it feels like to get hit by a vase.


    "How dare you, Grace?! Have you lost your mind?" Ethan roars, losing his usual calm.


    "Lost my mind?" Iugh humorlessly." Let me show you what losing one''s mind is like!"


    I push the duvet away and jump from the bed. I can''t care less about the pain. I am going to show them what''s it like to mock a broken mother.


    They think they can proudly show their faces around after cheating behind my back, killing my child, and ruining my life? They are living in a daydream and now, it''s time to wake them.


    I pick up the tray from the side table and throw it in their direction. Lily screams and runs around wildly while Ethan spreads his arms in front of her to protect her.


    "Grace! "


    "What a hero you are! When your baby was dying, where were you?!" I shriek, getting my hands on other things.


    I only see red. I throw one thing after another to them. Ethan shouts, Lily cries but I can not stop. I want to ruin them. I need something to stop this pain in my heart, this sense of loss that seems to cling to my entire being. Ethan grits his teeth and stalks towards me angrily. His hand grips my jaw like he did yesterday and almost broke it.


    Instead of taking it like he expected, I smack him again. His face turns to the side, confusion turning to full-blown horror. "You think I am mad?" Iugh cruelly. " let me show you clearly, Ethan."


    His arms try to refrain me but my hate knows no bounds. I scratch his face, his neck. Hit him everywhere I can reach. "What are you doing to the patient?" A doctor runs in, trying to break us free.


    The nurses have to follow in too to hold me back as I kick and punch the scumbag.


    "Calm down, Miss or we will have to sedate you." The doctor warns.


    I settle down and re at their horrified faces. "Now, you know what being mad looks like. But don''t be surprised just yet. After today, you will get aplete introduction. Every time you appear with your ugly faces in front of me, I will reach out to tear you apart!" Lily trembles, and clings to Ethan''s side. He looks like he has been to war. His face is bloody, just like his neck and hands.


    Their pain satisfies me but I know it can''t bring my baby back. Nothing can make it happen. My hands shiver by my side as I think about the reality. Tears began to pool in my eyes again.


    "What an exciting scene. "A throaty voicements from the background.


    I forgot about Tristin. I free myself from the nurse and inhale a deep breath to calm myself.


    "Mr. Roberto-"


    "Tristin. " Lily gasps, her face a mask of terror.


    "You haven''t changed one bit, Lily." Tristin''s voice is pure ice.


    "You...What are you..." Lily''s gaze switches between me and him.


    "Do you know him?" Ethan frowns.


    "He...He is just someone I know." Lily gulps.


    "Now you refuse to recognize me. I feel sad, sister-inw. " Tristin hums, shocking the hell out of me.

 Deal of Hatred

    Ethan


    "Sister inw?" A frown marks my forehead.


    Ethan..." Suddenly, Lily gasps.


    I look to my right to find her body going limp. Before she can hit the floor, I grab her waist and hold her up.


    "Lily? "I pat her pale cheek.


    These bastards have done it. They made this poor girl faint because of heartache.


    "Doctor, check on her!" I shout.


    The doctors and nurses standing beside Grace rush in our direction.


    "Shift the patient to a room." The doctor issues the order.


    "If something happens to her, I will not let you rest Grace. You should know I won''t let you go anymore! "I hiss at the girl who is supposed to be my wife. "Oh?" She snorts. "Well, I hope she doesn''t die yet. I want her to suffer until her miserable end."


    I can''t believe my ears. Her words are poisonous.


    All this while, she sweet talked and continued to smile like a fool. I thought she was easy-going and caring but it turns out...She was simply a snake in hiding. Now, she is showing her true colours.


    "I will deal with youter. "I hiss to hide my shock.


    "Hurry up, Mr. Calder." The doctor urges.


    Immediately, I pick up Lily in my arms and rush out of Grace''s room.


    "Remember the divorce, Ethan Calder! I can''t bear to be your wife for a minute longer. " The crazy woman shouts hatefully.


    I grit my jaw and carry Lily to another private room.


    Right now, this poor girl needs all my focus. She was wronged three years ago. That''s not enough for Grace. That''s why she is torturing Lily again.


    I can''t believe that I once thought about falling in love with Grace. But I can''t be med.


    She was sweet. Her body was sinful. Her smile made the world brighten up.


    With her, I felt my heart full and my body satiated.


    Who knew what she was hiding behind that perfect girl act?


    If Lily had not returned and told me everything, I would have been fooled forever. Grace would have continued her ventures with different men, cheating behind my back all the while telling me that she loved me. Something burns inside my chest whenever I think about what she did.


    However, her behaviour from earlier is worrying me.


    Why did she keep screaming that I killed my child? That bastard couldn''t have belonged to me, right?


    "Nothing seems to be wrong with her." The doctor mumbles in confusion.


    "What do you mean?" I hiss angrily.


    "Mr. Calder. She seems to be alright. I¡ª"


    "Ethan!" Lily screams, sitting up in the hospital bed.


    Startled, I cup her cheeks and make her face me. "Hey, I am right here. What happened?"


    "Ethan, Oh God." Tears stream down her cheeks as she holds my hands.


    "Lily..."


    "Ethan, they will hurt me again. Please, please save me." She cries out and hides her face in my chest.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    "I am here, Lily. No one will touch you. "Anger swirls behind my eyes while I pat her soft hair to bring her out of that trance.


    "Ethan, he burned me. He-He beat me and he forced me to do bad things." She keeps sobbing hysterically.


    I can''t believe that this is the strong woman I fell in love with. Three years ago, Lily was the epitome of strength and kindness.


    But all because of Grace, she had to leave me and marry that psychopath Sebastian Roberto. That man abused her emotionally and physically. That''s why Lily is like this.


    If he was still alive, I would have killed that Bastard with my hands.


    "Shhh, Lily. I am here for you. No one will hurt you again. "I rock her softly.


    "Ethan, let''s get married hmm? Let''s just start a new life, away from everyone?" She sniffles, pulling her face out of my chest.


    Unconsciously, I draw my hands back. No doubt, I want to marry the love of my life but...


    "Grace wants a divorce, Ethan. I think she is involved with Tristin. I think she knew what was happening to me all this time. She is so cruel, Ethan. You should just let her go." She adds with a whisper. My hands curl. The anger I felt before intensifies tenfold.


    Grace wants to leave me for another man?


    She knew what was happening to Lily and didn''t say a word?


    How can she be so ruthless?


    Does she think I will set her free so easily? After how she cheated on me, humiliated me and betrayed my trust...


    I refuse to let this matter settle.


    "Ethan-"


    "I will marry you, Lily. "I cup her cheek again. "But after some time. If I marry you immediately, people will think we had an affair. I don''t want anyone to talk about our pure rtionship in that light, okay?" Until then, I will avenge myself against Grace. She will cry and beg for forgiveness before I let her go.


    And I...


    I will be the one to kick her to the curb.


    Not her.


    "You promise, Ethan?" Lily leans into my palm.


    "I promise, you will be my wife. Just like you were always supposed to be." I brush my thumb over her cheek gently.


    Lily nods. She is not a woman who will pester me mindlessly. She won''t whine and cling to me until I agree, unlike Grace who never stopped talking and whining.


    The doctors check up on Lily again. There is nothing serious going on.


    She just fainted because of stress. I suppress the anger I feel after hearing that and stay beside Lily until she falls asleep.


    When I am sure she won''t wake up, I approach the room on the corner of the corridor.


    The door is open and I can see the back of the petite woman. She looks good, even in a simple brown sweater and ck pants.


    Suddenly, she turns around and faces me. Her dark eyes widen in shock before rage simmers in the depths of her eyes.


    "Was the beating from earlier not enough for you?" She sneers like a viper.


    I smirk. "You do believe you can get away with everything, right? That''s why...right when you realized that you can''t fool me and pin that bastard on me, you asked for a divorce to find your next victim." I stalk towards her. Her eyes redden instantly.


    "I told you to-"


    Before she can shout or grab something to throw my way, I pin her on the wall and re into her eyes. Her fists hit my chest, relentlessly refusing to give in.


    I catch her wrists in one hand and m them on the wall above her head. She winces, her eyes bing moist with unshed tears.


    "You enjoyed ying with me, didn''t you? You knew everything about Lily yet didn''t say a word because you knew I will go after her, right?" I growl, tightening my grip over her wrists.


    "Yes, I did. So what?! " Instead of denying me, she scoffs proudly.


    I see red. I want to wring that small neck and end her life.


    But no!


    So what?" I chuckle humourlessly. " So what, you ask?"


    "Leave me, Ethan!" She demands, trying to twist her hands out of my hold.


    I watch her squirm and struggle to get away. She was the one who was always eager to get close. Now, she wants to get away?


    "I refuse!" I hiss.


    "What?" She stops, her big eyes looking at me.


    "I refuse to divorce. "I state calmly." I will let you go when I am done with you, Grace Whitlock! I will be the one to divorce you!"


    After saying what had been on my mind, I m my lips over her mouth, sealing the deal of hatred.

 Interesting Character

    Grace


    The sudden kiss startles me. But I regain my senses quickly and bite his lips, hard.


    Ethan groans and pulls away. "What the "


    My knee hits his crotch. Instantly, his hold loosens around me as he cups his treasure and bends down. Taking this chance, I grab my bag from the bed and hurry towards the door.


    "You-"


    "Don''t take me lightly, Ethan Calder. "I seethe, and pause in the doorway.


    His face turns red with pain. A little part of my heart still aches when I see him like this. But I tuck it away.


    I won''t fall for him again. Not in this life!


    With the back of my hand, I wipe my lips that taste like him. "Don''t disgust me with your touch. You are filthy, Ethan. A terrible man." "You-You will pay." He hisses through his teeth.


    Before he can straighten up again, I rush out of the hospital room.


    I know the kind of crazy Ethan Calder can be. The city is scared of the man who is the King of the Calder Empire.


    Being alone with him, after he has disregarded everything is dangerous.


    "Catch her!" I hear him roar to his men.


    What does he want now? He killed my child and is getting the divorce he so desperately wants. Why is he after me then?


    I huff, getting out of the hospital. Several men d in ck suits surround me from all sides.


    People halt in their way and record the scene on their phones.


    "Mrs. Calder, pleasee back with us. Boss wants you there. " Ethan''s assistant, Josh steps ahead and says sternly.


    Tell him to go to hell! "I scoff and tighten my grip on my bag.


    "You leave us no choice than to take you back by force." He gestures towards the other men, giving them the green signal to start dragging me.


    They hesitate for a moment. Until recently, I was their young Madam, the only woman their Boss cherished and pampered. Now, I was to be treated like cattle.


    "What are you waiting for? It''s Boss'' order. " Josh snaps.


    They progress towards me. I re at them.


    "Don''t you dare- "


    I freeze when several mene running from the opposite direction. They are d in expensive ck suits, just like Ethan''s men but they are bulkier and look scary. Like a bunch of gangsters, with tattoos and scars. "What''s happening?" I murmur.


    "Ms. Grace. Our Boss is waiting for you in his car. Please follow us. "One of them turns to me and says politely. "Boss? Who?" I frown.


    He doesn''t reply, just waits for me to start walking.


    "Mrs. Calder. Boss is still waiting for you toe back to the hospital room. " Josh''s loud voice reaches my ears.


    I look at him, then at the men who are facing each other. It''s like a scene from a movie where a gang war is about to unfold.


    My heartbeat quickens. "What is...happening?"


    "Grace Whitlock! " Ethan hisses, standing at the entrance of the hospital.


    I look at him. His face is still red but from anger this time.


    Fury burns in my veins but I know it''s not a good time. If he locks me up somewhere, I won''t be able to protect myself without any support.


    Without further dy, I turn towards the ck Mayback waiting in the distance and walk in that direction.


    "Grace! Come back here if you don''t want to suffer. " Ethan growls.


    I ignore his threats. "I already suffered with you, Ethan. You killed our child. What more can you do?" "Grace! "


    Behind me, I can hear the sh of men. Angry voices and fists mming into each other''s faces but I don''t stop.


    The man who addressed me earlier follows me to the car and opens the door for me. As I expected, the man sitting inside is none other than the mysterious Tristin Roberto.


    He is staring out the window coldly. I slip beside him on the backseat. Sweat coats my palms as the door closes, leaving me in an enclosed space with a stranger.


    "Your husband is an interesting character." He says, in that deep voice that makes me shudder.


    "Why did you help me again?" I whisper, clenching my hands into fists.


    "He is an idiot. " Tristin''s lips twitch.


    Slowly, his face turns towards me. He gives off a different vibe than earlier. He appears dark, twisted, and cold. His eyes, the ocean blue color have deepened into a darker blue. "Mr. Roberto... "I trail off.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Suddenly, it''s too hard to speak. The space in the expensive car seems too small to breathe properly.


    "Drive. "Hemands, without looking away from me.


    I nce outside the window to see Ethan ring at the tinted window. I can see how enraged he is. It satisfies a sick part of me.


    "You want revenge. " Tristin says hoarsely.


    I blink, shifting my attention to him. " what is it to you? You left in a hurry earlier so I thought we were done. Why have you returned now?"


    "Work for me." The man says without blinking.


    My eyes widen. "what...kind of work?"


    Tristin unsettles something inside me. His eyes disy a menace that is hard to find in normal people. It''s like he is a Devil, ready to im the soul of every sinner. A devil out on a mission. "You are an architect." His eyes lower to my lips.


    "How do you know... "My heart misses a beat. " did you run a background check on me?"


    "You are smart, Grace. " Tristin takes out a handkerchief from his suit''s jacket and offers it to me.


    I take it in my unsure fingers, wondering what I am supposed to do with it. " Mr. Roberto, can you please be more straightforward?"


    Tristin eyes his handkerchief in my hand and takes a slow breath. A heavy silence falls between us which is both, awkward and intriguing.


    A momentter, he snatches the handkerchief back. I nce at my hand which is hanging in the air.


    He presses the handkerchief to the corner of my lips. My body jolts violently.


    Unconsciously, I reach out to his hand but stop myself from touching him midway. My muscles stiffen as I look into his eyes which are focused on my lips.


    "You heard earlier. Lily, your sister was my sister-inw." His voice betrays no emotions, but his eyes darken on me.

 The Devil

    Grace


    He presses the handkerchief harder into my lips, making me wince. I didn''t notice it before-Ethan seems to have bitten me just like I did to him.


    "Let me guess, she did something to your brother. Now you want to get back at her. So do you want to hurt me too? Because you think it will hurt my family? "A smile filled with pain ys on my lips.


    "If I wanted to hurt you, you would be long gone, Grace." There is a certainity in Tristin''s voice that scares me. It''s like he can actually make me disappear.


    Only powerful men like Ethan who know their worth and their power talk like this. So arrogant and full of themselves.


    "Who are you?" I whisper, finally taking the handkerchief from him so I can tend to my wounds.


    "That''s not what you should ask, Little Butterfly." Tristin drawls, leaning away coldly.


    I frown at the sudden nickname.


    "Look at this." He takes out a brown envelope from his side and throws it in myp.


    I cast him a skeptical look before opening the envelope. Several pictures pour out of the envelope and fill myp.


    My fingers grow numb as I take in all of them.


    "Lily didn''t frame you alone. The scandal on Lily''s birthday. Your husband was a part of that n. They have been meeting for three months and you think Lily just returned one month ago. Your husband was cheating on you for a long time, Little Butterfly." Tristin''s voice causes my blood to run cold.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I trace the pictures with my fingers. I can recognize Ethan''s clothes on different asions. It''s surreal that I remember what he does every day, from the way he moves, the way he talks, and even dresses. I waspelled to note every move of his.


    Until a while ago, I believed Lily had poisoned Ethan''s mind and he only hated me because he didn''t know the truth. But it turns out, he was part of the scheme from the beginning.


    The anger in my veins turns into full-blown hate. In one of the pictures, Ethan and Lily are in a hotel room. They only have a sheet over them, and I can imagine what happened between them.


    Tears roll down my cheeks as I crumble the picture in my fingers. I can''t breathe. He-How could he do this?


    "Why...Why did he pretend this long? " I gasp.


    "Because you were supposed to get your Grandma''s inheritance on your birthday one month ago. " Tristin replies.


    My world spins as the whole scenario starts making sense. My Grandma was the only member of my family who truly loved me.


    Before she passed away, she gave me 20% shares of Whitlock Corporation, our family business.


    With my inherited shares from Grandpa, I was to be the biggest shareholder with 25% shares in thepany.


    But there was a condition. Grandma wanted me to be a little mature first. She never liked my infatuation with Ethan and she wrote in her will that the shares would only be transferred after I turn 22 years old.


    That was the age when she married Grandpa and thought a 22-year-old woman could understand what was right or wrong for her.


    But Grandma was wrong. I was an idiot when I fell in love with Ethan at the age of 10 and I am an idiot at 22.


    "You gifted your shares to your husband. 20%. All of them. "Tristin states, as if he already knows what I did.


    I gasp, the realization making my head spin. "I-I gave him my all. I made him the biggest shareholder in the Whitlock Corporation." "That''s what he wanted before he got rid of you." His voice carries no emotions, but it''s capable of turning my world upside down. Everything my Grandma gave me, I just handed it over to a cheater.


    "Then, your husband and his old girlfriend pushed you on that road and killed your child. Maybe, your husband didn''t want you to carry his child in case this childys a im on your original inheritanceter. "He says. My hand pauses. The pangs of pain in my heart feel as good as new. Nothing in this world will ever be able to make up for my loss.


    Tears well in my eyes as I struggle to move my trembling hands.


    Why did this happen to me when I never wronged anyone? Why did they make aughingstock out of my reputation, my life and then take the only person I was left with?


    "Are you going to let them go just like this?" Tristin takes the handkerchief back and presses it on my quivering lips. "Are you just going to divorce Ethan and let him have his happily ever after?"


    The way he says it, with a look of wickedness on his face...makes me clench my trembling fists.


    "What do you want, Mr. Roberto?" I ask again.


    Our eyes meet. The menace in his eyes runs dark. It''s like somewhere deep inside, he is wounded-A man gued with demons that haunt him.


    "I want you to enter my dark tale, Little Butterfly, and destroy their world together. " He smirks.


    At that moment, as I look into his eyes, I decide to enter the world he wants me to see and let go of the rest.


    Maybe, he wants to use me or hurt me. But the thought of destroying Ethan and Lily''s world is just too satisfying for me to pass.


    Their bad time is here. Everything they took from me, I will take it back even if I have to sell my soul to the Devil.

 Rare Gem

    Grace


    After an hour, the cares to a stop in front of a tall tower. I stare at the envelope in my hand,pletely unconcerned about Tristin''s unwavering gaze on me.


    "I own the penthouse. You can stay as long as you want." He says, his voice deep and low.


    "I still don''t understand it... What do you truly want?" I whisper, keeping my gaze on the envelope.


    "I told you. I want you to work for me. " Tristin repeats.


    "What would you achieve by having me work for you? I am inexperienced, and not much of a help in anything. "I sigh, meeting his eyes and finding myself holding my breath.


    "At age 17, you won the international contest for the best building design. Later, Ethan used your design and earned millions. Surprisingly, your sister took the credit for it in hispany. " He straightens his cuffs, taking his eyes off me.


    A noose tightens around my throat as I stare at him.


    Lily asked me to give her that winning design because she wanted to impress Ethan. As her sister, I didn''t think much about it.


    My parents said I was talented. I can always make more million-dor-worthy designs.


    "She stole from you, didn''t she? All her winning designs, her best works, and her reputation." He looks up nonchntly.


    I swallow the lump in my throat and nod slowly.


    "I know talent when I see it. You are a rare gem, Little Butterfly." He leans in closer suddenly.


    I gasp, my back pressing into the door. He moves closer, his dark eyes peering into mine deeply.


    "It''s time you let them all know how worthless they are without you. A rare gem like you." His voice deepens.


    My heart clenches in my chest. "Mr. Roberto. "


    "Be my rare gem and let me borrow some of your winning streaks. I will make your husband and your sister grovel. In return, you have to earn me the big bucks by defeating your family and your husband at every turn. Can you...do that for me?" His breath ghosts my forehead.


    It feels inappropriate for him to be so close, but I can''t seem to push him away. This feels so wrong. Yet, I am frozen.


    "Think about it. "The door behind me opens with a click.


    Instantly, he moves away. I realize he was only opening the door for me and shake my head.


    "I will give it a thought. "I whisper, getting out of the car.


    "Grace." He calls me out before I can rush away.


    I turn around and face him. "Yes, Mr. Roberto."


    "Linda is waiting for you in the lobby. Don''t think about running away. Your husband is out there, looking for you like a mad dog. You will be much safer in the penthouse. No one will interrupt your stay or bother you with their presence." He says before looking away from


    me.


    It feels like his way of telling me that I don''t need to be scared. I will be alone in that space and no one will bring me any harm.


    I struggle between trusting a stranger who seems to have a vendetta against Lily and roaming the streets where Ethan must be looking for me.


    The car zooms past me, leaving me alone. And I lose the battle within myself.


    Clenching the envelope between my fingers, I stroll inside the Lobby. A young woman approaches me with a polite smile on her lips.


    "Hello, Ms. Whitlock. Boss sent me to escort you to the penthouse." She greets me.


    I release a soft breath." Linda?"


    "Yes, Ms. Whitlock?" The woman''s eyes seem to be innocent but I can sense it''s a carefully crafted facade to make me feel less threatened by her presence. "Please lead the way. "I mumble in defeat.


    It''s much better to trust a stranger than let Ethan get his hands on me when I am so vulnerable.


    I need toe up with a n to get a divorce from him so he doesn''t have any im over me. Then, I will show him hell.


    The elevator goes up. Linda stands in front of me, keeping her eyes ahead and letting me peacefully think.


    When the elevator doors ding open, she steps out and waits for me to follow her. I sigh before moving behind her.


    Thevish corridor is themed ck and grey, making everything appear dark. I swallow, following her to the big double doors at the end.


    She opens the gate with a keycard and steps inside. I follow behind, stunned by the breathtaking view of the lounge.


    The inside is ck and grey just like the corridor but what grabs my attention is the ss walls. I can see the whole city from up here, the tiny lights and the dark corners.


    "You can call the room service anytime. Or you can dial 5 which will direct you to me. Is that fine with you, Ms. Whitlock?" Linda asks.


    I nod reluctantly, "Yes, Linda. Thank you."


    She shoots me another professional smile before she leaves. I drop the envelope on the center table, the sound resonating in the space.


    With a heavy heart, I move towards the ss walls. I always wanted a penthouse, just for a view like this. But Ethan preferred mansions, the symbol of power and grace.


    So, I sacrificed my love for the world for his love of big empty halls.


    I ce my hand over the cold ss. The tears that I kept pushing away fall freely.


    I am alone now. Broken. Lost. Defeated.


    But I am given a chance again. I survived. If I don''t make them pay, I will be wasting this chance.


    I wipe away the tears and decide to check out the space. Slowly, my mind starts thinking about Tristin''s offer. I have a hunch that this man has many ulterior motives...but I can''t bring myself to care. After roaming the modern penthouse, I walk into the bathroom and strip to take a bath.


    As water runs down my body, I stare at my t tummy. My body is a constant reminder of what I have lost.


    I turn away from my reflection in the mirror and wrap a towel around my body before stepping out of the bathroom.


    Immediately, a yelp escapes my mouth and I jump in my spot. Tristin said I will be alone in here. No one will get to me.


    "How long has it been?" He asks, his back facing me as he stares out the ss wall.


    "How did you get in?" My heart is pounding inside my chest.


    I need to call Linda or the security or someone. Instinctively, I rush to thendline ced at the side table.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Before I can reach it, a muscr arm wraps around my waist and pulls me flush against a broad chest. The warmth of his body is so familiar that it sends shivers down my spine.


    "How long have you been sleeping with him?!" Ethan growls in my ear, startling the living hell out of me.

 Pathetic Fool

    Grace


    Dread washes over me in waves. Instinctively, my body goes limp in his arms while I try to wrap my mind around how he got in.


    "You pretended to be all innocent and loyal to me all this time. Yet, you were sleeping with every man you could get your hands on, right?!" His dangerous voice hisses. "You... You are trespassing. "I swallow and start struggling again." Security will being up anytime and-"


    Heughs, cutting me off mockingly. "Security? What fucking security, Dear Wife? They are all gone."


    My blood cools in my veins as I process his taunt. I know this tone, this cruel streak of behavior.


    "What-What did you do, Ethan?"


    "Did you think he could keep me from reaching you?" Ethan''s arm tightens around my waist.


    I groan, pain erupting in my lower belly. The wounds are still raw. It hurts. But he doesn''t care.


    "And why must you reach me?! Haven''t you taken enough? Do you have to hurt me more?" My voice bes moist as I struggle to keep the tears at bay.


    All I need is a cold heart. I don''t want to cry whenever I recall my loss. I don''t want to give them the sick satisfaction of watching me crumble again. I won''t fear anyone anymore.


    "Hurt you? Oh no, Gracie? When did I do that?" His voice is cold. "I haven''t even started yet. I could have divorced you and forgiven you for what you did to Lily but you had to drag my name through the mud by whoring around. " "What about Lily? Didn''t she do the same to you?" I grit my jaw.


    The temperature drops in the room. I know I am pushing his limits, but I want to hurt him.


    "For whatever reason, she did make a fool out of you. While you stood at the altar like a clueless dog, she ran away with another man! Did I tell her I love you? Suppose, I really did. But she could have stayed to exin to you, right? "I chuckle. His grip loosens around my waist. I take this chance to kick him in the shin and escape his arms.


    "But she chose to abandon you instead. She kicked you to the curb like a used item and you think so highly of yourself? You are pathetic. So very Pathetic, Ethan Calder. "I hiss, facing him angrily.


    Instantly, he lunges towards me. I don''t back down and stare back as his hand hovers in the air, so close to my neck.


    "What a man you are. First, you hit me with a vase, then hurt my face, and then, you killed your child. " I whisper sarcastically." You take pride in hitting a woman. It must be what it takes to finally feel worthy of being called a man. By abusing me, you think you have be dominant. But guess what?"


    I close the distance between us and look into his eyes coldly.


    "That doesn''t make you a man. You are only proving how you need to hit women to feel better about yourself. "


    "You are still iming that bastard was mine?" He smirks cruelly.


    My heart drowns. Nothing hurts more in this world than having the father of your child call them a bastard.


    My throat clogs.


    "Cat got your tongue now?" His eyes narrow on me. " do you even know whose child it was before you decided to dump it on me or was it random?"


    My hand clenches by my side. "I...I am relieved the child was not born."Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    It feels like someone has shredded my heart into pieces again. But no tears fall from my eyes.


    Ethan''s handsome face twists into a scowl as he res me down." are you finally¡ª"


    "I wouldn''t want a child with you, Ethan. You don''t deserve to be a father. "I whisper under my breath. "I am d that innocent child didn''t have to suffer in this world because of you."


    A heavy silence settles between us. He stares at me, his eyebrows bunched. While I stare back, my mind goes nk.


    Slowly, rage reflects in his eyes. It''s icy and murderous.


    "That child was not mine." He growls.


    "How are you so sure about it? Are you impotent? "I retort.


    He presses his lips in a thin line.


    Suddenly, I feel warm liquid flowing down my thighs. My wide eyes lower to my legs, to find blood on them.


    Ethan follows my line of sight and his frown deepens.


    With a sense of shame and mncholy washing over me, I stagger ahead to rush to the bathroom.


    "Get out of the penthouse, Ethan. Don''t try toplicate things. You need a divorce to marry the love of your life. I will give it to you. In return, give back my grandma''s shares that I gifted to you. It''s only fair we return everything we took from each other." His hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist before I can leave. I gasp, instantly trying to pry my arm free.


    "Tell me whose child it was. " Ethan demands with a dangerous look lurking in his eyes.


    "What?" My heart drowns.


    "Who was the father?" He repeats, his eyes darkening.


    "Are you mad?!" I shriek, trying to free myself.


    Ethan steps closer. My breath hitches.


    "Until you say his name, until you admit that the child belonged to Tristin or any other of your boy toy...you won''t move an inch, Grace Whitlock." He states cruelly.


    A shiver runs down my spine. " Leave me!"


    Suddenly, he pushes me back, causing me to drop on the bed. The thought of staining the sheets makes me sick. I don''t want to bleed out on anything.


    "Ethan, leave me!" My heart sinks in the depths of my stomach.


    "Who was it?!" He repeats coldly.


    I continue to struggle, and he keeps asking the same thing. No matter how hard I try to free myself, he is far more stronger than me.


    I hope for someone toe for me, but nothing happens.


    Minutes turn into hours, and hours just tick by. Blood seeps into the sheets, humiliating my existence.


    The tears I willed myself to not release start rolling down my cheeks.


    Ethan...leave me. "I whisper weakly.


    My head is starting to spin. I shake it to stay awake and alert.


    A monster like Ethan Calder can''t be trusted around me. I can''t lose my senses when he is this close, staring at me like I am a specimen and he must manipte me to get a desired answer. My heartbeat slows down, leaving me panting and my limbs weak. I blink away the drowsiness.


    "I will...make you pay. For everything you took, Ethan. For how you...used me. For the cruel way you took our child''s life." I whisper in a trance, his stone face blurring in my vision.


    "Say his name, Grace." His lips press to my ear and utter softly.


    My mind is ying tricks on me. This man was never soft. He was only using me, only trying to make me think that someday he would love me.


    Tears stain my face. "It''s you, Ethan. I-I have never been with-with another man."


    My mind ckens but I feel his hands shaking my shoulders to keep me awake.


    "You are lying!" He is losing his cool. He is yelling.


    "I saw it with my own eyes. You have been cheating on me all this time. That child can''t be mine! You took morning-after pills every time you had sex with me. Did you think the housekeeper wouldn''t reveal your secret?" When he has been using me all along, why does he care if I cheated or not? Why does he sound so agitated at the idea of another man''s touch on me? And why does he keep believing everything others have to say? "You... Fool. Pathetic fool, Ethan Calder. "I utter before my mind slips into the depths of darkness.

 Caged

    Grace


    I blink my eyes open. A familiar white ceilinges into view.


    Everything feels like a nightmare. I never left this bedroom. Lily never came back. I never met Tristin.


    And Ethan didn''t betray me.


    It was a nightmare and I am awake now.


    "Madam. How are you feeling?"


    The voice breaks my trance. My heart shatters too.


    I direct my gaze towards Serena who is standing on my side, staring down at me worriedly.


    "Why am I here?" I ask in a hoarse voice.


    "Sir brought you back. You were bleeding and unconscious so he called a doctor and had her look after you." She informs me politely.


    I grit my jaw. So, Ethan had his way in the end. He kidnapped me without a care in the world.


    "You are fine, Madam. It''s not unusual to bleed-"


    "Why?" I murmur, moving my gaze to the ceiling again.


    "I didn''t get your question, Madam?"


    "Why did you tell Ethan that I took morning-after pills? You know I never did that. " I whisper.


    Silence meets me as an answer.


    I clench my fists, my body beginning to tremble in rage. All this time, I treated these people like the world revolved around them... Yet...


    They treat me like a fool. A person they can easily betray and get away with it.


    "Madam, I don''t know what you are...talking about. You must have been mistaken about something." She says after a long pause.


    I push the nket aside and get out of bed. I am wearing Ethan''s favorite ck nightie. It fuels my rage.


    "Think again, Serena. I will appreciate your honesty very much." I lift my gaze from the nightie and look at her middle-aged face. Her eyes roam the room, searching for an excuse.


    "Madam...I swear I don''t know¡ª"


    I pick themp from the side table and m it on the side of her head. She howls in pain and staggers several steps back. "Madam! "


    Blood pours out of the fresh wound on her forehead, staining the side of her face.


    "This will leave a scar. " I whisper.


    "Madam, what did you do?" She cries out, pressing her palms to her bleeding wound.


    I drop themp and walk closer to her to hold her shoulders. She trembles like a leaf. Her wide eyes stare back at me as if she fears I will kill her.


    I smile. " Ethan hates scars, Serena. He can not tolerate anyone with any visible scars."


    Tears flow out of eyes freely, blood mixing with them to be pink.


    I run my hand down her arm, reaching the pocket of her dress.


    "Once he sees the scar, he will hate it and kick you out. The schrship your children were given by Ethan will be snatched away. He is a cruel man like that. Once you stop serving him, his mercy ceases to exist for you." I whisper, while the smile lingers on my lips. Her breath hitches in fear. I release her and step back.


    "I am sure the money you received from others will be enough to sustain you for a lifetime." My smile falls as I re at her.


    She cries out again and runs for the door while holding her head. The door ms open before she can do it.


    I flinch, slipping the phone I stole from her under the sheets.


    Ethan strides inside. His cold eyesnd on the bleeding maid. A look of surprise crosses his face.


    "Sir, Madam hit me. She tried to kill me." She sniffles.


    I scoff, earning Ethan''s attention. His eyes narrow, instantly bing red-rimmed.


    "Did you?" He asks icily.


    "Of course, I did. "I nod, a smirk resting on my lips.


    For the way you humiliated me and watched until I bled and passed out...I will make you pay Ethan Calder.


    Your ruthlessness has woken up the beast inside me. It won''t go to sleep unless you arepletely ruined.


    A silent vow resonates inside my head. I clench my fists by my side.


    Ethan dismisses Serena with a flick of his wrist. " Go get treated."


    She rushes out, closing the door on her way out.


    The temperature drops in the room when it''s only us two. I re at him, unable to contain my hatred.


    "Is this your way of getting back at her for revealing your dirty secrets?" He rubs his nape, a sign of his exhaustion.


    I grit my jaw, not answering him. Ethan''s narrowed eyes lower to my exposed legs. His gaze lingers, making me ufortable in my spot.


    "Why did you bring me here?" I hiss.


    "You didn''t answer me. " Ethan''s gaze lifts to my eyes.


    He removes his coat and walks closer to me. I stiffen as he drops the coat on the bed and straightens up.


    "Why are you clinging to me? Get the divorce papers and end this. "I let out through my gritted teeth.


    Ethan lifts his wrists towards me. I lower my eyes to his cuffs. My heart sinks.


    Like a servant, I was always eager to help him undress whenever he came home from work. It made me happy to talk to him while we were so close, just doing something so simple together. "What are you doing? Do you still believe I am an idiot like before?" Iugh humorlessly.


    Ethan clicks his tongue, pulling his wrists back to remove his cufflinks. "I hoped you have regained your senses. But you are still acting like a bitch. "


    "Why are you not divorcing me?!" I ignore his remark ande to the point.


    "Before, I thought you were so in love with me that you...had to ruin your sister''s life to get me." He says, leaning in to ce the cufflinks on the side table.


    A lump forms in my throat at his words.


    "I would have let you go without any worries. You could have lived a luxurious life, Grace." His voice drops as his eyes find mine.


    Ethan steps closer. I take one back.


    "But you did what?" His bloodshot eyes are scary. "You cheated on me."


    I snort." So it''s fine for you to cheat on me with Lily but it wouldn''t be fine if I even ever think about doing it to you?"


    "I cheated on you?" He licks his bottom lip, shaking his head. "I never touched Lily. You, on the other hand, let every single man out there use you like a whore and-" p!


    My hand connects with his cheek. The noise resonates in the room.


    "I have had enough of your insults. If you want to pretend to be a saint and a heartbroken husband, go do it in front of your whore Lily!" I yell in his face.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Immediately, his hand closes around my nape, pulling me flush against his warm body. I yelp, my hands lifting to his cor.


    His reddened eyes meet my re again. There is fire in his gaze.


    How can he be angry at me when he is a monster?


    "What? Do you want to hit me again? Or watch me bleed until I pass out?" I scoff, my eyes burning with the unshed tears.


    "You brought this upon yourself. How hard was it to remain faithful, to be just mine? How fucking hard was it?" He hisses, his thumb digging in the side of my neck.


    I wince. " It was hard! So, I wish...I would have done everything you say I did. I truly wish that I had. Then you would have known how disgusting you are."


    His breathse out in short, angry pants. I wait for him to hit me but he just watches me, like a predator.


    "Did you remember the name of that bastard''s father?" Ethan smirks.


    My heart clenches inside my chest. I push at his shoulders to free myself, no longer able to breathe the same air as him.


    "No, Gracie?" He chuckles, letting me go with a jerk.


    "This is one thing I will never stop saying, Ethan. That child was our child. Don''t disrespect that innocent soul with your filthy mouth. "I blink back the tears.


    Suddenly, his face appears pale. I gulp my tears and stand tall.


    "Until you give me the name, you won''t leave this room. " Heposes himself and says coldly.


    "You can''t keep me here against my will. " I huff.


    "Yes, I will. And who knows maybe, I will keep you here for a lifetime, like my side chick while I marry your sister. For how you made a fool out of me, you will have to suffer for a lifetime, Grace Whitlock." His voice is poisonous, like his words. "You will make me your mistress?" I mirror hisugh while shaking my head.


    "I will make you my whore. Because you wanted to be one! " He snaps, turning around and marching towards the door.


    My heart misses a beat as I re at his retreating back. The door ms shut. The lock clicks in ce. And I am caged. I scoff. He will make me his mistress?


    I turn to the bed and grab Serana''s phone. Let me show him what happens when he messes with me.

 Roses

    Ethan


    What if...


    What if the child was mine?


    My body stiffens. I stand in front of the wall-sized window in my office, ring at the gardener tending to the flowers.


    Those flowers, the red roses, are Grace''s favorite flowers. I hate the fragrance of roses. But for her, I didn''t mind filling my garden with them. Yet, she cheated on me. Betrayed me. Lied to me.


    But what if...


    The child is mine?


    My throat constricts. Grace''s cold stare shes before my eyes. These days, she looks like a feral fox instead of the cute kitten from before. How dare she act like that after what she did to me?


    She has no shame, no sense of remorse for her actions.


    Then how can I believe for a moment that the tears she sheds and the way she says that the baby in her womb was mine are not lies too?


    The housekeeper did report that she took pills every morning religiously.


    But I don''t fucking understand why.


    She stole me from Lily. Got me involved with her. I was happy with her.


    Then why did she keep cheating on me and take the morning after-pills?


    Maybe, those pills were for her lovers and not me.


    Fire unfurls in my belly as I regard that thought. I m my fist into the wall, pain spreading in my fingers.


    A knock sounds on my study room''s office before Josh slips inside quietly. I clench my fist tighter, taking it off the wall.


    "Did you investigate that woman again? " I inquire.


    "The housekeeper, Serena insists that she saw Mrs. Calder taking the pills herself. There are bills under her name and she was seen in the CCTV footage of the pharmacy, Boss." Josh informs. An invisible hand grips my heart. I have checked the facts several times, hoping for foul y to prove my so-called wife innocent.


    But she is not.


    She slept with a dozen men.


    And carried someone else''s child.


    My re on the roses hardens. After everything I gave her, and the way I cherished her, she stabbed my heart.


    Not once but so many times that it feels like my heart is permanently damaged, like my trust has shattered.


    I can''t even find joy in the woman I love. Lily. I should be delighted with her, but right now, the mention of her name gets on my nerves.


    "Tell the gardener to rip every fucking rose out of that garden and dump it into the trash. "I hiss.


    "Are you sure, Boss? It''s a rare breed of roses, pure blood in color and more fragrant- "


    "Rip them to shreds. "I cut in, fire burning along my veins.


    I don''t want to hear how I chose those flowers after carefully examining every breed of red roses. Just because I wanted to give her the best of everything. "On it, Boss." Josh replies.


    The door opens and closes after he leaves. I take in a deep breath, unclenching my fists.


    Before I can rx, the door bursts open.


    "Ms. Whitlock! You can''t go in there like this."


    I nce over my shoulder. Lily is panting, her eyes watching me intently.


    "Sir, I tried to stop Ms. Whitlock but she insisted oning here." The maid behind her reveals nervously.


    I wave at her dismissively. " Get out of my sight."


    For some reason, seeing Lily brings me a deep sense of irritation. It''s all because of Grace. She got me so angry that I can''t think straight. "Ethan. " Lily sniffles.


    "How are you now, Lily? Are you looking after yourself?" I question, suppressing the annoyance.


    She nods, rushing towards me. Without hesitation, she wraps her arms around my torso, embracing me tightly.


    I grit my jaw. If she was not abused and broken, I would have pushed her away. I love her, but I am not in the mood to deal with her right now.


    "Ethan, why are you doing this to me?" She sobs, surprising me.


    "What is it? Why are you crying?" I frown.


    "She called me! She told me you brought her here again. That she is your wife and I must leave you alone. "Lily cries out.


    "What?" My blood heats.


    "Grace called me, Ethan. She said if I don''t leave you alone, she will send me back to the Robertos. This time, she will get me killed, Ethan. I was right! I can''t believe but I was right about her. " Her tears wet my shirt. How did Grace call Lily? My frown deepens.


    Then, it clicks in my head. There is no way she attacked Selena so suddenly without an ulterior motive.


    She must have stolen her phone. And that good-for-nothing maid didn''t notice.


    "I was right, Ethan. Grace has known the Roberto family for a long time. She must be the one who sent Sebastian after me. And I...like a fool...married that man who abused me for years. Ethan, my sister...she....is so evil. " Lily chokes on her breath, her arms tightening around me.


    "Say everything clearly. "I separate myself from her and take a step back.


    "She threatened me with Tristin. She wants me to leave you alone, Ethan. She said you want me gone, just like her! You brought her back and now she is your wife. If I don''t back down, she will tell Tristin to take me away from you." Lily wipes her cheeks, her eyes meeting mine with a hint of vulnerability.


    A part of me still can''t believe that Grace can be like this. The girl, who pretended to be quiet and obedient for several years, is now acting like a wicked entity.


    "Tell me you didn''t bring her back, Ethan. You are...divorcing her, right?" She whispers, cing her hands on my chest.


    I feel guilty. I want to marry Lily. But I can''t seem to be able to forget Grace''s betrayal.


    "I am divorcing her. "I wipe her tears with my thumbs and cup her cheeks. "Give me some time. I will divorce her. You will be my wife, Lily, like I told you."


    "You won''t change your mind, right?" She ces her hands over mine, leaning into my palms. "You won''t leave me, right?"


    "No." I shake my head.


    "Promise me, Ethan. Promise me that I will be your wife." She steps closer.


    Somewhere deep down, a voice keeps screaming that this is wrong.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "You don''t need my promises. My words are enough. " My eyes burn as I take my hands off her cheeks.


    "Please, Ethan... " Tears well up in her eyes.


    "Don''t cry. "I sigh, giving in. " if a promise makes you happen. Then, I promise."


    Her face lights up instantly. I force a smile on my lips and slide her hair behind her ears.


    "I was worried, you know...and Mom and Dad couldn''t see me like that." She starts, licking her lips.


    My brows lift. "what did you do?"


    Please don''t be angry, Ethan. " Lily whispers.


    "What did you do, Lily?" I hiss through my gritted teeth.


    "Mom and Dad insisted on tagging along. They are downstairs." She steps away as if startled by the sudden change in my mood.


    I notice the move and soften my stance. She has been through a lot of abuse. It''s natural she is scared of men. I don''t want to scare her more.


    "Tell them everything is fine between us. "I take another step back to put distance between us.


    "They are not here for us, Ethan. " Lily resigns with a sigh." they are here for Grace. They want to take her back home."

 Insufferable

    Grace


    As expected, the door is opened again after an hour. It almostes off its hinges due to the force behind the push.


    "Grace Whitlock!" Mom fumes, strolling inside.


    Like an angry bull, she makes a beeline for me and grabs my hair. I stand up calmly and let her drag me forth.


    "What do you want from us? From your sister?! Why won''t you let us breathe in relief?!" She shrieks in my face, her eyes spitting fire.


    "What did I do this time, Mom?" I whisper in aposed voice.


    "You?!" Her face turns red. "You are asking me what you did wrong?!"


    "Honey, leave her. "Dad is quick toe inside and grab her shoulders. "Don''t stress over an abomination like her. Your health is worth more than her." "Leave me, James. I am going to kill this girl today! " Mom jerks free and grips my hair harder.


    "Mom, you are hurting me. " I wince.


    "You are here to take your sister''s man again? How can you be my daughter? How is that possible?!" She screams, shaking me by my hair.


    "He is my husband Mom. "I sniffle, grabbing her hand to take it off." he is my man. My husband. Lily is here to take him from me. She is the other woman."


    "Shut your mouth! She left because of you back then. Now that she has returned, you must divorce Ethan and return him to your sister. You are the other woman. " Dad yells, veins appearing on his forehead.


    "You asked me to marry him, Dad. The day she ran from the wedding and ruined your reputation, you made me marry Ethan." I remind him.


    "Now, I am asking you to divorce him. It''s not like you have been faithful to him. "Hatred drips from Dad''s eyes as if he can''t wait to murder me.


    It doesn''t affect me one bit. It just leaves my heart cold and my body burning with anger.


    "I have been faithful to him. Lily framed me and made everyone believe that I was not. "I shake my head.


    p!


    Mom''s palmnds on my cheek, turning my head to the side. I poke my inner cheek with my tongue and sigh.


    "Mrs. Whitlock!" Ethan''s booming voice cuts the air.


    Mom releases my hair and turns to him. I touch my burning scalp and wince quietly.


    "What are you two doing in my bedroom?" He questions in an icy tone.


    "Ethan, son, you need to get rid of this filth. We are here to do that for you. She won''t pester you anymore. " Mom''s voice bes sickly sweet as she addresses him.


    "He kidnapped me! " I reveal, picking up my head to look at Ethan." He brought me here against my will."


    He shoots me a murderous re. I smirk, my eyes shining with a wicked glint.


    This is just the beginning, Ethan. You should have for what''s toe your way.


    "That can''t be true! Why would Ethan want a dirty woman like you?" Mom''s words are harsh but they don''t hurt me anymore.


    "You can ask him. "I state.


    It''s about time. My gaze flickers towards the clock.


    He said he would be here in an hour. He won''t ditch me, right?


    Ethan. " Lily calls out softly.


    I roll my eyes. She is thest piece of this chaotic puzzle. Now, it''s going to be a true disaster-just the way I want it.


    Get out. "Ethan states coldly.


    "What?" Mom sounds shocked.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Dad''s shoulders stiffen as he stares at Ethan. " You can''t talk to us like this. We are your elders."


    "Get out of my house right this instant! " Ethan repeats with more iciness in his voice.


    Lily flinches, as her eyes go round. She exchanges a look with Mom, silently asking her to retreat.


    I roll my eyes again. The sneaky gestures and nned schemes-it''s all so normal in my family. Ethan is the only idiot who doesn''t know that. "Ethan, son, if you didn''t like using here, we will leave right now. Please don''t be angry." Mom changes her tone and rushes to the door. "Boss!" Before she can go, Josh rushes inside.


    Everyone freezes when they see the serious look painted across his face. He nces my way, his eyes showing a hint of disbelief.


    "I guess, it''s time for me to leave. "I run a hand down my ck nightie and walk towards the bed.


    I hid the phone behind the pillow, with the camera on and ready to record this pretty encounter.


    I am sure my performance was worth it.


    "What is it?" Ethan snarls.


    The police are here. " Josh informs him.


    "Then get them the fuck off my estate. "


    "They are here for Mrs. Calder. She reported you for kidnapping." Josh states neutrally.


    "Get. Them. The. Fuck. Out!" Ethan emphasizes each word as if he has had enough of this drama.


    "I would have, Boss. But they are not alone." The poor Josh is sighing. I have rarely ever heard him do that.


    My lips form an O as I y the video on my phone and turn it to silent. The video is quite nice. Mom, Dad, Ethan, and Lily-all of them are recorded with their true faces.


    "Tristin Roberto is with them and by the looks of it, he won''t leave without Mrs. Calder. " Josh drops the bomb.


    "What the fuck did you say?"


    My heart misses a strange beat. He is actually here, in person.


    Earlier, when I was wondering about the people I could ask for help, he was the only one I could think of.


    Ethan can easily get rid of the police, and every other legal department but Tristin seems to hold some power.


    I have yet to figure out who he is but I am d I could reach out to him. I simply had to search for the contact number of the Seb Tower on the Inte and call them.


    When they picked up, and I told them that I needed to talk to Tristin, they connected me to him without asking any questions.


    It''s not quite possible. But it became possible because Tristin must be waiting for my call. He knew I would call the reception.


    "Tristin Roberto? How did he get here so fast?" Ethan hisses.


    The temperature in the room drops. I clench the phone between my palm and turn around smugly.


    "I called him. "I smile at Ethan.


    His gaze snaps towards me. Anger burns in his eyes. He can''t wait to strangle me, I can sense it.


    "Grace." Lily gasps, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks. " even after knowing how they treated me, why are you still contacting Tristin? Do you not care about me, your only sister?"


    If it was the old me, she would have been scared of Mom and Dad''s angry eyes. And Ethan''s frown. I would have exined and pleaded with them to believe that I didn''t want to hurt anyone of them. But now-


    "Of course." My smile widens. " I don''t give a damn about you.


    "


    Now, I just don''t care.


    A look of surprise crosses my parents'' faces and Lily sniffles, forgetting about crying.


    "How dare you?!" Mom screams, lifting her hand to hit me again.


    I catch her hand mid-air and re down at her. " Enough!"


    "Grace Whitlock. " Dad yells in disbelief.


    "The next time you try to hit me or yell at me, I will forget you are my mother... "I hiss, my jaw gritting as my gaze flickers towards Dad. " and I will forget you are my Dad!" "Grace, how can you disrespect Mom and Dad like this?" Lily sobs dramatically.


    I push Mom''s hand aside and stroll towards the door.


    "You are here to respect them. You are enough. Don''t drag me into this circus. " I mumble.


    I have to get out of here. As fast as I can. I don''t want to risk giving Ethan enough time to get out of this situation.


    Before I can step out, he snatches my wrist and pulls me back.


    "Did I say you could leave?" His face inches closer angrily.


    My breath hitches as I stare into his reddened eyes. " did I tell you that I care about your permission?"


    "Grace, the more you rebel, the harder it will be for you." His voice lowers, taking on a threatening note.


    Heavy footsteps sound outside the door before it is mmed open again.


    "Boss, the police..." Josh trails off.


    "I am sending you to jail for what you did. But if you don''t want it to be today, leave me, Ethan. "I whisper, shaking my arm free of his hold.


    He refuses to let go, his eyes zeroed in on me dangerously. Lily is calling out to him but it is like he can''t hear her or see her, as if his sole mission is to keep me caged here.


    "Ethan Calder. " Tristin''s voice sounds in the room, and the already freezing temperature bes insufferable.


    A big hand grabs my wrist from the other side and tugs me in. Ethan''s grip loosens just slightly and I break free.


    In front of my parents, and the pretentious sister, and the abusive husband, Tristin pulls me into his chest, hiding my face from their angry eyes.


    "Was I toote, Little Butterfly?"


    My heart skips a beat as I find myself tongue-tied.


    "Don''t worry. I am here now." His palmnds on my back, drawing me closer to him.

 Drama

    Grace


    "Get your hands off my wife!" Ethan roars, gripping my arm again.


    I break out of the trance and step away from Tristin, to get almost pulled back to Ethan''s side.


    His grip is harsh, meant to hurt my arm and leave bruises. I try to break free, but he doesn''t let go.


    "Mrs. Calder... " One of the old policemen steps forth, his brows furrowed. " did you call to report a kidnapping? Are you held here against your will?"


    Kidnapped?" Ethan huffs." She is my wife. "


    "If you are not keeping me by force, you won''t mind me leaving right?" I shoot him a cold nce over my shoulder.


    His eyes drip with an animosity that is directed solely at me. I grit my jaw, holding his gaze.


    Hate me as much as you want. It still won''t be enough to match my hatred for you, Ethan.


    It feels like a stand-off between us. The people seem to disappear in the background as we re each other down.


    I understand why I hate him. But why is he angry over a misunderstanding? He should be happy that I am getting out of his life. Then why does his ego hurt over what I didn''t even do? "Ethan, let her go, please. " Lily holds his arm, shaking it childishly.


    I eye her body pressed to his side. A headache starts in my head.


    "It''s enough for today. "I pull my arm away once more.


    "You are not going anywhere, Grace." Ethan tries to tug me in again, but Tristin holds my other wrist, keeping me dangling between the two like candy.


    Ethan''s gaze moves to Tristin''s frame. I gulp, my stare switching between the two.


    Tristin''s face is unreadable and his eyes, emotionless. But Ethan is visibly livid, his veins popping in the neck and forehead.


    "Listen to your lover, Mr. Calder. And let this poor girl go. " Tristin says, his voice carrying a hint of iciness.


    What is she to you?" Ethan''s eyes twitch in anger.


    The temperature continues to drop, making it suffocating in the room. I nce between the two again and try to break free from both of them, but they keep holding me. It''s a tug of war. It feels like they have no regard for what I want or feel. They are lost in their battle for power and dominance.


    "She can be anything to me. Why does it matter to you?" Tristin smirks.


    His suggestive words leave me stunned. What is...happening?


    "She is still my wife. " Ethan snarls, his fingers digging into my skin.


    "Oh? Then who is Lily to you?" His smirk widens." Judging by the way she is clinging to you, she seems more like your wife than Grace."


    I freeze, stealing a nce toward Lily. She releases Ethan''s arm right away and takes two steps back.


    "I-I...it''s nothing like that..." She stutters.


    Her eyes reflect fear. I don''t know if she is faking it or not...but it''s surprising. Her wide eyes and trembling lips leave a bitter taste in my mouth.


    "If Grace is your wife, you don''t mind if I have a word with Lily, do you?" Tristin drawls, his icy gazending on the cowering girl.


    What is between them?


    One seems like a seasoned hunter and the other acts like prey. Now, it feels like Lily is not faking her fear.


    "Tristin Roberto." Ethan lets out through his gritted teeth. " Try and see if you can handle it."


    "Oh, so you want both women? That''s interesting. " Tristin chuckles, the deep sound resonating in the silence of the room.


    My heart sinks as I turn towards him. He doesn''t spare me a nce and releases my arms.


    "If she is your wife, it''s between you. Of course, I should leave." He steps away.


    My hands turn cold as I gawk at him. Is he ditching me now? I find myself at a loss of words.


    "You better get out of my house if you don''t want to cross me. " Ethan warns, relishing in his victory.


    Tristin''s gaze flickers towards me. The coldness in his eyes seems to dissipate after he notices whatever is written on my face. But instead of staying, he turns and strolls to the door.


    "We should also leave. " Mom murmurs in the background but I can''t bring myself to shift my attention to her.


    "In this world, no one will save you from me, Grace. No one. " Ethan leans in and whispers in my ear.


    My head spins. Anger ignites in my veins as I notice the smirk on his lips.


    He thinks he won.


    "Don''t forget the police are still here. "I struggle to free myself. " I am not staying with you. Not today. Not any day of my life!"


    "Stop fighting!" Ethan hisses, twisting my wrist to tug me closer.


    He doesn''t care that Lily is watching, with a strange look in her eyes. Her disdain is directed towards me, but her anger is for Ethan.


    She tried so hard for him. They plotted so many things together. But Ethan is ruining everything now.


    Ethan-"


    Suddenly, a familiar big hand appears in my sight again. I halt, my gaze rising to Tristin''s face.


    "I just remembered, your wife called me for help. She said I muste because her husband is abusing her. " He tightly grips Ethan''s wrist and pushes him away.


    I stumble back, as Tristin takes my ce, wedging himself between Ethan and me.


    "A husband doesn''t do that, right?" Tristin''s tone takes on a sharper edge, his figure radiating a dark power and authority.


    A lump forms in my throat as I find the two men ring each other down again. What is it between them?Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "You Bastard-"


    "Ethan. " Lily cries out, throwing herself in his arms just before he canunch himself on Tristin. "I am so scared. Please. Please, don''t fight. Ethan I..."


    Her sobs echo in the room. Mom and Dad rush forth, reaching out to their favorite daughter.


    And the drama Queen uses this opportunity to conveniently faint again.


    Instantly, Ethan forgets that I exist, that Tristin exists, that the policemen in the room exist.


    His sole focus is on Lily as he pats her cheeks and calls her name worriedly.


    I take my eyes off my parents and my husband worried over Lily and look up at Tristin instead.


    There is a familiar bitterness in his eyes, as if he is hiding a lot and someday, he will explode, destroying everything in his path.


    I shudder, as his attention shifts to me. Immediately, he hides the ice in his eyes and smiles at me politely.


    "Come with me." He murmurs, his voice soft and his palm extending towards me.


    I take a moment to look at my so-called family again. They are so engrossed in Lily''s drama that they won''t notice if I slip away.


    So, I do. I take Tristin''s warm hand and allow him to lead me away from the chaos.


    When the world sees their true faces tomorrow, the chaos will worsen.


    No drama will save them anymore.

 Umbrella

    Grace


    "Mrs. Calder, choose wisely. Don''t make mistakes. " Josh follows after me.


    I halt and shoot him a nce over my shoulder. His eyes are hard on me, but when his gaze meets someone else''s eyes behind me, he swallows and takes a cautious step back. Instantly, I whip around to find Tristin staring at him coldly. The lust for violence behind his eyes is well-masked but it still sends shivers down my back.


    "Let''s leave." I whisper, drawing Tristin''s attention back to me.


    He nods curtly and turns around. His hand closes around my wrist again, silently tugging me along.


    Frowning, I keep my eyes on his hand. I should probably tell him that I can walk on my own.


    I can walk even if my legs are trembling, even if my hands are turning cold and my heart is sinking.


    I was a fool to think Ethan was fighting to keep me. For a second there, when I found him clinging to me desperately, I thought...maybe, I am mistaken about some things. Maybe, just maybe, Lily brainwashed him. And Tristin is turning me against him.


    Maybe, there is no betrayal between us, but just misunderstandings.


    Now, the harsh truth hits me in the face.


    The moment Lily fainted-or better-pretended to faint, I disappeared from Ethan''s world.


    I had spent years beside Ethan. Whenever I came across him, it was always like this. The moment Lily came into his sight, his eyes became soft and he forgot I existed. That day when he pushed me, he forgot I existed even then and left me on the road to bleed out. How can I ever forget?


    Warm hands fall over my shoulders. My trance breaks. Slowly, I lift my head.


    Tristin is standing right before me, his eyes fixed on something around my arms. I peek down, only to notice his big coat wrapped around my frame, hiding my silk nightie. "Don''t catch a cold." He says, without taking his eyes off his coat.


    Suddenly, it dawns upon me. Indeed, I am cold. It feels like my bones are freezing.


    Craning my neck, I look up at the sky. The clouds rumble before it starts raining.


    I push past Tristin and walk ahead. " we should leave."


    Who knows if Ethan will suddenly remember me ande after me again?


    "We should leave, Tristin. "I repeat, as my mind is pulled into a daze again.


    A manes rushing from the distance, holding an umbre. That''s when I realize that I am under the rain. The cold water is drenching me, but I can''t seem to be able to feel it. He moves past me swiftly and approaches Tristin. "Boss."


    Tristin snatches the umbre from him and lifts it above my head. Instantly, the cold water stops wetting me. I nce up, as several emotions raise their head inside me. Grabbing my cold hand, Tristin hands me the umbre and steps away. " Come on, Grace."


    I continue to stare at the umbre.


    It all started with an umbre.


    The first time I met Ethan in the garden of my house, he had covered me with an umbre just like this.


    On that winter day, my parents broke my heart again when they took my poem and gave it to Lily so she could participate in a contest.


    As I cried in the garden alone, an unfamiliar boy hade to save me from the rain. His eyes were cold, unlike anything I had seen before, but the green of his eyes drew me in.


    "Crying under the rain won''t solve anything." He had said. " you will only get sick and you will be surprised to know that no one gives a damn. So, you should. Give a damn about yourself." After he had said those strange words to me, he handed me the umbre and left. He had seemed so cool back then. He was my first crush. Then, he became an incurable illness-my first love. But for him...


    I never existed.


    He was right.


    No one gave a damn about me.


    The umbre slipped from my hand and fell to the ground. The rain started pouring over me again.


    My gaze fell to the ground. I was not wearing shoes. I had forgotten to wear shoes...because I was so engrossed in whatever those people did to me. How...funny. "I mumble.


    "You are a stubborn one. "A pair of ck shoeses into my view, making me blink.


    "You just got out of the hospital. Do you want to go back again?" Tristin scoffs, his tone hard.


    "-"


    Before I can find any words to say to him, he bends down. My jaw hangs low in surprise as he picks me up in his arms bridal style.


    Immediately, my eyes find his face. He doesn''t spare me a nce as he walks towards his car.


    His lips set in a hard line, his jaw clenched. Is he angry? Why?


    His masculine cologne clings to him like a second skin, making me hold my breath.


    Because of me, he has gotten drenched in the rain. His hair cling to his forehead now, shadowing the dangerous look in his eyes. My frown deepens.


    Tristin''s man opens the passenger door. He sets me inside and closes the door before moving to the other side.


    I sigh, ncing down at my dripping clothes and the expensive leather seats. This is not good.


    "I am going to ruin your car. "I murmur, as Tristin slips in beside me.


    "Do you think I care about that?" He says, closing his eyes and resting his head behind.


    "But we should at least try to¡ª"


    "Luca, turn on the heat. Ms. Whitlock catches cold easily. " He mumbles, without opening his eyes.


    I close my mouth and suffice with staring at him. How thorough was his background check on me?


    My eyes take in his white button-down shirt, now clinging to his skin, disying his perfectly built body with six-pack-abs.


    My cheeks warm at the sight. I turn my gaze to the window.


    Luca, the man in the driving seat turns the heat on max and starts the engine. Not so surprisingly, no onees in our way as we drive out of the Estate and leave Ethan and his tantrums behind. My eyes follow the sight of the big house until we are far away from it. A bitter taste invades my mouth as I sigh and look ahead.


    The awkward tension keeps rising in the space. The man sitting beside me seems exhausted and keeps silent.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    Unconsciously, I unclench my fingers and look at the phone still held in my hand. It''s a little wet, but it''s working to my relief.


    I lost myself for some time there andpletely forgot about it. Heaving a breath of relief, I wipe the phone''s screen with my fingers.


    "Were you scared?" Just when I think Tristin won''t speak again, he surprises me.


    "What?" I whisper, a little jumpy to my liking.


    My gaze rises to his face again. His hair still clings to his forehead, covering half of his slightly open eyes.


    I swallow as our eyes meet. Right now, his eyes don''t have that dangerous look in them. He appearszy and sleepy.


    Were you scared?" Tristin asks.


    Scared? I recall the way I found Ethan in the penthouse, and was forced to bleed out until I fainted.


    Yes, I was scared. So scared that Ethan might win, might keep me hostage, might turn me into a mistress and I won''t be able to do anything. The helplessness scared me.


    A lump clogs my throat, making it difficult to breathe.


    "It won''t happen again. "Tristin whispers, his voice deep and hoarse.


    Our eyes meet again. He is staring at me, with something strange in his gaze.


    My heart misses an odd beat. "What?"


    "Ethan won''t get his hands on you again. As long as you choose to be with me, no one will hurt you again, Little Butterfly." He says effortlessly and then closes his eyes.


    My eyes widen on him, as I try to digest his words. He only means our deal. I don''t need to think too much about it, I assure myself.


    But, my hands still sweat as I continue to stare at him openly. Who is this man?


    "Where are we going?" I ask, swallowing the lump in my throat.


    "My Home." Tristin replies, stealing away my breath.

 His Home

    Grace


    "Your home? What do you mean by your home, Mr. Roberto? " My mouth dries.


    "My home means my home. The ce where I live?" He replies, with his eyes closed.


    My jaw drops. Is he serious? Or is he being sarcastic?


    For a few moments, I stare at him,pletely confused and stunned out of my mind.


    "I don''t understand. "I whisper, folding my arms across my chest.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    "You will be safer in my house than anywhere in the world. Ethan can''te for you there like he came barging into the penthouse." He states as a matter of fact.


    A lump forms in my throat. The memory of finding Ethan in the room shes across my mind again. It was terrible, to know that I couldn''t fight him and he just took me with him so easily. Closing my mouth, I turn away from Tristin and rest my forehead against the cold window. My fingers clench as I find myself at the crossroads again.


    How can I trust a stranger?


    What if he does something to me now that he knows no one wille to save me?


    How can I be in a close space with him alone?


    "I am not taking you to some secluded ind. "Tristin says.


    My eyes widen. Can he read my mind or what?


    "What is that supposed to mean?" I murmur under my cold breath.


    "My mother and sister live with me. You should know if this information makes you feel at ease. You will not be alone with me." His voice is warm, for some reason. And it puts my nerves at ease.


    My taut muscles loosen. My heartbeat slows down. And my hands stop trembling.


    I cast him a nce. He still has his eyes closed, but he looks alert. The muscles under that wet shirt are rigid and tense, and his lips are firmly pressed together.


    "I know...you... " I whisper, before pausing.


    "You should finish what you start. " He whispers hoarsely.


    "I know you want something else from me, Mr. Roberto. It can''t be just about getting me to work with you. I am no gem for you like you want me to believe. "I tell him honestly.


    Thezy corner of his mouth curls into a sinister smirk. My heart misses a beat as I tuck a strand of wet hair behind my ear.


    "But...I don''t care. You came for me when I couldn''t rely on anyone else." My eyes grow moist. "...I will remember it forever. And if it helps... You can use me for whatever vengeance you seek. "


    The corners of his lips drop. I take in a deep breath and look at my hands.


    "Thank you... Tristin."


    When I pick up my head, his eyes open and find mine. My cheeks warm up at the little eye contact before I look away to avoid him.


    The side of my head burns under his scrutinizing stare, but I don''t look at him again. He makes me feel like I am exposed, like he is a person who knows everything about me my ws, my memories, my ns. It makes me ufortable. The rest of the way I stay silent and keep my eyes on the road. The car drives into a luxurious neighborhood, the tinum Hills. I am surprised to find the car rolling inside smoothly as the gates open.


    This ce is famous for housing the wealthiest people in the city. Even Ethan wanted a house here before he settled for building an Estate away from the city.


    "I forgot to ask again. Where do you want me to work exactly?" I wonder.


    Tristin sighs. "I own the RB Corporation, if that''s what you are wondering about."


    I blink. Did he just say what I heard?


    "RB?" How did I not connect the dots before?


    Tristin doesn''t reply. But I am already sinking into the seat of his Aston Martini.


    How stupid? How could I not know that Lily must have run away with a man from the RB Corporation? It''s one of the two industries that surpassed Ethan''s wealth back then and is on par with his status now. My heart starts drumming in my ears." Now, I am more inclined towards the idea that you have an ulterior motive for me."


    He has the best architects in the world. RB Corporation has built half the skyscrapers in the city, and more into the country and abroad. Their designs and works are the source of envy for any architect. "Why does it matter?" Warm breath ghosts my cold cheek, drawing my attention to my right.


    He is leaning in, filling my space, and staring at me from close. I gasp, pulling my head away to put distance between us.


    "Mr. Roberto. "


    Does he like doing this or what?


    "You said you will... " His gaze lowers to my lips and moves past them to roam down my body. "...let me use you.


    "Not in that way. "I blurt, instantly tugging his coat around my chest to hide myself.


    His lips quirk up. " in what way?"


    "In... "I narrow my eyes on him." In a wrong way."


    Tristin''s brows lift in amusement. "Look at me, Little Butterfly. Do I look like a man who has any right way to go?"


    I lick my lips." You are not..."


    Touching me. That''s for sure. I am still married.


    He rolls his eyes and leans away. "If I wanted you in my bed, I wouldn''t have brought you home where my family lives, Grace. Get those thoughts out of your head. "


    "Well, you can talk from a distance if you don''t want me to get the wrong idea. "I mumble, slipping a little away from him.


    He nces out the window. My nose scrunches as I notice his lips still curled into a half-lipped smile.


    Is he making fun of me? We are not that close though.


    "Your tendency to turn into a tigress from a kitten impresses me." He drawls, without sparing me a nce.


    "Thank you?" I sound unsure.


    One thing is for sure, right now, I can''t think about other things. My sole focus is on him, as I try to uncover the mystery that he is. Until...


    We reach the mansion in the endne, more extravagant and secluded from the rest of the neighborhood.


    His home. I repeat the words in my head. I have no idea what I am doing here or what he is going to tell his mother and sister about me.

 Tristins Mom

    Grace


    His house is more luxurious than I anticipated. It''s like a castle straight out of a fairytale, painted blue and white.


    As the car pulls into the driveway, a man dressed in a ck butler''s suit opens my side of the door.


    I peek up at the old man before stepping out of the car. My heart beats furiously inside my chest, protesting against these sudden changes in my life.


    "Come on, Little Butterfly." Tristin urges, walking up the stairs like he owns the ce. Which he does, I mean.


    Ignoring the strange feeling in my stomach, I follow him inside the white main door.


    My jaw hangs low just as I step in. Being a child of a wealthy family myself, I am never surprised about the extravagance of ces but his house is something else.


    Every corner, the crystal chandelier that hangs in the middle of the sitting area, the white and blue themed walls, and the carefully designed interior-everything oozes power and money.


    "Tristin Darling, you arete. You missed our dinner. "A warm female voice scolds.


    My cheeks blush as I close my hanging jaw and whip around to face the woman on my right.


    I have seen my fair share of elegant women too, but I have never seen a woman so pretty in her old age. She is like the epitome of beauty, with her blonde hair and blue eyes. Her small and petite frame adds to her graceful image. And she is frowning at Tristin.


    "Mom, things happen. We can have dinner tomorrow." He replies, smoothly cing his hand on her shoulder.


    Like an awkward addition to the room, I fidget with my fingers. The fact that I am still dressed in the drenched nightie with Tristin''s coat draped over my frame...is killing me.


    "Why are you drenched, Honey?" The woman''s eyes widen as she finally notices her son''s attire.


    "Mom, as I said, things happened." He shrugs, suddenly radiating a golden retriever energy.


    Is he the same man who always has a dark look in his eyes? I can''t believe that. All the more reason to be wary of him.


    "You can get sick and-"


    The woman''s eyes suddenlynd on me, and she pauses. Surprise crosses her expression, her mouth still open.


    "And who is that pretty thing?" She asks, her voice still sweet.


    Her gaze switches between me and Tristin, as she blinks. I fold my arms across my chest, finding myself too out of ce to fit even in the corner. I... "I trail off nervously.


    "She is my guest, Mom. Please prepare a room for her and let her settle in. " Tristin says nonchntly and walks forward as if he is leaving. Tristin. " Unconsciously, I squeal.


    The woman''s eyes go round on me as an odd smile touches her lips. It matches the smile of Ethan''s grandmother whenever she is about to tell me about having babies. So pestering and scheming. I shudder.


    "Take a bath, change into fresh clothes, and eat something, Little Butterfly. We will talk tomorrow morning." Tristin says, without stopping or shooting me another look.


    Is he...running away?


    It seems like it. His speed is impressive.


    And I am standing here, turning left and right as if finding something interesting to look at. Or to find something to say in my mind.


    "Little Butterfly? Are you my son''s girlfriend?" The woman strolls closer to me.


    "No." I blurt, pping my hands violently. "It''s nothing like that. I was in a tight spot and Mr. Roberto helped me out. I had nowhere to go so he brought me here out of the kindness of his heart. I will stay here only for tonight and find somece to-" "It''s okay, Sweetie." She ces a hand over my shoulder and gives it a squeeze.


    I put a full stop to my rant and blink at her. The look in her eyes is so soft that it melts a little part of me.


    "Did you have a rough day?" She smiles, so genuinely and warmly that a lump forms in my throat.


    I nod wordlessly. It was a horrible day. I was scared, angry, and hurt. In the end, I am here, and I don''t know why things muste to this.


    "It''s okay." She whispers, patting my wet hair. "Everyone has bad days in their lives. But you know what?"


    Her voice is soothing and soft. It''s as if she is talking to a wounded child, telling her that everything will be fine.


    "What?" I utter,pletely entranced by her kind smile.


    "Bad days prepare us for the good days. So when the good dayse, we can feel every bit of the happiness that we deserve." Her eyes shine-I notice. Like that of an angel.


    Tears well in my eyes as I barely hold myself back from breaking down again.


    "Come on. Let''s get you changed so you can have dinner and rest." She whispers, leading me forward with a hand on my back.


    Like a lifeless doll, I follow her lead. My heart, which was drumming in my ears before, calms down under her soft touch.


    "What is your name, by the way?" She asks on the way.


    I can''t even focus on the surroundings as my whole attention remains on her.


    "Grace." I whisper under my breath.


    "So Grace, are you really not my son''s girlfriend?" She chuckles.


    My cheeks warm up again. Instantly, I shake my head. "There is nothing like that between us."


    For some reason, I can''t bring myself to tell her that I am married or that I am close to a divorce, or that it''s allplicated.


    I expect her to ask, but Tristin''s Mom doesn''t question my attire, my state, my ruined face. In afortable silence, she leads me to a guest room and urges me to take a warm bath.


    "Grace." She calls out just when I am about to enter.


    "Yes... Ma''am? "I turn around, unsure about what to call her.


    "You can call me Alma. " She says, " and also, you can be at ease. I don''t know what happened to you to make youe here in the middle of the night, but rest assured, you will be fine here. In this home, you are safe" For some moments, I find myself rooted in my spot. This is not what I expected Tristin''s Mom to be like.


    Is she even really Tristin''s Mom?


    And...somehow... Lily''s ex-mother-inw?


    My throat clogs. She must know Lily. And by the looks of it, I think Lily did something with Tristin''s brother. So...


    It means this kindness is only temporary.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    I nod and force a smile up my lips. "I will...remember that, Alma. Thank you."


    For now, I will just pretend to be oblivious and prepare for Ethan''s demise.

 Grace Calder

    Grace


    The whole night, I twist and turn in the bed, finding it hard to fall asleep under the new roof.


    When I shut my eyes, nightmares gue my sleep. Ethan is chasing me in all those dreams. I do my best to get away, but no matter where I turn, he is right there, so close, his arms almost closing around my body to cage me again. When he grabs me, he pushes me away. The car hits me, and blood stters on the road.


    I wake up with a startled cry, my chest heaving up and down rapidly. My wide, panicked eyes take in the room beforending on the woman standing in the doorway.


    Instantly, I gasp and push my sweat-stricken hair away from my forehead. " Alma. Did I disturb you?"


    She has a strange look on her face. I gulp, sping my trembling fingers together to stop the motion.


    "I came to call you for breakfast." She whispers, a forced smile ying on her lips.


    She could have sent any servant in the mansion. But she came herself and saw me in such an embarrassing state.


    "Are you alright, Grace?" She approaches me steadily and presses the back of her hand to my forehead.


    A lump clogs my throat. "I am alright. Absolutely alright."


    "You don''t have a fever." She pats my cheek softly. " Come on. Freshen up ande down for breakfast. I am waiting for you."


    I nce up. Kindness has returned to her eyes.


    "Come on, Grace. Don''t keep us waiting." She smiles and steps away.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    I nod reluctantly and get down from the bed.


    Without asking questions, she turns away and leaves the room. "I am sending someone up with clothes for you."


    "Okay. Thanks, Alma. " I whisper from behind.


    After she leaves, I grab the cell phone from under my pillow and search for the video again. My fingers clench around the screen, as I watch their faces.


    Ethan will only ever get me in my sleep now.


    Shaking my head hatefully, I drop the phone on the bed and stroll to the bathroom. I shouldn''t keep Alma waiting.


    *****


    Half an hourter, I am dressed in a white knee-length dress and following the Butler downstairs.


    The interior of this ce still amazes me it''s not just about luxury-everything in this house has a touch of warmth as if someone carefully picked up every color, every painting, every picture frame. It doesn''t feel like a house at all. It feels like home.


    ncing left and right, I don''t notice when we enter the dining room. The butler steps away, leaving me standing in the doorway.


    "Is this the one? Tristin''s girlfriend?" An enthusiastic voice asks.


    "Ania. "Alma''s voice follows.


    Surprised, I look ahead to find the three people already seated on the other side of a big dining table. The breakfast is already served and Tristin sits on the head chair, sipping on coffee and reading something on a tablet. "Good... " My gaze flickers to his right where Alma sits and to the left where an unfamiliar girl is making round eyes at me, " Morning?"


    "She is pretty." She says, smiling widely.


    "Don''t make her nervous, Ania. " Alma scolds lightly, then turns to me." Come, sit here, Grace."


    She points to the chair beside her and I quickly nod, moving across the dining hall to reach her.


    "This is Ania. My spoiled daughter. " Alma introduces as I take my seat.


    "Seriously, Mom? I am the only sane person in this family." She huffs, popping a cherry in her mouth.


    Instinctively, my gaze is drawn towards her. She looks like the female version of Tristin, just a little more petite and feminine.


    "Hi. I am the only daughter of this family and your soon-to-be sister-inw if everything goes alright with Tristin." She grins carelessly, making me shudder.


    "Ania. " Tristin''s warning voice draws my attention to him.


    Momentarily, he looks up from the tablet. Our eyes lock, and my breath catches in my throat. His gaze lowers to my clothes, taking in my upper body before his eyes find mine again.


    "You look better thanst night." He says, detached and cold before he goes back to reading on the tablet.


    "Oh, did you see the chemistry, Mom? There is definitely something going on here. "Ania snickers, causing my cheeks to catch me.


    I suck in a sharp breath and sink into the soft chair. Her eyes remain on me, wide and light.


    "Ania, no more teasing. "Alma says, flipping my te up. "Ignore this child and eat Grace. You didn''t eat muchst time so you must be hungry."


    I open my mouth to tell her that I am not hungry but she doesn''t wait for that. She starts piling food into my te. Bacons, egg, toasts, croissant...


    "I don''t know what you would like so you should try everything. "Alma says lovingly.


    "I can eat anything. Thank you. "I mumble, grabbing the fork.


    Under the scrutinizing eyes of Alma and Ania, I might start choking on my breath instead of eating.


    Awkwardly, I take a bite of the egg and smile at both thedies. They smile back, refusing to look away.


    "How do you expect her to eat when you are looming over her like this? Do you want to make her choke?" Tristin''s busy voice rings in the dining hall, sending me into a fit of coughing. How does he know what''s going through my head all the time?


    "Grace. "Alma pats my back worriedly and hands me a ss of water.


    I take a sip, my eyes finding him over the rim of the ss. He is not looking at me but his brows are furrowed.


    "Take in a deep breath. " Alma urges, sounding concerned.


    "She is fine, Mom. "Ania chirps.


    I nod too. "I...am fine."


    "Eat slowly. No one is after you, Grace. "Alma clicks her tongue and takes her hand off my back.


    I nod again quietly.


    Silence falls in the dining hall. Alma averts her gaze, not wanting to make me ufortable but Ania is still staring.


    The carefree look in her eyes is slowly disappearing. A frown pinches her forehead as she ces her chin in her palm.


    "I feel like I have seen you somewhere, Grace. Even the name sounds familiar." She whispers.


    Instantly, my shoulders stiffen. I swallow the bite in my mouth and nce at her curiously.


    Her eyes widen, her chin dropping from her palm." You are Grace Cal-"


    "Ania. "Tristin interrupts before she can say anything.


    Bewildered, Ania looks at Tristin. Her jaw hangs low, as her face slowly starts to turn red.


    My hands shake around the fork. Grace Calder, that''s what she must want to say.


    "Tristin." She lowers her palms to the table, staring at her brother.


    A silent conversation happens between the two. Alma''s gaze switches among her children as she questions. "What is going on?"


    "Nothing, Mom. " Tristin answers before Ania can.


    Frustrated, Ania ms her hands on the table and rises. Her enraged eyes move to my face as she grits her teeth.


    "You can''t stay here. Get up! And get out right now!" She screams, startling me.


    Like a spring, I jump up from my spot and turn away. I can''t stay. I knew I couldn''t.


    "Ania, what is this tone? How can you shout at a guest?! " Alma scolds.


    "Mom. " Her voice softens. "You don''t know who she is."


    "Who is she?" Alma inquires.


    The walls seem to be closing in on me. I have no fault. I wronged no one. Why must I suffer this?


    Clenching my hands, I rush out of the dining room and towards the main gate. I have to leave. I can''t get insulted again.


    "She is Grace Whitlock! Now Grace Calder!" Ania''s loud voice follows me as I find my way out.


    Reaching the main door, I pause. After her revtion, silence falls in the dining hall. No one asks questions anymore.


    My heart sinks. With shaking hands, I pull the door open and step out.


    Alma''s kindness was limited to Grace. Grace Whitlock doesn''t deserve any respect or kindness.


    I walk away, moving across the driveway alone.


    After reaching the metal door, I suddenly recall leaving the phone behind. My feet grow heavy as the guards at the gate watch me.


    Slowly, I turn back to the mansion. My heart twists, embarrassment painting my cheeks red.


    I will have to go back and face what awaits me.

 Trap

    Grace


    On my way back, I can''t help but feel like the ground is too soft beneath my feet. It feels like I am floating away,pletely detached from the surroundings. My mind...keeps sending me back in time.


    This fear in my heart is the same as when I came home from college and tiptoed around Mom and Dad to avoid their wrath.


    This fear is the same as when I tried to hide my drawings, my projects, and my dreams so Lily couldn''t take them away from me.


    This fear is the same as when I avoided looking at Ethan to hide my crush on him.


    Because I knew...


    All those things will bring me pain.


    And I was scared to bear the pain alone. I didn''t want my heart to bleed only for theck offort to make it worse.


    I knew...


    If I fall once, I will never get back up again. I have been like this.


    But now, all those things that I feared have already happened.


    I smile mockingly.


    Evenst night, I feared Alma would get to know the truth about me and hate me and it didn''t even take one day for her to find out everything. Shaking my head, I enter through the main door again.


    "Why did you bring her here, Tristin? And why didn''t you tell me it''s her? " Alma''s voicees from the lounge, making me stiffen.


    "She had nothing to do with whatever happened. She doesn''t even know anything, Mom. " Tristin sighs.


    I frown, wondering what this secret is. What did Lily do to them?


    "Still, you could have told me. "Alma insists.


    I sigh, turning towards the stairs. I should quickly grab that phone and leave this ce. I don''t want to face them.


    "And you would have let the sister of your son''s murderer into our house?" Tristin''s angry voice resonates.


    I pause on the first stair, my eyes widening. What...the...hell?


    "Enough, Tristin! Stop going after her! She ruined my elder son! I don''t want this to happen to you too! We don''t want to have anything with her. "Alma yells, startling me.


    I press my palm to my mouth to stop myself from gasping. An eerie silence echoes in the house for a few seconds that follow.


    "That''s because you don''t know what happened, Mom. "Tristin''s voice bes cold, sending a chill down my spine.


    "You are using that poor girl for revenge, aren''t you?" Alma uses.


    Poor girl...


    "Grace is the key to getting back what Lily took. " Tristin announces.


    I shudder. I knew he was using me, but I didn''t know Lily had delivered such serious blows to this family.


    "You said so yourself. She has nothing to do with this and she doesn''t know. "To my surprise, Alma hisses. "Leave her out of this. She doesn''t look like an evil person, Tristin. Don''t use her. " "She wants it. I helped her, and she knows my helpes with a price. I won''t let her go until she has paid every bit of it." The ice in his voice makes me freeze.


    This should scare me. I should turn and leave even if I have to damn that phone.


    But I stay there, just rooted on my spot.


    Tristin! " Alma calls out to him..


    Hearing the footsteps behind me, I turn around and face them. Tristin halts when he notices me standing there. His eyes, dark and hollow, are zeroed in on me. Tris-" Alma pauses.


    My gaze flickers to her face. I sigh, shaking my head.


    "Alma. "


    "Did you...hear everything?" She whispers, her arms folding around her chest.


    "I did. "I nod, and nce at Tristin again." and you are right. I know your helpes with a price and I will pay it. I will not run away from this. "


    A frown etches between his brows, his eyes darkening." You should go to your room."


    "Tristin, let her go. She shouldn''t get involved. Nothing is her fault. "Alma whispers, a look of guilt disyed on her face.


    My chest tightens. This woman...even after what I heard...how can she take my side?


    "Alma. " My eyes soften. " You don''t know this but I...am very much involved. The people that hurt you have hurt me all the same."


    The image of blood and pain shes across my mind, making me swallow.


    "I will help. In whatever way is necessary. " I tell them honestly.


    "Tristin! You" Alma starts again but Tristin doesn''t let her speak.


    "Mom. " He nces at her from over his shoulder. " You heard her. If she doesn''t mind, you shouldn''t either. We are not guilty towards any Whitlock." Alma presses her lips in a thin line, her worried eyes moving towards me. It feels like she is trying to say something to me-something I can''t understand.


    My heart misses a beat. She appears scared for some reason, as if she wants me to run away from here.


    Idiotically, I refuse to take up that warning and leave this ce. I am already in hell, what more can happen to me?


    "Fine. "Alma nods slowly and turns away sharply. " but I will not be a part of whatever games you y, son."


    I watch as she leaves the area, never ncing back or stopping.


    "I...escaped Ethan only to get caught in your trap, right?" I whisper, shifting my attention to the tall man.


    The frown between his brows smoothens. Tristin''s eyes lower to my wobbling chin before meeting my gaze again.


    "What you want, you can''t achieve without losing something, Little Butterfly." He says, in a hoarse voice.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I nod, my hands clenching by my side. "Did you lie to me, Tristin? About anything?"


    As I scan his face and his body, I find him be a mask of emotionlessness.


    Hisck of emotions should have scared me away the first day, but it''s what brought me into this house.


    He doesn''t show good emotions. But he doesn''t show hate either. I don''t need to tiptoe around him.


    "No." Tristin states, his tone firm.


    "Good. "I whisper, unclenching my fists. " do whatever you want with me, but don''t lie. Don''t...make a fool out of me. If you...can do just that...I will be by your side willingly and do whatever you want, Tristin."


    A brief pause of silence ensues as he stares at me. Finally, something flickers across his gaze-a fleeting emotion that he masks masterfully in a mere moment.


    The temperature drops in the room as we stare at each other. My heartbeat speeds up, leaving me waiting for a response but he doesn''t give any.


    Sighing, I turn away from him again and climb the stairs.


    "I won''t hurt you." His voice chases me to the top of the stairs.


    "Huh?" I halt, facing him.


    Our eyes meet as he cranes his neck to look up at me. I can''t help but notice the eagerness in his eyes.


    "I won''t hurt you like they did." Tristin repeats.


    A shiver runs down my spine. I tighten my hold over the railing.


    Opening my mouth, I tell him that I don''t believe that...but something in his eyes makes me stop.


    I sigh. "I want you to do something for me."


    Tristin''s questioning gaze remains on me, making me nervous.


    "I have something I want you to send to the news channels. A gift for the Calders and Whitlocks." My lips curl in a smirk.

 Regular Employee

    Grace


    The next day, I follow Tristin''s assistant into the headquarters of the RB. It''s a ss tower in the heart of the city, outshining the architecture of the other towers.


    Once, I assessed their designs for my projects. Now, I am here, walking through the ss doors, straight to the elevator to get a job.


    I wouldn''t have dreamt of this in the past. Mom and Dad would have never let me work because they wanted Lily to always be sessful using my work. They couldn''t risk letting the world know that I am behind everything she ever imed to design. Her thought makes me halt in the lobby. The big screen in the waiting area disys the breaking news of today.


    Mom''s angry face, and Dad''s disgusted eyes. Everything reeks of evil in the video that is ying. Her harsh words are recorded in clear audio, leaving no room for doubt. But my face is hidden because I made sure my back was facing the phone. "Who do you think is telling the truth? "A girl asks the other in the waiting area.


    "It''s probably the parents. Look at how they are defending their one daughter''s affair with their other daughter''s husband. "Someone replies.


    "The rich people and their problems. " People cackle, enjoying Ethan''s entry.


    "Did she say he kidnapped her?"


    "Yes."


    "Well, that''s one way to keep both sisters to yourself. He must be enjoying his life."


    Theughter makes me frown. This whole thing doesn''t bring me any satisfaction but I recognize that this is the first step to many things that are toe.


    I nce down at my new phone that Tristin got me in the morning and watch thements. People are enjoying the drama as I expected.


    Mr. Calder''s colorful life is trending on the social media apps. My lips twitch as I open my new ount and make a post.


    -Don''t drag me into this anymore. I am in the process of getting a divorce from Mr. Calder and I give my blessings to my sister Lily Whitlock who is after my husband. She can have him after our divorce. She is used to taking things from me. Many people are attracted to the post when I tag Lily in it. She was a social media sensation before she married Sebastian and ran away. The interest people still take in her proves that she is not forgotten yet.


    Good, I will use that fame against her.


    After smirking at the positive and negativements that pour in instantly, I pocket my phone and turn to Luca.


    "Are you ready for your first day, Ms. Whitlock?" He questions curiously.


    He appears to be cold, but when he talks, he sounds nice and polite.


    "Of course." I nod.


    "Follow me." He says and turns to the elevators.


    With a rapidly beating heart, I follow him in and stand behind him in the elevator. It ascends, rising to the upper floors.


    Nervously, I take in the floor numbers. I have never officially done any work on projects before. It was all me-in ss or in my home. I don''t know if I will fit in or what I will do.


    Besides, every person in this ce must be far more talented and experienced than me. I don''t know how to deal with that stuff, or how to bond with people like that.


    Will they notice that I am socially awkward and think I hate them like others?


    "Boss said you should have lunch with him in his office. " Luca says.


    "Won''t it make a target if I have lunch with the CEO on the first day of my job?" I fix my ponytail and run my hands down my ck pencil skirt.


    Everything I wear, from my white button-down shirt to my ck pump heels, everything was already in my room by the time I woke up. The butler said Alma sent it.


    I don''t know how to take that.


    I am an unwanted guest in her house, one that she is avoiding now but still takes care of. It makes me ashamed but I can''t leave either.


    "You shouldn''t care about what others think, Ms. Whitlock. You are not like the other employees here." Luca addresses me calmly. "Please deliver this message to Mr. Roberto. I would like to work like a normal employee. I don''t want unnecessary attention." I sigh.


    "Yes, Ms. Whitlock. " He nods curtly as the elevator doors ding open.


    I wait for him to step out on the 64th floor but he stays in, just waiting.


    "You should go alone if you want to be treated like a regr employee." He says.


    My lips form an O. With warming cheeks, I rush out of the elevator and pause in my way.


    The scene in front of me seems to be a part of a movie. Lavish white desks line the whole space, people rushing back and forth, talking and working. In one corner, there are two meeting rooms, and in the other, I can see big tables. At the end of the hall, there are tinted ss cabins. My heart lurches as I stare at everyone nkly. To my surprise, no one even spares me a nce.


    I stand there for some time, wondering who should I approach. Everyone looks so serious, all dressed up and their faces set in stones.


    My wandering eyesnd on a girl sitting alone at her desk, close to the meeting rooms. Nervously, I approach her and halt.


    "


    "New hire?" She asks, without picking up her head.


    I blink, taking in her blonde hair and blue eyes before nodding dumbly.


    "Go meet the team manager." She points her thumb toward the first cabin at the end.


    "Oh, okay. Thanks." I whisper and approach the cabin.


    "New recruit? "A female voice sounds from behind me.


    "By the looks of it, this prim Princess will run away in like 1 day. Not worth our time. "The blonde''s voice rings making me frown.


    Balling my fists, I knock on the team manager''s office and read the name te. It states Mr. Costello.


    Taking a mental note to remember that, I enter after a moment. Before I can speak or say anything, papers fly out and hit the door beside me.


    "Steffanie! I called you ten minutes ago. "A man snarls, making me freeze on my spot.


    My eyes take in the fallen papers, then rise to the elder man''s face in front of me. He is a bald man whose face is turning red like a tomato, probably with anger.


    "Who are you?" Lines appear on Mr. Costello''s forehead as he sneers.


    "Uhm, I am Grace... "I trail off, wondering why he looks more pissed off now.


    "The girl hired by the CEO''s office?" He hisses, startling me.


    Sir I-"Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Don''t give me excuses, collect the papers ande here. " Mr. Costello yells making me jump.


    Nodding, I crouch down and start gathering the papers. His re remains on me, killing the little confidence I had. Now I am sure I won''t be treated like a normal employee at all. "What did you do?" He questions, as I rise.


    "What, Sir? "Gulping, I walk towards his desk and ce the papers on it politely.


    "What did you do to get the job? Did you sleep with assistant Luca or was it Marick, that Old man?" He asks, his eyes dropping to my chest.


    For a moment, my head goes nk. I can''t muster up any words or think of a response.


    "I don''t... "I whisper.


    "Ohe on, you can answer that simple question, right? Or was it both and you are embarrassed?" He grins, fixing the tie of his suit.

 Capable

    Grace


    I grit my jaw, barely controlling the rage that makes my blood boil. "Maybe you know people that do things like that, Mr. Costello, but I am not like them. Please refrain from verbal harassment."


    "Verbal harassment?" He snarls, shooting up from his seat.


    I clench my hands into fists, standing my ground. "Yes, Mr. Costello. It''s verbal harassment. You are saying things that are making me ufortable."


    He rounds the table with a speed that makes me take a step back.


    "Y You think you are all that just because you slept with a higher-up, huh?" He sneers, closing the distance between us. " but you are just one of their adventures. They don''t give a fuck what happens with you down here as long as they have paid you by getting you this job.


    "Why do you assume that I got this job because of a vulgar reason like that? " My eyes narrow on him.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    He sizes me up, from head to toe, his gaze leering. Ufortably, I shift my weight from one foot to another. Suddenly, he grabs my upper arm and drags me to the ss wall to our right. I gasp, struggling to free myself. "Mr. Costello. Take your hands off me!"


    "Look. "He hisses, pointing a finger towards the others working on their desks.


    I free my arm and take a step away from him before following his gaze.


    "They are all high achievers. They have graduated from the best colleges in the fucking world and have done internships in one of the three bigpanies. They have talent, experience, and awards. Some of them have won national and internationalpetitions and designed buildings that are appreciated internationally. What credentials do you have?" He rants, his voice loud and shrieky.


    My palms sweat as I stare at the efficient people, working tirelessly on their spots. A pang hits my heart, making me press my quivering lips together.


    If Lily hadn''t taken everything from me, if Mom and Dad had allowed me to attend the college I was epted into...if I was not used to doing everything they wanted from me...


    I would have impressive credentials just like the people working on this floor-a floor that is just beneath the CEO''s office, a floor where the most talented and cherished people of this corporation work day and night to make things happen.


    "What do you have?" Mr. Costello scoffs sarcastically. "Your body? And a beautiful face? That''s it?!"


    "I can... prove myself. " I whisper. Even if I don''t have the credentials, I believe I have talent. Tristin believes so too.


    "How? Do you want me to let you work on a project?" He chuckles, walking back to his table.


    "Yes." I state hesitantly and turn to face him. "Give me a chance, Mr. Costello, and I will prove that I am not a useless addition here."


    "You can ask your higher-up to force me to do that for you. That way I will know who is your connection." He grins, his teeth showing.


    I sigh. This is all a joke to him.


    "I will not ask anyone to do anything for me. I will prove to you that I am capable. "I insist, running my hands down my skirt.


    I don''t know why I am reasoning with a man like that. It''s all so stupid.


    But...I have to find my footing. I can''t keep relying on Tristin for everything.


    "Capable?" He rolls his eyes and snatches the paper from the table. "Go in the kitchen and make coffee for everyone. That''s what you are good for." Surprised, I stand there for some time. Is this a sarcastic remark or an order?


    "What the fuck are you searching on my face?! Go do what I asked you to do." He snaps loudly, sending me scurrying towards the door.


    I release a breath on my way out and walk back to the blonde girl. This time, she picks up her head.


    Are you leaving?" She asks.


    Her eyes drip with disdain for me just like Mr. Costello. So all these people think I got here by jumping thedder and they hate for me for it? Most of it is true, yes. But I am notpletely hopeless. I can work.


    I sigh. "where is the kitchen?"


    She scans me from head to toe, like that team manager did just now before pointing her finger towards the right.


    "In the right corner. " She says. "I want two spoons of sugar in my ck coffee. "


    Dumbfounded, I stare at her. How does she know-


    "Boss makes sure that nepotism cases like you start from there." She exins before my thoughts run wild.


    I nod curtly and approach the kitchen. Someone starts from somewhere, right? It can''t be that bad. I just got insulted and humiliated but it''s still better than not having a job at all.


    But I am proved wrong. When I make the coffee and deliver it to every desk, they ept it without thanks. When I give the coffee to Mr. Costello, he throws the cup on the floor and starts shouting.


    "Is this what you are capable of?! Go make it again and make it less bitter."


    I turn to leave but he issues another order. " Clean the ce before you go.


    11


    I nce down at my feet that got sshed with the burning hot coffee before looking up again. It''s fine. Everything will be alright.


    I grab tissues from his desk and wipe the floor clean while he watches with those disgusting eyes. Then, I pick up the empty disposable cup and walk out of the office.


    The rest of my day until lunch time is spent with making multiple cups of coffee for that team manager while he keeps throwing it in my face every single time before making me wipe the office clean and sending me for another cup again.


    By the time, the floor people gather for lunch and leave...I am exhausted and my feet are turning red. But I am relieved. At least, they are all leaving and I won''t have to endure this torture for some time.


    They shoot me skeptical looks on the way out and don''t bother asking me if I want to join. My throat clogs as thest person steps into the elevator and the doors close.


    Sighing, I slump against a desk and remove my feet from the heels. I might get blisters if I don''t apply an ointment on the burns.


    Nibbling on my lips, I look around but find nothing for help. Even my stomach is starting to hurt.


    Suddenly, the elevator doors ding open again. I put the heels back hurriedly and look up to find Luca strolling towards me. His eyes scan the empty space beforending on me.


    "Ms. Whitlock. Boss wants you in his office." He tells me as he nears me.


    I look around the space and nod slowly. "Please lead the way."


    Luca leads me to the elevator and to the top floor. We step out into avish corridor. The ck-and-white space appears clean and expensive.


    I look around the corridor, then at the desk in one corner and the big ck door at the other end.


    To my relief, the reception desk is vacant.


    "Boss made sure no one knows just like you wanted. " Luca informs, noticing my stare towards the desk.


    "Oh. " My cheeks warm up.


    We approach the double ck door before Luca takes his leave. "Please go inside."


    I nod, knocking on the door. My heart misses a strange beat as I open it and step into the cold office.


    Instantly, my eyes are drawn to the huge mahogany table at the end and the man sitting behind it on his executive chair.


    When he senses my stare, Tristin nces up and rotates the pen he is holding in his fingers. His gaze lowers to my body as if scanning me but it carries a distinct coldness. It''s not like that of Mr. Costello. He doesn''t make me ufortable. "Little butterfly." His voice sounds breathy.


    "You wanted me to-"


    Suddenly, his gaze lifts to my eyes, cutting me off. "What happened to your feet?"

 Bend the Knee

    Grace


    "What happened to your feet?"


    Surprised, I look down, and my nose scrunches. My feet don''t seem to be in a good condition.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I spilled coffee on- "


    I pick up my head and get stunned into silence. Tristin is already halfway across the office, approaching me with long strides.


    I close my hanging jaw and swallow. He rolls his sleeves up, disying his veiny arms and nk ink peeking from underneath the white shirt.


    My gaze lowers to his forearms before I quickly lift my eyes to his face again. He stops one step away, his eyes narrowed on my feet. "Who did it?" He inquires in a grave voice.


    My shoulders stiffen. "I spilled coffee on my feet identally."


    "And you are walking around instead of applying ointment on the burns?" Slowly, his eyes find mine, and a strange emotion shes across them. "I...didn''t get...the time. "I whisper, uneasy about how he is investigating the whole situation.


    "You didn''t get the time for what?" He asks and grabs my arm without warning.


    Tristin. "I gasp in shock.


    He turns around and drags me to the couch. "Sit."


    With a heavy heart, I take my seat and look up again. "I was about to apply the "


    "Did it not hurt?" Tristin asks, turning away from me to walk to his desk.


    "It did but I can bear it. "I reply softly.


    "You can bear it?" He sounds like he finds my excuse ridiculous.


    "Of course. It''s not like I got cut in half. It''s just some burns and they will heal in some time. " I assure him, not knowing why I am even doing it.


    Maybe, his sudden reaction caught me off guard. No one has ever inquired about my pain like this before. Even Ethan always told me that fever is just fever, cuts are just cuts, and burns are just burns-they heal and we don''t need to make a fuss over them.


    I remember...when I spilled oil all over my hands once and showed it to Ethan. He was annoyed about it. He asked me what he could do if I was stupid enough to spill oil over me. He was not a doctor, and I didn''t need to show the burns to him. I sigh. I don''t know why I am even remembering those memories right now.


    "So just because you can bear it, you don''t mind if it continues to hurt? " Tristin''s deep voice sounds close.


    I shake off the thoughts and focus on the man who is in front of me again. Our eyes meet, and my head goes nk.


    The lifeless look in his eyes is so profound that it hides every other emotion, making him appear more dead than alive. And somehow... It bothers me a little, somehow it tells me that I should be wary of what he is hiding behind this facade. I start with a frown between my brows," Mr. Roberto-"


    "Tristin. " He interrupts and shifts his focus to his arms.


    I follow his gaze, noticing how he rolls his sleeves further up and ignores mepletely.


    Suddenly, a knock sounds on the office''s door, and Luca enters a momentter. I nce towards him curiously, only to see him holding an ointment.


    "Boss." He approaches us and hands the ointment to Tristin.


    Go have lunch, Luca." Tristin says, dismissing him coldly.


    "Yes, Boss." The other man strolls out as fast as he came and leaves me alone with this strange man.


    Sighing, I direct my gaze towards him. "Give it to me. I will apply it and be on my way."


    Tristin hands me the tube without much protest. My shoulders lose some of the tension.


    I take my eyes off him, remove my heels, and try to bend down or pull my legs up so I can apply the ointment but the skirt is too tight around my waist.


    My cheeks warm at the struggle as I twist and turn to reach my feet. Alma is a sweetheart indeed for getting me these clothes, but she doesn''t know my size. From the corner of my eyes, I see Tristin looming over my head, his sharp stare fixed on me. Blinking, I avert my gaze and curse at myself in my head. Why do I have to embarrass myself in front of him like that?


    "You are too stubborn for your own good, Little Butterfly." He clicks his tongue, mocking me. "And you are too interested in me. Why can''t you just look away?" I scoff, giving up on twisting.


    I feel like having a mental breakdown and crying right now. This day can''t get any worse.


    Out of nowhere, his handes into my view and he snatches the tube back. My heart lurches.


    Instinctively, I reach out to the tube but he is already bending down. I gasp, pressing my thighs tightly together.


    The length of the skirt is not too ideal either. Oh, sweetheart Alma. You messed me up.


    Tristin notices my tense body and pauses in his way. His brows lift to his forehead, his eyes finding mine and giving me a curious look.


    "It''s not...appropriate, Tristin. "I whisper under my breath.


    "Because you are married?" He is so close, that I can see the depth of the blue in his eyes. For a moment, my head goes nk again and I go silent.


    "That...and... "I shake my head. "I am..."


    His gaze lowers to my taut tights, making me ce my hands over them and pull my skirt down. The strange emotion passes through his gaze once more, causing heat to rise to my cheeks.


    "I get it. " Tristin rises to his height, towering over me.


    "Thank God. "I blurt without much thought as I watch him return to his desk.


    "At least, give me the ointment so I can apply it. " I twist to my right to my reach my feet, without ripping my skirt from the side.


    A momentter, his shiny ck shoes appear in my sight. I gulp, my hands clenching into fists.


    I am so done with this pushy behavior.


    "Tristin, you need to- "


    Tristin bends a knee and ces his suit jacket on myp. Pulling it up, he covers my waist and legs. The unexpected gesture makes me speechless.


    "If something makes you ufortable, you need to speak about it and find a solution. "His deep voice echoes in my ears as I stare at his forehead.


    Even when he is kneeling, he can easily reach my face. But he doesn''t look at me. His eyes are fixed on my feet while my eyes are roaming down his face as I attempt to understand him for the nth time.


    "It''s still not appropriate. I am married. You shouldn''t touch a married woman''s feet. "I repeat his words, my hands dropping to the couch to grab the edges. " why are you even doing this? You are not someone who kneels for others, or touches their feet, are you?"


    "If it makes youfortable, I am a medical school dropout. You can consider me your doctor? Or half-doctor?" He dodges the bullet with a smirk on his lips.


    And sessfully manages to divert my attention. " you went to medical school?"


    "Is it that hard to believe?" Tristin rolls his eyes and runs his finger down my right foot.


    "You are such a mystery. "I mumble, ncing down at his hands that are applying the ointment on my feet.


    I don''t know why...but my heart feels heavy in my chest. Did someone ever...do this for me before?


    And why do I keep thinking the same thing when I am with Tristin Roberto?


    It feels like he has noticed my unusual silence, so he looks up. From close, our eyes meet and his gaze narrows.


    "What kind of life did you spend, Little Butterfly?" His breaths hit my face, making me aware of our proximity. " did you not even expect the bare minimum from anyone?"


    No.


    I didn''t know I deserved the bare minimum.


    The words are on the tip of my tongue but it''s tied. How pathetic does one have to be to be like me?


    "What did she...do to your family? And why do you insist on...being nice to me?" I blurt what''s been on my mind, forgetting that his fingers are still on my feet.


    His eyes darken. The air around us turns cold. The mention of Lily changes him into this vengeful spirit who looks ready to murder anything and anyone in his path to get to that one person.


    He opens his mouth, almost says something to me, but the door bursts open before he can. Startled, my head snaps to the right and the world freezes.


    "Ethan. " I whisper, shocked to see him standing there, his eyes turning bloodshot in anger.

 Stop Acting

    Grace


    Ethan''s gaze traces Tristin''s figure before dropping on my legs, his jacket, and slowly meeting my gaze again.


    His eyes be intense, almost promising torture and pain. If looks could kill, I would be long dead.


    "Ah, Ethan Calder. "Tristin rises, a cold smile ying on his lips.


    Ethan doesn''t take his eyes off me. It makes me nervous, and ashamed. It feels like I got caught doing something wrong. But I was not doing...anything like that.


    That line of thoughts makes me stiffen. Even if I do something wrong, what does it mean to Ethan?! It''s not like he is a saint.


    "You are desperate for a divorce. Can''t wait to get in your lover''s bed without any remorse? " Ethan scoffs, each word dripping with venom.


    I narrow my eyes on him. " You are the one who was desperate for divorce, did you forget?!"


    "You refused it then. You were so whiny about leaving me." He walks closer, his eyes fixed solely on me.


    "I was a fool back then. I didn''t know how cruel you were!" I reply, standing from my spot so I don''t feel small when he is approaching me with such a dangerous look.


    "Wrong. You wanted to continue to make a fool out of me. And now that I know your truth and worth, you suddenly don''t feel like staying my wife!" He hisses, throwing papers in my face suddenly. Gasping, I step back but don''t get hit. Tristines in front of me, blocking my view of an enraged Ethan.


    "I suggest you consider your actions carefully, Ethan." Tristin says, his tone icy.


    The temperature in the office drops, making me shudder. I nce at the papers lying beside Tristin''s feet. ''Divorce agreement'' is written in bold letters on them.


    A frown appears between my brows. I didn''t send the divorce papers to Ethan yet.


    "Now you will tell me how to deal with MY wife?" Ethan growls.


    "If I have to." Tristin replies cooly.


    I take my eyes off the papers and look up, just in time to see Ethan closing the distance between him and Tristin. He punches Tristin''s face, causing him to stumble a few steps back. Unconsciously, I rush back, my spine hitting the desk and making me wince.


    "You fucker! " Ethan hisses, raising his fist again but Tristin grabs his cor in time and throws him back.


    In moments, the scene turns into a messy brawl. Tristin hovers over Ethan, punching his face for a few seconds before Ethan takes over.


    My heartbeat esctes as I watch inplete horror. They beat each other up.


    "Your psycho brother tortured Lily all this time. " Ethan snarls, his fist connecting with Tristin''s cheek. " and now you are after my wife, asshole?!"


    Tristinughs coldly. " yes, I am after your wife. I am going to keep her by my side and fuck her whenever I want! What can you do?"


    The ground slips from beneath my feet. His cruel words strike a deep part of my heart. I clench my fists, as Tristin pushes Ethan on his back and begins punching him violently.


    Blood stains their clothes, their lips and noses bleeding but they continue to go back and forth.


    "The bastard she carried was yours, wasn''t it?! " Ethan shouts, his face bing a mess.


    Tristin''s fist halts mid-air as he res at the man whose cor he is still gripping. My heart sinks, as I wait for Tristin to deny it.


    I can bear anything. If Ethan believes I am a whore and cheated on him during our marriage, it''s fine. If he thinks I never once loved him and deceived him, I don''t care. If he believes I am a liar and a cold-hearted bitch, he can dly misunderstand. But...whenever he points a finger at my child that I lost because of him, my heart breaks all over again. It feels like my child can''t catch a break even in death and this world seems so dark.


    "What would you do if it was?" Tristin smirks, making me freeze on my spot.


    Ethan''s re intensifies. With a hard push, he throws Tristin away. They both get to their feet and start hitting each other again.


    My breathing feelsbored. I move my back off the desk and approach them.


    "Stop it. " I whisper.


    "I will fucking kill you. " Ethan yells, punching Tristin''s stomach.


    "It won''t change anything. You will still be a fool, Calder." Tristin''s smirk widens.


    These two always appear stoic and calm. But in this moment, they seem like wild animals after each other''s life.


    "Stop it! "I hiss, grabbing Ethan''s arm to stop him from hitting Tristin.


    He pushes me back. I yelp, as my feet give out from under me and the side of my head hits the edge of the desk. Instantly, my head spins. ck dots appear in my sight, blinding me to the world.


    "Grace! " Tristin yells my name.


    I shake my head and touch the right side. The warm liquid coats my fingers, sending a shudder down my back.


    "Asshole." He mutters under his breath as his hands touch my wrists and pull down my arms.


    "Don''t fucking touch her. "Another cold voice joins in.


    My ears start ringing with the intensity of pain. I slip back, wanting to get away from both of them.


    "I didn''t mean to hurt you like this. " Ethan whispers worriedly.


    "You You always-do." I stutter, blinking to clear my vision.


    They are on either side of me, staring at me in concern. My gaze meets Ethan''s dark eyes. I suck in a sharp breath as I find his hand rising to my cheek. Instinctively, I slip away and into Tristin''s arm. He catches me and pulls me closer. My heart drowns as Ethan takes me in, before ring at Tristin.


    "Get Get out of...my life... Ethan. "I whisper, pressing my palm to my bleeding wound again.


    His eyes harden and lower to my stare. "I won''t let you get away so easily, Gracie. You will pay for each betrayal, each lie, and each false confession of love."


    Like his eyes, my eyes harden on him too. I don''t feel the need to correct him. He has been betraying me all this time, so why does he care if I did the same to him? Why did Lily even feel the need to tell him these lies? "For now...why don''t you...go back to your Lily?" I try to hiss but only manage a wince.


    "In simple words, you should get lost before I am forced to kick you out." Tristin adds, holding my arms firmly.


    "You believe I will leave you here?" Ethan smirks and grabs my wrist, tugging me towards him harshly." You areing with me, dear wife. We are not divorced yet.


    I jerk my wrist free and p him with the same hand, causing his head to turn to the side.


    11N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    "Don''t touch me with those filthy hands again!" My energy returns even if my head continues to spin with pain. " Ethan Calder, you are a monster who feels pity for no one!" His face remains turned to the side for a long time as he takes some deep breaths. I curl my fist, pulling it back to myself.


    Suddenly, he faces me, cruelty dripping from his cold eyes. His fingerse up to touch my chin gently.


    "Your Grandma contributed a lot to the Whitlock Corporation, didn''t she?" He says, his lips morphing into a ruthless smile.


    "You need another beating. "Tristin hisses, his muscles tensing against my back.


    "You wouldn''t want me to destroy everything she held dear now, would you?" His voice drops, making me swallow. "Dickhead, I am going to¡ª"


    "Go ahead. Do your worst." I interrupt Tristin, and hold onto his forearm tightly. " do whatever you think will scare me and see if you can control me. I am waiting and watching!" Ethan stares at me for a while, without caring that my head is still bleeding.


    "You will regret it. When youe beggingter, I won''t go easy on you." He utters threateningly and storms out without looking back.


    Just as the door closes with a bang, I crawl away from Tristin. My ears are ringing and my heart is about to break out of my ribcages.


    Ethan is not someone who backs out of his threats.


    Grace. " Tristin whispers softly and approaches me again.


    "Stop acting now. "I mumble, keeping my eyes on the floor.

 Pity

    Grace


    "Let me see. "Tristin lifts his hand towards me, disregarding my words altogether.


    I sigh sarcastically. " there is no need. I know just how much you care about these things."


    "Grace. " His voice hardens.


    I press my lips in a thin line and get to my wobbly legs. I need to get this through my head-if Ethan is a calctive man, Tristin is not too different.


    They are men of power, bred and raised into this cruel world to get whatever they want at any cost. Their care is only reserved for the people they find useful.


    "I told you before, I will pay the price for your help. And I know that''s what you want. So as long as we are on the same side, you can drop the nice act and remain your true self-the man you were just now. The man who didn''t think twice before saying... "I trail off, unable to keep going.


    My gaze lowers to his neutral eyes. For a second there, I wasparing him to others in my life, and believing that he is a little better than them.


    In that moment, I forgot who he is and why I am here.


    "You still care about him, don''t you? You care about what he thinks of you and me." Tristin''s lips curl into a cold smirk.


    My shoulders stiffen. " that''s not really your business. Whether I care about him or not, you don''t have the right to say those things about me. Because you and I both know, there is nothing between us and never will be." "Is that so?" He gets up, towering over me dangerously.


    Unconsciously, I take my hand off the side of my head and stumble one step back.


    My voice rises as I say, "Yes. So why did you try to make Ethan believe that there is? How dare you try to bring my child into this?!"


    Suddenly, his eyes be crueler, a certain threatening emotion flickering across them. His palm closes around my upper arm and pulls me in.


    I gasp, my eyes widening at the sudden jerk. "Tristin."


    He leans down, ring into my eyes. "You have no idea what else I can dare to do. That''s why I suggest...don''t raise your voice at me. I am not your enemy yet. Don''t do anything to turn me into one, Little Butterfly."


    I don''t struggle, don''t try to pull away. Like a statue, I stand my ground, ring back at him.


    "And whether you care about Ethan or not is my fucking business because the moment you go back to him and choose to be on his side will be the moment you be my enemy. I will not... " His eyes trace the path of the warm liquid down my cheek, as his voice lowers. "take pity on you."


    "Right now, do you pity me?" I blurt, my head tilting to the side.


    Tristin''s gaze meets my eyes. His lips part slightly but no words leave his mouth. He searches my eyes, a frown forming between his brows.


    It feels like an eternity passes just like this. I wait and he struggles to answer.


    Slowly, his hold loosens over my arm. Then, he lets go and steps away.


    "Now that I think about it, I don''t think I do. " He admits, tearing his gaze from mine and looking at the side of my head instead.


    "You will be better off without that pity. "I step forth and jab his chest. "Because the moment you do, you will realize how wrong you are. I am a woman who has nothing to lose Tristin, and if you can think you can take anything from me, or harm me by bing my enemy, you are wrong. If Ethan Calder can not scare me, you can''t either, Tristin Roberto. Get this through your head.


    His brows lift, his eyes taking in my finger on his chest before he looks at me and smiles in amusement. Not the usual smirk, or grin that sets me off, but a small smile as he finds my words funny.


    "Never try to bring my child into your revenge n again. " I whisper, pulling my hand back to my side.


    "I won''t if it hurts you." His voice softens.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I blink. Is he joking or mocking me? How did he just go from threatening me toplying with my words?


    Tristin raises his hand towards me for the second time. I freeze, watching his frown as his fingers lightly brush against the wound on my head.


    "You are bleeding. Let me call the doctor to make sure you are alright." He takes his hand away.


    "No need. I have to go back after the lunch break. "I tell him, touching my head again.


    It hurts, but I can''t bring myself to care. I have suffered wounds worse than this scratch on my head.


    "You are taking the rest of the day off." Tristin picks the receiver and says.


    "I am not. "I scowl at him." stop deciding everything for me."


    "I am the Boss. I can-"


    "Tristin. "I interrupt, wanting to focus on the main issue here despite feeling the dull ache in my head and somewhere in my heart.


    He pauses, the receiver hanging in the air. I swallow, refusing to look at the divorce papers that still lie on the ground beside my feet.


    "Did you send him the divorce papers?" I ask, staring at him.


    "You want to divorce him, don''t you? You were dying sending him the papers so I helped you." His face bes a mask of indifference.


    Do you actually believe he will let


    me go this easily?" I scoff, pointing


    at the papers. " he will never sign


    them because he wants to make me suffer more. I don''t know what goes through his head after everything he did, but I just know, Ethan will never back down. That''s why I didn''t send him the papers. It''s useless.


    "1


    A brief silence ensues between us. Tristin''s eyes flicker to my head, before lowering to the papers.


    "Do you have a n in mind?" He questions as a smirk pulls at his lips.


    I nod slowly. " the only way he will give up is when his beloved woman is in deep trouble."


    "Lily Whitlock." Tristin whispers, looking up at me.


    "Yes, Lily Whitlock. He will do everything to save her. "I lean in and grab some tissues from the tissue box ced over his desk.


    "I have some things that can help you." Tristin rounds the table andes to stand in front of me.


    Unconsciously, I crane my neck, paying attention to the big height difference between us. I barely reach his shoulders when I am not wearing heels.


    "I am meeting her tonight. She will give me everything that will help me destroy her and Ethan Calder. "I reply, a wicked idea brewing in my head.


    After Ethan''s shenanigans today, he


    is in for a surprise bigger than before. If he doesn''t care about the video circting everywhere, he will definitely care about the one he will be getting tomorrow.

 I am Here

    Grace


    After surviving Mr. Costello''s taunts and jabs for the rest of the day, I feel like fainting. The side of my head has gone numb by the time I step out of the tall tower.


    To add to my misery, it''s raining. Workers rush to their cars in the parking or hail cabs to get home while I stand in front of the tower, looking around.


    My phone buzzes in my hand, making me sigh and nce at the message. As expected, it''s Lily.


    She could never stop herself from texting me to meet after watching the video that was circting everywhere.


    I open her texts and read them.


    -We are sisters, Grace. How can you stoop so low as you try to harm my reputation?


    I roll my eyes at the tone she used. She still thinks she can manipte me.


    The next text reads: I am ready to forgive you if youe over and meet at Club Euphoria at 8. I have made reservations in the VIP room. Just tell them my name and they will lead you up.


    I go over the two texts numerous times. Hate brews in my heart, while anger threatens to take over me.


    This is the same tactic she used to lure me into her trap before. Thest time I went to the location she sent, a man was already waiting for me there. I barely escaped from getting assaulted by him.


    Back then, I didn''t believe Lily did it deliberately. She said the staff led me to the wrong room and it was their fault. I was so stupid that I believed a random man who didn''t know me, who barely got to even nce my way would try to force his way with me out of nowhere. Because I was so ashamed of what happened, I couldn''t even tell Ethan about it or report the man.


    And the truth came out only when she disyed those false pictures at her birthday party.


    That day, I was not only livid with her. I hated myself too. How could I fall for such lousy lies? How was it so easy to fool me?


    I type a quick reply to her: Will be there at 8.


    The two ticks beside the message let me know that she read it already.


    I clench the phone tightly between my hand and look up.


    Before I can step forth and find my way to the club, a familiar ck cares to a halt in front of me, blocking my path.


    Some workers around me gasp, before gossiping among themselves.


    "It''s the CEO''s car, right?"


    "What is the CEO doing here?"


    A frown etches between my brows. I re at the tinted ss that rolls down a little.


    "Get in." Blue eyes find their way to me as hemands.


    "I"


    "Get in, Grace." His voice is stern and demanding.


    I look around, at the women and men staring at me some are surprised, while some are looking me up and down with a hateful look in their eyes. Gulping, I rush to the backseat and slip inside before it gets more awkward. As soon as I sit, the car zooms away, leaving the peering eyes behind.


    "Tristin. "I squeal, facing him, only to find him already busy reading a file.


    My frown deepens. "I told you I don''t want to cause a scene. I wanted to work as a regr employee instead of announcing to everyone that I am here because of you." "You are working as a regr employee. " He states, without sparing me a nce.


    "Do you provide pick and drop service to all regr employees?" I scoff, folding my arms across my chest.


    "I can if you want me to." His voice is static, with no emotions whatsoever.


    I gawk at him, at a loss of words to continue this conversation. What''s the need for such weird words between us?


    "Why would you do something I want you to do?" I mumble under my breath, my heartbeat escting.


    "Because... " Tristin lifts his head, his gaze cutting to mine intensely. "I want to keep you on my side willingly."


    Willingly. My heart misses a beat.


    If he had told this to someone else, she might have been smitten with these cheesy words. But all I can focus on is the simple term-willingly.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    What happens if I don''t remain on his side willingly? The question echoes in my mind as our eyes remain locked.


    "Where did she ask you to meet her?" His deep voice pulls me out of the trance.


    I break eye contact and look out the window first. "At the Euphoria Club. I have to get there by 8. "


    "Luca. Take us to the Euphoria Club. " Tristin calls his man who is driving the car.


    "Yes, Boss." He replies curtly.


    "Why are youing along?" I question curiously.


    "Are you going like this?" Tristin asks instead of answering me.


    "Like what?" I look down at my clothes, a blouse and a skirt with heels. What''s wrong with it?


    My gaze is drawn towards his face as I try to find what''s wrong. Tristin leans in and pulls the ponytail free from my hair.


    I yelp, touching my aching scalp. My eyes re at him. " why did you do that?"


    "


    Do you always appear in front of


    Lily like this and make a fool out of yourself? What do you want to show her? That you are suffering and working full-time to support yourself after they kicked you out?" Tristin''s


    In


    eyes narrow on me.


    belongs


    "For your information, they didn''t kick me out. I left. And what''s wrong with working?" I purse my lips.


    Tristin looks at me as if he can''t believe he is having this conversation with me or as if I am too dumb to understand what he is trying to say to me.


    "You are impossible, Little Butterfly." He nods to himself.


    "What? Should I wear a short dress, get a handsome man to apany me, and dance my way to her?" I retort, lifting my brows.


    An awkward silence hangs in the air. His eyes narrow some more before he sighs exaggeratedly and looks away.


    I do the same. I should think before I speak.


    "You are so different. I like it. "I hear him mumble under his breath.


    "What did you say?" My ears perk up.


    "Nothing to you. " Tristin leans back and goes back to reading his document.


    My heart threatens to beat out of my chest as I direct my gaze to the road again. Is Tristin trying to trap me in another one of his schemes? Why would he like anything about me? And...


    I swallow, slipping closer to the door. What is this weird energy between us, a heavy tension that makes it hard for me to stay in the same space as him?


    I steal a nce at his side profile before sighing to myself. Pushing the questions at the back of my mind, I focus on the way to the club, all the while flinching every time he flips a paper.


    Soon, we are outside the club and I


    can finally understand what Tristin was talking about. The club is a high-end ce where peoplee, dressed to their best, and my basic


    attire is not fit to even pass me as a staff member inside there.


    But I shouldn''t care. I can''t waste my time with these formalities and miss the chance to pull Lily down.


    I open the door." Thanks for the ride. I will return to your home when I am- "


    "I am waiting here. " Tristin interrupts in his raspy voice.


    "What?" I breathe, freezing on my way out of the car.


    "I am waiting here, Grace. If


    something goes wrong, all you have to do is to call me and I will be there. My number is already on your contact list." He says, his voice deep and dismissive.


    en FindNovel


    The ground beneath my feet turns to mush. I struggle to stay inside or get out or form any coherent thoughts.


    "Don''t you... "A lump forms in my throat. "Don''t you have important work to do? Why waste your time on me?"


    "I am here. I will not leave without you." Tristin asserts, instead of answering me.


    I can''t help but look his way. The moment my eyes meet his steady gaze, assuring and soothing, my hold tightens over the door.


    I know he is acting. I know he is not what he shows me. I know everything.


    But I can''t stop myself from feeling this strangefort in my chest. To have someone wait on me, to make sure I am alright, even if it''s a beautiful lie...it still warms my cold heart.


    I nod at him reluctantly and walk away from before I forget who he is again.

 Drugged

    Grace


    The man walking me up the stairs opens the VIP reserved room. I don''t step inside until my eyes fall on Lily who is already lounging on the couch, ring at the people dancing on the dance floor below. Instantly, a wave of anger and disdain runs down my body, taking over every inch of me.


    Every time that I see her, I hear her voice from that day. You stole what was mine. I never share, Gracie. You should have known.


    It''s like a constant jab at my heart before I recall what followed. The memories of bleeding out on the road and losing one thing that mattered the most to me, at the hands of the people I loved and trusted... Those memories will never leave me alone.


    "Grace." Lily hisses, like a snake, and my trance breaks.


    I direct my neutral gaze at her. She smiles, her lips curling into a threatening gesture.


    "Come take a seat. "


    I take small steps towards the red couch opposite her and sit there, my eyes remaining on her coldly.


    Gracie." She sighs, leaning back.


    I take in her short ck dress that barely covers her thighs. Her hair is curled to perfection while her makeup looks so put together, that it seems like her natural face.


    She looks like the winner of a beauty pageant, with not even a hair out of its ce. While, I look like a in everyday woman, who sticks out like a sore thumb wherever she goes.


    Once again, I admit... Lily is and has always been remarkable. And I can notpare to her.


    But I won''t let that thought force me into submission towards her.


    "Lily. What do you want?" I breathe, rxing on the couch.


    Lily''s gaze sweeps over me in a mocking manner. " I see you have been doing alright. "


    "Come to the point. "I keep my voice leveled and low.


    "Look, Gracie. I am not your enemy." She raises her arms in surrender. " You know I loved Ethan long before you did. And it''s true that I left him because of you. I knew you loved him and I couldn''t bear to take him away from you. " She pauses, waiting for me to react but I just nod. " so you always knew?"


    Her eyes shine in victory. She thinks she has managed to manipte me again. She thinks I will believe her after everything she did to me.


    What a joke!


    "Yes, little sister. I always knew and I cared so much about you that, I couldn''t dare to marry him. That''s why I left, to give you a chance at your happiness. I thought I was far better than you. I could always find love in someone else, given that I had so many admirers while you had none." Lily flips her hair arrogantly, and rants.


    Her words are intended to weaken my resolve and drive a nail deep into my heart so she can find an opening to manipte me further.


    "But I was wrong. Everywhere that I went, Ethan''s thoughts followed me. I could forget my family, and let Sebastian abuse me but I could never forget Ethan. I just..." She sniffles, tears welling in her eyes. "I just loved him so much, Gracie. Every moment that I spent without him, it felt like my heart was weakening with pain."


    I nod again. "I get it."


    "You do?" Shock paints her features, making her forget that she is supposed to fake cry right now.


    "Yes, I do Lily. " I whisper, my eyes peering into her confused orbs. " I understand that you loved him so much that you couldn''t forget about him and you came back to get him again."


    She thinks I will believe that. After knowing how Ethan and Lily have been plotting for some time to take everything from me, I can''t help but find Lily funny.


    "That''s" Lily trails off." That''s good. So, it means there is no problem between us, right?"


    "You are forgetting something important, Lily. " I whisper, tapping the armrest patiently.


    "What? "A frown etches between her beautiful brows.


    "It''s not about Ethan." My body stiffens as I prepare to say the words I have been practicing. "I don''t care if you get him on your side or if you two spend the rest of your lives together. I don''t care about him anymore." Shock hits her again, making her lips press into a thin line. " what is it ab¡ª"


    "You made the father of my child question his own blood. "I interrupt. " if that was not enough for you Lily, you made him push me on the road that day and killed my innocent baby."


    Every inch of my heart bleeds at the mention of the one incident that has changed my life forever.


    I clench the couch and continue. "The baby didn''t do anything to you and Ethan, Lily. You could have punished me if you thought I took Ethan from you, but why did you have to...kill my and Ethan''s child?"


    She grits her jaw and stands up before hurrying to my side. "Show me your phone. "


    "What?" My eyes widen.


    "You are recording this again, right?" She hisses, snatching the phone from between my hands.


    "Lily. "I gasp, tears pooling in my eyes. " why would I do that? I thought you wanted to reconcile but that can''t happen if you don''t tell me why you did that to me! We can''t be sisters again if you don''t apologize for killing my unborn baby!" Hastily, Lily checks my phone but finds nothing on it. Her suspicious gaze flickers to my face.


    I get up and take my phone back. "I thought you called me here to talk. I know I did wrong by circting that video and I would have apologized too."


    I move past her and walk towards the door.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "If only you apologize for taking my


    child''s life, will forgive you and be


    your sister again. I won''t mind if your take Ethan because you have always taken things from me, Lily. "I pause in front of the door and let the tears faff freely from my eyes.


    "My projects, my dreams, my designs. You took everything and now you are here, telling me that I am useless. I guess, I was wrong toe here. I should leave. "I hiss, wiping my cheeks harshly.


    Lily''s eyes scan me from head to toe before she strolls in my direction, grabs my arm, and drags me back to the couch politely.


    "I am sorry, Gracie. So many things have gone wrong between us that I can''t help but suspect you."


    I sob, taking my seat on the couch once more. She hands me a ss of water. I eye it, cautious of the fact that Lily could have drugged it but I have no choice but to drink it to win her trust.


    "Please calm down. I am sorry." She pats my hair gently. But I can''t help but feel like she is petting her dog.


    "Do you feel sorry about my child?


    The baby that you killed mercilessly to get Ethan?" I whisper, handing the ss back to her. " do you apologize for making Ethan believe it''s not his child? Do you apologize for making Ethan call my innocent baby...a bastard-the result of


    infidelity?"


    Lily looks conflicted. Cunningly, her eyes scan my body again for any signs of a device that can record her face but she finds none.


    Suddenly, a cruel smirk curls her lips. She stops patting my head and seizes my chin between her soft fingers instead.


    Her predatory gaze tells me that the water was indeed drugged and its effects start to show the next moment. Heat spreads in my limbs, making me shift ufortably.


    ''Yes, my innocent sister." She


    whispers hatefully. "I am sorry for killing your child because Ethan can''t have children with you. How can you even dare to think about starting a family with him when you know he is mine? He told you he will leave you once I return, right? Why did you let yourself get pregnant then?"


    For a moment, everything freezes. Her confession and the fake apology brought tears to my eyes.


    I clench the couch again and whisper. "I never took him from you. You left him, Lily."


    "Because of you." she insists, rising to her feet. " and understand that I will do everything to keep him with me now. Even if it means I will have to drug you, send you to a man for a night, and record your scandal...I will do it." My blood runs cold in my veins. "Lily."


    "Once your video hits the inte, everyone will know I am not the evil sister. You are, Grace! " Lilyughs, her cruelty leaving me speechless.


    She walks on the opposite side of the couch." but you will understand, Gracie. It''s better this way. You can endure this much for my happiness, right?"


    Before she can grab her phone and call someone, I swiftly reach out and smash the ss on her head. She shrieks, falling to her knees as blood pours out of the fresh wound.


    "You crazy bitch!" She screams.


    I let the ss go, blood seeping through my fingers. "I told you, the next time we meet, I will show you what a crazy bitch looks like!"


    She continues to scream as she touches her hair, and reaches out to her phone. " I will not let this slide, Grace! I will make you pay, you bitch! It will not be one man tonight. I will let them all take turns on you and show you your worth." Knowing that her men might be on their way, I stagger towards the door hurriedly and pull it open. "No-Not anymore, Lily. It''s my time to show you your worth."


    The drug in my system makes my eyesight blurry. My body weakens as heat overtakes me and makes me ache for a man''s touch.


    She wanted me to enjoy the assault under the influence. Disgust fills my mind as I stumble out of the corridor only to encounter several men yelling at me to stop.


    Goosebumps rise on my skin. Instantly, I dial the one number saved on my phone, and the call is picked up at the first ring as if he has been waiting for me to call all along.


    Tristin. "I gasp.

 Help Me

    Grace


    "Catch her. "The four men in the distance yell, sprinting towards me.


    My phone drops on the floor. I bend down to pick it up, only to see them closing in on me. So, I rise and make a run for it again.


    The doors of the VIP rooms on this floor are closed. The staff members who see those men chasing me only step aside to give them way instead of saving me or asking the men why they are after me. My breathse out in pants as I take support of the wall and continue to stumble forth.


    What if... Tristin doesn''te?N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    Fear fuels my instinct to run faster but the drug''s effects are making it harder by the moment for me to see, to walk without stumbling over my feet.


    The heat has be a dangerous moltenva under my skin, making me shudder and writhe with everybored breath in.


    "Do you think you can run away?" The voice of the man from behind sounds so close to me.


    I nce over my shoulder, my blurry sight finding their wicked faces lit with leering grins. My feet tangle and I fall on my knees. "Where will you go now?" One of themughs, taking the lead toe to me faster.


    Dread grips me in a vice. I tremble and try to get to my feet again but my legs have be like jelly, refusing to bear my weight.


    My hands w at the floor as I try to crawl my way away from them. This only makes them mocker me harder.


    "Look at this little bitch. She will fight till the end."


    "I like my women feisty."


    "At least she won''t resist us. She will fight but in the end, she will be begging for more. " Fingers run through my hair before touching my earlobe.


    The dirty touch makes me crawl desperately. I won''t beg, and give in.


    The man behind me grabs my shoulder, and digs his fingers in, making me wince. "L-Leave me."


    His touch sends another aching wave of heat down my body. My head spins, refusing to be on my side.


    "Come on, Baby. We will not disappoint you. Your sister told us that you like it rough, so you will get it rough, I promise. " He chuckles.


    Goosebumps rise on my skin. Whenever I think Lily can''t stoop more low than she already did, she proves me wrong.


    "Y-You... "I twist my shoulder, wanting to free myself from the hot, dirty hand. " You will-You will regret it if youy a finger on me!" All of themugh mockingly. "And how will you make us regret it bitch? By crying louder?"


    "I like that! Do it harder! " One of them makes a fake crying sound.


    I grip the hand on my shoulder and try to pry it off. He grips my other shoulder and twists me around to face me.


    "Let''s not make a scene in the open, okay bitch? You don''t want everyone to watch you getting fucked by four men right?


    My blurry vision recovers just enough to let me see the viciousness and lust in his eyes as he looks me up and down. My spine turns cold. "Do-Don''t touch me." I stutter, shaking my head, my voice bing a mere whisper.


    I want to fight harder. I should. But my body doesn''t have any energy left.


    As I think my ill fate has caught up and I will have to pay a heavy price for securing the evidence of Lily''s cruelty, an icy voice sounds behind me. "You heard thedy. Don''t touch her."


    The man in front of me picks his head, only to have a foot kick him in the face. He falls back, his hands ripped away from my shoulders.


    I lift my gaze to the back that has appeared in front of me, blocking my view.


    The man cups his bleeding nose, and barks, "You-"


    "Mr. Roberto. " Others tremble, grabbing the fallen man and dragging him back.


    "Mr. Roberto. This woman is kicking a fuss. We are just dragging her out of the club. "Another one provides the excuse.


    I slump against the wall, my eyes fixed on the broad back. A breath of relief escapes my mouth while another wave of heat hits me, making me twist on the floor. Tristin walks ahead, stepping closer to the man still cupping his nose. "Mr. Rob-"


    Tristin grips his shoulder and drags him forward. My head spins harder, as the world goes ck before my eyes for a second.


    Screams pull me out of that abyss. I blink, trying to focus on the scene before me.


    Tristin has that man''s wrist between his hands, twisting and turning until it pops at a weird angle. The others don''te up to save him but plead for mercy as Luca moves past Tristin and deals with them.


    It looks like a scene from a movie as Tristin pushes him to the ground and punches his face. His eyes have a hint of that madness that always makes him appear like a soulless devil.


    My mind slips into darkness again, my hands gripping every surface I can find. I need something, some cold touch over my skin to get rid of this heat in my body.


    I whimper, dragging my nails across the carpet on the floor. My focus returns with a startled gasp. I see Tristin leaving the bleeding and screaming man on the floor. My eyelids grow heavy.


    A momentter, I see Tristin crouching before me. He is saying something but my attention is solely on his lips.


    No. I shake my head. This is wrong.


    "Little Butterly." His deep voice reverberates in my stomach, making my back arch.


    "Tris-Tristin. "I whimper, reaching for him.


    His arms slide under my body, scooping me up in bridal style. His cold touch makes my mind slip back into that dark space.


    I cling to his skin, the ache growing in my core, making me moan and sink my teeth into his neck.


    I sense his body freezing. He doesn''t move, not even an inch. I try to pull away, but my body is not under my control.


    "T-Touc-Touch me." I struggle to get the words out." Help. I-It hurts."


    My hands roam his chest, trying to


    find something to quench this deep ache. It''s starting to hurt so bad. It feels like will die if he doesn''t touch me now, if he doesn''t make me breathless with kisses, if his body is not against mine.


    "I will help you. "I hear his voice, so close to my lips.

 Cold Shower

    Grace


    "I will help you. "I hear his voice, so close to my lips.


    "Tristin. " I whimper, my lips pressing to his neck again.


    I am so aroused and needy that I feel like I will lose my mind if I don''t do something about it.


    My mind is in a haze,pletely disconnected with reality.


    My fingers weave in his hair, scratching his scalp while my lips trail a path down his skin, roaming every inch of him that I can find.


    "Grace." He calls me out." You will regret this. I am not Ethan. I am Tristin."


    His voice hits a cord deep inside me, making a full body shudder roll over me.


    "I-I know." But I can''t stop.


    His warm breaths hit my ear, pushing me over the edge of control. I squeeze my eyes shut, willing myself to stop.


    This is wrong. So wrong Grace.


    The ache turns into a pain so strong that it makes me struggle in his arms. I can sense him moving quickly while he talks to Luca. "Take these men. And let them know what happens when they touch a woman without her consent." His voice is low, and threatening. "Yes, Boss."


    "Call the doctor to the private room. I need him here as soon as possible! " Tristin hisses, walking faster as I whimper again.


    I can not handle this. My peaked nipples are scrapping against my bra while wetness pools in my panties. I am so damp that he can slide inside me with ease if he tries it right here and right now. NO. I shake my head. How can I even think about it?!


    "Just hold on, Little Butterfly. Just a little longer. " He whispers soothingly as my back lowers to a hot mattress.


    I shake my head from side to side, my hands clenching the sheets under me.


    "It''s-It''s too hot, Tristin. So-So hot!" I cry out, my back arching off the bed.


    His fingers brush over my forehead, sliding my sweaty hair away. " You will be fine. It''s temporary."


    I grab onto his wrist and struggle to bring his hand to my chest, or between my legs. I need him there, anything will do. Just a little touch.


    He grips my hand, and frees himself. "I won''t touch you. Even if you writhe and beg, I won''t touch you."


    My heart sinks. Embarrassment clings to my skin, in form of a blush. How can I stoop so low?


    "Tristin." I whisper his name the next moment, the shame apanying the need for his touch. " PI-Please. I-I will do anything you want. Please Please do something. Touch me. Please touch me." "The doctor ising." His hand grips my wrists and pin my hands above my head to stop me from reaching out to him.


    "I-I need you." I plead, tears clinging to myshes.


    Reluctantly, I open my eyes and see his face hovering just above mine. His eyes are dark, holding conflicting emotions. It''s like he is doing everything in his power to restrain himself.


    "P-Please, just once. " Tears roll down my cheeks, disappearing into my hair.


    Tristin releases aboured, rough breath and lowers his face. My tongue darts out, licking my dry lips.


    "Kiss Kiss me." I whisper, staring into his mysterious eyes.


    He searches my eyes, before his gaze drops to my wet lips. Something primal shes across his gaze, his nose brushing mine gently.


    Just when I think he will give in, he exhales, over my lips and leans away.


    "Not tonight, Little Butterfly. Not until I know you want it." He rasps breathlessly.


    "I-I do. If you don''t trust me, touch me between my legs. I am so wet, Tristin. It hu- "


    Shhh." He frowns.


    Tears continue to spill out of my eyes, uncontroble until I am sobbing in front of him pathetically.


    "This won''t do." Tristin sighs, and releases me.


    Instantly, I lunge for him, wanting to pull his face down and press my lips to his mouth but he beats me to it.


    Tristin''s hand drops to my waist and flips me to my stomach. I groan, shaking my butt to slip into his arms.


    "Don''t make this hard for me."


    Tristin growls in my ear


    dangerously. "I am already having a hard time saying no to you, so for fuck''s sake, stop wiggling that ass."


    en FindNovel


    Another full body shudder makes me gasp. I arch into him, not even listening to his words.


    "Fuck it." He hisses, picking me up with ease by snaking his arm around my waist.


    My back presses to his front, a moan slipping past my lips. He clicks his tongue, pulling us both down the bed.


    I kick my dangling legs and whine


    for more. His front is so hard against


    my back that it''s forcing me to


    .n


    imagine what it will feel like if we are both naked, skin to skin and


    passionate.


    en FindNovel


    "T-Tristin!" I squeal, wing at his arms and arching my back to have more of him against me.


    He is like water to the fire that is burning in my veins.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Not tonight like I said, Little Butterfly." Tristin sighs, carrying us to the bathroom.


    I kick my legs and try everything to just turn around but he is so strong, keeping me in ce.


    Before I can register it, we are already standing under the shower. He taps the cold water on.


    I fight to step away but he remains behind me, keeping me under the water that starts cascading down my body.


    I can sense him getting wet behind me. But he has no regard for himself as he holds me under the cold water, making sure that I get some relief.


    The painful ache dulls, forcing my mind to start working again. Embarrassed, ashamed and aroused at once, I stop thrashing.


    My knees give in. He lets me go, slowly allowing me to slip my back against the wall under the shower.


    Instinctively, I crane my neck and look into his hooded eyes.


    "If you were not that asshole''s wife, and drugged, it would have been impossible for me to resist you, Grace." He crouches in front of me, wet hair clinging to his forehead. Under those wet bangs, his eyes appear so dark and mesmerizing. My mouth parts, as his fingers gently touch my earlobe.


    "Remember this, the moment you


    are free, Little Butterfly, I am going to


    take everything you offered me


    tonight." It sounds like a promise-a very tempting and dangerous promise.


    My breath hitches as he slides beside me on the floor and remains there, his eyes dark and hungry on me.

 Tristin

    Tristin


    "Ms. Whitlock was given a potent Aphrodisiac. It is harmful to her body and brain. It''s good that I was called on time, Mr. Roberto. "The doctor reveals, removing his thick sses and turning to face me. Instantly, my eyes are drawn to the girl sleeping on the bed, now naked under the sheets.


    "How is she now?" I question.


    "She will be fine after resting tonight. "He sighs, collecting his things.


    He had given her an injection, possibly some antidote and Grace had fallen asleep right away.


    "But if she wakes up in the night, please give me a call again, Mr. Roberto. " He says.


    "Stay in the next room. You are not going anywhere tonight. "I announce, directing my neutral gaze at him.


    The doctor stiffens, his eyes darting towards Luca who is behind me. "O-Of course, Mr. Roberto, I will stay as long as you need me."


    "Good. Don''t fall asleep. "I tell him before moving past him and going to stand beside Grace.


    "Let''s go, Doctor. I will show you where you are staying." Luca''s voice sounds in the room.


    A momentter, they both leave the room and close the door on their way out. The mask of indifference on my face drops as I find myself alone with her.


    A frown settles between my brows. Nothing Lily does ever surprises me because I know how cold-blooded she is, but to do something like this to your flesh and blood...


    It''s...fucking ridiculous.


    Unconsciously, my hand reaches to Grace''s face. I slide a stray strand of hair behind her ear, watching her peaceful face.


    Since the time I have seen her, this is the first time that she appears sofortable.


    My eyes lower to her parted lips. She has beautiful lips, just the kind a man can not resist kissing.


    My frown deepens. She is just a pawn in the scheme but she pulls me in like a fucking ma whenever Ie across her. My head goes nk, my hands itch to touch her, and my eyes refuse to move from her face. That''s not what I thought would happen when I finally met her, just like I didn''t expect to find her bleeding in the middle of the road.


    Maybe, I should have left her there that day.


    At that thought, my stomach tightens. It seems like an impossible idea.


    When I saw her that day, whimpering and begging for someone''s help, I found myself reaching out to her without a second thought.


    It was cruel. That little Bitch of a sister had pushed her, right in front of my fucking eyes, without caring that Grace could have died.


    Or maybe, she wanted that. She wanted to kill this soft, and beautiful Butterfly because she is what Lily can never be.


    This girl here... has Ethan Calder''s heart in her palm but she is unaware of it, just like he is being a clueless bastard. But people like that Bitch Lily and I are not oblivious to the looks of adoration.


    Calder can do anything for her. He will only realize it when Grace is out of his reach. Then, his focus will divide and he will no longer want to protect Lily.


    I curl my hands into fists and pull away. But my gaze still refuses to avert from her face.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    She is so vulnerable. Sometimes it feels like if I handle her roughly, she will crumble, and that fucking thought...


    Drives me crazy for some reason.


    That''s why I am nice to her. Not because I want to be but because I can''t help it.


    I am not a good person and not a nice one either. People stay away from me because they know I am cruel and will not hesitate to make them suffer.


    But something inside me refuses to be the same to her. I want to speak to her softly, touch her gently, and caress her body as she whispers my name in that sinful voice of hers like she did tonight.


    My eyes lower to her flushed neck, before tracing a path down to her corbone. The rest of her soft body is covered with the nket, but it doesn''t help hide the curves of her body.


    Blood rushes south, making me


    sigh. I can not help this instant reaction either. I desire her, even if it''s only for one time, and tonight, she has pushed my buttons too much for me to retain any more control.


    Can I have her for myself when I am done dealing with that Bitch of a sister and that dumbass of a husband?


    I want to. I want to possess her and keep her by my side until this strange itch rubs away and I find myself back to my usual cold self.


    But the question is...


    Will she let me have her if she knows what I did to her?


    Will she let me pleasure her if she knows I lied to her about her husband''s infidelity?


    Will she willingly stay by my side if she knows I let Ethan pass by the security that day in the penthouse so he could take her and drive her to the edge with his shenanigans again?


    Will she ept everything I give if she knows I wanted Ethan to barge right into the office today and see her with me?


    She won''t find the real me appealing, now would she?


    A knock sounds on the door before it clicks open and Lucaes inside. My gazends on Grace''s face again, still so peaceful and innocent.


    "Lily Whitlock paid those men, Boss." He informs in a grim voice.


    I am not surprised. She paid men to


    rape her sister because she was so jealous of her innocence, her beauty, and her intelligence. Everyone


    see that except for my Little


    y


    Butterfly and her dumbass husband.


    "Make their deaths excruciating. Hurt them until they beg for it. "I whisper, without taking my eyes off her.


    Yes, Boss." Luca replies curtly.


    "Maybe... "I finally look up at him. "Keep one of them alive. We might need him in the future."


    He nods and turns to leave again.


    In the future, I will tear Lily Whitlock into pieces. Everything she likes will go up in mes, her family, her friends, the man she pretends to love. Everything. And the only one who will remain untouched by the mes will be Grace Whitlock alone.


    "I will not hurt you. "I whisper to her, my eyes drooping slightly.


    In some time, this need to possess her will disappear and I will let her go. She will be happy, with her dreams fulfilled and the toxic people gone from her life. She deserves it, and I will get it for her.

 Offer

    Grace


    I am back on that road, my nails wing at the hard surface as I watch Ethan carrying Lily away. In my blurred, and bloodied view, I see her smirk at me smugly.


    They don''t stop for me and don''t care if I die. Or maybe, they want me gone so they can enjoy their life together. They had already taken my inheritance, my talent, my future...and now they want my life too.


    But why must they hurt my Baby too? I don''t even know if it''s a girl or a boy. I don''t even know what my Baby looks like yet. How can you take it away from me?


    As I bleed out, and slowly lose consciousness, I feel the warm hands on my shoulder-a savior''s touch.


    I gasp, sitting up on the bed. My eyes blink wide open as I look around the room. Cold air brushes against my naked skin, making me hyperaware of my state.


    Horrified, I look down at my bare chest, as the nket slips away. Color drains from my face, thest night''s memories shing before my eyes.


    I pull the nket up right away, hiding every inch of my skin up until my neck.


    ''I-I need you. ''My voice echoes in my ears, making my breath speed up.


    "How are you now?" Tristin''s deep voice sounds from the corner.


    Instinctively, my gaze is drawn to him. He is sitting on the wingchair in the corner, his legs spread and his head resting back tiredly. His eyes, now red-rimmed, show a hint of exhaustion while his hair falls over his forehead, covering half of his eyes. Tristin Roberto, even if he is disheveled andzy, is a sight to behold. His eyes, which always remain cold, and the hard lines of his face can steal any girl''s heart in a moment.


    But...I can never be one of those girls. And he should never touch me.


    "What happened between us?" I ask with a heavy heart. " did we..."


    I can not finish that. I am not a cheater like Ethan.


    "I told you. I won''t touch you while you are still married to Calder. And I didn''t." Tristin blinkszily.


    "Then why am I naked?" My mouth dries.


    "I didn''t undress you. A female staff member did, Little Butterfly. Your clothes were wet and you could have gotten sick. They needed to be gone. " He says and tilts his head to the right.


    My jumpy nerves calm at his exnation. I grip the nket to my chest and realize that it slipped down just a moment ago. My heart misses a beat again.


    "I closed my eyes when the nket dropped, I promise. " Tristin whispers.


    My jaw hangs low as I direct my gaze back at him. He is staring at me, a strange glint in his eyes that sends a wave of heat down my body.


    "You... "I clench the sheets underneath me with my other hand and sigh. " You saved me again."


    "I told you I wille for you the moment you call me." Tristin''s eyes darken, his lips pressing in a thin line.


    "And you did. Thank you." My gaze lowers to his chest, now d in a casual white T-shirt.


    He was wearing his suitst night. A suit that got wet under the shower. Suddenly, the whispers of a dark promise make me tremble all over.


    "Your sister drugged you and hired those men. " Tristin reveals instead of acknowledging my gratitude.


    An invisible hand grips my heart. Those words are poisonous. What kind of sister does this?


    "I know." I murmur.


    "They were paid to... " Tristin trails off, stopping himself from saying something like that.


    "Rape me." I finish for him. My heart freezes in my chest. " and record it so she could prove to the world this time that I am the whore and she is the innocent sister. Or maybe, she would have ckmailed me with it to do whatever she wanted. " Shivers run down my spine. I sigh, closing my eyes for a moment.


    "You can stop now. I can send you wherever you wish, a ce where no one will hurt you again." Tristin offers, his voice soft.


    My body freezes, like my heart. Slowly, I blink my eyes open and stare at him.


    He can''t be serious, right?


    "You-You still want to use me for whatever revenge you have nned. There is...no way..." My voice dies as his gaze remains unwavering.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    "I will get you the divorce you want.


    You can start a new life, work in a goodpany, and make a name for yourself. You can make your dreams


    maybe one day in the future, you will


    forget how they hurt you. "He Sounds determined.


    My breath catches in my throat. It feels like if I tell him that I want it, he will make it happen for me.


    In this moment, an odd sensation spreads in my chest. I swallow, and breathe, and stare at him a little longer.


    Sunlight hits his face, making his blue eyes appear bluer and deeper. His brown hair seems to have streaks of golden in them. And his hard face appears gentle. Silence falls between us. It''s heavy and thrilling and dangerous.


    "There will be a price to pay, right?" I whisper.


    "Maybe." Tristin grins, making me sigh once more.


    "Tristin-"


    "Or maybe not. I will just let you go, Little Butterfly so you can fly higher and get everything you want in this life." He interrupts.


    My nose scrunches. "I will pass on that uncertainty. "


    "Whatever you want." He shrugs, the heavy atmosphere dispersing with his careless gesture.


    My tense shoulders loosen, and I leave the sheets that I am clenching. Why am I sitting naked on the bed, instead of running to get dressed or asking him to leave? Suddenly, another thought strikes me. My eyes widen, finding his calm gaze.


    "Tristin, I had something in my-"


    "Hidden in the bra and peeking out from your shirt?" He finishes, running his forefinger down his nose awkwardly.


    I grimace, a blush rising to my face. He looks down and pulls out something from his pocket.


    "You have some old-fashioned


    ways. I should have known what you


    intended when you asked for a pen


    recorder from Luca. " Tristin rises to his height and approaches me.


    en FindNovel


    The closer he gets, the harder my heart pumps blood. I get breathless, pull the nket higher, and grit my jaw.


    "Here is your tiny recorder. It didn''t stop working after getting wet and recorded everything perfectly. "His hand lifts towards me.


    I eye the pen, then look at him. He smirks, his eyes shining with another strange emotion that oddly feels like pride.


    "You are cutely smart. " Tristinments, handing me the recorder. " and naked. "


    "You need to get out of the room. "I blurt, pulling the pen to my chest.


    "The clothes are in the attached bathroom. Wear them ande out. I am waiting for you. " Tristin utters, before turning and walking out.


    After he leaves, I stare at the pen in my hand had hidden it under my shirt in such a way that only the tiny camera was hanging below my shirt button, recording everything from the small space.


    From the start to the end, every word, every threat, every confession...


    I have it now and I will destroy her.

 Truth

    Ethan


    "The papers were delivered again, Boss." Josh informs as he ces the papers on the desk in front of me.


    I take my eyes off the important contract I am supposed to sign to nce at the divorce agreement she sent.


    She has demanded I return her grandmother''s inheritance that she gifted me and refused to get any alimony from my assets.


    It is fucking clear. She wants me to return everything she thinks I took from her. I have no fucking problem with that. But if she wants everything of hers back, she should return my three wasted years.


    All this fucking time, she pretended to be in love and took advantage of my heart, my power, and my status. She should return all of that before asking anything from me.


    Anger threatens to burst out of my veins, but I can''t deny the lurking panic behind my eyes. It feels like she is desperate to cut ties with me, and I can not let that happen.


    Even if we remain sworn enemies, we must stay together. Even if we hate each other, we must not stop feeling. Even if she wants to be away, she can not break this rtionship between us.


    Now when the thought of not having her in my life is bing real to me, and I am seeing her with other men, I think I am going fucking crazy.


    Suddenly, my cell phone rings. I ignore it. I don''t give a damn about it, about anything else as I re at the papers for a long time.


    Boss." Josh''s voice sounds muffled in my ringing ears.


    "Boss, it''s Mrs. Calder. She wants to talk to you." He reveals, and my focus returns in a sh.


    I snatch the cell phone from his hand and press it against my ear. " You sent the divorce papers again? What did I tell you, Grace Whitlock, there is no way I am letting you go until I am done with you and you have paid for your betrayal?!" My voice is loud, but my heartbeat is louder.


    How can she not feel apologetic after what she did to me?


    How can she not show even an ounce of shame and guilt?


    "Ethan." Her gentle voice sounds from the speaker, but I can''t help but feel the coldness behind it. "You have already forsaken our marriage. You call me ''Grace Whitlock''. Did you never notice it?"


    A pang hits my heart. Breathing heavily, I forget to answer her as an explosion goes inside my head.


    Day by day, she had gone down from sweetheart to Gracie, from Gracie to Grace, from Grace to Grace Whitlock...


    Day by day, we grew apart. It started from discovering one lie to discovering her betrayal. She broke us apart, and yet...she doesn''t feel any remorse.


    "I called to give you a chance, Ethan." She whispers, detached and icy.


    Veins pop in my neck as I hiss resentfully, "You"Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "If you sign the papers and free me right now, I will not let the whole world see your beloved woman''s ugly face for now." She interrupts, not caring about what I have to say.


    "Leave Lily out of this. "I grit my jaw.


    "How can I when she started everything? She left you, and I had to step in. She came back, and I had to step away. If that was not enough, she had to take away my child too." Her voice grows angry, but moist as if she is feeling equally resentful towards me and Lily as I do towards her.


    "Grace"


    "Decide Ethan. Will you sign the papers or not?" Her voice bes bitter.


    I eye the papers on the desk and purse my lips. " is this about another one of your videos?"


    "Thest time was just a demo. People quickly forgot about how my parents hit me, you kidnapped me, and your beloved stood there¡ª"


    "Go ahead. "I interrupt her angry words.


    After a pause, she breathes heavily. "What?"


    "Whatever you have up your sleeve, use it. Go ahead. I don''t give a fuck about whatever you can do, Grace Whitlock. Because even if you raise hell on Earth, there is no fucking way I will sign these papers. "I utter, grabbing the papers and flinging them to the dustbin in the corner. "Ethan, do you believe I can not get a divorce if you don''t sign the damn papers?" She seethes, seemingly caught off guard.


    "Go on. Go to the court and drag me there. I will see how that goes. In this country, no fucking judge will separate you from me and risk everything they have." I whisper, leaning back slightly.


    Her heavy breathing sounds in the speaker. It stirs up conflicting emotions in my heart.


    If you tell me that you made mistakes, and will love me genuinely in the future might consider taking you back, Grace. "I offer, clenching the phone tightly. "It won''t be the same between us, but I will not hurt you more. We can start over You can bear more children, and this time they won''t be bastards."


    "My child was not a bastard. "Her voice lowers. " you will learn it the hard way."


    Before I can tell her that her lies won''t work, she hangs up. I re at the cellphone for a while before throwing it against the wall.


    Josh yelps as his phone breaks into pieces, now lying on the floor lifelessly.


    "She thinks that Roberto can keep her away from me?" I scoff.


    It''s clear. She is being this bold because he is siding with her for now.


    "Find out the details about RB projects. Find out their weaknesses, and everything that can sabotage thepany. " I order Josh, determined to show Grace that Tristin can not hide her if I wish to draw her out. "Boss, what do you n on doing?" Josh asks, his face neutral.


    "I will destroy everything that Roberto has. Once he is gone, Grace will have no choice but to apologize for what she did to me." I hiss.


    Josh nods silently and turns away to leave. I take my eyes off him and direct my gaze toward the ss wall in my office.


    A distant memory resurfaces where Grace sits atop my desk, gazing at the night view.


    ''What are you thinking, sweetheart?


    ''I am thinking...that wishes doe true. If you want something from the bottom of your heart sincerely, you don''t go without it. Life is not cruel Ethan. For me, it''s beautiful because I got the man I love.'' Her eyes had shone brighter than I had ever seen before as she smiled at me that night.


    ''You say it now. What about the future? How long do you think someone can love a man? ''I had asked yfully, just to suppress the strange feeling in my chest that was pushing me to kiss her until she had melted into my arms. ''Things can change. But my love for you won''t. I will love you forever, Ethan, no matter how long that is or how hard it bes for me. I will love you forever. ''She had answered genuinely and I had felt something rare in my chest. It felt like I didn''t want her to go back on her words in the future. I wanted to do everything to ensure that her forever became true.


    But it turns out...


    Those were lies. The affection in her eyes, the tender touch of her fingers, and her heart-touching words. Everything was a lie.


    "Boss." Joshes rushing back and pulls me out of the trance.


    "What is it?" The anger has subsided, leaving me weary.


    Hating Grace Whitlock is proving to be harder than loving her.


    "You need to see this, Boss. " Josh''s neutral face now shows signs of panic.


    He slides a new phone towards me, a video ying on it. I pick it up and watch Lily''s face shine in the dim room.


    I roll my eyes. Grace is on it faster than I expected. She just doesn''t understand that I can always get rid of suchme videos and-


    Do you


    feel sorry about my child?


    The baby that you killed mercilessly


    to get Ethan? Do you apologize for making Ethan believe it''s not his child? Do you apologize for making Ethan call my innocent baby...a bastard-the result of infidelity? Grace''s soft voice sounds from


    "


    behind the camera.


    My muscles tighten, awaiting a reply from Lily. She didn''t do such a thing. Grace is trying to trick me again.


    My thoughtse to a halt when I see Lily smirk before she says.


    "Yes, my innocent sister. I am sorry for killing your child because Ethan can''t have children with you. How can you even dare to think about starting a family with him when you know he is mine? He told you he will leave you once I return, right? Why did you let yourself get pregnant then? The phone drops from my hand. The carefully built walls around me shatter, leaving me numb and frozen on my spot.


    She was telling the truth.


    All this while, she was pleading, screaming, and crying...


    And it was all true.

 I am Brave

    Grace


    "Yes, officer. "I nod at the detective who is watching me keenly.


    "Ms. Whitlock, you are saying that your sister and husband pushed you in front of a car, and tried to take your life and this resulted in your miscarriage?" He asks, his old face neutral and professional.


    My breath hitches when I hear this aloud once more.


    "I have proof. " I whisper, handing the pen drive to him.


    "I believe the viral confession was seen by every person in this country already. "He offers me a small smile as he takes the drive from me. " but it can''t be called concrete evidence, Ms. Whitlock. Your sister can always im she was under the influence of alcohol or threatened and there is no mention of your husband being on her side either.


    My shoulders stiffen. " So you mean to say that..."


    "It''s the Calder and Whitlock family we are talking about, Ms. Whitlock. Surely you understand they can bring in the bestwyers and get out instantly. Knowing that, do you still want to file the case against them?" He questions, his eyes narrowing slightly.


    I expected this much. I manage to give him a smile and nod. "No matter how small, I want to cause them every inconvenience I can."


    "Think about it, Ms. Whitlock. You will get hurt during this-"


    "How about this piece of evidence, Detective Marlo?" A voice sounds from behind me.


    I whip around to face Luca who hase inside. My brows furrow, eyes dropping to the shiny silver pendrive in his hand.


    He nods at me in acknowledgment. I nod back curiously and watch as he ces the ''evidence'' on the desk before taking a step back. "You are "


    "That shouldn''t matter to you. The higher-ups will reach out to you soon. " Luca replies coldly before the detective can ask him anything.


    My frown deepens. The detective''s eyes switch between me and him before he takes the drive and inserts it into hisptop.


    Curious, I witness the detective''s expression changing from neutral to surprised, then to grim.


    "Is this enough? Or do you want more before you stop being a dog to the Calders?" Luca scoffs, making me blink.


    "It''s nothing-"


    "Save it. Do what Ms. Whitlock wants." Luca interrupts, and then he is gone, leaving me alone with the detective who is still staring at the screen. "Rich people do have their ways. " He mumbles.


    "What is it?" My mouth dries.


    He turns the screen towards me so I can watch. Color drains from my face as I see everything happening again.


    Lily and I are fighting. She grabs me forcefully. Ethanes up and pushes me. I fall, and the moment I hit the car, my body flies in the air.


    Until now...I thought she just wanted to make me look bad in Ethan''s eyes, but she had the whole thing nned. In the video, it''s clear, that her timing was precise. She wanted me to get hit by the car. She knew Ethan would try to free her and she made sure I was right on the edge for that push.


    If Tristin''s car had not slowed down at thest moment, I might have broken my bones and gotten seriously hurt. It''s a miracle that I survived.


    Bile rises to my mouth. After everything, Ethan just carries Lily away.


    But once he is in the distance, Ethan puts Lily down on the ground carelessly and turns back to me.


    I don''t know what is in his eyes, but he sees me and rushes back. But he is toote. Tristin is already there, carrying me to the car.


    The CCTV footage continues but my mind goes nk. I thought Ethan didn''t even look back, but he did. He came back, but as always, it was after a moment of hesitation, and in that moment, he lost me.


    The detective receives a call and leaves me alone while I stare nkly at the screen


    "With this evidence, we can bring in both your husband and your sister. " Detective Marlo returns and addresses me with a changed, happy tone.


    "Even with this evidence, you can not keep Ethan Calder in for even an hour. " I whisper, taking my eyes off the screen.


    "But if you want, we can make it happen, Ms. Whitlock." He smiles eagerly.


    "Bring my sister in. " I say, and rise from my spot.


    Whether Ethan came back or not, I can''t deny...that he turned away from me first. While I was bleeding, and crying for help, he turned his back on me.


    It was always like this in the past too...no matter what I did, or said, he always turned his back on me.


    "Arrest Lily Whitlock. She attempted murder on me by attacking me. You can see it in the footage. I want her behind bars without further dy. "I hiss, turning and strolling out of the station.


    Another truth is that...no matter what Lily did or said...Ethan never turned his back on her like he did to me.


    For him, she always came first and even now, after knowing that she had a hand in killing his child, he wille running to save her. That''s when he will agree to the divorce. To


    save her, he will turn his back on me


    BUMS


    again.


    It has always been about feelings. Ethan Calder, even when he cared about me, made me feel inferior to my sister.


    As I step out, I see the sun setting in the sky. Gloom wraps around me like a thick sheet, refusing to let me go. Seeing myself in that spot again has stolen another piece of my heart.


    My legs grow weak, and my arms hang loosely by my sides. It feels like all the energy has been drained and I will remain like this forever.


    Suddenly, a familiar ck car stops in front of me. The window rolls down and blue eyes peek at me.


    "Get in.


    "


    I stare at Tristin''s cold face for a long time, as if caught in a trance. He doesn''t say anything else, just waits.


    "How long...have you been here for?" I wonder, my voice sounding foreign.


    "Since you ran away from the office without telling me or without calling in sick." He tilts his head, his eyes lowering to my shaking hands.


    I wait for his pity but find only ice in his eyes. A breath leaves my mouth before I open the door and slip inside the backseat quietly.


    "How long did you have that footage?" I lean back, turning my face towards the window.


    The setting sun makes me sad, even if the orange and pink hue in the sky makes it appear beautiful.


    "Since I realized that you want to fuck them over. " Tristin says in his husky voice.


    "I watched myself like that today." I whisper, running my finger across the window''s surface. "I was...hurt...and helpless...an-and pathetic."


    "Pathetic? You?" Tristin says. My head snaps in his direction, my eyes finding his cold stare.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "I was-"


    "Did you break down?" He frowns.


    "What?" I breathe.


    "Did you stay down? Did you decide to give up? Did you run away?" He shifts his attention to the file in his hand.


    I notice the documents he is reading, before looking at his side profile. The cold man, who never shows emotions, always asks questions that leave me speechless.


    "Let me answer it for you, if it''s too hard. "He doesn''t look up from the papers. " You didn''t break down, didn''t stay down, didn''t give up, and didn''t run away."


    The haze leaves my mind slowly. The sun has set downpletely, and gradually, the darkness is spreading in the world around me but for some reason...it doesn''t scare me.


    "Do you know what those people are called that don''t do any of these things even when they have a chance?" He turns the paper nonchntly.


    I grip the hem of my skirt and continue to stare at him, my heart pounding in my chest.


    They are called brave." He


    whispers, taking his eyes off the


    papers and finally looking into my awaiting eyes. "You are a brave woman, Little Butterfly. Don''t call yourself pathetic. That''s a lie."


    After saying the most encouraging words I have heard in my life, even if it could be a lie that he is telling, he looks away and gets busy with his documents.


    But I...


    I remain there, staring at him, his words slowly sinking into the depths of my heart.


    I didn''t break down, didn''t give up,


    didn''t run away. I am not pathetic. I am brave Only Tristin Roberto says that about me. For some odd reason, he makes me feel worthy. And slowly, I find myself believing his words.

 Chapter 33

    Grace


    "Disappearing on my second day of work won''t leave a good impression, right?" I nibble on my lower lip.


    Earlier, after talking to Ethan on the phone, I lost my mind and rushed to report him and Lily. I didn''t even inform Mr. Costello that I will be taking a day off. I don''t doubt he will have my head on a spiketer for it.


    "Your leave was approved by the CEO, Ms. Whitlock. Don''t worry." Luca answers instead of Tristin who is busy with his never ending documents.


    I steal a nce at his focused face and sigh." That only makes things worse."


    Sulking, I slump into my seat and let out another exaggerated sigh.


    "Luca, Ms. Whitlock is hungry." Tristin says, his tone busy and detached.


    "Who said "


    "On it, Boss." Luca interrupts.


    I press my lips in a thin line and fold my arms over my chest. It''s clear that no one is listening to me so there is no point in talking.


    After a while, I am stepping out of the car in front of a familiar expensive restaurant. Tristin strides forward and I follow after him.


    Silently, we are led to a table by therge windows. Memories sh before my eyes, my breaths quickening.


    "What''s wrong?" Tristin questions, his undivided attention falling on my reddening face.


    "Nothing." I shrug, my gaze searching for a familiar table in the corner.


    That''s where Ethan and I sat when Lily showed up. Ethan had looked so convincingly surprised and delighted to see her. He had literally dragged her to our table so she could have dinner with us. To think that they were already meeting up behind my back, and wanted to make a fool out of me...I shudder.


    "He is waiting, Grace." Tristin''s deep voice brings me out of the memory.


    I blink at him, and then at the waiter standing at some distance respectfully. I didn''t even notice his presence until now.


    "Uhm...I will have whatever you are having, Tristin." I whisper, rising from the chair. " You can order. Now, excuse me. I will be back soon."


    The memories had sent waves of fresh anger and hurt down my body. My eyes sting and my hands tremble as I rush to the restroom to take some deep breaths.


    I just have a bad luck, because the moment I stand in front of the mirror, my eyes fall on the red faced, nose ring woman marching towards me.


    "Lily. "I gasp, stepping back.


    She is not alone. She has her little minion, Maria Cardini with her. They have been friends since forever and equally evil.


    "How fucking dare you?!" Lily seethes, raising her hand to p me.


    Anger ovees fear as I catch her wrist mid-air and shoot her an icy re.


    "What did you expect, huh?" I hiss, pushing her back. "Did you think you will ''sister'' me and I will fall for your act again?!"


    "You bitch!" Lily screeches and stumbles into Maria''s arms.


    I smirk. "I am surprised to see you here, Lily. I thought you will be behind bars by now. Guess not. Ethan is still protecting you, isn''t he?"


    She lunges for me again with a sharp cry. Her elegant mask has fallen, leaving her real evil face exposed.


    I grab her wrist again and p her with my other hand. The sound echoes in the silent restroom.


    She yelps as her ankle twists and she falls on the floor. I go down with her and grab her hair to p her again.


    This is for drugging me!"


    p!


    "This is for trying to get me raped!"


    p. Once, twice, thrice.


    "And no matter how many times I hit you it won''t be enough, Lily! I will make you and Ethan cry tears of blood like you did to me!" I scream, lost in the sensation of having my in palm connect with her cheeks so many times that I lose count of it.


    Maria grabs my shoulders and pushes me back, making me fall on the floor.


    "Don''t get ahead of yourself, Big sister. I am going to make you regret the day you were born!" I yell, trembling with rage.


    "Have you gone mad, Grace?! What has Lily done to you?" Maria, her friend gasps and helps Lily up.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    My sister looks like she has been through hell. Her hair dishevelled. Her cheeks swollen. Her lips bleeding.


    The murderous look in her eyes has changed into one of fear and shock. Her hands touch her cheeks and lips as she sobs.


    "Ethan can not save you now. Think about it before you try to hit me." I whisper hatefully and get to my feet to march out of the bathroom.


    My bad luck chases me all the way back to my table where I find Tristin seatedfortably, and Ethan looming over his head.


    His back is towards me, but the moment he faces me, the anger rises to a boiling level.


    "Grace." Ethan steps forth, his hands reaching out for my arms.


    Before he can touch me, I step away. "What-What are you doing here? Did you bring Lily here?"


    "Grace." Ethan''s brows furrow, guilt shing across his eyes. "What-"


    "Ethan!" Lily cries out from behind me before I am pushed away and she takes my spot, now holding Ethan''s arm tightly.


    I huff, shaking my head." Some things just never change."


    To my surprise, Ethan pushes Lily aside and approaches me, his hands closing around my upper arms.


    "I-I didn''t know. I-"


    I shake his hands off my arms. My hand lifts andnds on his cheek with a harsh noise. His face turns to the side and an eerie silence falls in the restaurant.


    "Do not dare to touch me again." let out through my gritted teeth. You are filthy, Ethan Calder. So dirty


    that your mere presence modirty


    gag!"


    me


    Slowly, he turns his head in my direction and steps forth, grabbing my arms again. I gasp, as he pulls me to his chest and leans down.

 Come Home

    Grace


    "Come home with me, Grace. Come home and I will make it up to you." He whispers, his eyes holding the longing, and plead.


    For a second there, my heart stops beating. My eyes search his gaze, now gentle, and focused solely on me.


    Didn''t I always want this? For Ethan to push Lily aside and reach me for once? I think.


    Then, I burst outughing. "Have you gone deaf on top of dumb, Ethan? Did you hear what I said, and do you hear yourself now? Come home? What home?" "Grace" He takes another step closer.


    "Leave me." I whisper, interrupting him. " and sign the papers, Ethan. I want nothing to do with you. Besides, you already got what you wanted from me, right? You took my grandma''s inheritance and got control over the Whitlock Corp. Now you are unstoppable." "No!" Ethan, grip tightens on my arm. "I don''t want anything from you! Juste home, okay? I will return it to you. I will give you anything. I will forget you cheated on me and let you "


    "Are you serious right now?!" I scoff, struggling to break free. "Are you this stupid?! I never cheated on you. It was all your Lily''s doing. She..."


    I stop myself mid-sentence. Why should I bother? He didn''t believe me in the past so why must I repeat the history again.


    My heart clenches as I stop fighting his grip and look into his eyes. "I will not stop here. The longer you refuse to leave me alone, the more you and your Lily will suffer."


    "Grace, why must you do this to me? I just loved Ethan so much. I am so sorry. I was not thinking right. I am so sorry." Lily drops on her knees beside Ethan, drawing my attention to her. "After everything I endured, I had lost the ability to think clearly. Sebastian, my ex- husband. He-He, Grace, he made my life hell. You can not imagine how I suffered...away from you all. I am so¡ª"


    Before I can register it, Tristin steps in my line of sight, his back to me and his eyes looking down at Lily''s crying face coldly.


    "How?" He asks, his voice deep and low.


    People have gathered around, recording the whole ordeal while the restaurant staff is stopping them. Once again, I have be a subject of people''s gossip but I can''t focus on it as I stare at Tristin.


    "You know how! " Lily cries out." He beat me, chained me to the bed, starved me for days on end."


    Tristin hums and crouches in front of her. My breath hitches when bitter anger shes across his eyes "Roberto, step away from her!" Ethan growls to my surprise and releases my arm.


    Numbly, I nce at the spot he held until now and then lift my head to see his attention fixed on Lily.


    "He beat you, yet you have no marks. He chained you to the bed, yet you bear no scars. He starved, yet you returned looking healthy and happy?" Tristin''s icy tone makes me look at him.


    Lily''s tears stop as she looks taken aback by Tristin''sment. The people around us whisper about her, her usations and her state that doesn''t match it.


    "He was careful to not-to not leave permanent marks." She stammers.


    "Do abused, innocent women break others homes, Lily? Do they hurt their sisters and kill innocent children?" Tristin tilts his head to the side.


    Tears leak out of Lily''s eyes again. She nces towards Ethan, pleading for help.


    "I was-was not thinking straight. I just wanted Ethan by my side. I was so scared and I thought only he could protect me. I never wanted to be like this. You know me Ethan. You know I have always loved you and Grace and I am not cold-hearted." She sobs. And as always, Ethan looks reluctant to either reach out to her or stay put. Given that he is not sparing me a nce now, I know the desire to reach out tops the urge to stay put.


    Unwantedly, the old emotions of inferiority return with full force, making me take a hesitant step back.


    Even after knowing she killed his child, he still wants to reach out to her.


    What else was I expecting? I knew he will never stop that. That''s why I went to the police, right?


    Then, why must I feel this pain again?


    I thought I was already over it...


    "I like how you act." Tristin chuckles, drawing me out of the trance. "Keep it up for as long as you can."


    "I know you me me for Sebastian-"


    "Don''t take his name!" The facade of calmness drops, leaving Tristin hissing angrily. " Or I will make the consequence worse for you, Lily Whitlock."


    Ethan loses the battle within himself and steps between Tristin and Lily." You think you can threaten her and get away with it? Soon, you are going down Tristin Roberto and-" "Be a man first, Ethan." Tristin rises to his height, staring at him coolly.


    Ethan steps forth threateningly but Lily pulls him back. "No. No, please, Ethan. I am so scared."Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Her trembling body and soft cries make this act so real.


    "You have a wife yet you protect


    another woman instead of her. You know this woman killed your child yet you stand by her side as her shield. You are pathetic. I don''t even need to worry about you because you will always be less of a man than any of my enemies. "Tristin scoffs before turning to me.


    Silence falls in the restaurant. I see Ethan''s eyes shifting from Tristin to me, holding surprise.


    "Grace." He whispers, stepping towards me but Lily clings to his arm, keeping him away from me.


    "That''s where you belong, Ethan.


    With a woman who abandoned you on the altar because you were nothing. With a liar, cheater and murderer!" I roll my eyes, reigning in the emotions.  en


    "It''s not like this. I do not-"


    "Lily Whitlock." Two police officers push past the crowd and stop beside them.


    Surprised, Lily faces them. " that''s me."


    One of them steps closer and states. " Ms. Whitlock. You are under arrest for charges of attempted murder on Grace Whitlock." They are saying something else too, but my mind is keenly focused on Ethan''s changing expressions. He frowns, then res at me. Grace, how could you? Tell them it''s not true." Lily shrieks.


    My gaze moves towards her. My lips curl from the corners, wider and wider until I am grinning like she did to me the day she pushed me. "Why, sister? Did you think I will not do this to you no matter what you do to me?


    Ethanes to her rescue instantly. " Grace, you know Lily didn''t want to¡ª"


    "Next, I am going to sue you for drugging me and trying to get me raped. I have proof for that as well." My grin widens more, until my lips hurt and my eyes burn. "I am going to bring things to light slowly, one by one so the moment you recover from thest hit, the next pain is awaiting you."


    "Grace." Ethan narrows his eyes.


    "And you Ethan Calder. Know this. It won''t end unless you divorce me. "I hiss, turning my back to them.


    I feel Ethan rushing towards me but Tristin blocks his path and grabs my wrist. "Let''s go home, Little Butterfly. I will get you something better to eat."


    I nod, my eyes meeting his soft gaze. The look he gives me is always different from those dangerous looks he gives others. Somehow, I can''t help but notice that.

 Cruelty

    Grace


    Silence ensues on our way back to Tristin''s home. I steal asional nces his way to find his jaw clenched and his eyes ring out the window.


    What Lily said is obviously a lie and it ticked him off. Before, I heard that she had killed Sebastian Roberto too.


    But...if she has murdered Tristin''s brother and Tristin is powerful enough to make her pay...


    Why is he not doing anything to her?


    What is he waiting for?


    Stop staring at me. "Tristin mumbles.


    I flinch, realizing that I forgot to take my eyes off him this time.


    Awkwardly, I look out the window and watch the Roberto mansion getting closer. I thought what happened today will leave me shaken up again, but somehow, I am faring better than I expected. Once Lily is in, Ethan will do everything to get her out. But with Tristin''s influence, it won''t be easy.


    Sighing, I step out of the car once it stops in the driveway. Tristin moves past me, striding straight for the door without looking back.


    My eyes narrow. It feels like the whole soft voice act was a show in front of Ethan.


    Does Tristin want Ethan to think that there is something between us?


    I march behind him. "You haven''t had dinner yet, Tristin. "


    "You can go ahead without me." He says dismissively.


    I look around. It''s toote at night and from what I know, Alma goes to bed by this time. As for Tristin''s sister, she has stayed clear of my path since our first encounter.


    "Stop there, ande down to eat. I need to talk to you." I assert, standing beside the stairs.


    Can I make him halt if I want? No, I can''t.


    That''s why when I see him not even bothering to listen to me, I turn away and walk towards the dining room.


    I should understand that I am powerless here. That thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.


    The maids have already set the table, because Luca called the house when we were on our way back from the restaurant.


    I turn my te and pause. The silence in the dining room threatens to consume my mind. I clench my fists and stare at the wall opposite me.


    Maybe once I get the divorce, I should leave. Ethan can keep my inheritance if it keeps him away from me. My stomach tightens as I think about it.


    But if I give it a rational thought, I shouldn''t give up what rightfully belongs to me. No matter how long it takes to get it back, I can not let Ethan keep my inheritance.


    Suddenly, my view is filled with a man''s torso. I blink, ncing up at his cold face. Without sparing me a nce, Tristin takes his seat and turns his te.


    I catch glimpse of his usual spot and refrain from asking him why he is not sitting there. Because...it feels better when he is sitting in front of me and I don''t have to feel this profound loneliness. "She has something that can harm my family. " Tristin hoarse voice sounds, drawing my gaze to his unfazed face.


    "Are you talking about Lily?" I whisper, watching him take out several dishes into the te.


    "You wanted to talk about this, right?" He asks, sliding the te towards me and taking my empty te.


    Surprise shes across my eyes as I look down at the filled te. "I¡ª"


    "When you are at war with people you once cared about, you need a lot of energy. " Tristin looks up and our eyes meet. "Eat so you have energy to fightter. "Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I press my lips in a thin line and stare at him. Tristin shifts his attention to filling his te now.


    "Do you want me to get this something back from her?" I ask, grabbing my fork.


    "You can''t, even if you want to." Tristin rasps, meeting my gaze again. "But I can. I have my ways to make people talk. And she will talk if I get my hands on her." My fingers tighten around the fork. His ways can''t be humane ways.


    "What''s stopping you?" I inquire, surprised at my nonchnce.


    Why am I not running away right this moment?


    "Taking out Lily Whitlock and the rest of the Whitlocks is easy. " He says, cold and calcted.


    My breath hitches." Taking me out is easy for you then?"


    Tristin hands freeze. His head lifts and slowly, his eyes be gentle and thoughtful.


    "Taking you out as a Whitlock or as a Calder has always been easy, Grace." He tells me honestly.


    I nod, finding his honesty appealing." Then why-"


    "


    Because I don''t want to." Tristin


    sighs, scooping up some rice. " And I


    find it extraordinarily hard to do


    things that I don''t want. That''s why...taking you out is easy for everyone...but not for me. For me, it


    will be as hard as..."


    He goes silent, eating a spoonful of rice and chewing slowly.


    My palms sweat as I direct my gaze towards the empty chairs. In the deafening silence, I find my heart beating faster than usual, it''s noise like a drum in my ears.


    "Why are you not getting your hands on Lily then?" I change the topic because I do not understand why he says such things.


    "Because of Ethan Calder. Getting rid of Whitlock is not hard but Ethan is something else. " Tristin admits after swallowing.


    "But you are as powerful as Ethan if not more and your family has been one of the wealthiest even before the Calders came into the equation." I frown.


    "The Roberto family has always been here. Unshakable even in dire times. " Tristin whispers, his gaze cast down. "Ethan Calder...was not even close to matching the Roberto wealth three years ago." "And now he is kind of equal?" I wonder.


    "He is. " Tristin nods.


    "Still what''s the-"


    "It took Robertos generations to get here and Ethan did it in mere three years. It was not possible without a certain..." Tristin pauses, as if searching for the right word. " cruelty."


    "Cruelty? As in killing people?" My blood runs cold in my veins.


    Tristin stiffens, like he doesn''t want to tell me this. Then, he shakes his head.


    "


    It''s not possible to rise to the top without blood on your hands, Little Butterfly. You have to get rid of all threats and people who stand in the way of your sess. " Tristin


    whispers "While he was pampering you at home, he was a different man for the world outside. Lily''s betrayal turned him into a power greedy man who stopped at nothing to chase the top. "


    Of course, even after Lily left, her thoughts were with Ethan, driving him to be the worst version of the man who once was kind and loving.


    It seems like the man that I loved was Ethan before Lily abandoned him. And not the man he became in her absence.


    "Lily knows it. That''s why she is hiding behind Ethan." Tristin adds.


    I blink, and stare at his stoic face. " and where do Ie in this situation?"


    Tristin lips curve in a chilling smirk." You abandoned Ethan and damaged his pride again. Now, he is after you. Soon, his ego will drive him to abandon Lily to appease you even if temporary. I just want that."


    My shoulders stiffen. "You just offered to send me away if I want that and-"


    "You refused. Now, stay by my side, Little Butterfly, and let me use you like you promised." His voice drops, bing a icy whisper.

 Abandon

    Grace


    The next morning, Ie out of my room, wearing another one of a grey pencil skirt and a white blouse sent by Alma. But, it fits me well now, instead of being painfully tight.


    Lost in my own thoughts, I walk down the stairs only to see Alma standing at the end of them, staring up at me.


    "Grace. " Alma calls me out and nods. "I heard about your sister on the news."


    My body freezes on the secondst stair as I look at her. Her eyes are soft, but there is a lingering wariness in them, which became a part of them after she realized that I am Grace Whitlock.


    "-"


    "I didn''t know they had done something like this to you before. Is that why you are staying with us?" She interrupts me as if she can''t bother to hear what I have to say to her.


    My cheeks heat up. " Uh-Yes, Alma. But as I said, it''s only temporary and-"


    "I don''t mind, Grace. This house is big enough for us to not cross paths even if we stay under the same roof." She cuts me again.


    I press my lips in a thin line and swallow the little hurt I felt. My hands clench by my side while I wait for her to speak and let me leave.


    "You are a married woman, with aplicated history." She starts, her brows raised.


    I nod silently. There is no doubt about it. I do have aplicated history.


    "I just want to tell you that you can stay as long as you want, but..." She steps closer and lowers her voice. "Please, stay away from Tristin. "


    My heart skips a beat. I stare at her,pletely taken aback by her assumption.


    "Alma, there is nothing like that between Tristin and me. We just have a mutual goal and once our deal ends, I will leave quietly." I defend myself.


    But it doesn''t seem to work. Alma looks at me like she doesn''t believe a single wording out of my mouth.


    After all, I am a Whitlock and share blood with Lily.


    My heart sinks. " Alma, I really¡ª"


    "You two spent a night in the same room at a club''s VIP rooms. Youe home with himte. You go on dinners with him. You even work in his office now." Her voice is still soft, but there is an edge to her words. How does she know about the club?


    I gasp in surprise but then realize that she must have her eyes and ears around Tristin. She belongs to the rich society, after all.


    In a moment, it feels like I have been downgraded to a bitch, someone who is married yet going after another single man.


    Hurt swells inside my chest as my mouth dries and I find myself at a loss of words.


    "I let my elder son get together with a Whitlock once." She whispers, her eyes moistening with unshed tears." she took him and never returned him. He is gone. She was also like you, taken, yet imed to love my son more than life." My knees grow weak. I stay silent, listening to every word she has to say.


    Sometimes, you can''t help but feel guilty for things your siblings or parents have done. It''s like shared guilt, like shared blood, something that runs in your veins.


    ''Tristin is all I have got now. I have


    been separated from him for half his life. I can not bear it anymore. So,


    please, ask for anything you wante


    stay as long as you need, take everything you require from me, but leave my son alone." Her voice carries a plea, a desperate call for me to disappear from Tristin''s life.


    How do I make her understand that I am not in her son''s life in any way?


    I am incapable of loving someone again or using someone for anything they are worth.


    Quietly, I nod in understanding and grab her trembling hands. I lost my baby, someone who was not even born. Ye felt his or her loss, and the world flipped in my view, leaving me writhing and pleading for any possible power to bring my child back to me.


    I can understand her loss and fear-even if a little, I can understand Alma.


    ''I promise you, Alma. I will never do what you are thinking. Like you said, I am a married woman, and I am not suitable for your son. Besides, I have no feelings or motives for him. Hels someone great, worthy of a girl who will love him wholeheartedly and he will get that one day. " I whisper, assuring her. " You can trust me on this. Once I am done here, I will disappear from your world like I never existed. You will never see me again, and it will be the same for Tristin. "


    "You will not go back on your word, right?" Fear reflects in her moist eyes.


    I smile softly, and pull my hands to my side. " Like I said, you have nothing to worry about.


    Alma nods, smiling back at me. "Thank you. And I will trust you this time. Something inside me believes that you are not like Lily. You will not deceive me or hurt my family. I am counting on that belief, Grace. Please, don''t let me down." I shake my head. "I won''t. I promise."


    She nods again and wipes the corners of her eyes. "I trust you. Come and have breakfast before you leave.


    "No thanks, Alma. I don''t feel like eating. "I shake my head. "Let me take my leave now."Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    She doesn''t push me and so I walk towards the main door. Just when I am about to step out, I hear her voice again.


    "Tristin.


    I nce over my shoulder, at the mother-son duo. When Alma looks at Tristin, her eyes shine the brightest as if he is capable of taking away all her sorrows and worries.


    I smile, at the picture they paint, of a perfect family where everyone loves and cares for each other.


    I never had that. And I don''t think I ever will.


    So... what was the point of struggling this hard?


    I shake my head and step out of the main door, to leave them alone.


    I have never given it a thought before. But, I think there is nothing in life for me. No family, no love, no future.


    There is just one desire left.


    When I die, I should die as just Grace. Not Grace Whitlock or Grace Calder.


    Like they abandoned me, I will abandon them and then abandon this world to be with my child. That way, Alma will not have to worry about me ever again.

 Fire

    Grace


    As I stroll inside the RB tower, I notice the crowd gathered near the reception but don''t pay much attention.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I take the elevator and go to my floor. When the doors ding open, some pair of eyes fall on me. Instantly, the atmosphere on the floor bes chilling and ufortable as the always busy people gossip to each other.


    I have no doubt it''s about the direct approval of a mere leave from the CEO himself.


    "How do you think she is connected to the CEO?" I hear a Redhead talking in hushed voice to the two girls looming over her.


    "How else? She probably slept with him."


    "She is a looker, I must admit but Mr. Roberto can not take a liking to someone like her. He avoids women like gue."


    Thement piques my interest. Avoids women like gue huh?


    "That''s true. I don''t think he is sleeping with her. Maybe it''s one of his personal assistants."


    The hushed gossips follow me until I sit down on my desk in the lonely corner of the floor, right beside Mr. Costello''s office.


    "You are really something. You managed to get the CEO to back you up on your second day of work." The batch of those three women chases me to the desk.


    I eye them, and their shy outfits before lowering my head. "If you are here to pick a fight or attempt bullying, you should know better. If you think the CEO favored me, you must realize that he won''t take kindly to others bullying me."


    "You! You think you are all high and mighty just because you are hooking up with one of his assistants, bitch? Wait until you get dumped. All women like you do end up in the ditch sooner orter. " The redhead, their leader sneers before they proudly saunter back to their desks.


    I don''t bother looking at them again. It''s true that I have Tristin''s favor. I just don''t have any meaningful rtionship with him.


    Besides, I just realized something. There is no need to fight anything anymore. Tristin is using me, so it''s fine if I do the same. It just makes us even.


    I turn on myputer and see Mr. Costello''s email. He has sent me some design files, asking me topile them into a presentation form and prepare things for him.


    I was hired into thepany as an architect but he is adamant about making an assistant out of me.


    I purse my lips and do my work silently. There is no point inining.


    Eventually, the gossiping people return to their work and leave me alone.


    Even if they hadn''t, they would have forgotten about me in a few days. That''s what people do, I guess. Once they find a new hot topic, the old one bes history.


    As I work on making the presentation, andpile the designs, my fingers pause across the keyboard. A minor error tempts me to run a simtion to see the designe to reality.


    It runs smoothly, and others can not notice the little problem which can result in a big mishap after the whole design is built.


    My brows lift at the result. I sigh and send a reply to Mr. Costello.


    "Mr. Costello. There is a problem with the blueprint calctions. Maybe you should have the designs checked again. "I suggest after the greetings and send it before assessing the blueprints again. Indeed, the support under the building is too weak and can not hold the weight of the design.


    How did the top people miss this?


    My brows furrow. It''s almost like they forgot the basics.


    The door to Mr. Costello''s office opens and the familiar blonde, Linda steps out. Unconsciously, my gaze is drawn to the creases on her cor before flickering towards the closing door where I can see Mr. Costello zipping his pants.


    I grimace, turning to myputer instantly. So much for calling me adder climber! He''s been having sex in his office with the employees.


    I notice how people turn a blind eye to whatever is happening and sigh. After a moment, the door to Mr. Costello''s office opens and he shouts.


    Grace! To my office, right now!"


    Startled, I jump in my spot before hurrying towards his office. Disgust makes me grimace again as I stop my eyes from wandering to any surface in his office.


    He sits behind his desk and grabs a stash of papers before throwing it in my direction. This time, I sidestep early, causing the papers to fall on the floor.


    "Who do you think you are? Just because you have someone hooked from the CEO''s office, you suddenly think you are so talented?" He yells, spit flying out of his mouth.


    I suppress the urge to blurt how he is the one who is abusing his power but I keep my mouth closed.


    What''s the point?


    I won''t work here for long.


    "What is it about?" I ask, clenching my hands.


    "You dare to point fingers at the design made by the best architects in the fucking world?! What credentials¡ª"


    "I merely suggested for you to double-check things, Sir. I didn''t point fingers at anyone." I interrupt.


    "Suggestion?" Heughs mockingly. " now bitches who crawl into a new man''s bed every day will give ME suggestions?"


    I sigh. "Sir-"


    "


    ''Why don''t you stick to what you are


    good at? Go sleep with your link and ask him to convince me to give your suggestion a chance or maybe you can just satisfy me right now and I will grant you a favor." He scoffs, his lips turning into a crooked grin.


    I should get angry. He has no right to belittle me. But surprisingly, it feels like emotions have disappeared after talking to Alma.


    "The HR department will perhaps convince you to consider my suggestion. I was hired as an architect. I have every right to give my input, and then you can decide whether you want to act on it or not. " I blink coldly. "Are you threatening me with the HR right now?" He narrows his eyes.


    "I have rights. I can always use them. "I turn and walk towards the door. " Maybe, you should understand that before I decide to use them."


    "You bitch-"


    His voice cuts off as I open the door, step out and close it. All eyes turn to me, disdain and mockery clear in them.


    Ignoring their res, I return to my table and decide to find HR''s mail and write an email. Not everything needs to reach Tristin. Thepany''s hierarchy can manage everything.


    Just as I click on thepany''s website, my phone lights up with a notification. I ignore it when I notice an unknown number.


    "Did you hear Ms. Whitlock''s sister tried to kill her?" The gossip party starts.


    I press my lips in a thin line. In the video with Lily, my face was shielded, and the Whitlock family has never cared enough to let me make a public appearance so people are still oblivious to my identity. And they gossip without caring that I am listening.


    "I heard she sent her innocent elder


    sister behind bars and hired some


    thugs to burn down the police station! Can you believe it? Her audacity surprises me! How can that bitchy sister be so cruel to Lily, that


    innocent and talented woman?!


    My fingers flying over the keyboard pause and freeze in the air.


    "I heard Lily got hurt in the fire and her hands burned. "


    "


    Their voices continue as I re at the screen. So Lily set a trap for me again?


    I rise from my spot, my fingers clenching tightly. Before I can march away from the loud women, the elevator doors open on the floor, and a familiar, cold facees into my view. "Grace Whitlock. "He seethes.


    Herees the dog on the leash to show his masculinity again.


    But it''s good.


    Tristin wants Ethan to engage with me so he can find an opening to get to Lily. I won''t be surprised if he deliberately allows Ethan


    everywhere, because Tristin in


    honesty, is a wolf in sheep''s


    clothing. I can see that, and won''t


    pretend that I can''t.


    "Ethan Calder, you are shameless! " I blink and scoff.


    I might as well enjoy Lily''s little attempt at pushing me under the bus again.

 A Mistake

    Grace


    Ethan''s face reddens. He strolls towards me, seething and blind with rage.


    All eyes follow him, surprise and curiosity painted across their faces. They must know him. He is the CEO of a rivalpany.


    I ignore the curious looks and sit down on my chair. He is here for drama again!


    How ridiculous!


    "What do you want? "I scoff just as he stops beside me and opens his mouth.


    His fists clench, a dark look crossing his eyes. But when his eyes fall over my stomach, surprisingly, the anger changes into doubt.


    A lump forms in my throat as Ethan stiffens and continues to stare at my stomach.


    "Are you... "Ethan''s voice lowers, turning into a whisper. "Are you feeling better?"


    "After the forced miscarriage, you mean?" I smile, hatred written over my face.


    Ethan meets my gaze and swallows. I ignore the way his eyes turn soft and focus on myputer''s screen instead.


    "Don''t make a scene in my workce, or you don''t want to know what I will do next to your precious lover. "I warn, disregarding his presence. Once, when he was close, I would find myself over the moon, sticking to him like glue, seeking his warmth to fill my cold heart.


    Now, I find his presence unbearable. The mere thought of being close to him makes me want to puke.


    Maybe, that''s what happens when the person you love the most betrays you.


    Love turns into hate.


    Longing turns into repulsion.


    Warmth turns into a fire that burns you to ashes.


    "I didn''t know about the child. "He says, his voice still low.


    Others can''t hear it even if they want to. But they can see the CEO of a rivalpany leaning over my desk and talking to me in hushed voices.


    Annoyed, I wave him off." I don''t care about your excuses. I have told you. Divorce me and return my shares. Then, I will let your lover go. You can spend your life with the trash that you deserve."


    "Grace, I apologized to you. That day, I didn''t know you were pregnant and then I thought it was not my child. I didn''t want to hurt you like that." He seethes, the anger rising again.


    The old wounds rip open. I grit my jaw, pushing the tears back from my eyes.


    "Leave, Ethan. If you are not here for divorce papers, leave. " I whisper, momentarily finding it hard to say anything else to him.


    He goes silent for a few moments. I feel the heat of his gaze on my face but don''t look at him.


    Instead, I cast a nce at the people shooting sneaky nces at us. Difort makes me grit my jaw harder.


    "You sent Lily to jail even after knowing that it was me who pushed you that day. "Ethan starts again.


    "Did you not see the CCTV footage of the incident?" I roll my eyes. " even if you pushed me, Lily had the whole thing nned. She made you believe I was hitting her and made you push me on the road just when she saw a caring. She wanted me dead. " Why am I even exining things to him? It''s not like he will ever understand or believe it.


    Ethan''s handnds on the desk, just beside my curled fist. I pick up my head, looking into his deep, hesitant eyes.


    "Lily went through... a lot, Grace."


    He leans closer, whispering in a soothing voice." someone who has suffered so much can make mistakes. She regrets everything she did and she still loves you That''s why even though she is in the hospital, getting treatment for her


    burns, she is only calling your name. "


    I try to act surprised, but instead find myself smiling at him.


    "She tried to kill me, she made you kill your child, she tried to get me raped and get it on tape...and it''s a mistake?" I chuckle wholeheartedly. "Grace, I don''t mean- "


    A husband who can not protect his wife is no husband at all. "My expressions shift, as I re at him." But then again, you were never my man. You were always Lily''s man. You two were cheating behind my back and wanted to snatch


    my


    But that didn''t work out, and now you want to hold onto me, like a leech because you must be the one to push me away and not me! Look at you, on one side, you want to keep me and on the other hand, you can''t stop loving lovely Lily who is never wrong. "


    inheritance before kicking meet


    "Come again." His eyes narrow dangerously. "I cheated on you?"


    "Didn''t you?" I smile at him.


    "No! Do not use me of something you did!" He scoffs, mming his palm over my desk.


    Rolling my eyes, I shift my focus to myputer again. " go do this act in front of your mistress. I am not interested in your tantrums anymore.


    Ethan''s enraged, heavy breaths hit the side of my face and my head, but I don''t turn to look at him again.


    Suddenly, he grabs my wrist and pulls me to my feet. I gasp, raising my hand to p him but pause mid-air.


    The watching eyes are fixed on us. I shouldn''t escte this scene. My zing stare meets his cold eyes.


    "Lily won''t stop crying and take her medicines unless she sees you. Come with me and tell her you will not send her behind bars again. "Ethan states calmly.


    "I will not send her behind bars again?" I snicker, struggling to free my arm.


    "Don''t test my patience, Dear wife, if you don''t want your side toy to lose his generational wealth just yet." Ethan hisses under his breath.


    I stare at his face silently. I can never doubt his threats. As Tristin said, it takes a certain cruelty to get where Ethan is today.


    "Okay. If you want me to meet her, I will. " I nod slowly.


    Ethan''s hold loosens over my wrist. His eyes soften.


    "You could have agreed without


    threats, Grace. Why don''t you understand that no matter what


    happens between us, nothing ean separate us? ¡± He tugs me closer


    and I don''t resist. Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I stay silent, letting him drag me all the way to the elevator and out of the RB headquarters. Eyes follow us wherever we go, but I have stopped focusing on them.


    I can only focus on his hand around my wrist. My eyes twitch, and a cold smile ys over my lips.


    Ethan has reached out again.


    Just for Lily.


    When he threw the divorce papers my way and I tried to touch him, didn''t he find my touch dirty?


    But for Lily, he doesn''t care how dirty he thinks I am.


    Surprisingly, pain doesn''t envelop me with those thoughts. Instead, an eerie calm takes over my mind and heart, leaving me numb and cold.


    Ethan takes me to his Rolls Royce and helps me to the backseat as Josh holds the door open. Hees to take his seat beside me, his palm closing around my wrist again.


    I stare out the window, watching the buildings pass by in a daze.


    "Grace. "Ethan''s thumb runs down my inner wrist gently. "I am sorry. If I knew... if you had told me¡ª"


    "You said you would give my child to Lily if I was pregnant because I didn''t deserve to be a mother. "I state, as a matter of fact, not sparing him a nce.

 Red Haze

    Grace


    "You said you would give my child to Lily if I was pregnant because I didn''t deserve to be a mother. "I state, as a matter of fact, not sparing him a nce.


    I hear his breath hitch and smile wider. He is so good at his ''hurt'' act.


    "Don''t be hurt. You gave the child to Lily, after all. She wanted it gone and you did just that. "I lean back and continue to stare out.


    "Do you think I don''t mourn the loss of our-"


    "Don''t. "I snap, pulling my wrist out of his palm." don''t go there, Ethan."


    To my relief, he goes silent and doesn''t push it.


    Our journey ends in silence but his eyes remain on me, making it impossible for me to not feel disdain.


    When the expensive hospitales into my view, I straighten up. Out of nowhere, Ethan grabs my hand again and ces a file in it.


    I lift my brows and finally direct my gaze to his face. His eyes meet mine, softening once more.


    Take it. " He whispers.


    I eye the file and open it without dy.


    "Everything you think I snatched from you, take it ande back to me. We will start over this time. " Ethan''s whispering voice draws closer.


    I look up, finding his face near mine. My gaze searches his eyes before I smirk and get out of the car.


    It''s a good move on his part to throw a bone my way by returning my grandma''s shares to me. He didn''t deserve them.


    Ethan follows me as we step inside the hospital and grab the attention of everyone around us again.


    I am led to Lily''s private room. The door slides open, revealing her pale, weeping face that lights up into a teary smile when she sees me.


    I smile, entering the room and walking towards her. My gaze is drawn to the bandages around her hands and arms.


    "I heard you refused to get treatment without seeing me, but you seem to have already gotten your wounds bandaged, Big sister. "I stop beside her bed, meeting her eyes. Noticing Ethan''s presence behind me, Lily instantly breaks into sobs.


    "It''s true, Gracie. I didn''t take any pain medicines even if it hurts like hell. I imagined the pain I caused you and couldn''t bring myself to reduce my pain. I am so-"


    Before she can say anything else, I grab her hand and pull it towards me. She screams out, trying to pull it back.


    Instantly, Ethan hisses." Grace, what are you doing?"


    "Just inspecting my sister''s wounds. " I smile, a crazy look invading my eyes that meet her terrified gaze.


    Without giving her a notice, I grab the scissors ced on the tray on the side table and cut her bandages. She shrieks, trying to snatch her hand back but in a moment, the bandage drops, hanging by her uninjured wrist and hand. "Grace!" Lily yells, tugging her arm to her side and hiding it behind her back.


    "What are you doing?! " Ethan growls, his hands closing around my arms to draw me away from Lily.


    "Her hands burned?! "I scoff, breaking free of Ethan''s holds and lunging towards Lily.


    She jumps out of her bed, running towards the corner of the room while Ethan wraps his arms around my waist to hold me in ce.


    "Grace, stop it." Ethan whispers in my ear, his forehead resting against the side of my head.


    Slowly, I stop fighting and let him hold me. He breathes heavily and turns me in his arms to cup my cheeks.


    "What are you doing? Calm down, okay?" He coaxes, caressing my cheeks, his eyes betraying tender emotions." Just-"


    "You idiot. " I whisper against his lips and plunge the scissors into his shoulder.


    A sharp groan escapes his mouth, his hands dropping to his side. I watch as Ethan''s gaze lowers to the scissors on his shoulder and then rises to my eyes. A mixture of shock, pain and disbelief reflects in his gaze, sending a wave of satisfaction down my back.


    I pull the scissors out of his shoulder and stab the same spot again. Blood sshes out of the wound, drops painting my face as my smile turns into a grin.


    "I told you again and again! Don''te across me, or I will show you the crazy you call me." I whisper, releasing the scissors so he can stagger back and clutch his shoulder. Grace. " Ethan''s voice drops, his eyes feigning hurt again.


    What a perfect actor he is!


    I snort, now turning and walking towards the bigger actor. She cowers in the corner, her horrified eyes moving towards Ethan.


    She runs towards the door instantly, trying to escape me but I grab her hair mid-way and push her down. She just never learns her lesson!


    "Grace! Leave me. You- "


    Her words cut into screams as I trample over her pale hand with my heel.


    She cries out, writhing on the floor. I rotate the heel until I hear her satisfying cries turning into curses and pleas.


    I raise my foot and m it into her arm. " let me injure you first, my sister. Then you can act all pitiful and call me to meet you!"


    I see red. I want these people gone from my life. I want myself to drift away, so far away that nothing will find me again.


    But they don''t leave me alone. They don''t let me live with them. They don''t let me live without them.


    And now, I don''t even want to live anymore. Might as well take them with me.


    "I warned you thest time, but you didn''t learn! You keep wanting to see me, so see me now and see me good! "I scream, mming my heel into her arm repeatedly.


    I can not stop. It''s wrong, it''s not me, but I can not stop myself.


    I want someone toe grab me and pull me out of this hazy abyss but-


    Suddenly, a pair of arms wrap


    around my waist and raise me in the air before turning me away from Lily. I try to break free and reach for that bitch again but a deep, gentle voice makes me stiffen and halt in that haze.


    "Stop it, Little Butterfly, or you might hurt yourself. I don''t want that."


    I don''t know what it is, or why it is like this...but his voice makes me pause and take a deep breath.


    I blink,ing back to my senses. My gaze meets Ethan''s face, pain and surprise written all over it.


    I pry free of Tristin''s arms and stroll to his side to pick up the file I dropped earlier. Ethan''s body twitches when I lower myself.


    I shoot him a re as I straighten up and point toward the scissor still stuck in his shoulder.


    The next time youe looking forN?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    me or try to humiliate me, Ethan Calder, I am going to take you to the tallest tower in the city and throw both down to end everything.


    Remember it. And sign the do not


    papers. "I scoff, walking back to Tristin to grab his sleeve and pull him out of the disgusting? atmosphere.

 Hospital

    Grace


    "Maybe I should...take it to the court after all. "I mumble under my breath, my brows pinched in concentration.


    Myck of horror towards stabbing Ethan and hurting Lily surprises me. But I still can''t bring myself to regret it. Instead, I regret not doing it sooner.


    "Or I should-"


    A warm hand around my wrist makes me pause. I look down, to find my hand still holding onto to Tristin''s wrist.


    My lips purse, my eyes narrowing on my trembling fingers. It''s so stupid that I haven''t stopped trembling.


    It''s like something inside me is screaming at me to wake up, but I am still lost in an abyss, unable to think about anything else but the damn divorce.


    The sooner Ethan divorces me, the sooner I can leave this awful world.


    I can be at peace. I-


    Tristin pries my fingers off his wrist and turns my hand around to look at my palm. I blink at the deep gash on my hand that is bleeding profusely. The scissors must have hurt me too.


    After all, it''s not possible to hurt someone else and not get hurt in the way. That''s why they say that...when you are out for revenge, you should dig two graves. One for your enemy and one for yourself. "What are you doing?" Tristin murmurs, his voice cold and hard.


    I look up at his face, focus on his darkening eyes and shudder. He looks ready to murder someone.


    "I am doing what you wanted me to do." I tell him honestly. "You want me to distract Ethan, right? Make him so angry with me that he forgets about Lily and focuses on getting back at me?"


    His gaze snaps to mine. The air around me freezes, sending another shudder down my body.


    "Isn''t that why you let him get to me...every time?" I whisper, wondering why I really thought that he would protect me.


    Tristin has no reason to help me. But he has every reason to use me because I am both, a Calder and a Whitlock. It makes me so special for everyone who hates both cocky families.


    "To the hospital, Luca. " Tristin''s voice breaks me out of the trance.


    I pull my hand out of his grip softly and turn to the window. I have already epted that Tristin is only using me, but it still feels weird every time that I admit this to myself. Why must he act like a friend if he is more like a puppet master to me? I sense his warm palm over my hand again. He pulls it back towards him.


    Startled, I nce at our hands to find him wrapping his tie around it. My eyes lift to his perfect suit, now bare of the tie.


    "You are really good at this." I smile, watching him stop the bleeding, his eyes fixed on my hand with a strange look in them.


    His silence irks me so I continue." You push people into the fire and then pretend to be the savior. Does it stroke your saviorplex? "


    A moment passes, but he doesn''t reply. The warmth of his hand seeps into my skin, making me want to draw my hand back but he holds it still, refusing to let it go.


    So, I turn away from him again and watch the bright world instead.


    An hour ago, I was going to the hospital with Ethan to see Lily. Now, I am with Tristin, on my way to another hospital.


    But this ride is not as ufortable as the one with Ethan.


    When we reach there, Tristin pulls me out of the car and leads me inside. This time, I focus less on the people eyeing us and more on his hand around my wrist.


    He should have said something by now instead of dragging me around silently. My frown deepens as he sits me down on the bed of a private room.


    Doctors and nurses rush inside, instantly treating my hand and assessing me for other injuries as if I have been in a terrible ident. Their stances are rigid and their movements nervous as they steal asional nces at the man beside the door. Maintaining his silence, Tristin steps out of the room and the doctors finally breathe a sigh of relief.


    "Ms. we need to put you on anesthetic to stitch the wound, is that¡ª"


    "No, proceed without it. "I reply without taking my eyes off the door.


    I can sense that the people around me have doubts but they don''t repeat the same question again.


    After a while, my hand is stitched and bandaged. I get down from the bed and sway lightly. I feel drowsy.


    Shaking my head, I walk out of the room, only to pause in the doorway when I see Tristin standing in the distance, beside a ss wall. He is on the phone, his jaw clenched and his eyes showing the darkness that resides inside him.


    "Reveal everything. By tomorrow, he must face the consequences. "Tristin says to the person on the other side of the call.


    I rest my side against the wall and watch him closely. Under the sunlight that filters through the ss wall on his side, the tips of his hair look golden and his blue eyes lighten to a greenish shade.


    He appears like an ice figurine, cut to perfection but he is special. The heat doesn''t melt him. Nothing can, it seems.


    "I hold 51% shares. The


    shareholders can not do anything


    against me. He says, his jaw


    gritting harder. "I will not hold back anymore. Destroy everything Calder holds elose, and hit him until he relents. By the end of his week, he must divorce Grace or he goes down."


    My brows lift at his icy tone. I clench my aching palm, my head filling with confusion.


    His expressions harden as he hears something on the other side. A scary smirk pulls at his lips.Exclusive content from N?velDrama.Org.


    I swallow, unease growing inside my chest.


    "If he won''t give in, he has reached his end. Strip him off the power and kill him. " His voice echoes in the silent corridor.


    After he is done, the silence resonates again. I be a frozen figure on my spot, watching him turn into a man from someone''s worst nightmares. Tristin said someone can''t grasp the extent of power Ethan has now without showing a certain cruelty towards the world. But he never mentioned...


    To maintain such power-a power that the Calders and Robertos hold in their palm-they all must turn into demons.


    Once they get the power, they can not go back to the way they were. They can not stop being cruel.


    The door behind me slides open again and the team of doctors and nurses steps out of the hospital room. The noise prompts Tristin to hang up and turn to me. I expect him to be surprised to find me there, but his expressions don''t change. The realization that he knew I was here all along makes my heart skip a beat.


    The doctors rush away when his cold eyes rest on them. After we are alone in the corridor again, I approach him on small, wobbly steps and look into his eyes. "You are the same as Ethan, if not worse, right?" I whisper, my heart growing heavy.


    The man who saved me on that road, came for me in the rain, waited for me around the corners every time...


    It''s a facade, isn''t it?


    Tristin''s tense muscles loosen under my stare. His hand reaches for mine, turning my bandaged palms so he can inspect it.


    If someone had hurt my woman, I would have made life hell for them if I couldn''t kill them. I wouldn''t choose anyone anything over her. "His thumb uns down the middle of my palm, over the bandage, as our eyes meet and he smiles. "Do I still look like Ethan to you?"


    My quivering lips press together as I find myself at a loss of words.


    "But you are cruel...just like him. " I whisper, my hand trembling in his palm.


    "You got it wrong, Little Butterfly. I am far worse than him. He only got to know power like what...for three years?" He leans in, staring into my eyes. "I have known it my whole life. I was born with it. But... "


    He leans away and releases my hand gently.


    "My cruelty doesn''t extend to you." He says, before marching away from me.

 Be My Wife Again

    Grace


    I couldn''t guess what Tristin really meant by destroying Ethan this time.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    But in the days toe, I got to know the depth of his words and threats.


    First, an employee from the Calder Corporation became a whistleblower. He revealed the under-the-table deals that got Calders most of the contracts they bid for.


    Their stocks plummeted after the news aired.


    It didn''t stop there. Several people came forth, with usations of workce harassment the next day.


    On the third day, another executive decided to disclose that some of the material used in the construction of the Calder projects was of poor quality, which could be the reason for a building''s copse under any minor straining condition.


    I watched new things on the news channel every day. Corruption charges, embezzlement charges, harassment charges, and so much more that I couldn''t even keep up with.


    Lawsuits afterwsuits, secrets after secrets...everything started drowning Ethan''s name. Whenever the reporters caught up to him, he had a cold glint in his eyes and a concealed anger only I could sense.


    But my focus remained on his shoulder. He could hide the injuries beneath his expensive suit, but he couldn''t get rid of the pain I caused him this time.


    And in my sick mind, I prayed that it should hurt a hundredfold more, that it should hurt him every day, that he shouldn''t sleep without writhing in pain every night.


    By the fourth day, Calder Corporation took a big hit, and it was not as powerful as it was a week ago.


    I didn''t feel anything over that. I just wondered why Ethan was not retaliating. Surely he was not an idiot who didn''t realize that Tristin was pulling the strings behind the scenes.


    After five days passed, I found myself disinterested in what was happening to him and more in what Tristin was going to do to Ethan once the week was over.


    The thought kept me on the edge, and I couldn''t sleep the whole night.


    It''s not like I cared about whether Ethan lived or died. It was just that I didn''t want Tristin to do something like that for me.


    I was worried about Tristin, about what Alma might think if she ever found out what her son was nning on doing because of me.


    That''s why, when the sun rises the next morning, I dial Ethan''s number. The call is picked up on the first ring as if he was waiting for me to reach out.


    "How far do you want to take it? "I scoff, without any greetings.


    "My shoulder is healing." He replies, his voice low and drained.


    "I do not care whether it''s healing or rotting Ethan. If it''s up to me, I will want you to lose it altogether. "I hiss, walking towards the window in my room.


    I have been cooped up in here after my encounter with Tristin. It''s not because I am scared of him or find him to be a monster.


    It''s just because Tristin made me feel weird that day in the hospital.


    It felt like...


    We are not partners in crime anymore.


    It felt like...he was trying to make us into something else, something I don''t want us to be.


    The heat in his gaze, the longing, and the raw desire for things that are beyond my understanding made me withdraw from him.


    I have been avoiding him in the office and at his home, always waiting for him to leave me alone.


    And to my relief, he has kept the distance between us. He doesn''t drop me at the office anymore. He sends Luca alone.


    He doesn''t ask me to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with him now. He asks the butler to deliver the food so I don''t go hungry.


    It feels like he is letting me avoid him, but at the same time, I realize that he still remembers me every single moment of the day and I don''t know...


    I don''t know what to make of it.


    "Grace." Ethan whispers after a long pause of a heavy silence.


    My heart clenches. For half my life, I loved this man, and he has left me incapable of finding happiness in this life.


    Sometimes, I wonder how things would be if I met Tristin when I was not Ethan''s wife.


    I shudder at the thought and push it


    away.


    Ethan


    drop this useless


    topic drop this useless


    wanted a divorce


    from the start. Let''s stick to it. Sign the papers, and hand them to me. Then you can go your way and I can I gamine. Don''tplicate things any longer. "


    I have been repeating the same words. I feel dumb at this point. So why doesn''t he understand?!


    "Do you love him?" His deep voice, full of anger and agony sounds through the speaker.


    I freeze on my spot, my breath hitching in my throat.


    "Once you said, you love me. You


    said you will love me forever no matter how hard or long that is. How can you forget that? How can you grab another man''s hand in front of me?" He whispers hoarsely.


    "Why don''t you ask this question to yourself when you always grab Lily''s hand in front of me?" I can''t help but chuckle at the irony of this situation.


    He loves my sister and cheats on me, yet he hates the idea of seeing me with another man.


    "Grace." He hisses under his breath.


    I sigh, my heart growing heavier by


    the passing moment. " if you are holding onto me because of your ego, Ethan, because you don''t want me to be with another man aftert leave you...just give up on that thought and divorce me. I don''t wish toofall in love again. I have learned my lesson the first time. "


    Silence falls on the other side again. I wait for a long time, then decide to hang up.


    Maybe, I should take it to court before Tristin does something foolish. I have my shares now, and money is not a problem anymore.


    "Be my wife again. " He says.


    "That''s not possible. " I reply sternly.


    "For tonight. Be my wife and attend an auction with me. " Ethan asserts, his tone hard and cold.


    I suck in a sharp breath, " Ethan-"


    "I will sign the papers after that." He adds before I can refuse him.


    I purse my lips in a thin line and stare out the window, at the flowers in the garden. Alma is tending to the roses. She always does this in the morning and that''s when I watch her.


    "I will pick you up at 7. Don''t prepare anything. I have everything handled. " Ethan announces and hangs up, not giving me a chance to protest.


    In the distance, Alma picks her head and her eyes meet mine. My cheeks flush at getting caught staring at her secretly.


    But Alma smiles, and waves at me. After the day I promised her that I would leave their lives, she became kind to me again.


    I smile and wave back at her. She smiles wider before focusing on the flowers, watering them, cutting their stems, and lovingly stroking them as if they are her friends.


    I release a heavy breath. If I can get rid of Ethan in a peaceful way, without disrupting Tristin and his family''s life, then I should go.


    I turn around and march towards the wardrobe that Alma put together for me. It''s time for me to go to the office and if everything gets settled tonight, I will never have to go there again.

 Childish Taunts

    Grace


    I thought about telling Tristin but I couldn''t bring myself to approach him.


    Silently, I slipped out of his mansion and sat inside the car awaiting me. It felt unfamiliar.


    While we were pretending to be a happily married couple, Ethan never made the effort to bring me to these events. He used to ask me for formality and I always refused because I was notfortable.


    That''s it. He never insisted or asked me why I was notfortable going to these events. He never cared to know that the high society people called me a whore, schemer, or shameless sister.


    Despite everything I did to save my family''s reputation and Ethan''s special day, I became the viin in everyone''s eyes. Which sister takes her sister''s groom-people used to ask me. And I had no answer to this.


    Sighing, I got out of the car in front of the building where a famous designer''s boutique was. In the next few hours, I was forced into a sparkly silver dress, that clung to my skin and shimmered under the lights. My hair was curled, and the waves were left hiding my dress'' low V-cut neck.


    The makeup artists did the magic and in no time, I was all ready with a light, natural makeup enhancing my features.


    After they were done, they left the room.


    That''s why, now I sit here, my gaze fixed on Tristin''s contact in my phone.


    Maybe, I should just send him a text to let him know I am going to this event. I open the textbox and pause again.


    "Boss is waiting for you in the car, Mrs. Calder. " Josh''s voice startles me.


    I sigh, looking at him through the mirror. He is dressed in a ck suit, ready to escort me to Ethan.


    What a joke!


    Ethan can''t even pretend to be a gentleman.


    I scoff, gathering my dress and marching behind Josh silently to get this over with.


    The familiar ck car awaits me in the parking. Josh opens the backside door, and I slip inside.


    Instantly, Ethan''s masculine cologne fills my space, making me hold my breath.


    How many times did I fantasize about such a moment before?


    Now that we are here, sitting so close, everything has gone to hell already. My lips curl into a self-mocking smile as I decide to stare out the window.


    "You always refused to apany me to any event before. I thought you disliked going out. Now look at you, sitting here, because you have no choice. "Ethan hums, his voice deep and close.


    "How is your Lily? Are her BURNED hands all better?" I let out a mockingugh and steal a nce at him.


    His eyes are on me, emotionless and devoid of warmth. I stiffen, taking in his expensive fitted, ck suit and the watch he wears on his wrist.


    The sight of that watch freezes me for a second. I stare as he picks that hand up and slides a stray hair behind my ear.


    "She got me again. I am sorry." His voice is smooth now, almost hypnotizing but I have stopped falling for it.


    I draw my head away with a jerk and look out the window again. It doesn''t matter that he is wearing the watch I gifted him on his birthday.


    When he received it, he said my taste was tacky. He asked why I couldn''t pick up a limited edition watch given that I was buying it with his money.


    I had no answer to that. But my heart did break back then.


    So now, it doesn''t matter if he is wearing that watch.


    "I brought the papers in case-"


    "I have them. Like I said, I will fulfill your wish. " Ethan interrupts, his voice rising in volume.


    I press my lips in a thin line and nod, refusing to let him know that he messed with my head again.


    "I got Lily bailed out of the police station. She won''t be going back there, Grace. I am telling you in advance so you don''t get angryter. "Ethan says.


    I take in a deep breath. I anticipated this much.


    But...I am at peace. Tristin will deal with Lily even after I die. He will make sure she suffers hell in life and in death.


    "Did you tell your Lover boy about our date tonight?" He asks, his voice tinged with a hint of mockery.


    My breath catches in my throat when I think about Tristin. "It''s none of your business, Ethan. Stop with your childish taunts."


    "You said you won''t be with another man after I divorce you. What happens to him then?" He chuckles darkly.


    My mouth dries as I re at the tall hotel building in the distance and refuse to answer him anymore.


    As expected, the cares to a halt in front of a red carpet. For a second, the security standing beside our car makes me sigh in relief. Maybe, I was thinking too much about-


    In the next second, the reporters swarm the ce from all sides, surrounding our car as if we are celebrities.


    The shes of the camera make me turn my head towards Ethan. My blood turns to ice in my veins.


    "You nned this, didn''t you? You


    want the whole world to know who I


    am so you can pressure me into staying with you or make it worse for me?" I clench my hands at myMaterial ? N?velDrama.Org.


    sides.


    Ethan nces at the window behind me before his gaze slowly flickers towards my face. His eyes soften. His hand cups my cheek gently.


    ''I never got to do it before because


    you never let me, Grace. It''s only


    "


    right... that before you decide to force your way out of my life....you should first get acknowledged as my wife. His eyes lower to my quivering tips and then meet my narrowed gaze once more. "You need to first be mine. Then you can decide against it."


    A lump forms in my throat. Josh opens my side of the door, and the flutters of the cameras filter inside, capturing every moment.


    Ethan gets out of the car, rounds it, and stands on my side, offering me his hand. I need to find a way out of this.


    Suddenly, he grabs my wrist and pulls me out of the car before I cane up with something.


    His arm wraps around my waist, forcing me to stand beside him, letting the cameras capture us-side by side, together.


    "Mr. Calder, we heard Mrs. Calder and you were having issues in your married life. Is everything better now?"


    "Mrs. Calder, did your sister Lily Whitlock try to kill you?"


    "Mr. Calder, why did you bail out your wife''s sister who tried to kill her?"


    Mr. Calder. Mrs. Calder. Endless questions.


    Josh and the bodyguards push the reporters aside after the ordeal is done. Ethan leads me inside the hotel venue where the event is held.


    Our entrance silences the people present. They turn to us, their eyes drilling into my front like bullets.


    Ethan leans in and whispers in my ear. "You didn''t tell him that you areing with me, did you?"


    Confused, I nce up at him, our faces inches apart. "what are you-"


    Ethan''s lips curl into a smirk. "How can I let you be sad on a special day? I made sure to take you to the ce where you can always see your lover boy."


    My heart misses a beat as I look ahead, and search among the crowd. Finally, my eyes meet the pair of blue orbs, watching me from the distance. Cold, distant, and enraged.


    ve


    ''This is my gift for you, my wife. I have been tolerating your lover boy''s antics for the past few days, just for you. But you want a divorce and I will give it to you. But this means, will not tolerate his schemes after that, Let me show you what happens when I stop ying the defensive." Ethan''s deep voice whispers in my ear, presenting a sensual picture to the world and at the same time, making my head spin.

 Beyond Saving

    Grace


    "Ethan, I need to- "


    "Stay. "Ethan holds on to my waist, nudging me in the direction of the influential men approaching him.


    He doesn''t let me go, no matter what excuse I present or how I try to pull away from him. In the sea of irrelevant people, I find myself constantly searching for Tristin and when I locate him, I can not look at him for long. The web of search resets, pushing me to continue the same cycle of push and pull again.


    My heart is beating too fast and my hands are sweating, making me unable to hold still.


    "Look at her. Isn''t she Lily''s sister?" I hear a group of women talking from somewhere behind us.


    Ethan is engaged in a tense talk with the two expensively dressed men in front of us, while his arm remains around me, keeping me in ce.


    "Didn''t she recently report her sister for attempted murder?"


    "I bet she was jealous of her and thought Ethan would ditch her for Lily after all. "Another one sneers.


    "Lily is better in every sense. This bitch just proved it! Look how shamelessly she istched onto her sister''s boyfriend. If I were her, I would have died before marrying my sister''s man and sleeping with him."


    The disgust in their voices makes me steal a nce at them. The threedies meet my gaze before they turn away, giving me their back.


    I sigh, shifting my focus to the host standing on the stage, asking for everyone''s attention. His words sound muffled in my ears as my eyes stare at the big screen behind him.


    Presentations.


    Proposals.


    Projects.


    And potential investors.


    It''s not a charity event, but a confidential disy of everypany''s best construction designs.


    Suddenly, I find Ethan''s arm more repulsive than usual. An invisible hand tightens around my throat, making it hard for me to breathe.


    If apany''s reputation takes a hit in such an important international event, it''s bound to be a massive blow to them.


    I catch sight of Mr. Costello in the distance, working on the system. My chest tightens.


    He picks his head and looks in our direction. His eyes widen for a second, before he looks away, at Ethan.


    I watch, as he nods, oblivious to everyone else''s eyes. My lips twitch.


    "Is this your n? What if I just go and tell Tristin that his trusted Director is messing up his designs?" I whisper under my breath.


    "What will that do? They either present a faulty design or present nothing at all because they can not make something up in a few minutes that follows the criteria. In the end, they lose face. And what is worse than losing face in our business?" Ethan replies smugly. I nce at him. He has his eyes on me. His gaze is soft and light as if he can no longer bother with the coldness.


    "No RB Group members will lose their sleep over such a stupid failure. "I grit my jaw.


    Ethan''s lips curl, as he strokes the side of my waist with his rough fingers." there is going to be a special feature to everyone''s presentation today. They will run the simtion. Once they see it fall, they will wonder...how many RB-constructed buildings can fall the same way. How easy it will be to pull some strings and make everyone believe that all those designs were passed because of the decades-old influence of the Roberto family."


    My heart misses a beat." You think you can pull this off? Not every design is bribed to be like this, Ethan."


    "Oh. " He smiles and looks away from me." But I have the power to make them pass it as faulty. Once they do, they will demolish every big project of RB Infra. That''s the biggestpany under RB Corporation, isn''t it? Without it...where do the Robertos fall in the power chain?"


    I press my lips in a thin line, my heart still beating like a drum. All this time, Ethan was already after Tristin. The war between these two giants was always inevitable.


    "Right, my sweetheart. Without RB


    Infra, the Robertos fall far below me.


    What do you think will happen to your lover boy after that? How with he go after Lily then? How will he- Ethan''s eyes meet mine again, and suddenly, I find myself asking.


    "Why did I ever fall in love with you, Ethan?"


    The smile vanishes from his lips. I jerk my waist free and step away.


    "You talk about destroying apany over some lies as if you don''t even care about how many people will have to suffer because it. And to think it''s all because of


    Lily... "L''smile bitterly. "You tel


    mie


    regret it. I will regret this for my whole life. Loving you was a sin I should have nevermitted. People are right, Ethan. Even after knowing you were in love with myN?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    sister, I should have never be


    "1


    your wife. Because you deserved


    her. You still do. "


    My voice attracts attention but Ethan doesn''t look away, nor do I. I re at him for some time, and then I find myself goingpletely numb towards him. Silently, I turn around and march away from him. This time, he doesn''t chase me. He stays on his spot, probably reveling in his victory.


    As soon as I am away from him, I search for Tristin again. My legs be wobbly, as time passes quickly.


    I need to find him and tell him to send someone to the office. I have made the error right. If only he gets that design in time, they can present it right now.


    My head buzzes. It feels like I am in a tunnel, racing against time to reach the other end. But no matter how fast I run or how far I get, I can note out. Tristin. Where are you?


    I gather my gown in my hands and run up the stairs, to search the upper floor of the venue. I look everywhere until Ie to a sudden halt on a balcony overlooking the hall.


    Mr. Costello is already on the stage and the design is being disyed. My mind zones out. I stagger towards the railing and look at him, hating every moment of my life that I endured this man.


    If I had reported him instead of thinking that I shouldn''t bother because I was dying soon anyway...


    If I had done it for someone else, someone I didn''t even know...


    If only I had done what was right...


    He wouldn''t be here today, harming the man who saved me in some sick ways.


    "Now, it''s time to run a simtion..." He is saying, quite happily and confidently.


    I squeeze my eyes shut, my hands clenching by my side. A deafening silence falls around me.


    I wait for the uproar, for the sudden shock that takes over the audience, but instead of it, I hear the muffled apuse.


    A presence looms on my side. My eyes snap open,nding on the people in the hall. They don''t look shocked or rmed.


    Instead, they look amused and impressed. Confused, I look up at the screen, and like Mr. Costello, I am baffled too.


    The simtion has run smoothly, and now people are only admiring the new spectacle RB Infra has designed, a world-ss design for a big Mall that will be constructed soon.


    "Tristin. "I murmur, directing my numb gaze towards the man standing beside me.


    He ces his hand over the railing and turns to face me. His eyes are still distant, radiating a certain wrath I can not avoid.


    "I¡ª "


    "It''s true.


    Once a woman loves a


    man, she can not stop herself from bing a rug underneath his feet. So how does that feel to let Ethan walk all over you again?" Tristin


    pts, and asks coldly


    My blood freezes, and I find myself unable toe up with an answer. I am not used to his harshness or hurtful words.


    "I didn''t-"


    "You are beyond saving, Grace Whitlock. " Tristin whispers distantly and turns away to leave.

 Show Off

    Grace


    "Tristin, you need to listen to me." Instinctively, I leap behind him.


    He takes long strides, walking away with a predatory ease that makes my heart heavy.


    Before I can reach him, a hand closes around my wrist and pulls me back. I nce at the hand, and then the face of the man holding me back.


    Anger simmers beneath my skin, threatening to spill over. Desperate, I take my eyes off Ethan and look in the direction where Tristin disappeared. He didn''t even spare me a look. Not even once.


    "Was it you?" Ethan asks, his fingers digging in my flesh.


    I wince and jerk my hand free. "I wish. But you are just too stupid to fight Tristin, Ethan. You should give up now."


    "This is only the start. A little setback can not stop me, Grace. " Ethan says, grabbing my wrist again.


    I grit my jaw, ready to retort but a familiar voice makes me halt. I move towards the railing, my wrist still clenched between Ethan''s hands.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Lily stands on the stage, wearing a glittery ck dress that highlights her perfect curves. With a confident smile on her lips, and a mic in her hand, she looks ethereal.


    Her charming voice draws everyone''s attention, but I am not listening to her. I am focusing on how people react to her, how they never gossip when she appears, and how they seem to worship the ground she walks on. With her, people don''t care even if she was used of attempted murder just a few days ago.


    They simply don''t mind whatever she does, because she is someone like that-someone who is born to shine under the spotlight and knows how to harness affection from the people around her.


    The way she walks with grace, speaks with a soft voice, carries herself in a harmless feminine way...people love it.


    People don''t give a damn if this siren of a woman destroyed my life.


    The anger cools in my veins, as I stare at, and watch the way she moves, and present the project on the screen.


    She speaks in a know-it-all manner about the design I once made and she snatched. No one will doubt her even if I scream the truth at the top of my lungs.


    "Don''t hate her. She has had it hard, Grace." Ethan''s soft voice sounds close to my ear.


    "After everything you know about her... "I murmur, feeling like I am repeating myself again.


    How many times will I ask him the same thing, go through the same ordeal?


    "She made mistakes. She is ready to fix them." He provides an excuse.


    I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I should give her the chance to fix things."


    "Yes, you should. All she needs is a chance. "He coaxes, his thump running down the back of my hand.


    I throw him a soft smile and nod again." I should. Let me go watch her from close."


    Hisck of anger towards the Tristin situation doesn''t surprise me. He must have expected this much from a Roberto man. Besides, he must have seen Tristin walk out on me which makes him happy. Now, in his delighted oblivion, he wants me to give him and his lover another chance.


    Reluctantly, Ethan releases me." No funny business, Grace. Don''t ruin this day anymore."


    "I won''t, Ethan. Let''s all give each other a chance. "I sigh, wrapping my arms around myself, my cell still clutched in my hand.


    I receive a suspicious nod from him and conclude, that he is still an arrogant ass.


    Without dying any further, I go down the stairs and towards back stage where the whole setup for the screen is.


    Lily''s humorous words drawughter from her audience and makes them fall more in love with her.


    I can''t help but imagine a different situation. If Tristin had fallen into Ethan''s trap, these people would haveughed at him too. They would have loved to watch a powerful man fail in front of the world. But will they love to see the same happening to their sweetheart?


    My eyes sh a cold glint as I open my phone and do what I came here for. The people working on their systems don''t doubt me because of my expensive dress and because, they now know me as Ethan Calder''s wife. Mrs. Calder-the shallow title holds immense influence.


    "Do not detach this phone. "I order them before walking away.


    I don''t fear they will go against mymand as they will never try to defy a so-called influential woman like me.


    I step out just in time the stimtion starts on the screen. Excitedly, Lily steps away and waits for her sess, to reim her reputation.


    The video I leaked from the club was immediately suppressed by Ethan to protect her. Not many people saw it or became familiar with Lily''s true face onmaybe they are aware, but choose to forget about it to O aodate a girl like her.


    Then isn''t it better to remind the world who she is?


    I smilezily as the scene on the screen shifts to Lily''s smug face in the dim lightning.


    "My projects, my dreams, my designs. You took everything..."


    My words float through the silent air, and instantly, faces pale and murmurs start. Amidst the chaos, I keep my eyes on Lily who stares at the screen, shell shocked. She thought she swept it under the rug already.


    She thought she could move around freely and be an amazing woman again.


    "Shut it down! This is a lie. My sister-she-she trapped me." Lily sniffles, her wide eyes moving around the Hall, searching for someone to help her.


    "Turn it off. "I hear Ethan hiss at someone in the distance.


    But the video has already reached the point where she acknowledges what she did, and Lily''s mask has been ripped off again.


    "Grace." Her frenzied eyes, meet my face in the middle of the murmuring crowd and tears start falling from her eyes.


    "Why are you doing this to me, Grace?" She cries out, and ces her hand on her chest.


    "She stood there, so dignified and all, and I thought she must have resolved her issue with her sister."


    "I guess not. Both sisters are after Mr. Calder. Lily is out for Grace''s blood to have him."


    "How shameless the Whitlocks are!"


    Suddenly, I am not the only one in the hot waters. She is here with me, and there is nothing more satisfying in this world than have her pulled into the mud. "You call Whitlocks shameless?" I scoff, turning to the group of people gossiping loud enough for everyone to hear.


    One of them starts, " Grace Whitlock, you are truly-"


    "This woman here, my so-called sister, is representing the Calders right now. Don''t you find it hrious that Ethan Calder brings one sister in as his wife and another as his employee? And don''t you find it funny that Lily Whitlock is here only because she is warming my husband''s bed?" I chuckle, shaking my head.


    Eyes fall on me, people turn silent.


    "He is the one who can not let go of both shameless sisters. He wants both of us." I muse. "Grace, why are you bringing Ethan into this?" Lily shrieks, her voice cracking with sobs.


    Oh, did I hurt my husband''s mistress? "whip around to face her fake, pathetic figure. "Isn''t it true that you sleep with him behind my back and then show up in front of me every day to y sisters?"


    "Grace. " Her face pales.


    QUMS


    "Or is it that you like it too? You like the idea of fucking your sister''s husband, don''t you?" I walk closer to the stage, as the red invades my sight again.


    I want to beat her again. I want to keep at it until this rage disappears.


    Before I can get to her, Ethanes into my view. I pick up my head and meet his darkening gaze, full of rage and a promise of violence.


    "Enough, Grace. You have crossed the line." He hisses under his breath, still stopping me from reaching his beloved.


    I smile. He wanted to embarrass Tristin?


    p!


    I raise my hand and p him across the cheek. His head turns to the side with the impact, shock appearing on his features.


    "You wanted to show me off as your wife, didn''t you?" I whisper, still smiling and unable to feel the sting in my hand. " here I am, Ethan. Now go on. Show me off all you want."

 Drunk

    Grace


    Ethan doesn''t look shocked this time. He grits his jaw and looks back at me, his eyes raging.


    Suddenly, Ethan grabs my arms and pulls me towards him. Silence falls in the Hall, all eyes on us, waiting for this formidable man to take his revenge.


    "What?" I smirk." Do you not like your wife anymore? Do you want to kill me?"


    "Forget about it." Ethan hisses under his breath, his hold tightening over my arms.


    "What?" I search his face.


    "Forget about the divorce." He whispers and pulls me closer. " Even if you beg and cry-"


    "Ethan." Lily screams.


    My brows lift as my gaze rises to Lily. She grabs the side of her head and faints close to the edge of the stage.


    Before she can drop from the height, Ethan crosses the distance between them and catches her in his arms.


    "Lily. "Concern reflects in his voice, and in the way he holds her body close to his chest.N?velDrama.Org exclusive content.


    The silence breaks as people start whispering among themselves.


    "Did you see that?"


    "Mr. Calder clearly has a thing for the elder sister."


    "Such an interesting drama."


    I roll my eyes and ignore the way Ethan falls for Lily''s act again. How dumb is he?


    Scoffing, I walk backstage and take my phone before leaving the hotel. There are no cameras waiting for me now, just as there is no Tristin.


    A heaviness settles on my heart as I walk ahead on the silent road, struggling to call a cab.


    I sigh, staring at Tristin''s contact. I should have told him before going with Ethan. That way, he would have known what I was up to.


    I don''t think much as I dial his number. Usually, Tristin picks up my calls on the first ring as if he is always waiting for me to reach out. But this time, the phone keeps ringing before I hear the message that my call has been rejected. My heart clenches painfully. I don''t understand why I feel so disappointed that Tristin refuses to take my calls.


    Letting out another sigh, i decide to type a message to him.


    [Tristin, it''s not what you think. I only went with Ethan because he said he will divorce me by the end of the night.]


    I stare at the message. Don''t I sound like an idiot?


    Pursing my lips, I delete the message and think of what to say to him. Maybe, I should be honest and tell him what I have been thinking.


    But then again, why should I? It''s not like Tristin and I have something going on.


    I am about to hit the call button again when a two cars suddenlye to a stop beside me. It all happens so fast.


    One moment, the phone is in my hand and I am desperate to contact Tristin. The next moment, Josh and several other step out and surround me. "Mrs. Calder. Pleasee with me." Josh says.


    "Josh. Did Ethan send you to kidnap me again?" I breathe, and instantly hit the call button again.


    Immediately, Josh snatches my phone and throws it on the ground. I gasp, reaching out for it but his foot crushes the screen before I can reach it.


    "Mrs. Calder, pleasee with me or we will have to use the less preferred ways to make youply." Josh says, his tone robotic.


    I stare at my broken phone and then at Josh. "I just realized."


    "What, Mrs. Calder?" Josh asks.


    "That you are a son of a bitch like your Boss!" I yell before mming my foot in his crotch.


    Josh''s robotic face bes beet red as he falls on his knees. I shoot him and his stunned minions a smirk before gathering my dress and running away. "M-Mrs. Calder." Josh groans in pain. "G-Go catch-catch her!"


    I run faster, but I am caught and pushed into the car like a rag doll curse and scream and hit but in the end, l-am taken away to a secluded vi in the middle of nowhere.


    QUMS


    They lock me up in a room and I have no choice but to sit on the bed, and wait for Ethan toe and tell me what he wants now.


    ***


    In the middle of the night, I jolt awake with a yelp when I hear something crash against the floor.


    Themps beside the bed are the only lights in the room, and makes everything appear eerie.


    My chest heaves rapidly as my wide eyes scan the room and thennd on the man standing close to the door.


    It takes me a moment to adjust my vision and when I see him clearly, a scowl etches into my face.


    "What is the meaning of this now? Do you want to get back at me for hitting you?" I scoff at Ethan.


    He rests his back against the closed door and stares at me without saying a word.


    A bad feeling twists my guts. I notice his dishevelled hair and crumpled shirt before my eyes lower to the whiskey bottle dangling in his hand.


    "Come here." Ethan says, his voice slow and a little slurry.


    My mouth dries." You are drunk."


    "Come to me, Grace. " Ethan rasps, calling out to me again.


    I sigh, getting to my feet but I don''t go to him. "Why would you drink so much? Is this your way of intimidating me?"


    "I am...sleepy." Ethan whispers. "Come take off my clothes."


    It''s like he has returned to the past and no longer remembers what happened tonight.


    "No, Ethan. I am not that Grace anymore." I shake my head, and wrap my arms around myself." Tell your people to let me go. I want to go home."


    "Home? You are calling that ce home again! " His soft expressions shift, a pained look taking their ce.


    A lump forms in my throat. "I-"


    "l


    You are staying with that asshole!


    Do you sleep in the same bed? Is


    that why you call it your home now"


    Ethan murmurs, his eyes losing focus on me.


    He has returned to his senses now.


    "Ethan-"


    Before I can say anything, the bottle crashes over the floor, just close to my feet. I scream, and jump in my spot.


    Ethan marches towards me,


    crossing the distance between us in


    a few aggressive strides. He looks murderous as his hands close around my arms and m me into the bed.

 Dont Leave Me

    Grace


    "You just never change. How many times has it been already?" I murmur, attempting to get up but he hovers above me, pressing me down with his weight.


    "I will never let you go. " Ethan seethes, leaning in to press his lips to mine.


    I turn my head away and nce at themp ced on the side table.


    Ethan grips my chin harshly and makes me face him again. I hold my breath, staring into his half-lidded eyes.


    "Your lover boy knows you are here with me. Josh caught his men spying on your whereabouts." His lips curl into a sinister smirk." what do you think about that?"


    I blink, my hands going still by my side. My nk face makes Ethan frown.


    "He doesn''t give a fuck if you sleep with me or what I do to you here." He hisses, grabbing my left wrist to pin it above my head.


    "Why do you think I care about it?" I sigh, finding it hard to panic.


    He is on top of me, drunk and furious, yet I find it hard to react. His Tristin talk doesn''t bother me either. Tristin probably realized that this was his chance to go after Lily and dropped the idea ofing for me. Good for him.


    "He can keep you away from me if he tries, Grace." Ethan cups my cheek and strokes it gently with his rough fingers. " but he doesn''t. He doesn''t care about you."


    My body jolts in repulsion. I release a breath and grab his hand to push it away.


    "I don''t want him to. "I shake my head.


    Confusion appears in his eyes. Ethan''s hand hangs in the air awkwardly.


    "He-"


    "Stop whining like a child. He did this or did that. Stop it. I don''t really care, Ethan. "I ce my hand over his chest to push him away.


    "Are you trying to fool me again by making me believe there is nothing between you two?" He snarls, his expression shifting to one of fury.


    I swallow as his hand cups my cheek again. He squeezes my face harshly, making my lips pucker out.


    "I won''t fall for it!" His voice rises in volume. "Listen to me carefully now. I am going to fuck you, Grace. Tonight and for the rest of your life, and no other man will every his hands on you. You are mine and will ever be " His words cut off with a groan. I blink, noticing the trail of blood that sneaks down his forehead and falls over my neck.


    "That''s what you call rape. "I mumble, mming themp over his head again.


    He was so busy with his threat that he didn''t notice me grabbing themp, he didn''t hear the ss dropping on the floor, and he didn''t anticipate the blow.


    Ethan draws his head back momentarily, his hand moving up to touch his forehead. He shakes his head, focusing on the blood on his fingers.


    Instead of taking any chances, I push him away and m themp on the back of his head again. Ethan gasps, his hands moving up to hold me, but they never reach me.


    With the fourth blow of themp, he drops on the bed, his hands still reaching out to me.


    "You know... "let themp fall on the floor as slip away from him. seeing you like this reminds me of how I reached out to you that day You pushed me, you almost killed me, and I was still... reaching out to you But you took Lily and left. Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "


    His groans don''t make me feel anything. The coldness has seeped into my bones. I wish he dies.


    I get to my wobbly feet and take a deep breath. " After that...if you still believe I will let you rape me, you are wrong Ethan. How many times has it been anyway? I pped you, stabbed you, insulted you...why don''t you get lost?"


    I walk around the bed and stop by his side. Ethan''s hand is holding the side of his head, as blood trickles down and taints the sheet under him.


    Unconsciously, I reach for his cheek, wiping the line of blood that is rolling down to his neck. The warm liquid coats my finger, making my heart turn colder.


    "The sight of your blood... "A lump forms in my throat. " would have wounded my heart before. But now...I don''t even feel pity, Ethan. Is this not enough for you? What more...do you want to turn me into?"


    He blinks, pushing himself up. Instinctively, I try to step away but he catches my arms and draws me in. My hands rest on his chest, as our faces near and his ragged breaths hit my lips.


    Now that he has stopped pressing on the wound, his blood starts flowing faster. Feeling his hands around my arms pulls me out of the trance.


    Suddenly, this is too real, and I am watching him bleed from so close. I am reminded of how we first met, the days I spent with him, the moments we have shared...and how it all ended. My vision blurs and tears start to flow without control.


    "You- "Ethan''s voice breaks. He draws me closer and rests his forehead against mine. "You...can make me bleed all you want. But...don''t leave me."


    I shake my head and hit his chest,


    struggling to break free. "I don''t want to be with you. I don''t want you anymore. You-You broke my heart, Ethan. You killed our child. You-You stood by when Lily used me of being a cheater. You... You believed her over me. You still do! God, you still do! Why? Why could you not believe me? Why her and not me?"


    "You...betrayed me. " Ethan croaks, his grip loosening over my arms as his eyes droop.


    "No." I sniffle my struggles


    bing weaker. "I never betrayed you. I never did anything to hurt you, Ethan. I loved you. All along, I just loved you...but Lily never did. She never loved you. She didn''t abandon you on the altar for me."


    Grace. " Ethan whispers, fighting to keep his eyes open.


    "She disappeared because you were less powerful than Sebastian Roberto. She left because she found someone better. It''s her! She never loved you, but I did. Then why-why did you do this to me?!" My rants fall on deaf ears. My breath hitches as Ethan slumps back, his eyes closing and the blood wetting the pillow under his head.


    I wipe my tears before my attention diverts to the blood on my hands. My fingers tremble under my gaze.


    "Ethan. "I call out to him. My spine stiffens as I stand there, waiting for him to answer but he doesn''t.


    Even the sound of his breathing has ceased and everything has gonepletely silent.


    Is dying so easy? So silent? So cold?


    "Ethan. "I whisper, and my voice drowns behind the silence in the room.

 Miserable

    Grace


    I sit on the floor silently and stare at the blood that still stains my hands. After the rush of emotions, everything has gone numb inside me again.


    "They have asked us to make life difficult for you." Detective Marlo stands on the other side of the bars and reveals.


    "Did Ethan''s family return from abroad? "I wonder.


    "They want you to suffer for hurting Mr. Calder. Eventually, they will bring some people inside and get them to torture you." He discloses, without answering my question.


    I nod. I expect nothing less from the Calder family. Ethan usually kept them out of the country because they were problematic but now that they are back, and Ethan is not conscious, they will do everything to make life hell for me.


    "I didn''t expect you to be such a woman. Why did you do that Mr. Calder?" He sighs.


    I don''t know why he came or why he is being so nosy.


    "You could have run away instead of calling the police and ambnce for him. Mr. Calder''s people would have dealt with the rest. "Detective Marlo continues.


    I take a deep breath and close my hands. I don''t want to stare at the blood any longer.


    "He could have died. "I murmur.


    When I came to my senses and realized he could have really died, my courage disappeared and mechanically, I searched for his cell phone to call for help.


    Today I have finallye to terms with the fact that I do want Ethan to suffer, but I don''t want to kill him. I don''t have it in me.


    "The Calder family will¡ª"


    "Why are you here, Detective?" I question, closing my burning eyes.


    "My hard work went down the drain. I am frustrated. "He ms his hand on the bar and hisses. " That''s why I refused to get involved in the first ce. You can''t really bring powerful people to justice. Lily Whitlock was taken out and her record was wiped clean. Just like her, your husband is also considered a saint in the police records but here you are...


    "In for attempted murder. "I finish for him as a sad smile pulls at my lips.


    "He kidnapped you, didn''t he? You did everything in your self-defense! But they are saying you went there to kill your husband, that it was all a prenned, cold-blooded murder attempt. Thisbel will get you the highest verdict." He sighs.


    I nod, my eyes burning even if I have closed them. Ethan''s bloodied face shes across my mind, and I swallow the lump that forms in my throat.


    "How is he?" I whisper.


    "In a critical condition. If Mr. Calder doesn''t survive, you will be charged with murder. Your life is over. And even if he survives, he will keep you behind bars for the rest of your life. That''s just as shitty as this system. "Detective Marlo huffs before I hear him retreat. Turns out he came to vent his frustration about the little power that he holds. The influential people twist the facts and make Detectives like him dance to their tune even if everyone knows the real truth. This must make these people feel helpless.


    I hum to myself and open my eyes. My gaze is drawn to the dried blood once more.


    You can make me bleed but don''t leave me. Ethan''s words echo in my head, and I find myself unable to forget about him.


    Suddenly, I am forced to think about a harsh fact. Why does Ethan really believe Lily, cheats on me, yet still holds onto me as if his life depends on it?


    Why is the situation not adding up?


    What am I missing?


    My thoughts are pushed to a stop, as Detective Marlo appears on the other side of the bars again.


    "Your sister Lily Whitlock... " He trails off, his voice breathless.


    "What about her?" My lips form a small smile.


    I have a hunch.


    "She went missing." He discloses. " do you know anything about it?"


    Of course, I do. Tristin has made his move. Ethan is unconscious, barely hanging onto life, and can not protect her.


    Tristin has swept in to get her away at the crucial moment. This way, he will avoid having Ethan searching for Lily immediately and ruining Tristin''s ns. "They might pin this on you." Detective Marlo says.


    "Let them pin the end of the world on me. I don''t care, Detective. "I shrug nonchntly.


    I hope Tristin makes Lily suffer.


    "At this rate, there is no way you will ever get out of here." He sighs and retreats again.


    I release a soft breath and rest my head against the wall behind me. It''s dark in the cell I am kept inside and it smells horrible.


    Once in a while, I even hear hissing voicesing from the floor, but it doesn''t faze me.


    I have been in here for longer than a day, since the time, the cops showed up at Ethan''s hidden vi and took me away.


    Yet, Tristin didn''te.


    This means we are done. Tristin has achieved what he wanted through me and slipped out of my life as easily as he barged in.


    Now, alone once more, I feel oddly agitated but at peace. I just wish Ethan doesn''t die on me.


    The door to the cell is pushed open


    and three women stroll inside. I


    crane my neck, directing my gaze towards the officer locking the door before looking at the group of women. Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Instead of sitting down, they shoot me piercing res and close in on me from all sides.


    "I wonder... were you sent by Calders or Whitlocks? "I whisper, pulling my knees to my chest.


    "Does it matter? They paid us


    handsomely to disfigure your face. Once this beauty is gone, you will not dare to seduce men again." The one on the right side crouches and takes out a de. NovelDrama.Org


    "They paid you to ruin my face?" I blink.


    You can sit still and let me carve you up or you can fight and make yourself more miserable." The bulky woman on my right smirks, showing her dirty teeth.


    ¡°Who knows maybe she will end up stabbing you a few times if you move too much." The other twough.


    I nce at the officer still standing beside the locked door, his back towards us. He can hear them, but he doesn''t move an inch.


    My chest tightens as I look back at the group, and smile. "I think I want to be miserable. "

 Accident

    Grace


    I push myself to my feet, ready to defend myself until the end. The woman on the right lunges for me.


    I raise my arm in front of my face protectively. A gasp erupts from my mouth as the de shes across my wrist.


    The other two surround me and grab my arms. I thrash, trying to free myself but they have more strength than me.


    They pull my arms down, exposing my face to the one with the de. I twist and turn, and watch as she shoots me a vicious look.


    The glint of the de appears terrifying in the darkness. My throat dries as I direct my gaze to her face.


    She grabs my cheeks and squashes harshly. " Now stay still, Bitch. You don''t want me to poke your eyes. "


    I grit my jaw and shake my head, refusing to stop fighting. She grabs me harder and brings the de closer to my face.


    Instinctively, I lift my leg and kick her in the stomach. She shrieks, stumbling a few steps back.


    "You slut! " The one holding me from the left smacks my head so hard that my vision ckens for a second.


    I wince, shaking my head once more. She hits the back of my head again before grabbing my hair and pulling my face back.


    "I was trying to be nice to you." The fallen woman rises again, her eyes narrowing with rage. "Now I am going to poke your eyes out, cut your tongue, and feed them to the dogs on my way out."


    I like to think that doesn''t scare me. But it does. The idea of enduring such pain in a dark cell where no one wille to rescue me, and maybe, I will die with injuries, or with infection...it terrifies me.


    Slowly, I am forced to watch as shees close with the de again. This time, the woman behind me kicks the back of my knee and makes me drop. A harsh tug on my scalp makes sure that my face is bare and ready to be shed. Instinctively, I close my eyes and heave a shuddery breath. There is no escaping it now.


    She grabs my cheeks again. Her fingers dig into my flesh so hard that the inside of my mouth squashes against my teeth. I can already taste the metallic blood on my tongue.


    It will hurt a lot, right?


    I hold my breath, waiting for her to cut me. A single second feels like an eternity, filled with only fear and agony.


    "Stop it."


    The fear shatters, giving way to surprise.


    The door to the cell clings open, before the women are ripped away from me.


    "Lock them in another cell. "An unfamiliar voicemands.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Surprised, I blink my eyes open and meet a stoic face. He is wearing the guard''s uniform but for some reason, it doesn''t suit him or he simply doesn''t fit that image.


    The burly man in front of me makes the other two guards drag the women out.


    Maybe the group was not expecting an intervention and knows that any protests willnd them in hot waters, that''s why they don''t say anything and follow the guards out silently. "Did they change their mind?" I sigh, a little relieved that I didn''t have to go through the painful ordeal.


    The neer doesn''t answer my question. He eyes my bleeding wrist and then leaves the cell. The door locks again.


    I nce towards it, only to find the same man standing guard beside the door. He doesn''t show any signs of leaving.


    I look at my wrist which is bleeding profusely and grimace. The sh is not too deep but it stretches from my elbow to half my arm. And it burns terribly.


    "Someone ising to bandage it. "The man on the other side of the bars informs in a robotic voice.


    A frown etches between my brows as I direct my gaze towards his back. " who are you?


    1


    "It was expected that the Calders would try to harm you. That''s why I was sent to protect you." He says, without ncing my way.


    "Who sent you? " My frown deepens as the idea urs to me. " was it Tristin?"


    Finally, the man shoots me a surprised look over his shoulder. Something about the way his brown eyes widen makes my heart miss a beat. "Was it...not Tristin?" A lump forms in my throat.


    "You don''t know." He nods and looks away.


    "What do I not know?" I wonder, swallowing the hard lump.


    The man doesn''t answer.


    My heartbeat esctes as I wait for a long time, and find it hard toe up with another question.


    If not Tristin, then who?


    The cell is unlocked again, and a man with a doctor''s coat rushes inside. I don''t speak with him, and he doesn''t ask me any questions.


    Silently, he works on bandaging my


    wrist and leaves when he is done My eyes follow his movementszuntil I amdeft staring at the man outside the cell again.


    My head grows dizzy due to weakness, and I press my body against the wall again.


    "Was it someone from Ethan''s side?" I whisper, unable to believe that myself.


    The man still doesn''t answer.


    "Or the Whitlocks?" I feel likeughing at that thought. My parents would prefer if I die here and never bother them again.


    "It was Mrs. Roberto." The man reveals atst.


    For a few seconds, I stare at his back and wonder if I heard him right. My body freezes in the darkness, my breath halting all the same. "Alma?" I whisper in disbelief. " why would she..."


    "Mr. Roberto had an ident on the


    night of the event. He''s been


    unconscious since then. Mrs.


    Roberto got to know about you.


    today and sent me right away. He


    reveals, his back still facing


    swnov


    A buzzing noise starts in my head, making my breath sound muffled in my ears. I open my mouth to say something but find my voice gone.


    "He had to get into surgery because


    of a head injury." He continues, his voiceing from a tunnel. " Mrs.


    Roberto suspects that Ethamer


    tried to kill him. "

 Released

    Grace


    For another day, I stay locked up and the man stands guard. The Calders try to cause trouble, but their people are handled easily by the Robertos.


    As their power game continues, I find myself in a trance. He says Tristin had an ident right after leaving the event. This means he got into an ident when I was thinking of reaching out to him. Did Ethan really cause his ident?


    My heart clenches at the thought. But then, I am forced to think about the sudden disappearance of Lily.


    If...Ethan caused Tristin''s ident and Tristin is unconscious...


    Who took Lily?


    Did someone take her or she disappeared?


    The mystery around Sebastian Roberto''s death and the secret that Lily holds has be more confusing.


    In the end, the detectives call me to the interrogation room and ask me the dreaded questions.


    Where is Lily Whitlock?


    What did I do to Lily Whitlock?


    No matter how many times I tell them that I did nothing to Lily, they don''t believe me. I have no alibi. Ethan''s men destroyed all evidence of my kidnapping. They are clean, and I am the number one suspect.


    I attempted murder on Ethan. I must have done something to Lily Whitlock too because I threatened them both at the party and there are too many witnesses of that.


    Their usations are harsh and their voices are harsher. They twist the same questions and ask them until I find myself going silent.


    Then they are using and shouting and yelling, but I can no longer respond to them.


    When they realize I won''t answer, they send me back to the cell. Everything goes back to usual. The man sent by Alma stands beside the cell, and I sit against the wall, thinking and silently assessing the situation. Why is Alma only keeping me alive and not getting me out of here if she truly wants to help me?


    Suddenly, the kind woman doesn''t seem so kind anymore.


    Maybe it''s me being bitter and selfish but I can''t help...but think this man is a bone thrown my way so Alma can hide bigger things.


    Did Alma take her chances and hurt Lily?


    The question makes me sigh. How can I even think something like that? Alma is not that kind of person.


    I nce towards the man who appears bulky and professionally trained. The scary way in which he stands still for hours has me thinking different things.


    "How is Tristin now? Do you have any news?" I whisper, my voice hoarse and scratchy.


    "Mr. Roberto is out of danger but hasn''t woken up yet." He replies without looking my way.


    A breath of relief leaves my mouth as I rest my head against the wall.


    "What about Ethan Calder?" I wonder.


    When I ask about him, the man never replies. It''s like he is instructed to not talk about the Calders or Whitlocks.


    A heaviness settles on my shoulders. I can sense somethinging up my way again.


    Closing my eyes, I listen to my ragged breaths and prepare myself to spend another dark night in the cell.


    But my thoughtse to an abrupt halt when footsteps sound outside.


    "Come out." The door is opened, and streaks of light peek inside.


    I look towards the two guards standing on the other side and my muscles stiffen. "Are you taking me to the interrogation room again?"


    For some reason, the interrogation room with its musky air, rusty chairs, and angry voices has scared me more than the dark cell.


    Here, I can be silent. No one is shouting at me or ming me for things I never did.


    But in there, I face demons that reside in people. Their loud voices and threats drill inside the skull. Their angry stares bring shame. Their mming palms on the table invoke terror.  en NovelDrama.Org


    "I didn''t do anything. "I whisper, rubbing my hand over my bandaged arm.


    "The charges were dropped. You are being released, Mrs. Calder." One of them informs me mechanically.


    My heart jumps to my throat. Instantly, I get to my feet and follow them out without a second thought.


    In the next few minutes, the formalities are done, and I am sent out of the station. In a daze, I step out into the fresh night air and flinch.


    My eyesnd on the awaiting figure right away. He opens the backdoor of the familiar car and looks my way.


    "Mrs. Calder. Please get inside. " Josh says, standing beside the open door.


    It gives me a sense of deja vu but I don''t fight this time. I get inside without a word and look down at my grimy dress.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I ran so hard and fought with all my will only to end up like this again. It''s a cycle, I have realized.


    No matter where I run in this circle, l


    will always end up at the starting point. No matter who I fight in this circle, in the end, I will be in front of the same person.


    QU


    In no time we are at the hospital. Josh doesn''tment on my disheveled state or my dirty face. He leads me inside the luxurious hospital owned by the Calders and straight to a private room.


    Outside the room, Ethan''s family awaits. His mother, sister, and grandma.


    They are saying something, their voices loud and shrill. I watch in slow motion, with muffled hearing as they lunge towards me but get stopped by the men around me. "Bitch. I will kill you."


    "You are a leech!"


    "How dare you hurt my grandson?!"


    "Mrs. Calder." Josh grabs my wrist and pulls me inside the private room.


    The door slides closed, and suddenly, there are no more voices. Just silence.


    My gaze lowers to the polished floor, the re of my dirty, tattered dress a stark contrast against the tiles.


    Slowly, I lift my gaze towards the bed. Ethan is sitting on it, his back resting against the pillow. Our eyes meet, and my heart starts aching again.


    "Grace. " Ethan raises his hand towards me.


    Silently, I walk towards him and sit down on the stool beside the bed. His hand remains hanging in the air but I don''t take it.


    His head is still bandaged and his face is sickly pale as if all blood has drained from his body.


    "Did you... "I swallow the lump in my throat to prepare myself for asking the terrifying question. "...try to kill Tristin?"

 Truth or Lie

    Grace


    "Did you... "I swallow the lump in my throat to prepare myself for asking the terrifying question. "...try to kill Tristin?"


    Ethan''s hand falls by his side as a cold look shes across his droopy eyes. " he is all you care about..."


    "Did you?" My chin wobbles. " did you do it because of me?"


    Ethan stares into my eyes. I don''t know what happens, but in that moment, the look in his eyes bes detached and it feels like we have finally chosen a separate path at the crossroads.


    We are no longer lurking on the edges, desperately trying to stick together. Now we know, there is no going back. Maybe, we knew, when I tried to kill him. Maybe he realized the truth when he almost ended up dead.


    "No." Ethan shakes his head and looks away from me first. "I had nothing to do with his ident. "


    The weight on my shoulders bes less heavy. The numbness leaves my body and my eyes water.


    I have been so scared in there. The voices still ring inside my head. But the thought that haunted me the most was the fact that Tristin might have gotten hurt because of me.


    "There is no way back, right?" Ethan murmurs, turning his head to the other side.


    "You killed our child. There was never a way back from there, Ethan. " I whisper, trying to stop crying.


    As long as you are suffering but there is no one around you are familiar with, you continue to feel less affected by the pain. But once you find a familiar face in the crowd, the emotions pour out and it''s impossible to put a stop to them, to the tears, to the heartbreak. Ethan grabs something from the bedside table and turns towards me. I wipe my cheeks and clench my hands on myp.


    It doesn''t take me long to recognize the papers. The world slows down again, and other voices disappear.


    Ethan''s hand holding the pen hovers above the papers. I look up and meet his eyes which are filled with the same detachment.


    "If you stay my wife, they will keep forcing me to hurt you. " Ethan says, his voice weak." You will suffer at the hands of people I can not fight. "


    My heart clenches. "No one...hurt me more than you did. No one ever will."


    His eyes freeze, a strange emotion shing across them before he looks down and signs the papers.


    In a single moment, it''s done. Suddenly, I remember my thoughts from the day when he was desperate for a divorce.


    A signature bound us for life.


    A signature broke that vow.


    Ethan offers me the papers. With trembling fingers, I sign on my spot and suddenly, the weight crashes down on me again.


    With a signature, we were finally pushed on the separate roads. The promises of apanying each other through health and sickness and happiness and misery and life... proved false. Words became meaningless just as love did.


    I rise from the stool, the signed papers still in my hand, but the pen drops.


    "I am... Grace now. " I whisper, moving robotically to get away from Ethan." Just Grace."


    Before I can turn and leave, Ethan grabs my wrist. Fear grips my heart and I grip the papers harder.


    "No. No, don''t go back on your word. "I sniffle, shaking my head. "We are done. I don''t want to be with you."


    "Grace. " Ethan''s voice has be more dreadful.


    Shuddering, I clench my teeth and stop myself from running far away from him.


    "Tell me the truth onest time." His whisper puts a stop to my thoughts. " did you ever cheat on me?"


    "No." Tears slide down my cheeks.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Silence follows, but my mind fills with noises. No matter how many times I tell people I didn''t do something, no one will ever believe me. "Did you love me?" He asks.


    I turn around and face him. My eyes drop to his hand around my bandaged arm.


    Memories sh across my mind. Coming across him on a rainy day, finding sce in the thought of him, yearning for one look from him in secret, finding him on the altar,. getting kissed by him for the first time enduring his anger, fixing everything that Lily broke inside him, making a home with him getting pregnant for him, fighting for his love.


    Years after years, all thoughts, all feelings, all dreams...were consumed by him. Ethan.


    Did I love him?


    Our eyes meet, and I smile through the tears.


    "No." I whisper.


    Love is not supposed to hurt this much. Love is not supposed to destroy someone.


    What I felt for him couldn''t be love. It was an unrequited desire to be with him, to be something to him and it crushed everything I held dear


    don''t want to call this love now when


    I know it was a mistake.


    Ethan''s eyes reflect nothing as if he is as empty as me inside.


    His hold loosens over my wrist and I find the chance to leave him behind. I don''t stay even when his face from that night keeps shing across my mind.


    Make me bleed but don''t leave me. His words were spoken in a drunken stupor or else...why would he cry for me?


    As I walk out of the hospital room, Ethan''s family is shouting again. I turn to them and wave the papers in their face.


    "No need to concern yourself with me again. Ethan and I are divorced."


    Shock takes over them, and I slip away before they cane up with something new.


    "Mrs. Calder, Boss wants me to escort you-"


    "I am not Mrs. Calder anymore. I am just Grace. "I whisper, trying to smile or rub it in Josh''s face but I no longer feel the desire to tick him off.


    He continues to follow me. I let him drive me to the Roberto manor.


    I get a bath and change my clothes into a casual white T-shirt and blue jeans. After inquiring about Tristin''s whereabouts, I make my way to the hospital where he is staying.


    On my way, I transfer the money I think I owe Tristin for looking after me all this time.


    It''s the final transaction between us. Someone has gotten to Lily and Ethan let me go which means I mean nothing to Tristin now.


    It''s time to do what I have been nning.

 No Use

    Grace


    "What are you doing here, Grace? " Alma blocks my way to the room Tristin is staying at.


    The reception people refused to talk about his condition so I had toe up personally. But before I could go inside, Alma appeared before me and refused to step away.


    "Alma. I am here to check up-"


    "I heard what happened." She says, not letting me finish.


    I was about to tell her that I would check up on Tristin and then leave, but she didn''t look ready to hear any of it. She looks...different. Her eyes are not kind, and her lips are not smiling anymore.


    My chest tightens. "Ethan...didn''t cause that ident. "


    She must be angry because she thinks I am responsible for Tristin''s condition.


    "I know. " Alma blinks calmly, surprising me.


    "Do you know who did this?" Unconsciously, I step ahead and ask.


    Alma looks down at my feet and then looks up. A cold glint shes across her eyes but it''s gone before I can understand the reason behind it.


    "It was an ident. A drunk truck driver hit my son''s car. "Alma whispers, and folds her arms across her chest.


    In my imagination, I see the scene ying out and realize that I''m not too fond of it. I don''t like the idea of Tristin getting shocked at the sudden impact and he...


    He must have been in so much pain.


    I clench my fists and swallow." How... How is he now?"


    "He is alive. "The short replyes out dismissive.


    My gaze switches between the two men in ck suits standing guard outside the hospital room and then towards Alma who has her eyes on me. Ufortably, I shift my weight from one foot to another, trying to form words buting short. "I got to know why Tristin was keeping you by his side. I apologize that I got the wrong idea." She states, her voice still emotionless.


    "It''s okay Al-"


    "However, I also know that you got divorced from Ethan Calder and is now no use to my son." She continues, disregarding what I have to say to her.


    I press my lips in a thin line, a frown appearing between my brows. I don''t need to ask how she knows something that just happened a few hours ago.


    "Your sister... "Alma trails off, emotions finally flickering across her face. Rage, agony, resentment.


    "Your sister...someone took her, I hear."


    I don''t try to answer her this time. I know she doesn''t want me to speak, to say anything to her at all. She simply wants me to listen and understand what she has to tell me.


    "I know who has her will make sure she suffers a terrible fate. "A muscle ticks in her jaw.


    It feels like the ground beneath my feet slips, and I find my body hanging in the air, cold and numb.


    "She will suffer until she begs for death and even then, she will have to beg for a long time before she meets her end." Her face twists into an ugly scowl.


    I stagger back, as lightning struck somewhere in the background. The noise reverberates throughout my chest, sending chills down my spine.


    "It was you?" I utter, my voice lowering as if I am scared of someone listening to our conversation.


    Alma blinks again, her face bing a mask of indifference. "What are you talking about?"


    Her innocence feels feigned. Her kindness from before feels like it never existed.


    Alma sees the shock and doubt on my face because it makes her smile. For a second, I am wondering if am only making things up in my mind.


    Slowly, Alma takes one step towards


    me and pushes my hair away from my shoulder. Her eyes follow the movement of her fingers that brush against my shoulder, and neckline, dusting off some invisible lint or dust or whatever.


    You understand what it''s like to lose a child, don''t you?" She whispers in a soft voice. "Yours was not even born and yet you...felt like ruining the whole world. Your anger, and pain, and desperation...it can never match what I felt when your sister killed my one son and then tried to kill the other. "


    "She is not my sister. "I blurt before I can stop myself.


    But then it clicks inside my head.


    Tried to kill the other...


    "But she is. "Alma nods, her eyes flickering towards my wide,


    confused gaze. " the blood that runs through your veins. It''s the same blood that will be drawn out of her body. I told you before, didn''t!? You


    should leave my children alone."


    A lump forms in my throat. " I am...leaving, Alma. That''s why I came here. Tristin did a lot for me even if it was only so he could use meter. I just want to see him once before I go." "No." Alma says firmly and steps away. " You are never seeing him again."


    "I think Tristin should-"


    "He said the same." She blinks.


    "He... "I gulp. " he did?"


    Alma nods.


    I shouldn''t believe her. I should meet Tristin and tell him that I didn''t go back to Ethan so he could trample over me. That is bothering me. It won''t let me live or die in peace. "Maybe I just need to hear him say that to me before I leave, Alma. "I murmur, closing in on the door.


    Just as I get close, a guard listens to something in the earpiece and slides open the wooden door. My feete to a slow halt as the same guard enters the room and the view inside bes clear to me. Tristin is there, standing beside the bed. His face is towards the wall but I can see his side profile. His head is not bandaged like I expected, and he can walk just fine.


    Luca is standing behind him, helping Tristin wear a ck suit jacket over the crisp white button-down shirt.


    Tristin''s face is stoic and a few scratches line his cheek. I notice the way he grits his jaw harder as he slings his arm inside the jacket.


    He should have been out of it. Or else...why would he stay put for this long?


    My heart picks its speed as relief and a lingering ache in my chest mingle confusing me more than before.


    I take another step ahead and open my mouth to call him. As if he can sense me standing here, Tristin turns his head in my direction.


    Our eyes lock, and the memories of the dark cell and the interrogation room push to my conscious. My nose stings and my mouth closes instantly.Material ? N?velDrama.Org.


    Now that I see him...I feel weird. The conflicting emotions make me stare at him for longer than a moment.


    I expect him toe to me or call me over but he doesn''t. He just looks away as if he doesn''t care that I am standing here.


    Maybe he is still angry because I didn''t tell him about Ethan and the deal. I should-


    "Escort Ms. Whitlock out of the hospital. Make sure she reaches her destination and doesn''t show up here again." It''s his voice, gruff and hoarse but it''s him. And suddenly, my heart drowns.


    Men are all the same.


    They make you believe you are important to them, and when they have no use for you, they throw you away like trash.


    "No need for that, asshole! "I hiss. "I just came to tell you that you wouldn''t have to see me again. Ever! "


    Without waiting for a reply or to get thrown out, I turn and storm away. On my way, I don''t forget to notice the victorious look in Alma''s eyes.


    It hurts. But it''s fine. It will be over soon anyway. I won''t have to see these faces again.

 Knows Secrets

    Tristin


    "You did the right thing." Mom says, stepping ahead to fix my shirt''s cor.


    "Why do you dislike her?" I wonder. " we havemon 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 cor instead.


    "I need to meet with the shareholders before they cause amotion over my absence. Carlos has been plotting for some time. He will get out of hand if I don''t put him into his ce 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 me without knowing how he was cooperating with that sweet Lily to expose my family secret...


    Anger res to the surface but I push it back.


    "I don''t dislike Grace as a person, my son. You know that." Mom squeezes my shoulder.


    "I am not-"


    "The way you look at her, at a woman who recently got divorced, is Lily''s sister and Ethan''s ex-wife...I can not tolerate it. I will not let you follow Seb''s steps. " Her voice drops, bing moist before she sniffles.


    I release a heavy breath, ignore the pain in my body, and turn around to face her. Tears are rolling down Mom''s cheeks as she tries to wipe them away and hide them from me.


    "Mom. "I grab her shoulders and make her look at me. "I am not dying. I am right here, and I will be for a long time. "


    "I... "Mom sobs, pressing her head to my chest. " They...called to tell me that my son got into an ident, and...I thought I would follow my child this time. I can not lose one more son. I can not. "


    "Mom. "I sigh, rubbing her back.


    She''s losing her calm after all this time ofposure. This means she has been holding it all inside and pretending to be better thest few days.


    "I had to see you like that because of that Lily! She paid that driver to kill you, Tristin. And you love her sister? How could you? The Whitlocks are murderers. Grace proved it when she attacked her ex-husband and tried to kill him. Don''t you get it? They-" "Mom. " My voice turns harsh as I pull her head away.


    She is panicking. I can see it in her eyes, and the way she rants.


    "You need to calm down, Mom. "I lower my voice and stare into her wide, terror-filled eyes.


    "You are not denying it." She mumbles, shrugging my hands away. " You are not denying what I said!"


    I run my fingers through my hair and nce at Luca from over my shoulder. He nods, before leaving me alone with Mom.


    "You asked me to send her away and I did, didn''t I, Mom? She came to see me and I asked her to leave. " I assert, staring at her.


    "But you...my son... " Her hands rise towards me, then lower and clench into fists." You didn''t deny it when I said you love her. "


    My shoulders stiffen. I try to form words, but my head goes nk.


    When someone else says those words to me and attaches her name in the end, I find myself unable to evenprehend what''s wrong with it. When I see nothing wrong with it, how do I deny it?


    "How can you love the sister of the woman who killed your brother and tried to kill you?! Have you gone mad?!" She yells, losing the usual calm that I am used to seeing on her face.


    I think so too. I have gone mad.


    Out of all the girls in the world, girls lessplicated, and more bright...my heart has decided to like the one woman I shouldn''t even think about.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Something twists inside my chest as


    I remember the call I received from


    her but didn''t take because I was angry the night when I walked away from her. The next moment, when the truck collided with our car, I regretted not hearing her voice for thest time.


    It''s stupid that I didn''t even regret not taking my revenge. I didn''t recall my family, my friends, my memories...


    I only thought about her.


    I thought about what Ethan might do to her, or how my family might hurt her, or how she would live all alone in this fucked up world. It hurt more than having the metal wedged in my chest, in my back. "Tristin!" Mom hisses in my face and finally, I snap back to reality.


    "I did what you wanted. Now tell me where you have kept Lily, Mom. " Ie straight to the point and ignore the itch in my fingers.


    I need to go after Grace, to tell her that I don''t want her to not see me ever again. I want her to stay because I don''t think I can abandon her.


    "She will meet her end-"


    "She has that video, Mom. "I snap. "e back to your senses! She knows your secret and I do not know who else she has told about it."


    Color drains from Mom''s face as her mouth opens and closes several times. My chest heaves, with pain, with longing, with exhaustion. "What..." She swallows. " what secret?"


    "She knows what you did, Mom, and if she somehow manages to bring the truth to the world, you can imagine what Ania will go through. "I hiss, losing control over my nerves.


    Since the time I woke up, Mom has been busy making me lose my mind over the fact that she took Lily to some secret location to get rid of her. No matter how I try to make her understand that she is making a mistake, she just doesn''t understand.


    But in the end, she made a deal with me. If I send Grace away and don''t see her, she will let me know where Lily is.


    Now it seems to be a lie so she needs to know the fucking truth. "How...when..."


    Why else do you think I was not crushing her to death, Mom?! Why else do you think I was patiently watching her move in life instead wringing her neck and ending her life? "My voice bes cold. It''s because she has the power to destroy my family more than she has already done. And I need to get that video before I get rid of her, Mom."


    "Why didn''t you tell me?" Her hands start shaking.


    "Because you will do something foolish again." I blink, moving past her to reach the door. "I am telling you...getting rid of Lily before getting her under control will be a mistake. You will destroy your daughter''s life while trying to avenge your sons.


    Tristin, do something and-"


    "I will. "I pause in front of the door." That''s why you need to tell Luca where she is. He will bring her to one of my locations."


    I don''t wait to hear what else she has to say. The itch in my hands is growing. The surprise and hopelessness in Grace''s eyes are killing me.


    I shouldn''t have thought that I would tell her everythingter. I shouldn''t have asked her to leave at all or told her all those hurtful words back then. She was already hurting so much and I just-


    But she won''t do something rash, right? She is brave and the strongest woman I have met. She will never give up or give in to the harshness of this world. "Where is she?" I ask Luca as hees to walk beside me.


    "On the rooftop. "His answer has me freezing in my way before I sprint down the corridor, disregarding the pain in my body and the looks I receive from my men.

 Your Way

    Tristin


    By 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 sh 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 before."


    "Yes, it was your fucking fault. How could you tell her something like that? It was not your secret to share!" Now, it was my voice, reminding me of the words spoken before, harsh and unforgiving. "It has always been my fault. Everything."


    Silence had ensued after that, and it had continued for a long time. I turned away from him, not wanting to speak to him anymore.


    And then he decided he would respect my wishes. He would never speak again. He would be silenced for the rest of my life.


    He had done what I didn''t think he ever will. A loud thud and it was over.


    How could he run from his problems instead of facing them? I thought for a long time and resented him for making me witness something I couldn''t forget.


    Then, I remembered. He had been tired since he was born, always wanting to leave and stay hidden.


    He was just born with this weight of being the eldest, the one who bore all the horrors and was supposed to protect us-me, my sister, Mom.


    But he didn''t.


    The exhaustion got to him. The betrayal from the one woman he loved became hisst stroke.


    He chose to disappear atst and decided he didn''t want to shoulder the weight anymore.


    "Ms. Whitlock. What are you doing? Come down from there. "I hear Luca shout over the sound of the rain.


    I blink and watch her turn towards us. She looks otherworldly standing there. The lights from the other towers shine over her drenched figure. Her hair clings to her face, as she lifts her finger towards me. "What are you doing here now?" Her eyes narrow on me.


    I can not move. There are only a few moments in my life when I felt like it, like I am not inside my body but floating somewhere in the air, or maybe it''s the ground. I can not feel it beneath my feet. "Ms, Whitlock, get down now! " Luca''s voice rises, sounding less muffled but stern.


    But I still don''t move.


    I keep my eyes on her, oddly scared that she will disappear too if I look away.


    Finally, it clicks...the reason why I felt drawn to her in the first in ce...


    It was never about her beauty, or the talent, or the brave act.


    It was all ever about the burden, the weight she seemed to carry everywhere with her. It felt like if I ever took my eyes off her, I would never grasp her again.


    It made me anxious.


    It made my heart beat in a strange rhythm.


    It made me want to be soft, to care for her.


    "You said you don''t want to see me." She huffs, staggering a step back on the wide edge.


    Suddenly, I am in the present, leaping towards her desperately. My heart jumps to my throat and the energy leaves my body.


    I don''t want her to disappear.


    "Stay there, Tristin!" She lifts her finger in my direction and I stop a few steps away.


    I open my mouth to say something but no wordse out. How do you tell someone that you are scared without crumbling?


    If I had known, I could have saved my brother.


    I am so scared, brother.


    I am scared our family will be in ruins again, brother.


    I am just scared that the past will someday im me and I won''t ever rise, brother.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    If I had said all those words instead of ming him for loving a woman, for wanting to have a family with


    her, for wanting to leave the past in the past so he could move on...


    en NovelDrama.Org


    He would still be alive.


    He wouldn''t pay for something he didn''t do.


    It was not Lily who killed him. It was me.


    "Don''t die. " I whisper. " don''t die because of me."


    SUMS


    "Die?" Grace''s voice sounds soft under the rain which makes everything appear blurry. "I thought about it but¡ª"


    "Don''t think about it. "I shake my head, desperation leaking from every pore of my body.


    I want to jump ahead and grab ahold of her before she vanishes from my sight but I am still so scared.


    Her arms wrap around herself, and she res at me." You are so confusing! What the hell do you want now?!"


    I don''t know what I want.


    "Get down, Grace. I will tell you. Get down first. "I blurt, lifting my hand towards her.


    She cocks her head to the side. " why should I listen to you? We have no deal anymore. You can go your way and I can go mine."


    "No!" I snap. " this is not your way! You can not stand there and fucking spew nonsense. Get down from there!"


    A frown etches between her brows. "I will get down when I want to."


    The rain feels harsher against my skin. My chest heaves up and down as I fixate her with a look.


    I know I need to go now. If I watch her standing there, on the verge of disappearing, I might lose my mind.


    So, I push ahead blindly and grasp


    her forearm before she can gasp


    tug her towards me, and she falls down, into my arms before knees hit the ground.


    ??


    "Tristin!" She screams in my ear, but I can not care anymore.


    I hold her down and pull her closer."


    If this is what you choose as your


    way, then I am going to keep you


    like


    this for the rest of our lives, Grace. I


    will not let you disappear.


    She picks her head to protest and looks at me with those angry eyes. The fear bes a noose around my neck before I lean in and capture her lips.


    She no longer belongs to that stupid Calder. Now, I will make her mine.

 I want you

    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 hisp 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,pletely still in his arms. What does he think I was doing?


    "Luca. " Tristin yells, his re 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 let Tristin pick me in his arms. My head rolls to his shoulder as I stare at his side profile.


    "Mom had something against me. She didn''t want me to meet you. That''s why I had to send you away." He says, directing his gaze ahead to avoid staring at my gaping mouth.


    I blink again, then close my eyes and swallow. Why am I letting him do this again?


    "Tristin-"


    "But I don''t give a fuck anymore. You are not leaving my sight again. "He cuts in, his voice harsh and determined.


    My jaw cks, almost but I press it together to not show how weird this all feels. For some reason, it feels like Tristin is trembling under his expensive suit and it''s not because of cold or pain. It feels like fear-a terror that makes him shiver, makes him act like a man I don''t recognize.


    Then again, I don''t really know Tristin. I only know what he decides to show me, sometimes his gentleness, sometimes his support, and other times, just the show of his power.


    "Put me down, Tristin. " I whisper, trying to get my mind out of my shaken state.


    "So you can climb that shit again to scare me?" His voice is a low growl that shuts my mouth instantly.


    I don''t protest after that. If I do, it feels like he might snap and kiss me again.


    Tristin enters the elevator, keeping me in his arms and then we are in the basement. He puts me in the seat before urging me to slide to the other side so he can get in after me.


    I want to tell him that he can use the other door, but he seems reluctant to leave my side. As soon as we are inside, the warm air of the heater rxes my stiff, cold muscles. I sigh and slide more towards the door.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    Tristin''s hand closes around my wrist. I shoot him a nce. He is watching me. His eyes appear darker under the drenched bangs that cover his forehead.


    Keeping his grip on me, Tristin slides his fingers between mine and intertwines our hands.


    I look down, lift my brows, then look back up at him. "what are you...doing?"


    I can''t hear my heartbeat because my ears feel clogged, but I know something is running too fast in my chest.


    "Making sure you don''t disappear. " Tristin mumbles, squeezing my fingers.


    He keeps saying that. I don''t know why.


    "What does Alma... have against you?" I say, trying to change the topic as I sneakily try to free my hand from him.


    "Lily. " Tristin reveals with a straight face, without blinking.


    My breath hitches. "Alma has Lily?"


    "Lily caused my ident. My cousin


    was in on it. She possibly wanted me gone before I get her, and my cousin wanted to take my position It was a perfect n. But I survived and now they are going to pay. Tristin discloses casually and turns towards Luca. " take us to the penthouse. She needs to change her clothes before she catches a cold."


    I try to be surprised at the revtion but I can''t. I expect Lily to do every worst thing in this world. But...there is anger in my veins. My hands itch, desperate to w the life out of her body She caused Sebastian''s death and now she wants to take tristin''s life too? How bitchy can she be?


    I huff, then give Tristin a strange look, still trying to understand what has him acting so odd, so...not Tristin.


    As his fingers squeeze mine once more, I sigh and turn away. I know I won''t be able to pull my hand out of his hold anytime soon. I can''t bring myself to ignore the tremors in his fingers, after all.


    After traveling for some time, we stop in front of a familiar tower. Tristin leads me to the penthouse, and the memories swarm my mind.


    This is where I first came to escape Ethan and this is the ce where I realized that he will not leave me alone. He held me down as I bled, and then took me away.


    My breathing besbored as I step into the living area ahead of Tristin who refuses to take his eyes off me.


    I clench my hands into fists and close my eyes. Now, I am free. I don''t need to think about the past anymore.


    I...


    Words drift away the moment tears sting my eyes.


    Tristin''s fingers brush against my fist, slowly trailing my knuckles. My fingers unclench and hang loose by my side, as my breath catches in my throat.


    "I was scared you were going to jump. " Tristin''s voice sounds beside my ear, his heavy breath ghosting my cheek.


    "Why would you be scared for me? I can die for all you care and-"


    I am whipped around faster than I canprehend. I yelp, my hands falling on his chest to bnce my weight before I lift my head.


    Tristin leans in, his nose brushing mine roughly." I care."


    His handse up to my cheeks to tilt my head back. I hold my breath, confusion still marking my features. "Why-"


    "1


    Because I want you, Little Butterfly.


    I want you despite our history or theplicated shit in our lives. It''s as simple as that. I just want you in my life." Acrazed look shes across his face, and then he is diving in again.

 Can I have more of you?

    Grace


    His 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 corbone. 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 squeezes gently.


    Heat creeps up my neck and face, making me squirm but he doesn''t let go.


    "What?" I swallow.


    "I told you that the moment you are free from that bastard, I wille to collect what you offered me. "His breaths hit my tingling lips. The space between us bes smaller, and it bes harder for me to breathe. I just need to exhale. I just...


    Tristin, that''s-"


    "I don''t go back on my words. " Tristin whispers, and his hands hook under my thighs.


    We shouldn''t do...this....


    My flesh throbs, my core throbs, my lips quiver. I am losing my mind.


    Maybe, I have already lost it.


    Tristin lifts me in his arms. Acting on instinct, my legs wrap around his waist.


    My head spins as my back is pressed against the nearest wall and his lips descend on me. The urgency, the need for some connection, the desperation...


    It''s all too much, too hot, too needed.


    My fingers hook under my shirt. Tristin separates our mouths and helps me pull it over my head. It drops on the floor with a wet thud.


    My hands move towards his suit jacket, and it joins my shirt. Next goes his shirt, and then he puts me down.


    His fingers fumble with his belt, with his zipper, and his pants. I work on my pants, my fingers moving in a frenzy.


    Cold air brushes against my drenched body but his heat envelopes me instantly. He picks me up again and ms me into the wall, his lips lowering to my neck to press desperate kisses on my skin.


    I can''t see, I can''t really hear, or focus. There is an itch under my skin, and it only pushes me to grab his shoulders, his hair, his nape-everywhere I can touch.


    Lightning strikes in the sky, illuminating the dark living area. My spine arches off the wall as my naked chest presses into his hard muscles. An involuntary sound erupts from my mouth. He silences my voice with his mouth the next moment, his hands hoisting me higher. "I don''t have a condom." Tristin grunts in between the desperate kisses.


    "Well-"


    His lips seal mine before I can say anything and I lose the desire to continue speaking. My hands tighten around his shoulders, trembling and squeezing with every stroke of his tongue against mine.


    "But I swear I am clean." His heavy, lust-filled voice murmurs above my quivering mouth.


    I open my eyes, just momentarily to meet his gaze. I should stop here. I should...


    "I"


    "I know you are clean, Little Butterfly. " He presses a kiss to the corner of my mouth. " can I?"


    "What?" My thighs shake around his waist as his hoarse voice hits a cord deep in my core.


    "Can I slip inside now?" One of his palmsnds on the wall above my head, and his chest pushes me back, holding me in ce.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Is...a man supposed to ask permission?


    Dumbfounded, I take in his face, his clenched jaw, his dark eyes, his heavy breaths.


    "I am desperate to be inside you, my Little Butterfly but if you want to stop here because you don''t want this or because I don''t have a condom, I will stop. " His jaw clenches harder, his fingers digging into the flesh of my butt. Something in my stomach feels warm like an explosion is about to happen inside me.


    "No." I murmur, digging my nails into his shoulder.


    Disappointment and hurt sh across his face. As he promised, he attempts to step away from me, to stop and let me go but I hold him to me.


    "I-I don''t want you to stop. "I stutter, sensing the liquid heat crawling down my thighs.


    Tristin licks his bottom lip and waits a second more. Then, he curses under his breath and rests his forehead against mine.


    "Eyes on me. I want to see how you look when you take my cock. " He rasps and leans a little back.


    My back arches, as I struggle to hold his gaze. The tip of his cock presses into my entrance and with a whispered curse, Tristin ms into me, filling me to the hilt.


    I cry out, my head rolling back into the wall. Tristin''s palm slides between the back of my head and the hard surface to cushion the roughness.


    "I can not make love tonight." He mumbles, his voice low and clipped.


    I don''t get the time to nod or open my eyes that have rolled back. He pulls out, and then thrusts back in, driving himself deeper.


    The sensation of being full, and his cock hitting that sensitive spot inside me drives me crazy. I have never had sex against a wall before.


    The contrast of the hard wall, and his hard body, caging me and keeping me still is something I have never imagined before.


    "You feel so fucking good. " Tristin''s lips press to my ear as he wraps his body around me, his lips mming into mine with a speed that makes my vision cken.


    "You feel better than I imagined."


    He rasps, not slowing for a second.


    With each thrust, my back slides against the wall, and then I arch to his chest to meet his thrusts


    QUMS


    "Tell me you feel good. I want to hear it." His voice bes breathless, his cock filling me faster.


    The warm ball in my belly is on the verge of exploding. His throbbing cock inside me hints at his own desperation for release.


    "I-- -feel good." I whimper.


    Suddenly, Tristin halts, and pants against my neck. His muscles strain under my nails, making me wiggle my hips.


    "Shit." He hisses, then pulls me away from the wall to carry me somewhere.


    Instinctively, I snuggle into his neck and feel his cock twitch inside me with every step ahead.


    Tristin kisses the side of my head as


    heys me down on a hard surface. My eyes fly open, meeting his gaze


    before lowering to his body. The bandages wrapped around his chest are wet and stained with blood.


    "Tristin. "I gasp, surprised at the sight.


    "Shh. " He pulls out and then thrusts back in, slower but deeper. " I will not stop now."


    I sit up, and he instantly drops his hands to my butt, pulling me to the edge of the piano heid me down on. Panic seeps into my body, "You are bleed-"


    His mouth crashes into mine, silencing my words again and then he is thrusting at a wild pace, driving me crazy.


    Thoughts fly out of my head, reced by the explosive pleasure in my body. His groans sound muffled against my mouth.


    A few thrusts in, and I am already clenching around him. My head goes nk as Ie with a whimper still suppressed into his mouth.


    Tristin pulls away and hugs me to his body, as I feel his cock twitch inside me. My legs shake around his thigh harder, as Ie down from the high.


    But the next moment, his warmth is filling me up. Surprise crosses my features, but the hot sensation inside me silences me.


    I drop my forehead on his shoulder, breathing in his familiar cologne, hearing him groan. His masculine voice is heavy with pleasure.


    I shudder, as his hands run up and down my back, soothing something inside my trembling body.


    "You... "I gulp, as he drives himself deeper inside me, emptying every drop of his cum. " You came inside, Tristin. "


    His lipsnd on the side of my head


    again. I pull my face out of his shoulder and peek at his face. He


    dives in and kisses my left eyebrow,


    then the right one, my nose, my cheeks, and the corners of my lips.


    "I couldn''t pull out in time. I am sorry. I will get you the morning pills if that''s...fine with you." He murmurs over my lips.


    I can''t help but feel that he is not sorry at all. On the contrary, his cock starts hardening inside me again, just at the idea ofing inside me.


    I narrow my eyes on him. "You are a maniptive piece of shit. You say one thing but feel another."


    Instead of getting angry, Tristin grins and kisses the tip of my nose again. "You can think that. I don''t mind."


    I open my mouth to tell him to fuck off, and he thrusts deeper inside me, his cock swollen and hard.


    "You can curse at me all you want...but, my Little Butterfly, I am desperate for you. I need more. " He sounds like a sulking child with sad puppy eyes and puckering lips.


    My nose scrunches at the sight of him. What happened to his head? Did he hit it too hard?


    "Can I have more of you? Please?" He blinks, slowly rolling his hips to drive himself more into me as the heat ignites between us again.

 Live my Life

    Grace


    I 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.


    Iid 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 ced 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.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    And the fact that Alma was terrified of the same thing happening ticks me off even more.


    "Were you really going to jump? "Tristin murmurs, his voice sounding exhausted in the dark.


    I pull the sheets to my chin and hum. "Not really. I was just...walking."


    I can feel his gaze on me but I refuse to look at him right now.


    "Walking on the "


    "Tristin. "I sigh. "I did think about killing myself before. It''s true. When I was desperate for a divorce from Ethan, I was already nning on dying after we were done."


    Suddenly, the distance between our hands ends, and he intertwines our fingers.


    A lump lodges in my throat. " but then I almost killed Ethan and for some reason...I changed my mind. Death didn''t seem so good anymore, Tristin. It felt terrible to know that things could end so smoothly, and no one would know what you are capable of." "You are capable of great things in life. I know that." Tristin squeezes my fingers.


    "I need to know that too. I don''t want to die anymore. I want to chase my dreams...for myself. I don''t want to end up dead without trying, just because I think I have no one. " I swallow the lump and smile to myself. "I am going to continue my education. I will do everything I want in life. And if I still fail...I will know that I tried my best. I will not die cold, and crying, Tristin. I want to die smiling."


    Ethan''s face shes before my eyes. The guilt he felt that day when I thought he died...it crushed something inside me and made me think about myst moments.


    What if I end up with such guilt? What if when I am dying all I can think about is what I could have done more instead of finding peace like I wanted?


    If there is no peace in death, then what''s the use of killing myself?


    "You had a hard time, and I was not there for you." His lips find their way to the side of my head, and I shudder. " It will never happen again. I promise."


    "It will never happen again, Tristin. I know that too. "I sigh. " but it won''t be because of you. It will be because I will not let it happen again."


    "What?" He breathes.


    "I told you I am going to continue living my life but I believe it''s not possible here. "I shrug. "that''s why I booked a one-way ticket to France. I will enroll in a school there. I have enough moneying from the shares and I will be able to fulfill my dreams. " "You...are leaving?" His grip on my fingers bes painful.


    I turn on my side to finally face him. My eyes take in the frown on his forehead and then the surprised look in his eyes.


    "Yes, Tristin. I need to leave. That''s the only way I can heal. I can not stay in this city...or this country or I will always find myself involved in the conflict between Lily, Ethan, and you. I don''t want that. "I shake my head, watching as the surprise in his eyes disappears behind a hint of hurt.


    If I stay, I might even get used of killing Lily in some twisted turn of events. I can not stay here and wait for that to happen. I will never find myself in that interrogation room again in my life.


    "After what happened between us tonight-"


    "It won''t happen again. " I whisper, pulling my hand free of his tightening hold. "I decided I won''t deny myself anything I want, Tristin. It''s true that I wanted you...but it''s also true that if we stay together in some messed up rtionship...your family will get hurt. You can not be with me. I am the sister of the girl


    who killed your brother, remember?"


    "I don''t care about that, Grace. I don''t give a fuck about the blood that runs in your veins. All I care about is you. And I can handle my family, I can do anything to make sure that we-"


    My hand cups his cheek, and he stops. A moment passes between us, our gazes locked and breaths mingling.


    "I don''t want to be here, Tristin. " I whisper, stern and firm.


    "You don''t want to be with me?" He leans into my palm and holds his breath.


    "I don''t want to suffer for wanting to be with a man again. That''s what it is. Right now, I am not...a woman who can fight alongside you, Tristin. I don''t want to. I don''t want to be your girlfriend or your wife. Now...I just want to think about myself. I am sorry. "I turn my back to him and close my eyes. "Grace... " His arms wrap around me and pull me into his body. " Please I-"


    If


    you choose to force me, you


    know I won''t be able to defeat you. Then there will be no difference between you and Ethan. But if ites down to fighting you, I will, Tristin I won''t settle for something I don''t deserve now. I will not make myself suffer. So please...Jet me go. I melt into his arms, saying each word with difficulty.


    I know I need to leave before I grow weak for Tristin Roberto, the same way I grew weak for Ethan Calder once. I know how that turned out and I know I can not let it happen again.


    Ethan could do everything to me because he knew we were not equal. He was an all-powerful man and I was just a housewife, with no family to back me or no backbone of my own.


    I understand all that now and if I knowingly end up in an unequal rtionship with Tristin, I can not guarantee that he won''t use his power against me one day.


    "Will you evere back to me?" His lips feather my neck, his arm squeezing around my waist.


    I memorize the sound of his breath, and the thumping of his heartbeat in my back. I think...I am already growing weak for him because he...treated me better than anyone else did in my life, even if it was for his own gain, even if our whole partnership was messed up. Tristin was the man who told me that I meant something. He told me I was strong, brave, and talented at times when I was losing hope in life.


    Now, I must leave him to be what he thinks I am.


    "I don''t know, Tristin. Maybe...I will never return." I whisper.


    "Will you be happy?" His voice sounds soft and low as if he has lost the energy to be stern.


    "I don''t know. But I will try to be. "I say, and then silence reigns over us for a long time.


    When I find myself drifting off to sleep, while cradled in his arms, I think I hear him whispering.


    "l


    ''If I didn''t love you, I would have


    caged you in here for the rest of your life. But the thought of making you unhappy and pushing you to the brink of death one day scares me more than not having you by my side does. So make sure to be happy without me, my Little Butterfly, or the


    next time, I will not let you go no


    matter what you say to me."


    "}

 Payback

    Ethan


    The pictures lie on myp.


    She kissed Tristin and spent the night at his ce.


    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 wasst 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 andes 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 on the towers outside as I address Noah.


    "There are no records at the pharmacy, Mr. Calder. The footages are edited. Mrs. Calder never frequented those clubs, never met those men, or went to the pharmacy. But..." He pauses, waiting for me to ask him to continue.


    But I can''t speak. The knife stuck inside my heart digs deeper.


    "...But I found that the housekeeper in your mansion frequented the pharmacy and often bought morning-after pills. She got the bills in Mrs. Calder''s name, using her card." He finishes. "You didn''t ask me, and I apologize, but I looked deeper into this matter. I checked the bank and call records of the housekeeper and...Josh... They have something inmon, Mr. Calder."


    Fool. Useless. Idiot. I can suddenly hear my father''s stern voice hissing those words in my ears.


    He always knew I was a fool.


    He was right.


    After everything I did to prove that I was not that fool...


    After everything I did to be as powerful as Sebastian Roberto when I thought Lily left me for him...


    After everything I did to make myself believe that I was not weak anymore....


    Here ites.


    The truth.


    "They were apparently paid by amon ount, and I traced it back to- "


    "The Whitlocks. "I finish for him.


    Noah sighs." Yes, Mr. Calder. Mr. Whitlock paid them to manipte everything. But...after looking into the housekeeper, I found another footage from in front of her house. She met Ms. Lily Whitlock many times." The knife slices everything that''s left of my heart, and I clutch my chest.


    That old geezer and his old bitch put on such a good act when they revealed my wife to be a cheater in their party. They condemned her like some righteous parents disciplining their child when in reality... It was all their n.


    And Lily...


    I close my eyes. Lily fooled me as easily as you can fool a three-year-old child.


    They turned my most loyal man against me and then made me dance to their tune.


    What was it that made me so gullible to her? I have realized I don''t love her. Then why?


    ''She left you for more money. You fell short. ''It''s because of these words I heard standing at the altar...


    The words kept taunting me and ringing in my ears. Desperately, I wanted to prove that I didn''t fall short, and when she came back, with that sob story, I instantly believed her more than the taunting words. Yes, it was because of Grace that I was abandoned.


    It was not because of me.


    Grace could take the me and I could finally sleep in peace.


    But I couldn''t.


    To get rid of my nightmares, I pushed the woman I loved into hell.


    As they plotted against her...


    As they hurt her in front of me...


    As she kept begging me to believe her...


    I left her alone every time. I killed our child, held her down when she was in pain, and kept protecting the woman who was pulling the strings.


    I clutched my chest harder. It felt like my heart was about to explode. And I wish it did.


    ''Did you love me?'' I recall what I asked her before she walked out.


    She took her time, and I couldn''t take my eyes off her back.


    She never took that much time to tell me yes before.


    She was always telling me that she loved me. She always called me and told me that she missed me. She always waited for me around every corner and never turned her back on me.


    But she was not that Grace anymore. I know she lied when she said she never loved me. But I also know that she wished she never loved me.


    "Mr. Calder, are you alright? Do you want me to call the doctor?" Noah asks worriedly.


    I take my hand off my chest and swallow the lump in my throat. In the back of my mind, I could hear her scoffing at me, calling me a fool again. "Mr. Calder..."


    "Pull out all the investment from the Whitlock Corporation and cklist them. Whoever coborates with them will face the same fate. "I tell him and nce his way. " and did you send someone to keep an eye on Grace?"


    "I did, Mr. Calder. Our man will make sure Mrs. Calder is protected at all times. He will keep an eye on her from the distance and she will not discover his presence. " He nods, pushing his sses on his nose.


    QUMS


    "Whoever tries to give her a hard time, get rid of them. "I mumble, my chest tightening at the mention of her.


    She won''t forgive me now. Maybe, in a year, I can appear in front of her, get on my knees, and beg until she can look at me again.


    I will wait even if it takes decades.


    And I will never let my lie turn into the truth.


    I will never let Grace go.


    The door to the hospital room opens with urgency and Joshes inside in a hurry." Boss, we located Ms. Whitlock."


    "Roberto has her?" My lips morph into a cold smirk.


    "Yes, Boss. Mr. Roberto''s men are transporting her to another location. Give me the order and I will go with my men to save her." He acts like a desperate man, itching to save her.


    For the first time, I see him in a new light. Maybe, it was never even about money for him. I give him more than what Whitlocks can ever offer.


    "You are fond of her. "I conclude, my heart growing cold. " she must have worked her charm on you. Did you sleep with her?"


    Josh freezes in his ce, his eyes drifting towards Noah who is staring at him. "Boss-"


    "Get him, Noah. "I blinkzily.


    "Boss, I-"N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    "I am going to have your tongue and break your legs, Josh. That''s a fitting payback, don''t you think?" I close my eyes and rest back. " and then


    am going to do the same to your little over if Tristin ever lets her go."


    Everyone who hurt her, who made me hurt her... They will pay a price.


    And in the end, I will hand her my life. She can kill me if she wants because that''s the only way to be free of me.

 Friends

    Grace


    -3 Months Later...


    It''s not easy leaving your country to settle in some foreign ce. 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 ns 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 ept this new life because I know I will never return to the past again. The change of ce has done me good. "What do you want?" Celine asks in her all-time chiming voice.


    "The usual. "I shrug, ncing out of the window in the cafe.


    It''s raining. The weather is starting to be cold. And after a long time, I feel myself just focusing on that. Just the cold, the beautiful view, and the present.


    Maybe, it''s not just about the ce. I turn my head and look in the direction of Celine.


    I have never made friends before. Not really. But the day I found myself in my first lecture, Celine attached herself to my side like a parasite-a good one.


    In the start, I did find it so odd to have a girl always flocking around, telling me random gossip and good ces to visit as a foreigner. She is a resident and getting her masters in the same major as mine so it''s pretty much us all the time, together.


    On days when I don''t want to do anything, she drags me out of bed and takes me to beautiful ces, like this crowded cafe with a good view.


    I can not say no to her, I have discovered. Her energy is contagious.


    Sometimes, seeing her makes me wonder if I was ever like her. Enthusiastic, hopeful, and pumped all the time.


    We are age fellows but I feel far older than her. It feels like I have lived a lifetime in a few years.


    "Here is your Iced Americano. " Her chiming voice pulls me out of the daze.


    I blink and watch her take her ce in front of me." Thanks."


    "Yeah, yeah! I know I am great." She waves her hand, smiling and sipping on her usual Cappino.


    I sigh and pick up my drink. "I know why you have brought me out here again. That''s why I need to tell you that I am not doing it."


    "Are you serious?" Her eyes roll. "That''s such a good opportunity, Grace. People are out there looking for jobs and you are getting one of the best spots offered. How can you pass-


    "It''s a lot of work. " My nose scrunches.


    "It''s just one project. You can do this! If you impress them, they might offer you a permanent spot. Can you imagine that? You will be the youngest architect to be a part of¡ª"


    "That''s tiring. I want to enjoy life for a while." I shake my head and take a sip of my Iced Americano.


    Her jaw hangs low, and her eyes round on me but she ends up huffing. " okay, if you don''t want to do it, I can''t force you. But it''s a pity that you don''t want this. Anyone would kill to be in your position right now."


    I grin. " trust me. No one would want to be in my position. It''s the worst position to be in."


    Celine frowns and narrows her eyes. "You are doing it again."


    She is all happy, yes. But then she does this.


    "What?" I sigh.


    "You are belittling yourself. I don''t like that." Celina folds her arms across her chest and continues in a serious tone. "You are beautiful, talented, and so hard-working. Do you remember the first week of our University? The professor..."


    And she has started ranting, reminding me of my progress. It''s impressive that she can remember my achievements of the past three months like they are her own. Even I don''t remember that much. I would have been irked out if she was not in her mother hen energy right now.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    I sip on my drink and nod once in a while as she goes on and on and on.


    A smile graces my lips. It''s not just the ce, for sure. People here people who don''t really know me treat me better than my family or so-called family friends ever did.


    "That''s why...you must never doubt yourself!" She finishes with a mming palm on the table, attracting attention that she doesn''t really care about.


    "Yes, Boss. "I nod quickly. I don''t want her to start reminding me about my small achievements again.


    "Good. Now, repeat after me." She leans closer.


    Not this again. I almost roll back in my chair andnd on the floor.


    "I am doing great in life." She asserts.


    I know she won''t leave me alone if I don''t listen.


    "I am doing great in life." I cringe.


    "I am a good person!" She continues.


    "I...am a good person?" I grimace this time. If she knew I tried to kill my ex-husband not once but twice, would she ask me to say the same about myself? I doubt that. "You sound so unsure, but okay. It will do for now." She ps her hands and leans back before picking up her mug again.


    I breathe a sigh of relief. She left me alone with two affirmations today, that''s excellent. Usually, she stops at 10.


    "So..." She smiles at me in a childish, predatory way. " will you reconsider taking on that offer?"


    My brows shoot to my hairline. " what happened to not forcing me?"


    "I am not forcing you! I am just trying to convince you to polish your talent and be a sessful, badass woman!" She whines.


    I roll my eyes. " Not happening, Celine."


    She gives me the side eye but doesn''t push me. But I know, tomorrow, she will be at it again. She won''t stop until she has me on the top of thedder.


    That''s just who she is, to everyone


    around her. Someone who hypesz others, and wants everyone to seed in life. I don''t know what


    made her stick to me, but it feels like


    I have known her for ages.


    The topic of our talk changes and she tells me about thetest gossip about the rtionships, fights, and other stuff going around in the University.


    After hanging out for some time, I decide to return to my small studio apartment. She bids me goodbye and goes her way.


    It''s strange how much friends can change your mood, and make you feel like a different person. Now, that I am alone, I sigh and take out my phone.


    My fingers scroll through thetest news from my country, and Ie to a slow halt in front of my apartment building.


    My parents have gone bankrupt somehow. Lily is still missing.


    And the new piece of news involves the Roberto family.


    My heartbeat picks its pace as I click on the video in the article. It''s an old video, maybe something from years ago.


    The woman in the video is in a room and is the younger version of Alma Roberto. She sits on the edge of the bed as an unfamiliar man looms over her head.


    A frown etches between my brows.


    "You can''t tell her that! " Alma yells.


    "I can and will. She is my daughter. She deserves to know." The man grabs her face and tilts it up.


    I have a bad feeling about it, as I continue to watch, my hands turning cold.


    "Edward will kill her. She¡ª"


    "I will kill that bastard and protect my daughter if I have to, Alma. Why don''t you understand?! I can take care of you and your boys too! Leave his abusive ass now." He cuts off


    and suddenly, I find my jaw stacking.


    "The world will know Ania as an illegitimate child. Do you want that for our daughter?!" Alma stands up and screams, knocking over the vase from the sidetable.


    There is more to the video, but I can not watch it anymore. Ie out of that tab and take a few deep breaths.


    The main page for that article disys on my screen and thements pour in.


    -That''s Stuart Roberto. Someone hasmented.


    And several have replied under that threat.


    Edward Roberto''s brother?


    I turn off the screen, staring at the ground nkly. Edward Roberto is Tristin''s father and...


    I shake my head and rush inside my apartment building.


    The secret.


    Somehow, Lily has managed to reveal it.


    Something twists inside my heart. A woman can truly destroy a whole family and Lily has be that woman.


    And Alma...


    I don''t know what to think about her.


    I have no right to judge her when I don''t know her story but I know she cheated, and it''s...horrible.


    But amidst all this, her children will suffer more than anyone else.


    Ania who will bebeled as the result of an affair between her mother and her uncle will... How will she spend her life?


    And Tristin...


    The thought of him does something to my heart. I clench my hands into fists and unlock my apartment. The moment I step inside and close the


    door, someone starts knocking on it.


    I jump in my spot and turn around. The knocking is not aggressive. It''s soft as if someone is unsure if they should even be knocking. With a pounding heart, I open the door again and find him standing on the other side. My throat clogs as our eyes meet.

 Escape

    Grace


    "I just felt like..." Tristin trails off and swallows. "ing 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 andnds 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 toe 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 again-not for a few years at least.


    But I...thought about him more than I like to admit. It''s not like I love him or anything, but something about Tristin Roberto makes him unforgettable.


    "Go sit on the couch and call Luca. "I utter, turning around. "I will make you something hot to drink. "


    Before I can take a step forward, his arms wrap around my shoulder and waist and tug me back into his body.


    My heart leaps to my throat. I freeze, after a long time, and stay like that for some moments toe.


    Tristin''s forehead drops to my shoulder. He takes a few deep breaths and tightens his grip around me.


    I can see the rain starting again through therge ceiling-to-floor window in front of me. It patters against the ss, creating a loud noise that drowns the drumming beat of my heart. Are you okay? Shall I ask a shallow question like that when I already know the answer?


    I swallow, close my eyes and let him hold me, for as long as he needs.


    "You left without saying goodbye. " Tristin mumbles.


    "You were awake and only pretending to be asleep. I know that." Unconsciously, I ce my hands over his wrists and just hold still.


    "You could have called. I wouldn''t have asked you anything. You could have just called to say Hi. "He pulls his face out of my shoulder and whispers.


    I press my lips in a thin line and don''t say anything. What was the point of saying Hi to him?


    I am just...surprised that he came all the way here when he is suffering. What made him think about me at a time like this when he never came before?


    Tristin removes his arms from around me, and the cold air brushes against my drenched back. I step forward, opening my eyes to see the rain still pattering against the window.


    It feels like an eternity passed, but it must be only a few minutes of sudden warmth.


    From the corner of my eyes, I see Tristin strolling to my couch and staring at it reluctantly. " Maybe I should call Luca first. I don''t want to¡ª"


    "You can take a bath if you want. "I mumble and rush towards my open kitchen. " my washroom is attached to the bedroom right there." Tristin and my gazes lock, and my cheeks re with heat.


    So awkward!


    This must be what you feel when you sleep with someone, sneak out on him the next morning, and disappear for three months without a word.


    I turn my back to him. " Hurry up. I will take your clothes from Luca and give them to you when hees up."


    "Okay." Tristin sighs and I hear him leaving behind me.


    I release a breath of relief, my mind drifting to the past.


    Aftering here, for the first month, I kept thinking that someone might barge inside my small


    apartment again. I thought thel.ne


    people from my past won''t leave me alone.  en NovelDrama.Org


    But no one came.


    Not even Tristin. He was true to his words and kept his distance as he promised.


    Now that he is finally here, I don''t feel fear or ufortable. I feel... strangely calm and a little relieved.


    This must be my descent into madness.


    I shake my head and work on making the hot tea when the bell rings. I move towards the door and open it to reveal Luca''s stern face.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "Ms. Whitlock." He addresses me politely.


    "Luca." Instinctively, I smile.


    "Here are Boss'' clothes." He pushes a suit towards me and I grab it before looking at him, wondering what I should do. "Do you want tea?" I blurt.


    His lips twitch." thanks for the offer, Ms. Whitlock, but I will have to refuse. I will wait for Boss in front of the building."


    I nod at him eagerly and watch him leave. Double awkward!


    I close the door and approach the bathroom. The sound of the shower running on the other sound is in tune with the rain pattering on the ss.


    I knock on the door and sigh. "Luca sent your clothes, Tristin. I am putting them on the bed. "


    There is no sound of okay from the other side but I still do as I said and go back to the kitchen.


    Maybe, I should change my clothes too. I scrunch my nose as I continue with the tea.


    My mind keeps drifting to Tristin''s face from earlier, and his voice. He....just doesn''t look all right. And can be be when Lily made sure to mess up his whole family?


    There must be a storm brewing back at his home, and he is here, instead of staying there. What do I...


    A hand reaches over my shoulder and turns off the stove. I feel his warmth behind my back and freeze at the spot again.


    "It''s burning." He whispers, his arm still outstretched, and touching my side.


    "Oh. "My eyes shoot towards the tea and I gulp. "I will make a new¡ª"


    "If my presence makes you ufortable, I will leave right away, Little Butterfly. You just have to tell me. "His breath fans the tip of my ear.


    I stiffen, staring at his arm. " this is


    your escape from reality. How can


    I...ask you to leave right now when I know you came here because you just wanted to escape?"


    "Do you think I am so weak that I will seek escape from my situation?" Tristin''s voice lowers until I can barely hear it.


    My heart twists inside my chest. I shoot him a look over my shoulder, our noses brushing slightly.


    His eyes search mine, his eyelids drooping before he smiles. " Maybe, I am."

 Not Like Him

    Grace


    I don''t say anything, just turn my back to him and start brewing tea again.


    I should only feel some sympathy for him, and his family...


    But I keep doing more than that.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    My heart clenches every time that I realize what Tristin must be feeling right now. It hurts more when I think about Alma and Ania. It''s sick to feel anything for Alma...but I can''t help myself. Tristin stays behind me for a few moments. Then, leaves and sits on the couch.


    I shoot him a side nce, watching his lowered head and his fingers brushing his wet hair.


    "The...worst fact in life is that... " Tristin murmurs in a low voice. " you can not choose your family."


    My parents'' faces sh before my eyes. He is indeed right. If I could choose, I would have chosen to be born to anyone but them. I would have chosen anyone as my sibling but Lily.


    "If that''s not enough...you can''t even change their past or go back to make them choose something else. " Tristin whispers.


    I blink and pour the tea into cups before walking to the lounge. Tristin doesn''t pick his head, just stares at the floor and takes deep breaths.


    I take my spot on the other side of the couch, looking at the side of his face, unable to look anywhere else.


    "You know... "Tristin pauses to swallow. " when I first got to know the truth about my mother, I left home...but not before yelling at her and calling her names. I... insulted my mother, shouted at her, and didn''t stop even when she cried or pleaded with me to listen to her. " Knowing about their interaction now, it''s hard for me to imagine Tristin doing that. He is always...so soft towards his mother that I could have never guessed that he was ever like that to her.


    "My father was on his deathbed and he heard every word I told my mother. And...so he died hating my mother. He forbade her and Ania from attending his funeral. He would have disowned them if he had more time to live or maybe, he would have had them killed like he... "Tristin ces his hands over his nape and lowers his face some more." It was...all because of my anger that I couldn''t suppress."


    A lump lodges in my throat. I look away and fist my hands in myp.


    "What''s stupid is that...my father was the bigger cheater. Throughout his marriage to Mom, he would get drunk, bring women home and fuck them in the room next to my mother''s room. When he was done, he would beat up my mother and us for the smallest of


    was his way of...estakes. This


    his


    power, of telling us that we must obey him like ves and just a mere rebellion couldnd us in hell." He continues.


    Shock ripples through my body. My gazends on the side of his face again but I can no longer see it. It''s hidden behind his wrist now, and I can''t tell the look in his eyes.


    me.


    "She tried to get a divorce, but...my Mom''s parents didn''t let her. Powerful people like my father and my Mom''s parents wouldn''t leave her alone and let her live in peace if she even tried to escape. "Tristin drops his hands in hisp, lifts his head, and directs his gaze at Our gazes lock. His eyes are filled with vulnerability. My shoulders stiffen and instinctively, my hand reaches for his hand.


    She was like you." He murmurs. "I think that''s why...I always felt drawn to you. Your situation was simr to my Mom''s but...you, Grace, you didn''t do what Mom did. You would never cheat on your husband, no matter what, right? You wouldn''t..."


    Tristin looks away and pauses. My fingers brush against the back of his hand gently.


    "I want to think that Mom destroyed our family but thinking back to how she was treated at her home, by everyone around her, by my father, can''t bring myself to hate her again. After growing up, I find myself


    epting her just like she gai


    I will


    never shout at her or insult her because she might have done what she did...but she has always been a good mother to Sebastian, me, and Ania. She gave us her best. She


    protected us as much as she could.


    She..."


    His breath hitches and he lowers his face again. I can sense his struggle. It''s eating away at him.


    "I know, Tristin. Alma is a good mother. I understand why you can never hate her. " I whisper, instinctively, gripping his fingers.


    "Sebastian protected our family as long as he was alive. He was raised to be this perfect Heir to the business empire, to be the man for our family... " Tristin''s voice lowers again. " while he was here...alive...with us...I was free. I could feel bitter about my life all I wanted. I could roam around, and do whatever I needed with my life and no one cared to notice me."


    He talks about his brother as if he has always seen him as his savior.


    After he died, he left me with this responsibility was supposed to protect our family. " Tristin murmurs softly. "But I have failed, right? Just like I failed to stop him that day, He preferred death over letting the world know that his sister was the result of an affair and look at me... am still alive, and sitting here like I am totally fine. Like...I am not


    ashamed that I failed-"


    "Tristin. "I don''t know what pushes me to close the distance between and sling my arm around his neck to pull him towards me. "It''s not your fault."


    His shoulders go taut under my grip. He stays rigid for a few seconds, then turns to me and rests his forehead in the crook of my shoulder.


    "It is. It is my fault. That''s why I ran away again and came here. I can not... face my sister. I know she wants me there. She must be waiting for me. But I can''t... bring myself to go to her. I am not Sebastian, Grace. I wish I was...but I am not. I can try to be like him, I can pretend to be like him but the truth is...that he is dead, and now everything has burned to ashes."


    He doesn''t continue, just tightens his arms around me and goes silent.

 Think about you

    GraceBelongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "The PR is taking down the articles and pulling the video from social media. They will be done soon but I think the damage is already done." Tristin sighs, closing his eyes.


    I look down at his face. I am still trying to understand how his head actuallynded in myp.


    I scratch my ear and hum. " How did the video release? From what I know Lily is still...kind of missing?"


    "That wench is not as smart as I thought. She made sure my cousin had a copy of the video in case she went missing. She used it as leverage to keep herself safe all this time. But Carlos didn''t wait for whatever she had in mind. As soon as he gathered enough people to back him at thepany, he released the video to weaken my position. " He grumbles, moving his head to rest in afortable position.


    My hands hang in the air as I blink a few times. "Uh... Carlos? Your cousin wants to-"


    Tristin snorts." He wishes. He can bring hell to Earth and he still won''t be able to be the CEO of our business. At most, he will get a subsidiary and I will send him packing."


    "You should have done it sooner then. "I sigh.


    "I didn''t have a reason to. Not until now. If I had kicked him out without a good reason, I would only be inviting more trouble. "His eyes open and meet my gaze.


    He gathered himself a little over an hour ago and since then, he''s been upying myp as if he owns it. I am tied to watch him watch me and sigh every now and then.


    His hand lifts towards my face and slides my hair behind my ear. " most executives don''t like me at thepany."


    "Why do you think that?" I ask, finding myself staring right back into his calm eyes.


    I am d he is not like before right now or I don''t know what I was supposed to do tofort him.


    "I don''t have the traditional education or training to lead thepany. I left home, remember?" He grimaces and closes his eyes again.


    "But you are doing...more than fine." I mumble, my eyes tracing his frowning brows, his tall nose, and full lips.


    Seeing him from so close is always so strange. He is so handsome that you can not take your eyes off him once you start looking at him. Girls must be swooning over him all the time.


    An ugly emotion rears its head in my heart when I think about that.


    I shake my head, and reach for his forehead, smoothening the lines between his brows.


    "They like to cause trouble. "Tristin mumbles, his breaths hitting my wrist.


    I nod but don''t say anything. Unconsciously, my fingers slip into his hair, feeling the softness beneath my skin.


    "Why are you living in this small ce?" He wonders.


    "It''s..fortable here. A big ce would have made me feel...weird. "I tell him honestly.


    "Did you miss me?" He asks right away.


    I choke on my breath, and my fingers pause. Heat spreads in my cheeks, making me want to shift in my spot but I can''t.


    A moment passes, then another, and another. When he doesn''t get an answer, Tristin''s eyes open to hold my gaze.


    "I did." He blinks, no emotion reflecting in his eyes for a second. "Hm?"


    "I thought I would forget about you if we slept together once. Or I will stop thinking about you if I bury myself under work. Or maybe, once a month passes, I will no longer want to see you." His hand lifts again. He cups my cheek and runs his thumb down my skin, stopping at the corner of my mouth.


    "A month passed, and I couldn''t stop myself from wanting to call you. Another month passed, and I just wanted to hear your voice. A few more days passed and I...started getting angry, and desperate. " His eyes droop, his voice softening. My palms sweat as my heart pounds inside my chest.


    Tristin takes his hand off my face and ces it over his stomach before fisting it, "I kept thinking... Did she not even think about me for once? Did she forget me? How could she?"


    I didn''t really forget about him. I just remembered that I should never reach out to him. If I want to start a new life, and if I want to keep my word to Alma, I must not remember Tristin Roberto.


    "It''s stupid. My office reminded me


    of you, my house reminded me of you, and even your stupid sister''s face reminded me of you." His nose scrunches as he closes his eyes again You are more on my head than like to admit. You just never leave me alone. We are on unequal grounds, Little Butterfly. think about you more than you will ever think about me."


    My heartbeat slows. I take my eyes off his face and direct my gaze towards his clenched fists. Instinctively, I reach out and pry his fingers open.


    He takes this chance to intertwine our fingers. The warmth of his palm runs down my cold hand and I shudder.


    "Maybe...you should forget about me, Tristin." My heart clenches in my chest. "you know...there can not be anything... between us."


    "I would love that." He nods quickly


    but doesn''t open his eyes. " But I told you...I have tried everything I could and you still upy my thoughts most of the time. So by now, you should know it''s impossible for me to understand that we are not


    supposed to be together


    I look down at our joined hands, and my heart misses a beat. I open my mouth to say something-anything, but there are no words in my mind.


    Something shifts in my chest, a strong emotion flipping everything upside down.


    "I look for you when I am happy and want to be with you when I am suffering. How far gone do you think I am? " Finally, he looks into my eyes and my throat dries. "I am...unredeemable, am I not?"


    I don''t have anything to say, so I just watch as he gets disappointed at myck of answer, closes his eyes, and sulks in silence.


    I watch until his breaths even out and he falls asleep in myp. My thumb runs down his nose, admiring his beauty a little longer.


    I can not bring myself to believe that


    he can actually feel something like that for me. Maybe, it''s a temporary infatuation. But if it''s true...then it''s the first time someone has told me that they think about me at every moment of their life.


    And somehow, that fixes a little part of my broken heart.

 It was Him

    Tristin


    She looks at peace when she is asleep. I stare up at her face, filling my heart with the sight of her.


    I didn''t realize that I was that into her until she left and I had to spend all this time without meeting her or hearing her voice.


    My hand reaches for her cheek, caressing her skin. She shudders in her sleep, shifting her head on the headrest.


    My phone vibrates in my pocket, grabbing my attention. Sighing, I sit and pick up Luca''s call.


    It felt good to ce my head in herp and pretend that the world is not on fire but I must go back to that nightmare now.


    "Boss, you were right. That girl didn''t approach Ms. Whitlock by chance." Luca reveals.


    He''s been investigating this new girl who has appeared by Grace''s side, pretending to be her soulmate, best friend. Grace is too innocent to understand that nothing of that sort exists in this world. "It was him? "I rise from the couch and walk towards the ss wall in her apartment.


    The rain has stopped but the temperature has dropped. Worry crosses my mind when I recall that she didn''t change her clothes.


    "Yes, Boss. It was Mr. Calder. He was smart enough to not directly engage with Celine but this man named Noah has contacted that girl recently. He works for Mr. Calder now...as his assistant."


    I shoot Grace a look over my shoulder and sigh. That fucker tricked her again and made her believe that he left her alone, but he is a leech. He won''t let her rest until he has where he wants her. "What''s the order, Boss? Do I make her disappear? " Luca asks.


    I open my mouth, ready to tell him to go ahead but no wordse out of my mouth. Turning around, I fix my gaze on Grace''s lolling head, and pouting lips.


    She finally found someone she could call a friend...


    How hurt will she feel if she knows that it was all a scheme and none of it was real with her so-called friend?


    "Don''t do anything to her. "I run my fingers through my hair, uttering the words with an edge to my voice." Just keep an eye on her. If she disappears, Grace will be worried and will think something happened to her because of her." "Yes, Boss." Luca replies right away.


    First, I will have to tell Grace about Celine and then she can decide what she wants to do with her. I don''t want to steal that right away from her. I want to do things right now.


    "There is something else... "Luca sighs.


    "The apartments that were bought consecutively." I nod to myself." He did it too."


    "Yes, Boss. We have two men stationed in Ms. Whitlock''s apartment building but...Mr. Calder has bought half the building to amodate his people." Luca sounds angry as if he finds it as infuriating as I do.


    I tap the back of my phone with my forefinger as my eyes narrow." Make them all disappear. Not all at once but slowly."


    "Yes, Boss. They will be gone by the next month." Luca replies.


    "Good. And one more thing... "I take my eyes off Grace and look down at my bare feet. " Make the arrangements. I am returning home in an hour."


    Luca goes silent. He must have expected me to stay here for a few days, but I can not afford that.


    I need to see Ania and Mom, to tell them that everything will be fine.


    Besides, I feel much better than before. It must be Grace''s presence. It has some strange, soothing effect on me.


    "Yes, Boss." He murmurs.


    I hang up and walk towards the couch. She smacks her lips in her sleep cutely and tries to find afortable position. Sighing, I push my arms under her body and pick her up. Instantly, her sleepy eyes snap open andnd on me.


    "Tristin!" She squeals, her arms clinging to my neck.


    "Don''t worry. I am just putting you to bed. "I whisper, leaning close to press my lips to her temples.


    She nods and puts her head on my shoulder. Then, she is sleeping again.


    I admire her face from close, silently deciding to tell her everything once I have dealt with Carlos. I will return to her and make sure she is safe after she knows the truth.


    I carry her to her bedroom and ce her on the bed. Her sweater has dried, but it''s still cold.


    Walking towards the closet, I pull it open and stare at it for some time. What does...she wear at night?


    I steal a nce at her sleeping form


    and settle for the first sweater with a heart in the middle and a pair of sweatpants. They are mismatched, but it shouldn''t matter when she is sleeping.


    en NovelDrama.Org


    Grumbling, I return to her side and softly make her sit in the bed. Her face rolls in the crook of my neck.


    "What are you doing?" She mumbles groggily.


    "Helping you change. "I state, as a matter of fact, hooking my fingers in the hem of her sweater.


    The heat of her skin makes my fingers tingle. My thoughts drift to a memory, to the feel of her body against mine as I...


    I am not going there.


    I release another sigh and pull the sweater up her arms before I start losing my mind. She helps me by lifting her arms and then dropping them in herp.


    Her droopy gaze collides with my eyes and I barely stop myself from ncing down, at her red bra or her soft skin.


    "I am just going to change your clothes and tuck you in. "I repeat, my blood heating in my veins.


    Right away, I push the new sweater down her head and help her wear it. A sigh of relief escapes my mouth when she is covered.


    She drops on the bed and pulls the nkets up.


    "What about the pants? They must be- "


    "I am sleepy. I don''t care." She grumbles sulkily and turns to her side.


    Good idea. If she doesn''t care, then I shouldn''t push her. Her pants are fine. Besides, I can not risk baring her legs or I might lose control.


    I nod to myself and sit there, by her side, watching her sleeping face for as long as I can.


    Letting her go was the right


    decision. The color has returned to her cheeks and she looks healthier and happier than before. My lips curl into a smile, as I brush her bangs away. ,


    "I wille back in a few days. "I whisper, nting another kiss on her forehead. " Take care of yourself until then. "


    Maybe, she won''t want to see me,


    but I want to. I can''t stay away from her. I will ept it even if she wantsN?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    to befriends, but not if she doesn''t want to be anything to me.

 Worst Decision

    Grace


    When I wake up the next morning, Tristin is already gone. There is no trace of him left in my apartment, other than his lingering cologne.


    For some reason, it makes me sad. He could have stayed to say goodbye, or at least left a note but there is nothing.


    I sulk in the shower, in the kitchen as I prepare my coffee, and in the lounge as I flip through different channels.


    It''s the weekend and I don''t have anything to do. Maybe, I should call Celine and see what she is doing today.


    I ponder over it for a while before I pick up my phone and open the messaging app. But, my fingers freeze on my screen when I see a new message from an unknown number. -You look beautiful when you sleep, Little Butterfly.


    An unconscious smile touches my lips. An image is attached under the message.


    As the picture loads, my eyes narrow into slits. Asshole! I huff.


    It''s me, in bed, pouting, and my hair all over the ce. Does this look beautiful to Tristin?


    As my fingers move across the keyboard typing an instinctive message, another message from him makes me stop.


    I took a photo and will keep it with me until we meet again. Don''t curse me. I need to see you up close all the time.


    My shoulders rx. What man says such cheesy things? My cheeks warm as I exit his chat and text Celine.


    -Are you up?


    She usually replies right away, but even after waiting for five minutes, I receive no response from her side. I don''t think much of it and continue to scroll through the articles. Tristin''s PR team took down the news, but as Tristin said, people are already talking about it.


    Hispany has given its public statement, and they have imed that the video is fake and an attempt to tarnish the reputation of Roberto family. There is some bacsh but because no one has the original copy, it can not be proved that the video is not fake.


    I can see that the PR team is actively tackling the bacsh too, but I know it will take some time for this scandal to die.


    Or maybe, all they need is a bigger scandal and it will all be forgotten by people instantly.


    As for the executives of RB, that''s another case. They will use this scandal to push Tristin to his limits and me him for the stock price drops.


    Worry gnaws at my guts. I trust Tristin to deal with this problem but after seeing how he wasst night...


    I don''t want people to bother him too much.


    I open his chat again and type a simple message.


    -You can keep it.


    There is no reply, but he has seen it. It brings a soft smile to my lips before I return to mindlessly flip through TV channels. It''s all in French and I don''t understand much, but the noise makes me feel less lonely. When I get tired, I decide to clean my apartment but stop after I receive a call from an unknown number. Without thinking much, I pick it up. "Hello?"


    Silence meets me on the other side. Instinctively, goosebumps rise on my arms and I make a move to disconnect but the voice that sounds from the speaker makes me pause. "Grace. "


    My fingers freeze, just as my heart drops in the pit of my stomach. " Mom. "


    "Don''t hang up. Listen to me." She cries out desperately.


    I frown, wondering how she knew I was about to hang up on her.


    "How did you get this number?" My frown deepens.


    "Grace, your father is sick." She sobs on the other side.


    I look at the center table, at my empty mug, and my grip tightens over my phone. "What does that have to do with me? Dad disowned me? Don''t you remember?"


    She sniffles, going silent for a few seconds. I decide to hang up again, but something stops me.


    "You still call me Mom." She whispers quietly." and you still call him your Dad. We are your parents, Grace. That''s a bond you can never disown."


    "But you did. "A lump forms in my throat. " or maybe, you never considered me your daughter."


    ''That''s not true! You have always been our daughter. Just like Lily is." Her cries grow louder at the name of her favorite daughter. " and now she is missing. We don''t want to lose you too, Grace. Your Dad can not die in peace without seeing either of you."


    I scoff. " don''t use this emotional tactic on me. I no longer fall victim to it, Mrs. Whitlock. What do you really want? Come to the point. "


    Her sniffles instantly stop and the act ends. A moment of silence, and then her curt voice sounds from the speaker.


    "We were destroyed because of you! Now, we are in debt and running from people that are after us. Your Dad and I are close to your apartment right now. Come meet us here and give us some money. "What?" My breath catches in my throat.


    "We raised you, fed you, gave you everything you ever wanted! Do you think everyone can afford the lifestyle you did? Do you think it was cheap?!" She hisses, her voice bing harsher.


    "So... it''s about payback. You want me to pay you back the money you spent in raising me. "I like to think that my nerves have be steel now, but...it still hurts somewhere deep down in my chest.


    "You have never contributed anything to our family, Grace. It''s only right that you help us out now." She states as a matter of fact.Content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "Well...just so you know...I don''t have that kind of money to pay your debts. "I shrug." Whitlock Corp went bankrupt and the price of my stocks plummeted. I didn''t get much by selling them." She goes silent again. The wheels must be turning in her head.


    "How did you get my number and how do you know where I live?" I ask again.


    "We lost thepany but not the connections. It''s not hard to find you when you are going around showing your talent at your University." She sneers hatefully.


    Something tells me that she is lying, but I don''t need to dwell on it. I have no reason to get involved with them again.


    "If that''s all-"


    "Just give us something to survive here. Your Dad''s assets are frozen and we can not ess any of his hidden money right now. Come to Anta Cafe and give us money to


    spend for a few days." She orders.


    "Mrs. Whitlock-"


    Come meet us in an hour if you don''t want me to make a scene at the ce where you study. You don''t


    ¡¨


    want your friends to know that you are a cold-hearted bitch, do you? She yells and hangs up before I can reply.


    Anger burns in my veins, and I stay still for a lot of time. But when the hour is close to end, I drag myself to the Cafe without a word.


    We need to talk. Face to face.


    I need to get them off my back before they make a scene.


    That choice...proves to be my worst decision.

 Taken

    Grace


    So many people have found out about me staying here somehow. It''s time I change this ce too and find somewhere else to go.


    But then...


    How far can I run before they hunt me down again?


    How much time can I spend hiding only for someone to start threatening me again?


    I ponder, standing on the sidewalk and staring at the Cafe in front of me. The night has fallen and the streets have turned cold.


    The ss wall of the Cafe gives the perfect view of my parents sitting on the table. Like me, they are also staring back at me. The disdain in their eyes is so clear even here. Standing on the dark side, I heave a heavy breath and narrow my eyes.


    Now, how do I go about this?


    If I give them money and let them know I am scared of their threats, they will continue using my weaknesses against me.


    Maybe, I should use Lily as a bargaining chip. I can tell them that I know where she is and she will only be alright as long as they leave me alone.


    That will bring about two results.


    A-They will leave me alone which is highly unlikely


    B-They will pester me even more because I know about their daughter''s whereabouts which is more likely given that they are vile in nature.


    I sigh and look up. The traffic light has turned red. It''s time for me to make things work somehow.


    I step down from the footpath and onto the silent, dark road. Just as I reach the middle of it, a car rushes forward. Its tires skid to a stop in front of me, blocking my view of my parents.


    Without giving me a chance to recover, two hands shoot out and drag me inside. My heartbeat esctes, my survival instincts kick in and I start thrashing right away.


    From the corner of my eyes, I look out of the other window of the old van and freeze. My parents are still watching. As our eyes meet, they stay frozen, neutral, and...unmoving.


    A hand mps around my mouth, mming a wet cloth there. I fight harder and try to scream as panic bubbles in my chest but the hands on my body are brutal, and the force of the cloth around my mouth makes it hard to breathe. Slowly, my heartbeat slows down. My eyes droop and my energy drains from my body, leaving me limp.


    Before I lose my grip on my consciousness, I see my parent''s blurred faces, as the van zooms past the Cafe, and leaves them behind.


    I know.


    They nned this.


    It feels like I keep slipping in and out of consciousness, struggling to move but restrained byrge hands.


    I see men but their faces are blurred.


    Everything goes ck.


    My mind fights again, and I see myself floating.


    A ne.


    The cloudy sky.


    Yelling voices.


    Hushed whispers.


    My head is spinning.


    A syringe in my arm.


    And my head stops spinning.


    I fight once more.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    My eyes open.


    My vision blurs.


    I breathe, I struggle, I panic.


    Another syringe.


    A sting in my wrists, my ankles, the side of my face.


    The desperation, the fear, the survival instincts-all in vain.


    I am sleeping again.


    Cold water sshes across my face and I gasp. My limbs start thrashing as if they know that I must run and free myself. But no matter how much I twist, I can not move


    en NovelDrama.Org


    QUMS


    My hands and feet are tied to a dirty chair. My head snaps up, my hair falling around my face and covering my cheeks.


    My vision takes a few minutes to restore while I struggle to make out the voices around me. A hand ms into the side of my head, and fall


    onto the floor with the chair.


    A sharp cry escapes my mouth. This is all it takes to get rid of the heavy sensation inside my head. I am awake-painfully aware of whatever is happening to me. Hands pull the chair upright, and my weight shifts onto my butt again. I gasp, pick up my head, and look around.


    I am inside a dark run-down warehouse. Dirty boxes line up the surroundings, making everything appear scary.


    My heart pounds inside my chest as my gaze stops at the men around me. They are dressed in ck, wearing masks over their faces to cover their features. "Can you hear me now?" One of them stands in front of me and snarls.


    I jerk in my spot, nodding my head quickly.


    I am going to be sick. A voice inside my head chants.


    "Good. "He nods, his voice loud and rough.


    I try to speak, to ask what they want but my throat is too dry. My insides ache, and it feels like my limbs are broken, or just too weak with dread.


    With my wide eyes, I scan my surroundings once more before finally looking down at my burning arms. Bile rises to my mouth, but nothing spills out.


    My wrists are bleeding under the ropes. The blood has seeped into my off white sweater, the sweater with the heart in the middle, the


    same that Tristin helped me wear.


    There is so much blood. I wonder how I am conscious. I don''t understand why I can''t feel it as badly as I should.


    It hurts, yes. But I feel more scared than in pain.


    The man in front of me speaks something but my eyes lower to my neck. There is blood on my cor too. Where else am I bleeding from?


    Maybe, it''s my nose, or my cheek, or my lips. Or perhaps, everything is broken.


    A hand grabs my hair and twists my neck back. The same masked man yells at me as our eyes meet. " Speak!"


    "Ms. Whitlock?" A deep, soft voice calls from the speaker of a phone clenched between the man''s hand.


    I open my mouth to say something, but a metallic taste on my tongue makes me pause.


    I don''t recognize this voice. It''s not Ethan. It''s not Tristin. It''s not my Dad.


    "I am hoping your journey back home wasfortable." He chuckles.


    My eyes widen. Am I back? How...


    "Hello, Ms. Whitlock? Why are you not saying something?" Hisughter dies as his voice takes on a dangerous edge.


    "Did you cut her tongue, you idiot?" The man on the phone yells, startling me.


    "No, Boss." The masked man replies.


    Scared, I lift my gaze just in time for his heavy palm tond against my cheek, knocking down the chair again.


    My head hits the floor so hard that my jaw rattles with the impact. I gasp for air, to subside the pain, to regain my senses but my vision is starting to cken.


    The chair is pulled straight and cold water sshes all over my face. He fists my hair and shakes my aching head around wildly, almost breaking my neck in the way. "Speak, Bitch!" He yells angrily.


    "What-" I yelp, finding my lost voice. It''s scratchy, but I can speak.

 Carlos

    Grace


    "What-" I yelp, finding my lost voice. It''s scratchy and weak, but I can speak.


    "Oh finally, Ms. Whitlock. It turns out you needed a little motivation before talking to me." The man on the other sideughs again. Tears well in my eyes but they don''t fall. I croak in a quivering voice," who...who...are you?"


    "That''s not the right question, Ms. Whitlock." He says, sounding all happy and calm. " You should ask what do I want from you?"


    The fist in my hair tightens, breaking a few of my strands. Tears leak out of my eyes atst, as the pain increases in my scalp.


    "What...do you...want?" My throat hurts. It''s like someone mmed a fist in it and now I can not talk without a pause or without feeling like my throat is bleeding.


    "It''s simple, Ms. Whitlock. I just want you to convince your boyfriend to call off the shareholder meeting." His voice bes sharp in the speaker. Boyfriend? I want to shake my head, but I can''t dare to.


    "I...have...no..."


    "I am talking about Tristin Roberto. Surely, you can not forget your boyfriend?" He interrupts and blood drains from my face.


    I don''t recognize this voice, but I can tell who he is. Goosebumps rise over my skin when the whole scenario suddenly makes sense to me. "Carlos. " I whisper quietly.


    Silence meets me on the other end. The hand in my hair loosens, and then the masked man retreats two steps back.


    "So you know who I am. "He says, in a strange voice. It''s not relief that he is feeling for sure. It''s anger.


    I have tanked my chance at survival. The masks don''t mean anything if I know their identity and if I know that they work for Carlos Roberto.


    "You...want to use me to ckmail Tristin, Carlos?" My heart twists at the thought.


    "You took me by surprise, Ms. Whitlock. I was not expecting you to catch up so fast. "He chuckles, but it sounds fake now. There is no amusement in his tone.


    I look down at my bleeding wrists again. The deep gashes will leave permanent marks on my skin and if I survive, somehow, this incident will haunt me for the rest of my life. That''s the price I must pay for getting involved with Tristin Roberto.


    "Now that you understand the situation you are in, it will make things easy for me. " Carlos murmurs and the masked man steps closer to me again, pushing the phone in my face.


    "I don''t have anything personal against you, Ms. Whitlock. All I want you to do is to let your boyfriend hear your sweet voice. Tell him how terrified and hurt you are... " He trails off.


    I watch as the masked man brings out a switchde from his pocket and twists it open. The de gleams under the dim lightning, the sharp tip ready to plunge into my skin and draw blood.


    "Tell him that you are going to get your skin ripped, and your body cut into tiny cute pieces if he doesn''t do as you say. " He threatens.


    "And...what is it that... he must do?" I whisper hoarsely while keeping my eyes on the knife.


    They will make it hurt till the end, right?


    "Nothing much. He just has to admit that the video is not fake and hand over the reigns to me. A man who can not even handle a scandal shouldn''t lead such a big empire, don''t you think? For that task, I am more suitable than he will ever be. That''s what you have to make him realize. " He suggests dryly.


    Such a stupid man. He really thinks Tristin will give up his power, money, and position for what? Me?


    I can''t help the sardonic smile that pulls at my lips. "You are...a powerful man yourself. How can you believe there is...anything between Tristin and me? And even if there is...why would he give up so much...for me?"


    Carlos remains silent for a moment. I take my eyes off the de, and nce at my wrists, twisting them under the rope, watching it dig deeper into my skin.


    I am bound again, forced to be helpless. But...they can only bind me physically. They can not break inside my head and make me yield.


    "Are you really asking me that question?" Carlos huffs. " it turns out you are not that smart, Ms. Whitlock. Did you not understand Tristin until now?"


    "I...understand powerful men. They


    are...all the same. If they have to choose between anything in this world and power... they will stick to power Carlos. That''s all that matters to them. "I mutter, trying to muster energy in my limbs.


    Carlos chuckles again. This time, it sounds like genuineughter, as if he is making fun of me and my thoughts.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    "You are interesting, Ms. Whitlock." He says. "I take it that you believe Tristin won''t listen to your pleas so you will not cooperate with us?"


    "Of course not." I whisper and halt my tries. "Why...do you even need me to...talk to him? If you want¡ª"


    "That''s what the bastard wants. He won''t give in until he talks to you. "Carlos snaps, and the masked man ces the knife against the back of my hand.


    My breath hitches, waiting for him to cut my skin but he doesn''t attempt anything. It''s a threat. If I continue to infuriate the Boss, I will face consequences. "Good... " I nod my hurting head. "Then I...won''t talk to him at all. "


    Tristin''s face shes before my eyes. After he barged into my life and showed me a different side of him, something changed between us. The thought of making him lose anything over me, because of me, sounds worse than death.


    And the worst fact is that...if I talk to him, and he doesn''t give me any importance now...


    If he tells these people to do with me as they please...


    I don''t think I will be able to fight back at all.


    I am scared that he will choose his power over me even if that''s what I want for him. I am terrified that he will not care whether I die or live and the little spark in my heart will die forever.


    These emotions are strange, but at this moment, they act as my only source of strength.


    "Perhaps, you will change your mind once you see my present. " Carlos muses, his voice taking on a different, chirpy note.


    "What-"


    My words die on my tongue as another masked man drags a half-conscious girl on the floor and dumps her in the corner. In the dark, I can not make out her features but I can recognize those wavy blonde locks anywhere. "Ce... Celine. "A violent shudder rolls down my body.


    "Bingo! Now I can hear the fear in your voice, Ms. Whitlock." Laughter fills my ears and my blood turns cold in my veins.


    As long as you are alone in this


    world, you can stand tall, and plunge


    to the depths of hell if that''s what you must do. Because you know you are alone. There is no one you Care about, no one to hold you back, no one to weaken your heart,


    But the moment someone you care about turns up on the threshold of your hell, on the verge of getting burned in the fire meant for you...


    It feels like the pain has broken the skin, and seeped into a deeper part of your soul. You can face it if you are burning alone, but if your loved ones are burning because of you...it''s a fate worse than death. And then you realize...that you have no will to fight.


    "I-I will...do...whatever you want. "I whisper, staring at her as she stirs and meets my gaze.


    "G-Grace." Her nose is bleeding, and her eyes are out of focus.


    "Everything will be fine. " Suddenly, I find it easier to talk, easier to start twisting my wrists again.


    Even if Tristin doesn''te, I can''t give up and let Celine die with me.


    "That''s what you should have done from the start, Ms. Whitlock. " Carlosughs again as if enjoying his power over me.

 Tracking Down

    Tristin


    I stare at the people sitting around the conference table, all waiting for me to start talking or to give them a chance to talk.


    But I can''t do anything.


    I stare at the screen of my phone.


    It''s been three days-three days since I failed to protect Grace and she disappeared.


    One more failure.


    Another person I care about is gone.


    I know who did it, but I have been sitting here like a fool, instead of turning the world upside down to find her and bring her back to my side.


    Panic threatens to bubble in my throat but I push it down, hide it behind the facade of indifference. People stare at me, trying to gauge my emotions, but all they meet is ice. Yet, my heart is... Burning.


    Every second that passes brings me closer to losing my grip on my sanity.


    I tell myself that I just need a little time. And it sounds simr again.


    The phone on the table starts ringing, and my cold hand reaches for it. I pick it up and ce it against my ear.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Heavy breathing sounds from the speaker. My muscles freeze, my heart beginning to beat again.


    The wall I have been building around myself for three days, to not show that I am crumbling breaks and I find myself springing to my feet and marching towards the ss wall behind me. "Did he hurt you?" I ask, hoping for a negative answer.


    But I receive none. Just the sound of her breathing soothes an ache inside my chest and adds fuel to the fire that''s already burning in my veins.


    "He-He has...my...friend and-"


    "I am asking about you. "My voice rises, my palm reaching for the cold ss, to keep myself stered here. " are you in pain?"


    What do I hope to hear? I know she is. Her voice is weak-too weak.


    It''s all because of me that she is in this state again. I shouldn''t have let her go. I should have kept her by my side even if she hated me for the rest of her life.


    "He wants you to...give up." She whispers in a croaky voice instead of answering me.


    I close my eyes and stay there, just listening to her breathing again. She doesn''t understand the hell I have been through.


    The moment I got the call that someone had taken her, a switch flipped inside my head. It didn''t take long to understand that Carlos took her, and her parents yed a part in it. They wanted to get back at me, for taking their favorite daughter Lily. Fucking sick bastards!


    Now, they are in my basements, ready to get what they deserve. But I can''t bring myself to focus on that.


    I have been busy searching for her day and night. But Carlos has her in a ce where I can''t trace her.


    I have been desperate, panicking, and burning all the time. It felt like someone had stolen a part of me.


    Until now, I didn''t even know if she was alive. A few pictures or videos were not enough to make me.


    believe that. I had to hear her voice, I had to know I still had time to get her back.  en NovelDrama.Org


    Or else...I didn''t know what I was going to do.


    I...told him that you... will never give up-"


    Don''t fight. I know you are strong and smart...but don''t fight. I want you to stay safe until Ie And will. I will be there soon" I


    whisper and open my e


    Tristin." Her voice lowers.


    "It''s love." I admit, a lump lodging in my throat. "I think it is. I think that''s why I can not forget about you.


    She doesn''t say anything, but hearing her breathe and knowing that she is alive is all that I need.


    "Tell Carlos to keep his hands off you and I will give him what he wants. "I tell her and then hang up. Luca''s figure is already reflected in the ss in front of me. He steps closer, and whispers.


    "We have located his father and brother, Boss. We don''t need to give in.


    "I can''t take the risk. Let him have whatever he wants. "I turn around and face him. "Call off this fucking meeting."


    Luca has a lot to say. Before he started working for me, he worked for my brother. He was always here, raised with us, trained with Sebastian to be his close man one day.


    And now here he is, stuck with me, unable to do anything about the way I do things.


    "I will make it work. "I say, blinking calmly.


    I haven''t tried to make him believe in me before. Maybe, I should have. Perhaps, I should do it now.


    If I back down today, inevitably tomorrow, shareholders will unite and strip me of my position with their right to vote. If I lose the power, I will be the target of their attacks. But I can''t bring myself to care. When tomorrowes, I will deal with it then.


    "Yes, Boss. "Luca nods slowly.


    Today, I will save the woman I care about.


    I walk out of the conference room without a word and approach my office, my mind swarmed with thoughts. I should send Mom and Ania out of the country for a few days, to make sure they are safe.


    I am just close to my chair when Lucaes barging inside my office. I stop in my spot and face him.


    The look he has on his face tells me everything I need to do.


    "They took Celine, Boss." He informs, taking a deep breath.


    I hate what he is about to say next, but I am d it has happened.


    "Ethan Calder has ways of tracking down Celine. He is moving. I think he is going to get Ms. Whitlock, Boss." Luca blurts.


    I am rushing towards the door and the elevator in no time. Luca is hot on my tail, calling our men.


    If we just follow that bastard, I can get to Grace. Once I have her with me again, I will never let her out of my sight.


    I love her. Now, she knows. There is no going back from here.

 He Came for me

    Grace


    In life...


    I always found myself surprised by little things.


    Any truth, any secret, any incident could make me go still or start panicking and shock would take over.


    But as the call disconnects and Carlos''ughter filters through the speaker of the other phone...


    I struggle to feel surprised.


    It''s love, he said. He can''t forget about me because...


    He loves me.


    I should have been shocked and in denial at the confession that came so suddenly. But I am not.


    Instead, my heart is pounding inside my chest, trying to break out of my ribcages.


    It''s like I knew he loved me but couldn''t believe it before and now I do. Because he says he loves me.


    The masked men leave us to our state, and retreat into the corner, sitting on a table, ying poker.


    Tristin said he woulde soon. And I believe him. That''s why...I sit still and watch Celine.


    The cold, damp air of the warehouse gnaws at my skin, making the sting of the cuts and bruises on my arms even worse.


    Tristin''s words have acted like a lifeline in this dark ce, and I am clinging to it, putting all my trust in him.


    Soon, I will find out if I have been fooled or if I am lucky.


    After a while, Celine picks up her head, her usually bright eyes now filled with fear and confusion. The men tied her hands behind her back so she can only move on the floor but not free herself. How long have we been here? I wonder. Every minute has started to feel like an eternity.


    The men get tired after several rounds and rest on the chairs, their masks still pulled on their faces.


    My head rolls to the side with exhaustion as I find myself whispering to Celine. " don''t worry. Everything is going to be alright, Celine."


    She nods, and silently cries on the floor. My heart hurts for her. Shended in this trouble just because she was my friend.


    I am lost in my thoughts and fighting to stay conscious when...


    Suddenly, the sound of a gunshot shatters the silence. The door to the warehouse bursts open, and chaos erupts. It all happens so fast that I barely get the chance to make sense of it. Lights fill the area, and I squint my eyes trying to see what''s happening. Fear has me in a vice, threatening to choke me.


    To my surprise, Ethan storms in, followed by several men. The air fills with the sharp sounds of gunshots shortly after.


    It''s a mess. The men are everywhere, firing at each other while Celine and I sit, tied in a corner.


    My heart pounds harder in my chest. I expected anyone but not him.


    Ethan is here, but where is Tristin?


    I watch in horror as bullets fly, men shout and fall, and the sh of men makes me sick.


    Ethan is hiding behind boxes with his men and two of the surviving kidnappers are hiding on the opposite side. Heads poke out, shots are fired and then they take cover again.


    It goes on for what feels like a lifetime, and I realize...how easy it is for one of the kidnappers to make us their target and...shoot us.


    Is Ethan an idiot?!


    I struggle harder against my restraints, my muscles burning with the effort.


    "Grace!" Celina whimpers in fear.


    "Celine, keep your head down! "I shout, idiotically grabbing other''s attention but to my relief, they don''t start firing at us.


    I pull with all my might, my wrists screaming in protest but the ropes don''t loosen. I can''t let Celine die because of me, something inside my head cries out. I have to save her. Through my fear-filled eyes, I see Ethaning out from the other side of the boxes, his expression grim and determined. His men cover him and clear his path so he can get to me.


    My breath catches in my throat when my eyes meet his gaze in the darkness. It''s been so long since Ist saw him and I feel more angry than relieved that he is here.


    Behind Ethan''s figure, a loud explosion shakes the whole warehouse. My ears ring, as shock renders me unable to move for a few seconds.


    Is he fucking serious?


    The ce where the two kidnappers stood is now nothing but fire and ashes. My guts wrench and I double over, dry heaving, struggling to throw up.


    They are dead. I am relieved and horrified all at once.Belongs to ? n0velDrama.Org.


    But I am proved wrong.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I see one of the masked men sneaking towards Celine.


    He is still wearing a mask and there is a trail of blood in his path. His determined eyes lift to me, and then he changes his way, abandoning Celine to rush in my direction. Before Ethan closes the distance and gets to me, the masked man is already beside me. A cold metal presses to the side of my head and I stop twisting or moving.


    My breath hitches, my limbs cken and my eyes lift to the gun.


    "Move and I will fucking blow her brain out!" He yells in a sinister voice.


    Fear turns me cold and my heart races as he presses the gun harder into my skin.


    I try to calm myself, but the terror is overwhelming. This is it. This is how I die after everything I survived, after how I revived my will to live.


    Drop your guns or she dies! " The masked man growls dangerously.


    My eyes meet Ethan''s murderous re. There is a gun in his hand, and I have seen him with it for the first time in my life.


    Tristin''s words keep ringing inside my head. It takes a certain kind of cruelty to reach where he is today.


    "Do it right fucking now!" Another nudge of the gun to my head and I gasp.


    Ethan."


    Instantly, Ethan stops ring at the man behind me and looks in my direction. His eyes soften, worry clouding his gaze.


    "I am here for you. I will not let anyone hurt you." He says, in a gentle voice.


    A lump clogs my throat and I swallow it right away. I won''t start weeping when I am so close to dying.


    "I said, drop it!" The masked man yells again.


    Ethan gives me a long stare and drops the gun. His men follow the lead and drop their weapons instantly.


    The clinging of the metal on the floor sends a shudder through my spine. It feels like I am not even here, but in a movie, watching things that are not supposed to happen in real life.


    I want to think that I will wake up in my apartment, just sleeping on my couch and Tristin wille to meet me in a few days, like he whispered he will...that night.


    How long ago was it? I don''t know anymore.


    But I know...


    I don''t want to die before seeing him.


    Let her go now." Ethan says, in a calm and hard voice.


    "Move your men back. Let me leave and I will release her. "The man nudges my head once more.


    "If you hurt her, you are not leaving alive. Stop pushing that gun into her head. " Ethan hisses, ring at the man behind me.


    Ethan''s gaze flickers to mine, filled with a mixture of anger and helplessness. I can sense the wheels turning in his head, the struggle to find a way out of this without getting me killed.


    Suddenly, the door to the warehouse bursts open again, and there he is.


    Tristin.


    His eyes met mine, and I see a fire in them that I never saw before. Time seems to stand still as he takes in the scene in front of him and his jaw clenches with fury.


    It''s love, his voice rings in my head again.


    Tristin. " I whisper.


    The masked man holding me tenses when he sees more people rushing in. "Stay back or I will shoot her.


    "


    Ethan nces over his shoulder, sending a re in Tristin''s way but Tristin has his eyes on me. He doesn''t look away, not for a single second.


    My heart fills with the same emotion again, which makes me restless to slip closer to him.


    Tristin has a calm but dangerous look on his face." Let her go. That''s the wisest choice you can make right now I am going to hunt your down whether you do this or not, so it''s better that you cooperate and no harm wille to your family."


    "My family." The gun beside my temple slips lower as the man''s grip loosens around it.


    ''I am Tristin Roberto. Surely, you know that." Tristin steps closer, his eyes zing but never leaving my gaze. "You know the Roberto family always settles their score. The


    woman you have there is my el.ng


    woman. And I will make sure that your woman suffers the same way if you don''t release her right this moment. "


    The tension in the room is thick. I hold my breath, my heart racing as I wait for him to let me go.


    &


    "In the next half an hour, I will have your Boss'' family suffering the consequences of his actions. I am sure you don''t your wife and children to join them. " Tristin takes one more step ahead, and the man doesn''t threaten anymore.


    The coldness that radiates from Tristin is not something I usually see. It''s like he will follow through with every threat.


    I should be scared, and run for the hills. But I wait and watch as he approaches me.


    He came...for me. That''s all I can think about like a love-sick teenager.


    Tristin stops so close to me. Just a few more steps, and he can free me from these restraints.


    "You have three seconds. "Finally, he tears his gaze from mine and looks at the masked man.


    The eye-contact has a powerful effect on thetter. The gun clings to the ground, and my breath catches in my throat again.


    With three long strides, Tristin is in front of me, and without warning, his arms close around my body, his hand cradling the back of my head.


    "I love you." Tristin whispers.


    And the gunshots ring again.

 I dont love you

    Grace


    Tristin''s arms tighten around me, pulling me close, his breath warm against my ear.


    I try to see what has happened, who was shot, but Tristin doesn''t let me.


    "Stay still." He whispers." Just stay like this."


    I breathe in his masculine cologne and feel his heart beating in sync with mine.


    It feels like the chaos has ended. I am safe now. Nothing more will happen.


    I pant against his chest and close my eyes. The pain in my body is slowly starting to register in my head and...


    It hurts like hell.


    Running footsteps sound around me. I open my eyes and forcefully pull my head out of Tristin''s chest.


    The masked man is limping towards the other side of the warehouse, and Ethan is after him, his gun raised to aim for the man''s back.


    My heart drowns, as another gunshot sounds. The bullet lodges into the man''s back and he drops to the ground, blood pooling around his dead body.


    In a moment when Tristin has chosen to reach for me, Ethan decided that taking his anger out on that man and killing him is more important.


    Powerful men are all alike I no longer believe in what I said before.


    Where Ethan is always trying to get back at others, Tristin often tries to protect his own.


    That''s why, Tristin chose toe to me and Ethan chose to chase the man who held the gun to my temples.


    I have no doubt that even if I was shot and dying here, Ethan would have chosen to hurt that man first before thinking about reaching me.


    And, I don''t hate Ethan for it.


    He is just someone like that. And now, I understand that we were neverpatible.


    I gasp as pain erupts in my wrists. I look away from Ethan and at my hands which are now held by Tristin. He is inspecting my wounds before moving towards cutting the ropes around my ankles. My mind spins with the intensity of pain as blood rushes to my limbs. I blink, trying to keep my eyes open.


    "You will be fine." Tristin is murmuring in a trance. "I am taking you to the hospital. You will be perfectly fine. Nothing will happen to you."


    He is trying to assure me, but he looks more terrified than me.


    Hurriedly, Tristin picks me up in his arms just as he is done releasing me. My face nuzzles in his neck and I let the thoughts of the world disappear from my head.


    He is walking away, without caring about what mess is left behind. Suddenly, a thought strikes me.


    "Tristin!" I call out, panic clear in my voice as I cling to him. "We need to get Celine out!"


    My eyes meet the side of his face. Tristin''s jaw tightens, a flicker of annoyance shing across his eyes. I don''t understand this sudden reaction.


    "Luca!" Tristin calls out to him over his shoulder.


    "Yes, Boss. "Luca''s voice sounds from behind us.


    "Get Celine out of here. "Tristin orders, a vein ticking in his jaw. "Get her to the hospital and make sure she is taken care of."


    I peek around Tristin''s shoulder and watch Luca approach Celine on the ground. He unties her swiftly and helps her up. My heart aches with worry but I know she will be fine with Luca.


    As we make our way toward the exit, Ethan appears in our path. I gasp and watch the look of frustration on his face.


    "Grace. "A dark emotion passes through his eyes when his gaze switches between me and Tristin''s narrowed eyes. " You need toe with me."


    I shake my head instantly.


    "I am grateful to you, Ethan. Thanks foring to save me." I whisper, my throat still hurting. My eyes lower to his hands and the blood on them makes my heart skip a beat. " but I don''t want anything to do with you. I told you before. We are over. And we won''t start these games again.


    For the first time, I see a look of pleading in Ethan''s eyes. It feels like I am staring at my past self who was always begging and pleading with him to apany me, to listen to me, to believe me.


    I turn away, disregarding his emotions not because I want revenge, but because I feel nothing for him no matter what he does.


    Tristin tightens his hold around me possessively." if you are done, get out of my way."


    Ethan stands his ground, and my head keeps spinning. I don''t want these two to start fighting again. I have no energy to deal with tantrums.


    "We are leaving." Tristin announces, his lips curling in a smile as he looks over his shoulder. "Luca, bring Celine with us."


    I don''t know why he is repeating the same order, but to my surprise, Ethan''s gaze follows Tristin''s eyes and he steps out of our way right away.


    Tristin starts walking again and carries me to the car waiting for us outside. The fresh air sends my head into a numbing trance. Dizziness washes over me and I find myself giving in to the pain.


    Tristin ces me on the seat gently and takes his spot beside me and then he is pulling me into hisp. His hands reach for my cuts and bruises, his touch soft and his eyes disying different emotions. "You are hurt because of me." He whispers in a daze.


    "I am fine." I whisper back, finding it hard to suppress the pain now.


    As the car starts, and his warmth surrounds me, I give into exhaustion.


    When I wake up, a familiar white ceiling is peering back at me. I register that I am in the hospital faster than I should have and panic almost bubbles inside my chest.


    My body aches, and I feel disoriented as I slowly sit up, wincing at the pain that spreads throughout my limbs.


    Tristin is sitting by my bedside, his face a mask of worry and relief. His eyes are red-rimmed, and there is a look of profound exhaustion etched into his features. When he sees me stir, his eyes soften, and he moves closer, taking my hand in his.


    This all feels so strange. Just like that night. I don''t know how to deal with all this. A part of me knows this is wrong I promised Alma that IN?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    would leave her son alone, but another selfish part of me wants to stay by his side a little longer and disregard the morals I always held onto.


    "You are awake." His fingers brush over my bangs, slipping my hair behind my ears. His touch is warm and soothing, making me rx and continue to stare at him. "You fell unconscious. " Tristin exins even before I can ask anything." The doctors said you are okay. You just need to eat something and rest to regain your energy."


    I nod, my gaze lowering to my bandaged wrists. I run my fingers along the bandage on the right wrist and sigh.


    I whisper. " Celine... is she okay?"


    Tristin''s eyes darken for some reason before he nods. " She is fine. Luca got her out safely. She''s in another room. She is recovering.


    Something about the way Tristin talks about her tells me I am missing a point. I should ask him...but not right now.


    I let out a sigh, and rest back on the pillow. My mind drifts to the thoughts of my parents, and pain threatens to consume.


    "They did this. "I whisper in a hoarse voice as Tristin grabs a ss of water from the sidetable.


    He helps me take a few sips, his face going back to the mask of emotionlessness.


    When he ces the ss back, I sigh and look at the ceiling. "My parents called me to the cafe. They..."


    "Carlos told them about Lily and us. They wanted to get back at you and me. That''s why they did. " Tristin reveals in a rough voice.


    My eyes widen and fix on him. "They..."


    I don''t know what to say. Sometimes, I want to get a paternity test to find out if I am their daughter or not, but inevitably, our features match so much that no such test is required. They are my real parents.


    But they never wanted me or needed me.


    Tristin''s expression softens again,


    and he leans closer, his fingers gently brushing against the back of my hand. "I was...scared. It''s notmon for me to feel that emotion but...I was really scared."


    I stare at him, letting myself be selfish for a little while longer. I watch as he kisses the back of my hand, then the bandage over my wrist, and closes his eyes momentarily. When the emotions be overwhelming for me, I pull my hand to my side and lie down again. Something is twisting inside my heart.


    This is wrong.


    It''s nearly a sin to fall for Tristin Roberto.


    "What happened to Carlos?" I wonder, changing the topic.


    Tristin stares at his empty hand for a moment, then looks up, his eyes gleaming with darkness." He got what he deserved like he should have a long time ago."


    I don''t have the heart to ask what it is. I don''t want to know.


    "He came after me because he thought you were my boyfriend, Tristin." I prepare myself for the inevitable.


    I have indulged myself too much.


    "I...I am sorry. I should have protected you better. "He clenches his hands and pulls them to his side.


    "No, Tristin. "I blink, removing all traces of emotions from my face. "You should have simply stayed away from me from the start."


    "Grace, I... "Tristin trails off, his eyes flickering towards my fisted hands." You know now. I can not do that. I love "


    "I don''t." I interrupt him. "I don''t


    love you, Tristin. And... I don''t want to


    be with you. I don''t want you to


    hard time or when you are happy. I


    want you to...stay away even if you can''t forget about me, so I can live in peace."


    He doesn''t say anything. I don''t say anything.


    He doesn''t see his mother standing in the doorway behind him, but I do.


    And seeing her has reminded me of what must be done.


    I admit. A little part of me likes him a lot, but there is no way we can be together. A man who can give up his position for me, who can fight his family for me, who can risk his life for me...


    He can give everything.


    But what can I give him?


    Nothing.


    That''s a brutal truth and I will not continue to forget about it.

 I need you

    Grace


    -5 Days Later...


    Alma didn''te inside that day. She left after hearing what I said and it satisfied her I just knew it.


    Tristin, however, went silent. He didn''t say anything to me, but he didn''t leave me alone either.


    The doctors said that I had to stay for a week in the hospital and during that time, Tristin refused to spend any night at home. He would go to his office, get the work done, sometimes Luca would even bring his clothes and files to the hospital room and he would work from here. I was annoyed at him most of the time, but I didn''t break the silence between us.


    I told him all that and he didn''t say anything at all. His silence felt like a challenge that stated ''Get me away from you if you can'' and it made me frustrated.


    At night, Tristin slept on the couch and haunted me all the time. I didn''t know how to get him off my back anymore.


    "How are you doing today, Grace?" The doctor enters the room and breaks me out of the trance.N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    "As usual, Doctor." I whisper, taking my eyes off Tristin who is sitting on the couch, signing some papers.


    "Anything bothering you?"


    I sigh and shake my head. I am so done with this.


    When I don''t reply, he continues. "You are doing great, and we will be discharging you tomorrow. Just one more night of rest and you will be back to your normal self."


    Relief washes over me like a cool breeze. I manage a weak smile, trying to focus on the positive side of things. Everything will be back to normal soon and I will get away from this stubborn man.


    The doctor leaves after a few formal questions and I find myself smiling.


    "You must be flying over the clouds right now." Tristin''s voice grumbles from the corner.


    So, this is how we break the odd silence?


    "Of course, I am happy." I nod quickly.


    Our eyes meet briefly, and it sends a warm sensation down my body.


    I have been watching this man sleeping on the couch in an ufortable position for thest five nights and had been impossible for me to not call him to the bed with me or get him out of my sight.


    I have been having a hard time keeping my eyes off him or my heart from beating too fast when he helps me do the smallest of tasks with the utmost care, like helping me move around, eat, or even drink water. It''s like he pretends to be angry and oblivious but he has all his senses tuned into me.


    No one has looked after me like that. I feel like an affection-starved animal and it doesn''t help my situation at all.


    "Tristin." I say softly, trying to steady my voice. "I..."


    He looks up from his spot on the couch, his eyes meeting mine again." What is it?"


    "I am leaving for France with Celine right after I get discharged. "I reveal, my tone firm despite the lingering pain.


    Tristin''s expression hardens instantly. His jaw clenches, and a storm brews behind his beautiful eyes. " You are not going anywhere. You are still recovering."


    The words sting and I feel a surge of frustration. "I don''t need you to make decisions for me, Tristin. I am perfectly capable of deciding what is best for myself. I am leaving and I am telling you in advance."


    Why am I even telling him? I stiffen when the question crosses my mind.


    He rises from the couch, a hint of frustration on his face just like me." Do you actually believe I am making decisions for you?! I am just telling you that can''t leave right now."


    I feel my anger rising. "That''s the same as telling me what to do. You know what? I am not even asking you, Tristin. I am simply telling you. And I-I don''t even know why I am telling you when I should leave quietly. I owe you nothing!" Tristin''s eyes darken as he smirks. "Of course, you owe me nothing."


    It feels like a taunt, and my eyes narrow on him. "I am done with this top-"


    "Do you really think that running away will solve anything? You think going to France will magically make all your problems disappear? That I will note after you or find you if you hide there?" He hisses,


    ov


    approaching my bed.


    "Why would you find me?! I told you I feel nothing for you and I want you to leave me the hell alone. "I hiss, the annoyance leaking from every pore of my body.


    His gaze is intense, and he takes a step closer, his voice low and fierce. "How easy it is for you to just walk away after everything...


    31


    I look away, unable to meet his piercing gaze. "I don''t know what you want from me, Tristin. I need to focus on my recovery and my future. I can''t get entangled in more drama right now."


    Tristin''s voice drops." You are not


    being fair, Little Butterfly. Remember


    the night we spent together? You enjoyed it. You can''t pretend it didn''t mean anything. You can''t pretend that you don''t think about meor you don''t feel anything for me.


    My face warms up as I huff. "That''s not the point, Tristin. This is not just about us."


    "Then who is it about?!" His voice rises, making me frown.


    "Don''t shout at me. "I purse my lips.


    Tristin closes his mouth, stares at me then turns around, giving me his back. I watch his muscles flex under the crisp white button-down shirt as he runs his fingers through his hair.


    I feel a pang of guilt but I can''t go back now. "I am trying to move forward. I need to do what is best for me, Tristin and right now, leaving is best for me."


    "You left before. What did it bring you?" When he speaks, his voice is calm.


    I press my lips in a thin line and stare at my hands. I have nothing to say to that. He is right. Running away is not a solution, but at least, it''s a temporary relief.


    "I was ready to drop everything for you, Grace. Everything." He whispers, his back still facing me." and...you don''t care about me even...a little. This-This is...stupid. "


    "I am sorry." I murmur. " but I can not force myself to feel anything for you."


    It''s a lie. After having him around me for a week in my most vulnerable moments, looking after me, and caring for me...my feelings for him have be stronger.


    Tristin''s shoulders slump and he doesn''t say anything. In silence, I sit here, and he stands there, the distance between us growing.


    The argument leaves me feeling hollow. Iy back on the bed, feeling the weight of the past week catch up with me.


    If I stay with him a little longer, if he shows me this side of him for a few more days...maybe, I will be ruined beyond salvation.


    I will fall in love with Tristin Roberto and it will not be an impulsive teenage love or a desperate love. It will be...something explosive, something I will never stop feeling.


    After a while, I see Tristin moving. Rather than going to the couch as he usually did the past week, he does something unexpected.


    He moves closer to the bed, his eyes ring at me." Fine. If you are going to be stubborn, go on. Suffer for a lifetime! "


    A pang hits my heart as I look away but surprise makes me gasp the next moment.


    Tristin climbs into the bed beside me and pushes me onto the other side.


    "What-"


    "I am not letting my back hurt for you anymore. I have been sleeping on that little fucking couch for a whole week, for what?! For you to tell me that I mean shit to you?!" He murmurs and pulls me closer. His arms wrap around me, his words not matching his actions at all. My heartbeat skyrockets as he turns me around and presses my back to his front, spooning me from behind.


    My jaw cks, hanging low. I don''t even find the words to tackle him yet as he nuzzles into my hair and lets out a heavy breath.


    The proximity between us is a mixture offort and sexual tension.


    Despite the lingering tension between us, his closeness provides a moment of sce but I need to get him out of my bed.


    "Let me go. I will sleep on the sofa. "I twist to free myself but he only tightens his arm around my waist and tugs me back.


    "I don''t care what you have to say or


    do, just like you don''t care about what I feel" Tristin''s breath hits my nape, making me stop squirming and gasp softly. "I need you. And I am going to stay right here.


    swnov


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Restless

    Grace


    Anticipation makes me restless. The tension wraps around us, holding us together in this strange, charged moment.


    Tristin''s arms are tight around me, making sure that I feel every crevice of his hard muscle in my soft curves. His warmth seeps into me, making it impossible to ignore the growing desire simmering just beneath the surface. For a while, we just lie there, drowning in the heavy silence. The night we spent together ys in my mind like a haunting reel.


    The way his hands traced my skin. Passionate, intense, wild.


    The intensity in his eyes. Smoldering, hot, electric.


    The overwhelming, silent connection between us.


    It felt like our bodies fit together, and I was pulled under the surface, forgetting about everything in the world but him.


    I had never felt something like that before-sensations so intoxicating they steal your breath and leave you wanting for more.


    I shift slightly in his hold. The small movement feels like a wrong move, but I am burning.


    Tristin''s grip tightens around me ever so slightly, as if he is scared that I might start fighting again or maybe he just wants me to stay still so my ass is not rubbing over that hard spot so close to me.


    His hands, warm and steady, begin to move, one resting possessively on my hip while the other gently trails up my arm.


    We didn''t agree on this.


    We are not supposed to be doing this.


    We were fighting just a few minutes ago.


    My back arches into him as shudders run down my spine at the way he touches me.


    "Grace. " Tristin murmurs, his voice a deep, husky whisper that vibrates through me.


    And this is all it takes for my eyes to close, to let him go further into this madness.


    His lips find the back of my neck, pressing soft, lingering kisses along my skin. The sensation is so out of this world, and I can''t help the small gasp that escapes my lips. My body reacts on instinct, arching more, pressing back against him. His kisses be more intense, trailing from the nape of my neck to the sensitive spot just behind my ear.


    His breath is hot against my skin, and I can feel the restraint in his movements as if he is holding back, allowing me to pull away and put an end to whatever we are doing.


    I want to.


    Yes. No.


    I want more. I don''t want to want more.


    "Do these touches mean nothing to you?" He whispers, his voice tinged with challenge.


    My heartbeat drums in my ears first, then it travels, with the flow of my boiling blood, to the restless spot between my thighs. I press my legs closed, and shudder.Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    Tristin turns me in his arms, and I let him. Our eyes lock and my rational mind flies out of my skull.


    His gaze is intense, dark, and filled with a storm of emotions, a desire so raw that it makes my heart race some more.


    He searches my face, looking for something-perhaps a sign of denial, a sign of not wanting this.


    The more he waits for my reluctance, for my refusal, the more I grow restless. The more he holds back for my consent, the more I am drawn towards breaking every line to reach him, every part of him.


    For a moment, I am lost in his eyes, drowning in the depth of his gaze. His eyes...they are beautiful, just the darkest shade of blue right now. His eyes remind me of the sky on a stormy day.


    I want to run my fingers along his eyebrows, count hisshes, and kiss his eyes until I don''t find them beautiful anymore.


    His handes up to cup my cheek, thumb brushing over my bottom lip, a touch that makes me shudder violently.


    "Tell me, my Little Butterfly." He


    breathes, leaning closer, our noses


    brushing slightly." tell me this


    means nothing. Tell me you don''t want me to lower your pajamas and touch your aching pussy right now."


    I can''t answer. I don''t have an answer.


    My thoughts are all over the ce. I am caught between the desire to push him away and the desperate urge to pull him closer. When I don''t deny that he is right when I don''t tell him to back off, his lips curl into a self-satisfied smirk, and the restraint breaks.


    His lips capture mine in a kiss that is both demanding and possessive. It''s an attempt to quench this strange thirst, an ache to fuse into one, to be so close that nothing can separate us. Unknowingly, my lips move against his and my hands find their


    way to his soft locks.


    I am obsessed with his hair, I am beginning to think. I love touching them. I love how his chest rumbles every time my fingers tighten around his hair.


    The kiss deepens, and I feel my defenses crumbling. I can fight anything, but I can not fight this raw passion.


    His hand slides down to my waist, pulling me against him. The feel of his body pressed against mine, the heat of his skin, is intoxicating-it makes my head spin without any wound, without any drug. And my body responds to him, moving to his every whim, chasing his touch as if I will die without it.


    Tristin breaks the kiss, his forehead resting against mine. We are both breathing heavily, the air between us charged with an electric intensity.


    His eyes search mine, looking for any sign of retreat. But there is none. I am here, in this moment, with him.


    "Now tell me you don''t like it when I kiss you." His thumb rubs my bottom lip, which seems to be already swollen.


    "


    I don''t have words in my mind.


    He strokes my cheek with his thumb, his expression softening. "You can''t say that, can you?"


    My throat clogs as I breathe against his mouth and struggle to hold still. His eyes are not hard anymore-they are soft, just so gentle that they tug at my heartstrings.


    If you don''t say that you don''t like it


    right now, I swear... " He pecks my aching bottom lip. " I swear I will take it that you do, Grace. Speak up. Say those words you said earlier. Tell me you can''t force yourself to feel anything for me. Say that you


    are only kissing me because you are horny, and not because it''s me."

 My Woman

    Grace


    The intensity of his voice leaves me breathless.


    What am I going to do with him?


    I open my mouth and just breathe, his breath mingling with mine.


    His hand sneaks down, slipping inside my hospital trousers and his fingers rub my folds-so wet and warm for him already.


    "Tell me you are wet because you want a quick fuck and not because you desperately want me inside you." Two fingers slide between my entrance and his thumb rubs small circles on my clit, his eyes still staring into my soul, watching as my lips part and I moan at the sensation.


    I still have a chance. I need to pull those fingers out of me, and rece them with his-


    No.


    I reach up, touching his face, feeling the warmth of his skin.


    Yes.


    "Tristin... "I whisper, pleasure hitting my body, making me shudder again.


    He cuts me off with another kiss, this one softer, more tender.


    Our clothes feel like a barrier, a separation that needs to be gone. Before I can register what I am doing, my hands are already working on his pants. I pop open the button, move the zipper low, and pull his pants down, to free his cock. Tristin curses over my lips, his fingers curling inside me, hitting the spot that makes me gasp with each thrust.


    "You... "I whimper, softly grinding against his hand. "It''s you, Tristin. "


    Yes. I don''t want another man''s touch.


    I want to do this because it''s him.


    It feels so good because it''s him.


    And the more I look at him, the more I realize that I am losing my mind again.


    His eyes darken, and he pulls his hand away, leaving me whimpering for more. The next moment, he hooks his fingers in the waistband of my trousers and tugs them down my legs.


    An animalistic urge takes over me as I kick those trousers away and my legs part, one hooking around his hip.


    The tip of his cock slides over my entrance and we both moan in unison. This feels too good to be true.


    He grips his cock, sliding it up and down my slit, thering it with my juices. Over and over until-


    "Tristin. "I cry out, bucking my hips for more when his lips swallow my words and silence me.


    He continues to torture me, taking pleasure in the way I squirm for him to fill me. His lips stretch against mine, a smirk pulling at them.


    I tug at his hair, whining against his mouth. His cock rubs so good between my sensitive folds, over my throbbing clit.


    Tristin releases my mouth and nibbles on my neck, his hands eagerly unbuttoning my shirt to expose more of my skin to him.


    I moan, forgetting where we are or how anyone can walk in on us dry humping each other like wild animals.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    The thought pushes me over the edge. Ie with a whimper, and my eyes close as pleasure washes over me in waves.


    I am still so high and struggling to breathe when he murmurs against my ear. "I want to be inside you. Tell me yes. "


    The tip of his cock presses into my aching, oversensitive entrance as my eyes fly open and meet the pair ofzy, lust-filled, blue eyes.


    He is throbbing and waiting and it steals the rest of my heart. I push my hips down, taking a little of him inside me and his body stiffens as he grits his jaw. "Yes. "I breathe.


    He ms inside me, filling me to the hilt. His hand lowers to my hip, pulling my leg more over him so he can drive himself deeper.


    When we are finally skin-to-skin, when he is so deep inside me, the world outside this room disappears.


    It''s as if my senses are heightened, only tuned to his touch that sends jolts of electricity through my trembling body.


    He pauses, looking down at me with


    an intensity that steals my breath His forehead rests against mine, his hips softly rocking, never pulling out but only trying to push his cock deeper.


    "This is not one sided. I refuse to believe that, Grace." He breathes, and stills, his eyes closing. "Tell me it''s not. "


    His cock throbs, bringing both a stinging pain and an intense pleasure that leaves me gasping.


    I try to tell him that it''s not one sided but Alma''s face is lingering there and our past is a constant ghost chasing me down.


    "Please. "And when he whispers, his voice soft, a little vulnerable...I forget about everything at once.


    "No, Tristin." I wrap myself around him, seeking his warmth. " It''s not...one sided."


    One moment of stillness passes, and then he thrusts inside me, like a madman, a man after my soul.


    I moan and scream and whimper with each wild thrust, but meet his pace, hold onto him, and ask him to go harder.


    Tristin moves with reckless


    abandon, his hands and lips


    exploring every inch of my skin. He


    whispers my name like a prayer, each syble sending shivers down my spine. The way he looks at me,


    with such raw emotion, makes my heart ache in the best way possible.


    As wee together, it''s like everything else fades away. There''s no more doubt, no more hesitation. Just us, two souls findingfort in each other.


    It''s not just about the physical connection, but something deeper, something that transcends words.


    His cock is still inside me as Ie down from the high and go limp in his strong arms.


    He holds me, he pumps his cock


    until I am full of his cum. I try to freak out. This is the second time have done this, without any protection and any ns...but no wordse out of my mouth.


    We


    swnovel.ne


    For a long time, we just lie there, breathing heavily, riding the pleasure.


    I rest my head on his chest, listening to the rapid beat of his heart. It is a sound that soothes me, and chases away the worries threatening to gnaw at my guts again.


    Tristin strokes my hair, his touch gentle and soothing. He presses a soft kiss to the top of my head, and I feel a warmth spread through me.


    "I take this as an agreement that you are officially my woman now." He whispers, in the softest of voices.


    A frown pulls between my brows, but I don''t fight him. Can''t risk it when he is still inside me.


    "I let you go once. I am not doing that again. Tell me what makes you so wary of me and I will take care of it for you." He suggests. The gentle caress of his hands continues.


    "I will take care of it...even if it''s about my family, Little Butterfly. No one will ever... hurt you again."

 Morning

    Grace


    "I am going to make you feel good. Hm?" Tristin''s voice whispers in my ear, seeking the consent he always does, his hands lingering on my hips gently. "Hmm. "I hum and breathe heavily.


    I moan, as his fingers move between my folds, drawing small circles on my clit. His rough fingers press into my core gently and slowly lead me toward an orgasm.


    I gasp, my body curling into his front as I struggle to pry my eyes open.? N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    "What...what are you doing so early in the morning, Tristin?" I murmur, snuggling into the crook of his neck.


    This feels so good. I gasp, as he pinches my clit and sends me over the edge. The slow,zy pleasure has me writhing and clinging to his body as he continues to rub teasing circles between my folds. "I am giving you a demo of what your mornings will be like with me." Tristin hums, kissing the top of my head.


    Heat spreads in my cheeks. I sigh, fighting the smile threatening to pull at my lips.


    "I prefer tasting you though, but I don''t want to do that in here. There is no way I can spread you wide open for me in this small bed. " He grumbles, leaving a streak of soft kisses on the side of my face. The image of him doing just that to me, makes my core clench with need.


    I sigh, blinking open my eyes. The morning light is spilling into the hospital room, filling it with a soft, golden hue. And under that hue, Tristin Roberto appears ethereal in all his disheveled glory.


    "Good morning." He says in a fresh-out-of-sleep, sexy voice, his eyes full of warmth as he smiles at me. "How are you feeling today?"


    I roll my eyes. He is definitely copying that doctor''s words. " stop it now."


    Tristin purses his lips and pulls his hand out of the trousers he helped me wearst night. " No more orgasms for you.


    "I didn''t even ask for one." I grumble and close my eyes again


    I am just beginning to rx in his arms when a knock sounds on the door and almost throws me down the bed with shock.


    I shriek, sitting up straight before Tristin''s hands grip my arms and steady me." Calm down. No one wille in until they have permission."


    Another knock sounds, and I gulp, my gaze switching between Tristin''s amused eyes and the door.


    What a situation to be in!


    Surely, hospital staff can not tell if a patient had sex in their bed right?


    That sounds weird.


    Tristin grins and rises from the bed before marching towards the door. I sigh and fall down again.


    What is the point of fearing anything now?


    I can only douse myself in the sea of embarrassment and light myself with the fire of a fierce blush.


    My doctor greets Tristin at the door and then strolls inside.


    "Good Morning, Grace." He greets, as chiming and handsome as ever.


    "How are you doing today?" Even the words are the same.


    My gaze flickers towards Tristin who is standing beside the door, his back resting against the wall and the grin still attached to his lips.


    I grumble." Fine, Doctor. "


    I shift my focus to my doctor and the nurse who follows him as they gently remove the bandages.


    The skin of my wrists is as red and raw as the skin of my ankles. As I expected...the injuries will leave permanent scars.


    Unconsciously, I nce toward Tristin and feel this sudden urge to hide my scars from him.


    The doctor leaves and the nurse changes my bandages. After I am alone with Tristin in the room, the door closes and he sits on the chair beside the bed.


    I stare at my wrists, trying to fight my absurd thoughts. Why does it matter if I have scars?


    "What is it?" Tristin breaks the heavy silence.


    "The scars... "I sigh but don''t meet his eyes.


    Why do I have to worry that he will find them ugly?


    You know." Tristin''s hand appears in my sight and grabs both of mine at once. "I think your scars are beautiful They show that you went through a tough time and survived to be here today. There is nothing to be ashamed about that. Survival...however it''s done...is the symbol of strength. "


    Our eyes lock, and I forget to look away from him again.


    It''s true.


    I have nothing to give him.


    But all my life, I have been giving everything that I had... to people that didn''t deserve any of it.


    For once, can I not receive and slowly learn to give again?


    Maybe, I can not give him anything materialistic even if I try until this world ends.


    But I can give him my love if he needs it.


    Just as I begin to rx again, and a smile graces my lips, the door to the room is opened.


    Startled, I pick up my head and look in the direction of the door only to find Alma standing there.


    Her expression is serious, a stark contrast to the warmth Tristin just showed me. She nces at me with a polite nod and then turns her gaze to Tristin. "Mom, what are you doing here?" Tristin''s tone is defensive and it makes me sigh.


    "I am here to visit Grace." Alma states calmly and shakes the basket she is Kolding in her hand. " it''s only right to visit someone admitted to


    then


    "


    Tristin''s eyes darken, " Mom-"


    "Let us talk, Tristin. Please... "I whisper. " please step out for a moment. "


    His head snaps in my direction and he res at me. I hold his gaze, silently conveying the message that this is not up for debate.


    Sulkily, Tristin rises from the chair and walks towards his Mom. I watch as he leans in, whispers something, and walks out, mming the door on his way out. Whatever he said has made Alma''s shoulders stiffen.


    It''s been a long time since west met, Grace. "Alma says, her voice cool and controlled. "I came to speak with you before you leave the hospital. And My son just warned me that I shouldn''t say any hurtful words or try to scare you away...but Why would I do that? Have ever hurt you before, Grace?"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!