Grace breathed a sigh of relief. Thats great. Youve finally
woken up.
Woken up? When had he fallen asleep?
One moment hed been in Graces arms. Soaking up her strength and scent. The next, he mustve drifted off to sleep and the memories seized him.
Wait, no. That wasnt entirely right.
Theyd chatted more after dinner. Then each taken time to wash up and change for bed.
Hed lay down on the cot and counted her breaths until she fell asleep.
Jason rubbed his eyes, the events of the evening coming back to him in short order.
Hed not had a nightmare like this in a long time.
In his dream, he had knelt down in front of the woman and begged her Was it because he had talked about that woman tonight that he had had such a dream?
Jason raked a hand through his hair. He exhaled a long breath and lowered his head only to find that the button of his pajamas
had been unbuttoned, revealing his chest. My clothes are
Grace saw the direction of his gaze and she pursed her lips as if she was embarrassed. Because you were shouting that it hurts so much. I was afraid that something was wrong with your body So, uh, I just went ahead and unbuttoned your shirt to see if anything was wrong.
He stared at her, and her face slowly grew redder.
But I can assure you, I I didnt even have the time to look before you woke up, so actually, I didnt see anything, she hurriedly explained, but the more she explained, the odder she sounded.
And the brighter her cheeks glowed.
It doesnt matter even if you see. You can look at my body, Jason said.
She was blushing so hard, and it was quite adorable, actually.
Your body does it h-hurt anymore? It took her a long time to
stutter out this sentence.
Mhm, it doesnt hurt anymore. He lowered his head and began to button up his pajamas.
She tried her best to keep her gaze above his neck, but she accidentally caught a glimpse of his chest, and then suddenly pulled down his pajama top again.
Hey-you are hurt!
She stared at his chest. There was a scar right above his heart. Although the scar was already faint, Grace could still tell that the wound had definitely not been a minor injury back when he had received it. Whats wrong with you here
Its just a small injury, he said in an indifferent manner.
She bit her lower lip with her teeth and raised her hand to touch. the scar gently. While he had been sleeping, he had been crying out in pain, and her hand had accidentally touched this area. Was he in pain because of this injury?
How bad was he hurt back then? Grace felt as if her own heart was being wrenched.
How did you get hurt like this? When did it happen? she murmured.
His body stiffened slightly. It had been many years since he had been injured, and other than the doctors, no one else had touched his wounds. She was the only one It was as if all the blood in his body was pumping into the area near his heart. Beneath her touch, his heart was beating faster than usual.
Its been a long time. Its no longer painful, he said.
She was slightly relieved, and only then did she suddenly notice their current positions seemed to be a little inappropriate.
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Thats, thats good. Hurry up and button up or youll catch a
cold. With a blush on her face, she quickly moved her hand
away.
All of a sudden, the temperature in his chest seemed to fall, and he suddenly felt empty in his heart.
He buttoned up his pajamas slowly. By the way, when I was dreaming, what else did I say besides crying out?
She hesitated for a moment and said, Just you kept shouting Mom, dont go.
His body stiffened; his hands gradually clenched into fists, and his nails dug into his palms.
She looked at him and couldnt help reaching out her hand to touch his cheek. The coldness from his face seeped into her fingertips.
Jay, she called out in a low voice.
He slowly raised his head.
His eyes looked as empty
Jay. She called out to him, but this time more loudly. Stay
with me.
Grace held his face and stared deep into his eyes.
The memories were like a wave, sweeping him up and dragging him miles out to sea. He wasnt trying to ignore her, but once he went down this particular path of memories, it was hard to shake all the details and feelings that came rushing in.
Because it wasnt just his mother. It was the death of his father. The abuses of his grandfather. The absence of any family or familiarity.
Was it any wonder he turned out the way he did?
His past had sharpened him into this present man. One who could lie effortlessly and move people around as if life was some chessboard.
Whats wrong? she asked.
Its nothing. Nothing anyone could do or change.
Thats good. She breathed a sigh of relief. The way you looked just now was like She thought for a while and came up with a description. It was like a piece of glass that was about to break. You scared me for a moment.
Glass? He chuckled and a dark and hostile glint flashed in his eyes, but it disappeared in an instant and his gaze returned to normal. Sister, in this world, no one can break me.
Grace dropped her hands from his face. She lookedunsteady. As if she was seeing him, but only really seeing him for the first
time.
Was she finally sensing that he was not some misshapen man in need of saving? Was she finally seeing that he had appointed himself her protector and hed destroy anyone that came
between them?
Why? He didnt even have that answer. And he asked himself the question frequently.
As long as youre okay, she whispered.
And there it was the absolute trust.
Grace was too smart and too perceptive to think that everything was as simple as it was presented. But she didnt pry. She didnt force him to be anything other than what he claimed to be.
Would anyone else have indulged him with his secrets? He didnt think so.
He stared at her and asked, Sister, youll never leave me, right?
She smiled and said, Didnt we agree before? You wont leave
me, and nor will I leave you.
Yes, I just forgot about it, he murmured. He stretched out hist arms and held her in his embrace, appreciating her physical existence.
Of all the souls on this earth, he was most content with the one beside him right now.
She said that she would not leave him, but why did he feel uneasy? Was he afraid that one day when she discovered his true identity, she would desert him?
Brother Jay could stay by her side, but what about Jason Reed?
Could he as well?
In the living room of the Stevens Family, Mr. Stevens asked his son, Sean, Lily said that Jason had his secretary pick you up to meet him. Why did he suddenly want to meet you in private?
When he started talking about Jason, Mr. Stevens had a hint of concern in his words. Sean recognized the tone. It was one his father seldom used, and he knew the reason for it.
After all, the Stevens Family was dealing with the Reed Family. Their business was getting worse by the day, and their soon-to-be marriage connection with the Atkinson family would be their ticket back to success.
Seans father was afraid that Jason was prejudiced against the
Stevens Family, and that this would interfere with the marriage.
What did he say? Mr. Stevens pressed again.
Nothing much, Sean said.
Nothing much because you say so, or because there actually
isnt much to tell? I cant believe that, Sean. Why would Jason have his secretary pick you up for no reason? Mr. Stevens asked angrily.
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Thats right, Sean, his mother said as she entered the room. Lily isnt wrong to contact us-we shouldve heard about Mr. Reeds visit directly from you. She composed herself. If anything did happen, you can just be honest with us, his mother said persuasively.
Sean took a deep breath and said, Its really nothing.
His father crossed his arms. It had to be something. Quit playing games.
Sean could not say it. If Jason Reed were to learn that Sean had told anyone of his relationship with Grace Cummins, Sean had no doubt the retribution would be swift and harsh.
Jason Reed did not make idle threats.
The old patriarch of the Reed family had been rumored to be a severe man, but Sean felt the true menace was Jason. Jason showed no fear of anyone or anything. And he was so powerful, his reach of influence seemed boundless.
Does Jason still have a grudge against the Stevens Family? Does he want to take action against us? Mr. Stevens asked.
It has nothing to do with the Stevens Family, Sean lied. The day Mr. Reed met me, he just talked about my engagement. It was th
Upon saying Graces name, Zoe felt a belly full of anger.
When Grace had caused that car accident back then, she had often heard people in high-end parties talking about how the Stevens Family was doomed, and it had caused her much embarrassment.
It was not until her brother had started going out with Lily that they had finally stopped talking about it.
It took years.
She hated Grace for it.
Grace is really a Jayx on our family. Fortunately, you broke up with her when he did. Can you imagine what would have befallen us if youd stayed with that trash?
Sean sighed.
I heard shes a sanitation worker now. Fitting. How could the judge only sentence her to three years in prison? In my opinion, she shouldve been sentenced to at least ten or twenty!
Zoe kept talking about Grace with a disgusted look, but the more she spoke, the more her brother seemed to recoil.
Thats enough. Zoe, dont talk about her anymore. When you
see Grace, youd better behave yourself, Sean said. Better yet, stay away from her entirely.
Sean, whats wrong with you? I used to talk about her all the time, but you never said anything. Why are you protecting her
now?
His parents chose that moment to come back into the room. His mom glanced nervously between him and Zoe.
Sean, dont tell me that you still have feelings for her?
When Mr. Stevens heard this, he immediately frowned and said, Dont even think about it. Grace Cummins is a blight on our name. She shouldnt even think about stepping through the door of this house!
I have no feelings for Grace, but shes someone we cant afford to offend! Thats all I can say! Sean gritted his teeth.
Cant afford to offend? Zoe scoffed at his words. Sean, what are you talking about? Grace is a sanitation worker. Shes a low-life. Totally insignificant. Why cant we afford to offend her?
Just listen to me. Dont harm the entire Stevens Family later because youre too stupid to listen to me now! Sean warned sternly.
Mr. Stevens was no fool. He sensed that Sean was choosing his words very carefully. And certainly, his son wasnt acting this way casually. Sean, what exactly is Grace-
Dad, there are some things that I cant say. Youd beller all be
a bit more careful. At least at this stage, you should give Grace Cummins more respect, Sean said.
Sean didnt know why or how Grace could have inserted herself into Jason Reeds life. And as the killer of Jasons former fiancee, it made absolutely no sense. But, at least for the moment, Jason still seemed to consider Grace to be of extraordinary importance.
Seans visit to the Reed Family home had proven that.
The threat still weighed heavily on him.
Mr. Stevens was deep in thought, and Seans mom wasnt saying anything. Only Zoe curled her lips as if she didnt believe it.
This is bullshit, brother. I dont owe that heinous bitch an ounce of respect. She nearly destroyed this family-and you. Do you have feelings for her still? Is that what this is about? Sean, dont be so foolish-
Zoe! That is enough! Sean punched his fist through the wall.
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Jasons gaze fixed on the box of stomachache medicine on his desk. This was the medicine that Grace had left for him when he felt sick last time. He was fully recovered, and, had she not been so distraught, he wouldnt have taken the prescription in the first place, but he hadnt thrown the medicine away. Instead, he
had continued to leave it on the desk.
Terrence, what do you think Grace will do if she finds out about
my true identity?
Terrence froze. Hed been in the process of collecting the
contracts and budgetary reports that Jason had approved. He paused and said nothing.
Did you hear me? Jason asked.
Terrence nodded. Uhh
Huh? Is it very difficult to answer this question? Jason raised his eyebrows.
Its not difficult, sir. But I dont know if my boss would be willing to accept my answer.
I dont need to accept or reject what you say. I simply asked you a question.
Terrence nodded. Very well. I think that Miss Cummins will feel deceived.
Hmm.
Terrence took it a step further. She has been subjected to much and is vulnerable. She does not trust most people, and such a betrayal would cut her deeply.
e only excuse he could come up with. He wished us much happiness and success.
His parents finally breathed a sigh of relief and their expressions looked better when they heard that.
On the other hand, Seans sister, Zoe, said indignantly, In the end, its all because of Grace. If it werent for her, why would our family be so nervous about this marriage?
as they had been when he had spoken to her about his parents. Some wounds never healed. They only festered with time.
This man, for as stoic and resolute as he claimed to be, he was still suffering.
And it tore at her heart.