Chapter 2

2.

That evening, Nathan came home.

And he brought Lily with him.

"Grace," Nathan began, his tone a little unnatural, "the heating in Lily's apartment is broken, and the landlord said it won't be fixed until next week. She'll be staying with us for a few days."

He finished and looked at Grace, seemingly waiting for her reaction, for her anger and questions. He had already prepared his excuses, like "it's just temporary," "it's not convenient for her to be alone," and "please don't make a big deal out of this."

However, Grace just paused her folding of the laundry, glanced at them, and then nodded calmly. "Alright. I just cleaned the guest room yesterday. The sheets and duvet cover are fresh. Lily can stay there."

The words Nathan had prepared were stuck in his throat.

Something was wrong.

This wasn't normal.

Before, even if she didn't yell or scream, she would at least look hurt and upset.

But now, she was too calm. As calm as... a robot without emotions.

"Grace," he couldn't help but say her name again, his tone softening. "I know this is a bit much, but it's a special situation, just for a few days..."

"It's not a bit much," Grace interrupted him. "It's nice to have a guest. Lily can stay as long as she wants. Make yourself at home."

Stay as long as she wants?

Her words made Nathan's chest tighten, and that unnamable frustration grew heavier.

He stared at Grace, trying to find any trace of a facade on her face, but there was none.

"Grace," he took two steps forward, his voice deepening. "Are you still angry about the Greenbrier incident? I admit, my handling of it might have been a bit extreme, but you have to understand―you're my wife. Getting into a physical fight in public reflects badly on the Crawford family's reputation. I had to―"

"I'm not angry," Grace cut him off again, her tone almost puzzled, as if she couldn't understand why he was bringing it up. "Did I make a scene? Did I argue with you? No. I haven't said a word. Why would you think I'm angry?"

As she spoke, she tilted her head slightly, looking almost innocent.

All of Nathan's prepared speeches were blocked.

He looked at Grace and suddenly felt like he didn't recognize the person in front of him.

Was this the same Grace who would get secretly upset if he even glanced at another woman? The one who would leave the porch light on and wait for him until late at night? The one who would be happy for half a day over a single word of concern from him?

He was about to say more, but Grace didn't even look at him. She walked straight into the bedroom and closed the door.

Nathan stood in the living room, staring at the closed door, a frown on his face. He felt a sudden emptiness in his heart.

Thunder began to roll outside.

Booming thunder, accompanied by flashes of lightning.

The wail of a storm warning siren echoed from a distance, rising and falling.

Nathan's expression changed slightly, and he almost instinctively looked at Lily.

Lily, right on cue, flinched and put on a scared face.

"Nathan... I'm so scared..."

"It's okay," Nathan walked over. "I'm here."

"Can you... sit with me for a little while?" Lily's eyes filled with tears. "I've been terrified of thunder since I was a child. I can't sleep..."

Nathan hesitated, glancing at Grace's bedroom.

The door was shut.

"Grace," he knocked. "Lily's scared of the thunder. I'm going to sit with her in the guest room for a bit."

No answer.

"I won't do anything inappropriate. I'll just sit in a chair," Nathan added. "If you don't trust me, you can stay in the living room."

The door opened.

Grace was in her pajamas, her hair down, her expression calm. "Why would I go to the living room this late?"

Nathan was stunned.

"Go ahead," Grace said. "It's fine."

She closed the door again.

Nathan stood at the door, the heavy feeling in his chest growing with each second.

Before, Grace would have said with red-rimmed eyes, "Nathan, don't go."

She would have tugged on his sleeve and said, "I don't want to be alone."

But now, she said, "Go ahead."

And somehow, that felt worse than any crying or screaming.

"Nathan..." Lily's tearful voice called out.

Nathan sighed and went to the guest room.

Grace took a shower and went to bed.

The thunder was loud, but she slept soundly.

In her month at Greenbrier, she had learned to fall asleep in any environment.

In the middle of the night, she woke up thirsty and went to get a glass of water.

As she passed the guest room, the door was slightly ajar, a sliver of light spilling out.

She saw Nathan still sitting by the bed. Lily was asleep, and he was looking down at her, his gaze so tender it could melt ice.

Lily turned in her sleep, and the blanket slipped off.

Nathan smiled helplessly and gently pulled it back over her.

The next moment, the half-asleep Lily suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Don't go..." she murmured.

Nathan's body went rigid.

Lily lifted her head and kissed his lips.

Nathan's eyes widened in shock. He tried to push her away, but Lily only deepened the kiss.