Chapter 3

3.

His body froze.

In that instant, the last remnants of reason and restraint in Nathan's eyes crumbled.

His Adam's apple bobbed violently. Then he ducked his head, pressing his lips against hers with a fierce, almost savage force, kissing her back with a desperate hunger.

The quiet room was filled with the sound of ragged, urgent breaths.

Grace stood just outside, in that narrow sliver of light, watching quietly. She still held the empty water glass, her fingertips feeling a little cold.

If this had been the old her, seeing this would have shattered her heart, the pain making it impossible to breathe. She might have rushed in, or run away, or hidden under the covers and cried all night.

When she loved him the most, she had been a fool, completely losing herself.

But now, her heart was calm. As calm as a pool of stagnant water. No matter how big a stone you threw in, it wouldn't create a single ripple.

When love was gone, all that was left was numbness.

She was even a little curious if they would take it further.

After watching for a moment, she felt a little bored.

So, she reached out and gently pushed the ajar door completely shut, sealing off the light and sound from within.

The next morning, when Grace woke up, Nathan was already gone.

Lily was sitting in front of the living room mirror, combing her hair. Seeing Grace, she smiled. "Good morning, Grace. Nathan went out to get me breakfast. What would you like? I can have him bring something back for you."

"No, thanks," Grace said. "I'll make my own."

"Don't be so formal," Lily said, standing up and walking over. "Grace, thank you for letting me stay last night. I really didn't want to bother you, but my apartment..."

"It's fine," Grace cut her off. "Like I said, stay as long as you want."

Lily paused, then smiled. "Grace, you're so nice. No wonder Nathan says you're... a homemaker."

She deliberately emphasized "homemaker," her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Grace didn't respond and went to the kitchen to make coffee.

Lily followed her, leaning against the doorframe. "Grace, do you know where Nathan went for breakfast? That bagel shop, the line in the morning snakes out the door. And the blueberry muffins have to be from that bakery at the end of Main Street―the kind with a thick layer of streusel on top."

"When we were together, he used to wake up at six every morning to stand in line for me because he knew I liked it. He didn't care how far it was. I can't believe he still remembers my taste after all these years."

Grace didn't say anything, placing the coffee pot on the stove.

"Honestly, I feel like this is unfair to you," Lily sighed.

"Nathan has always had me in his heart. He only married you because of that family trust. If you don't mind, maybe we can... compromise in the future?"

Grace looked up at her. "What kind of compromise?"

"It's simple..." Lily blinked. "You continue to be Mrs. Crawford―enjoy the health insurance and this mansion over your head. And I'll be the 'other woman.' Let's be honest, his heart was never really yours. You got everything this marriage could give you―except him. Didn't you?"

Grace laughed.

"Lily," she put down her cup, "do you know what you're like?"

"What?"

"Like a fly," Grace said calmly. "Always buzzing around other people's things. Annoying."

Lily's face changed. "Are you insulting me?"

"Just stating a fact," Grace said, turning to face her.

"You―!" Lily trembled with rage. "Grace! Don't be ungrateful! If Nathan didn't pity you, he would have ended the contract long ago!"

"Then let him end it," Grace smiled. "I'm waiting."

Lily, completely enraged, shoved her.

Grace lost her balance and stumbled backward.

Behind her was the stove, with a kettle of boiling water on it.

"Ah―!"

The boiling water poured onto her leg, instantly turning it red and blistered. The edge of the stove burned her arm, and the pain sent her crashing to the floor with a scream.

"What happened?!"

Nathan's voice came from the doorway.

He rushed in, holding a paper bag of breakfast, and saw Grace on the floor, then Lily standing beside her.

Grace gasped in pain, trying to speak but unable to form a complete sentence.

But Lily was faster. She clutched her stomach, her brow furrowed, and let out a faint, pained cry. "Oh my god..."

Nathan's attention immediately shifted. He hurried to Lily's side, his voice instantly tense. "Lily? Are you okay? Where does it hurt?"

Lily leaned against him weakly. "I-I'm fine, my stomach just suddenly hurts... maybe low blood sugar from not eating... It's okay, Nathan, check on Grace first, she seems to have fallen and gotten burned..."

Hearing this, Nathan glanced at Grace again. Grace was biting her lip, enduring the intense pain, trying to use a nearby cabinet to pull herself up. But the burns on her arm and side made every movement excruciating. She tried several times without success, her forehead covered in cold sweat.

Nathan looked at her pathetic, pained state, his frown deepening. But he still turned to Lily. "Grace is fine. Don't talk, your face is so pale―come on, I'm taking you to the emergency room."

With that, he bent down, carefully helped Lily up, and wrapped her in his arms. Without another glance at Grace struggling on the floor, he turned and left without a moment's hesitation.

Grace stared at the closed door, listening to the footsteps disappear down the hall, and suddenly found it all laughable.

It really hurt.

The burned skin felt like a thousand needles pricking it, like it was being roasted over a fire. But her heart was numb. She didn't even feel much sadness. Just tired, and a little ironic.

She gritted her teeth, pulled herself up, and limped to find the first-aid kit to treat her own wounds.

The burn cream stung as she applied it.

But her face remained expressionless.

Let it hurt.

Pain helps you remember.

Remember that this man was never yours.