Chapter 12 Is This Charity or a Deal?
Grace came home and plopped the thermos on the table. Clara saw Grace was soaked and quickly handed her a towel. "Oh my gosh, didn't you take a cab?"
Grace took the towel and smiled. "It was pouring today, couldn't get one."
Clara felt bad for her. "Who brought you back? It wasn't..."
Grace caught the hint and explained, "It was Lucas. I bumped into him halfway, and he gave me a ride."
Clara nodded. "Got it. By the way, I heard Aurora came by today. What did she want?" she asked.
Grace said, "Aurora asked me to go to Mrs. Young's birthday party with Henry."
"Mrs. Young's birthday party?" Clara exclaimed. "The one from Horizon Innovations Group?"
Grace nodded.
Clara was shocked. Rumor had it that Amara and Grace were like sisters. If this event could help Grace and Henry patch things up, it wouldn't be a bad thing.
She knew that Dylan was the top lawyer in the country, and after returning, countless people wanted him to take their cases, let alone the fallen Windsor family. He probably wouldn't even get to see them, let alone take their case. Hence, in Clara's mind, mending the relationship with Henry was the best way for Grace to take; in that way, they had better access to the renowned lawyer.
Grace's eyes dimmed, sensing Clara's wish that she could go to the party. She looked up and, after some thought, called out, "Clara."
"What's up?"
"If I don't go, would you be upset?" Grace asked.
This question hit Clara like a ton of bricks. She knew Grace had already handed over the divorce papers, with such determination, and yet here she was, pressuring her girl to plead with Henry.
Clara lowered her eyes and smiled lightly. "No, if you don't want to, I won't push you. There will always be a way, right?"
Grace nodded, picked up a towel, and headed to the bathroom. "Clara, I'll support our family."
She closed the door, and the sound of the shower started.
Clara looked at the bathroom, silent, feeling relieved. She thought, if only Grace were her biological daughter. She was such a great girl, so endearing, yet she had suffered so much.
But then, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Clara was puzzled. Who could it be so late? Was it Lucas?
But through the peephole, when she saw Henry's handsome face, her hand on the doorknob trembled.
She hesitated whether to open it.
But as the knocking continued, she relented and opened the door, looking at Henry, puzzled, "Mr. Montague, it's so late. Is there something you need?"
Henry stepped into the room first. "I'm here to see Grace."
Clara watched as Henry smoothly sat on the sofa and smiled. "Grace is in the shower. She just went in."
Henry nodded upon hearing this and looked down at the thermos on the table. When he opened it, he found it was hot coffee. "Did Grace bring this back?"
Clara nodded. "Yes."
His face visibly darkened.
He suddenly looked up at Clara. "Clara, could you go to my car and bring up the gifts I bought?"
Clara heard the implication in his words and looked worriedly at the bathroom. "Mr. Montague, it's raining outside, and you know I'm not in good health. Besides, you don't have to bring us any gifts."
But when she saw Henry's displeased look, she wisely left the house, only sitting outside and closing the door.
She knew Henry was probably angry because of Lucas. But Grace was his wife, so she believed he wouldn't go too far.
Henry walked to the bathroom door. Through the door, he could vaguely see the graceful figure inside.
He turned the doorknob.
Grace turned around, puzzled. "Clara, did you need something..."
But before she could finish, she saw Henry staring at her unabashedly. It was the look of a man in heat, lewd and unrestrained.
That was the only look he had given her for the past three years.
Grace screamed in shock and quickly grabbed a towel to cover herself. "Henry! What are you doing? I'm taking a shower."
In her panic, she slipped and started to fall backward. Henry caught her just in time.
Their eyes met.
Henry looked at her. "You're still so clumsy."
His eyes were filled with Grace's delicate body, and the physical contact made him tent up in his trousers.
The intense male hormones filled Grace's senses, and she tried to stand up. "Henry, eyes up here, or I'm going to fall."
Henry steadied her, but before Grace could say anything, he pinned her hands against the wall. The faint scent of his aftershave filled the air. "Grace, do you know you're still my wife? Why did you get into Lucas's car right in front of me?"
Grace was about to explain when a gasp echoed in the bathroom.
They had been married for three years, and he knew exactly where Grace was sensitive. But the old bathroom made him feel repulsed, so he scooped Grace up and carried her to her room.
On the way, Grace looked at his aggressive expression and the prominent Adam's apple, swallowing hard.
"Henry, you can't do this." Her eyes reddened, she endured the inexplicable excitement in her body and spoke in a trembling voice.
The next second, she was thrown onto the bed. She tried to get up but was pinned down by Henry.
Henry's overbearing nature made it unbearable for her. She wanted to break free from his control, but the disparity in their strength only made Henry feel more excited.
"Grace, we can't make love? We are legally married, aren't we?" His hot breath sprayed behind her ear.
"No, Henry, no!" Grace's hoarse voice sounded beneath him.
Henry looked at her, whose rationality was on the verge of collapse. Her eyes filled with tears as she struggled powerlessly, while fighting against the expectation from the core of her body.
Everything she did aroused his desire to humiliate her. Every time Grace tried to struggle, he would press her down harder, followed by rough thrusts that were too much for her to handle.
Just like before, he was rough and domineering, ignoring Grace's pleas.
"Grace, you're still so wanton, you haven't changed a bit. Do you know who Lucas is? You want to leave me and go to him?" Henry unbuttoned his collar, granting himself more freedom as he continued to rail her.
"Grace, you know me." He touched Grace's sweaty hairline, leaving a man's scent on her.
He took off his suit, venting his anger as he threw it away. But just as he was about to take off his remaining clothes and move to the next step, Grace, drenched in sweat, blushed and bit her lip. "Henry, I haven't been taking my pills."
With that, Henry stopped his actions and got off her. Ignoring Grace's lonely look as she clutched the blanket, he took out a cigarette from his suit, lit it, and widened his collar again.
He pulled out a few tissues from the table and handed them over, smoking while looking at her disheveled state. Her tear-streaked face looked pitiful and resentful at the moment.
She was relieved that Henry wouldn't have a child with her.
Although he was one who had called off their sex, he wasn't much better off. Since Grace had been clamoring for a divorce, he hadn't felt comfortable both physically and mentally. Looking at Grace, he could easily get aroused.
If Grace hadn't stopped taking her pills or there were condoms in the house, he would have fully released himself tonight.
This was the usually forceful and decisive Henry, who outwardly appeared celibate, but in reality, was more open than anyone.
Now, provoked by Lucas, he could hardly hold back—They had just started the divorce process, and Lucas was already eyeing her. He had underestimated the allure of Grace's face and her wanton body.
Grace also knew that being too close to Lucas had made Henry lose his composure and come looking for her.
As for love? She wouldn't foolishly think that was the reason.
But Henry's sudden intrusion made her angry. She stared at his back and mocked, "I didn't expect Mr. Montague to get jealous."
Henry looked at her mockingly, stubbed out his cigarette, and turned to press her down, his fingers pinching her face. "Grace, don't think you're that important. I'm just reminding you that you're still the mistress of the Montague family. Keep your distance from Lucas."
Grace sneered. "And you can do whatever you want with your lover?"
Henry's eyes narrowed, hiding his emotions. "You do have a sharp tongue."
Grace slapped his hand away. "Right back at you."
Henry got up, took a card from his suit, and threw it in front of her. "This card has a monthly limit of one million dollars. If you need anything, talk to Celeste."
Grace found it amusing and sneered. "Mr. Montague, is this charity or a transaction?"