Chapter 206 I Have Someone by My Side!
Right then, the butler strolled in and told Amara that someone important had shown up.
Amara turned to Grace. "Grace, sorry about this. I've been trying to get this person to come over for ages. Finally got 'em here. I'll be back in a bit. Make yourself comfy."
Grace gave a little smile and watched her go.
With Amara gone, Grace wandered around the backyard. It was super chill, hardly anyone around.
She spun around and, outta nowhere, there was Henry.
Henry was chillin' in a wheelchair, with the starry sky behind him. He just sat there, eyes dark and intense, staring right at her.
All dressed up, he looked sharp and handsome.
He'd lost a ton of weight since she last saw him. They locked eyes for what felt like forever, and Grace forgot everything else.
Her face even twitched a bit. She stared at Henry, the guy she had all these mixed feelings about. She never thought she'd run into him here.
She wasn't ready; her heart was doing flips.
A waiter walked by, breaking the awkward silence.
Henry grabbed a glass of champagne and offered one to Grace.
Grace shook her head, still kinda out of it.
After the waiter left, Henry looked at her and asked softly, "You back for a bit or sticking around?"
Grace pulled herself together and looked at Henry. She noticed he used his left hand for the champagne, and he was still holding it with that hand. Plus, he was in a wheelchair.
Before she could ask, Henry gave a bitter smile. "Had a little car accident at the end of the year. Gonna need the wheelchair for a while, and my right hand's out of commission. But I'm getting the hang of using my left hand now."
Henry clearly didn't wanna dwell on it and asked about her plans instead.
Grace was actually thinking of settling down in Evergreen City. Avery's sinusitis kept flaring up, and the doc said Evergreen City would be better for him. She was planning to bring the kids back with Clara next month, and Juniper would be coming too.
She didn't spill any of this to Henry.
Henry had Esme now, and Grace didn't wanna mess with that.
They made some small talk, but she didn't mention Avery.
Henry felt a bit let down.
Grace didn't wanna hang around any longer. She softly said goodbye to Henry, saying she had to bounce. Henry was bummed; he came here just 'cause he knew she'd be here.
He'd worked up the nerve, using the car accident as an excuse, to show up like this.
But in less than five minutes, she said she had to go.
He knew she didn't wanna be alone with him and was making an excuse to leave. In a moment of desperation, he blurted out, "Let me give you a ride! My driver's still in the car."
Grace turned him down, saying it wasn't appropriate.
Henry's hand clenched tight. He looked at her beautiful face, almost desperate, and asked softly, "Why not? We have a kid together. Isn't it normal to have some contact, even if just for the kid?"
Grace finally snapped. She shot back, "If it's for the kid, then where have you been these past two years, Henry? Taylor always asks about you at night. Do you really think a few phone calls are enough for her not to miss you, for her not to cry? And..."
Grace clammed up. Saying all that just made her feel like a loser.
Henry had bailed on her and their daughter Taylor ages ago, and she still held a grudge.
Grace didn't wanna come off as bitter. She took a deep breath and said calmly, "No point in dragging this out, Henry. You made your choice back then, so stick with it. Don't start saying stuff that messes with my head."
She suddenly dropped her voice as she declared, "I've got someone now."
Henry was floored. He stared at her, not believing what he just heard—she had someone else.
Grace's eyes were a bit teary. She asked him, "Isn't that normal? He takes care of me, he likes the kids, and I can actually talk to him."
She was saying she liked this new guy.
Henry was in a daze for a while before he softly asked, "Who is it?"
Grace said, "Owen."
Henry didn't see that coming.
He thought after they split, she might end up with Lucas. Owen was a curveball. He felt all kinds of messed up. He thought, 'Isn't this what you wanted? For her to find someone who loves and takes care of her?'
But his heart felt like it was getting ripped apart!
No guy wanted the woman he loved to be with someone else. They lived together, traveled together, slept together, did all the couple stuff, maybe even had a kid. Then everything between him and Grace would be wiped out.From now on, he'd just be a memory for Grace, not part of her life.
Henry looked down, his right hand on the armrest, shaking uncontrollably. He wanted to grab hold but just couldn't.
Suddenly, he let out a light laugh.
Henry said, "Owen's a good guy! I remember he's into music. It's good you two can connect."
Grace didn't say much more. She didn't notice Henry's trembling hand or the needle marks from treatments over the past two years.
Henry had tried so hard to get back on his feet, but after two years, he was still stuck in a wheelchair. He showed up in the best way he could, but she said she had someone now, and it was Owen.
Henry had never felt so low before, but right now, he felt like crap. Even with all his money, he couldn't change the fact that he was disabled. He couldn't walk with her, couldn't hold Avery, couldn't put Taylor on his shoulders.
He could only force a smile and fake his well-wishes.
The vibe was super awkward. Just as Grace was about to leave, a man's jacket was draped over her shoulders. It was Owen!
Owen looked at Grace and said gently, "It's chilly out."
Grace lightly held the jacket. She looked up at Owen, her eyes a bit lost.
She and Owen had just started dating and hadn't gotten too close yet. Now, with his jacket on her, the unfamiliar scent brought back memories.
In the past, it was always Henry who did that for her.
Grace's eyes got a bit misty. She knew she was losing it. She said softly, "Yeah, it's a bit cold. I'll say goodbye to Mrs. Young and head out. Call me when you're done."
Owen led Grace away. After walking about 30 feet, he turned to her and asked softly, "Can't you forget about him?"