Chapter 4 Where is Your Wedding Ring?
Grace sat for a bit, and then the doctor came in to check on her dad. When she saw who it was, she was shocked.
She hesitated and said, "Lucas?"
Lucas, in his white coat, smiled and showed his work badge, "Let's talk outside."
Grace nodded, put down what she was holding, informed Nathan that she would be out of the room for a while, and then followed Lucas out.
In the hallway corner, Lucas noticed her unease and chuckled softly, "Did you like the cake?"
Grace nodded, "Very sweet, thanks, Lucas."
"Lucas, are you my dad's doctor?" she asked.
Lucas pointed to his badge and chuckled, "Have you gone nearsighted over the years?"
His playful joke made things feel less awkward. He always had a way of making people feel at ease. It was the same when they first met; a simple lollipop made her follow him around.
"Lucas, tell me about my dad's treatment costs."
Lucas's expression turned serious. He pulled out the medical records and said, "Last night, I discussed with the surgical department heads. We all agreed Nathan should follow the prescribed rehab plan, which will cost about $200,000 a month. It's pricey, but it's the best way to get him back to his old self."
Two hundred thousand dollars? For Grace, that was a huge amount.
"Okay." Grace didn't hesitate and nodded, "We'll go with the plan. As for the two million dollars, I'll repay you this afternoon, Lucas."
Lucas smiled bitterly, "You don't have to repay it. Without Nathan, I wouldn't be where I am today."
Grace understood his sentiment. "Lucas, I appreciate it, but I can earn the money."
Lucas looked at her strong facade and felt a pang in his heart. He had met her first, so why couldn't he be with her?
They were neighbors back then. The first time they met, he was fond of the cute little girl named Grace. Just using a lollipop made her follow him around.
Every evening, Grace would stand on the small balcony on the second floor, gazing at the stars, and ask him, "Lucas, where do you think my mom went? Does she not want me anymore?" At that time, he didn't know and couldn't answer.
Soon after, he was forced to study abroad. When he was abroad, he heard about her marriage. He thought she had married for love, but it wasn't as he had hoped. Henry didn't seem to love her but treated her harshly.
How great it would have been if he had been the one to marry her.
Just as he was about to comfort her, a cold voice came from the hallway, "Grace."
Grace was startled and looked in the direction of the voice, finding it was Henry. He was wearing a black suit and a dark gray shirt, looking very business-like, as if he had just returned from Harmony City.
His appearance puzzled Grace. Usually, he would be with Elodie at this time. Why did he come back so quickly today?
Grace turned to look at Lucas, "I am needed elsewhere. Lucas, you can go back."
Lucas glanced at Henry and stepped forward to greet him.
Henry extended his hand, his voice carrying a hint of nonchalance, "Lucas, how have you been all these years?"
"Thanks to you, Henry, I've been well." Lucas smiled.
Henry released his hand immediately, glanced at him indifferently, and then walked towards Grace. The sound of his leather shoes echoed in the hallway.
Grace felt his intense gaze and was about to speak when Henry grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head. He gently pinched Grace's chin with one hand, trapping her between himself and the wall.
His voice was low, "It's only been two days, and you're already flirting with another man?"
He knew the emotion in Lucas's eyes, it was the desire and possessiveness a man had for his beloved.
His fingers lightly traced Grace's delicate face, and he leaned close to her ear, his voice cold, "You don't even bother to explain anymore?"
Grace tried to break free, "No, I didn't."
But as soon as she tried to resist, Henry pressed her against the wall again, their bodies tightly pressed together.
Henry looked down at Grace's beautiful face, "Grace, you've got some nerve, don't you?" His tone was mocking.
Grace's face turned red, and she lowered her eyes, "Henry, this is a hospital."
"I know."
If it were the old Grace who loved Henry deeply, she would have felt her heart flutter. But now, she only felt immense shame by their proximity because she no longer loved Henry.
"Henry, before the divorce, I won't have any involvement with other men, let alone in a hospital. You should put away your filthy thoughts."
Henry felt like he had heard the biggest joke, released her hands, and looked at her coldly, "So, how did you get the two million dollars?"
Grace instantly understood, her eyes lowered, "Lucas lent it to me."
"Why didn't you use the check I gave you? Was it not enough?"
Grace looked up, her eyes showing a hint of unnoticeable grievance, "Mr. Montague, you should ask your secretary about that. As for the two million dollars, I'll repay him. You don't need to worry about it."
Henry looked at Grace's serious expression and knew it was Celeste's fault this time.
"Alright, Grace, it's Celeste's fault. I'll reprimand her. As for the two million dollars, I'll cover it for you as compensation for your loss."
Grace didn't want to argue with him. She squeezed through the narrow gap between his body and the wall, saying, "Mr. Montague, there's no need for compensation. We should talk about the divorce."
Henry's face visibly darkened upon hearing the word, but when he grabbed her hand, he noticed her wedding ring was gone. "Where's your wedding ring?"
Grace looked back at him and shook off his hand, "I sold the ring; I'm serious about the divorce."
A veil of melancholy tinged her words, as if the utterance had drained her of all vitality. Henry, the man she had loved for six years, stood before her. Had it not been for the fireworks and the romantic moment he had shared with Elodie, she might have lacked the courage to extricate herself from a sterile, loveless marriage, a gilded cage of mere physical intimacy.
Grace suddenly thought of that absurd night and found it even more laughable. She didn't want to continue anymore.
Leaving him would undoubtedly be difficult. She would have to compromise for a small position or a few thousand dollars. But she didn't regret it. She was no longer the Grace who cried in the corner.
She glanced at Henry and then turned to leave. But Henry grabbed her arm, pulled her back, and wrapped his arms around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder, his hot breath on her ear, "Grace, you want a divorce just because I didn't come back for your birthday yesterday?"
Grace felt the masculine hormones behind her, her face turning red, but she still tried to break free. However, with the difference of their size and strength, the attempt was in vain. In the end, she had no choice but to speak, "I'm tired. Our marriage is just a transaction. Since you like Elodie, stop tormenting me, okay?"
Henry was stunned. This was the first time Grace had spoken to him so seriously.
He slowly released her, took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and exhaled a thin stream of smoke. He looked at Grace, who was staring at him, and said, "You want to leave me so badly to become Lucas's wife?"
"A cake was all it took to deceive you. Don't you think you're a bit too cheap? Don't you think you're being quite promiscuous now?" He mocked. "Do you still have any of the dignity of the Montague family's mistress?"
His tone was contemptuous and heartless, not at all like he was talking to his wife. It was as if he was mocking a prostitute.
Grace looked at him without saying a word.
Henry's mood hit the gutter, the light in his eyes dimming. He crushed the cigarette and looked up at her, "Was the cake Lucas gave you good?"
He reached out to touch her cheek, but she avoided it.
"Grace, do you know what kind of life awaits you if we divorce?" He asked. "Many people work overtime and endure others' attitudes for a few thousand dollars. Grace, I give you a check for $100,000 every month, and you live in a 20,000 square foot mansion as Mrs. Montague. What more do you want?"