Chapter 27 Chapter 27
Michael lived downstairs. When he heard her purpose, he remained expressionless as he handed her a large garment bag containing her phone, wallet, and the clothes she needed most.
Grace remained equally composed. As she took the bag, she carefully checked its contents. Seeing that nothing was missing, she thanked him indifferently. "Thanks."
Michael's eyes widened involuntarily. He stared at her as if she were a monster, convinced that she was insane.
Grace didn't change her clothes immediately. She only took off her shoes to put on the borrowed coat, then left the building still wrapped in it. Isabella, ever reliable, waited downstairs without receiving a call from Grace. When she spotted Grace emerge from the building, she hurried to open the car door for her. Then she watched Grace carefully and asked softly, "Are you okay?"
Grace didn't answer. After a few moments, she said, "I'm sorry. I got the coat dirty. I'll buy you a new one later.”
Isabella quickly assured her it was fine. After a moment's hesitation, she added, "To be honest, I can tell you're not one of us. The fact that you didn't mind my mess and were willing to wear this coat makes me very happy."
Grace tugged at the corner of her mouth but said nothing.
Isabella noticed that Grace wasn't wearing anything under the coat. She asked, "How about you go to the back seat and change into your clothes first?"
"No need," Grace replied. "Could you please take me to a budget hotel? I need a place to stay tonight."
Isabella readily agreed and drove her to a budget hotel.
As Grace got out of the car, she gave Isabella her phone number and said, "Isabella, I'm truly grateful for your help tonight. If the opportunity arises, I'll repay you. But things between Mr. Norman and me aren't what you think. You're bound to be disappointed.”
“Huh?” Her secret was exposed, and embarrassment flushed Isabella's face. She hurriedly explained, "Ms. Hill, I meant no harm."
"I know, and I'm grateful for that," Grace said.
She got out of the car, carrying her bag, and checked into a hotel room. After thoroughly washing herself, she stood before the mirror, examining her reflection. Aside from the red finger marks on her neck, there were no obvious signs of injury on her body. She felt a flicker of relief. After a moment's thought, she raised her hand and began relentlessly pinching the skin on her throat. She stopped only when the area was covered in fresh scratches, completely obscuring the original marks.
The next morning, she bought emergency contraception at a pharmacy and took it before driving to school. She then called Adrian to vent: "Adrian, they're driving me crazy! Why are students these days so impossible? I remember us being so well-behaved back then, never causing trouble for our teachers."
Adrian laughed and reassured her, "Don't worry. Whatever happens, take it slow. If you can't solve it, report it to the principal. Pass the trouble up the chain.”
"How can I not be worried?" Grace was filled with guilt and self-reproach, yet she continued to spin lies. "I'm so anxious my throat hurts. Remember to pick up two boxes of medicine for me on your way home—something to clear and soothe my throat.”
Adrian felt heartbroken hearing this. After work that evening, he bought several boxes of throat lozenges for her. But when he saw the bruises on her neck, he was startled. “How did this happen?”
She pretended to rush to the mirror to inspect herself, then declared triumphantly, "My colleague said this helps clear heat from the body, so I tried it. And you know what? It actually works. My throat feels much better now than it did this morning."
"You're being ridiculous!" Adrian scolded her.
"It's fine. It just looks scary." She threw her arms around his neck. After a moment, she suddenly added, "Oh, Adrian, remember to buy me a charger when you get a chance. The one I left at work broke, and my phone died yesterday. I had to borrow a charger from someone."
She had covered all her tracks: staying out late because a student had an emergency, her phone dying overnight due to low battery, and even the bruise on her neck had a plausible explanation.
Adrian trusted her without any suspicion as always—even more tenderly so—except at night.
Her passion bordered on frenzy, leaving him puzzled. While enjoying the moment, Adrian couldn't help but tease her with a smile. "Honey, what's gotten into you lately?"
Grace's movements froze momentarily before she regained her composure. Leaning close to his ear, she giggled softly. "Maybe it's that age thing. They say women in their thirties are like wolves, right? Little lamb—"
He couldn't resist such provocation. With a sudden flip, he pinned her beneath him and growled, "Fine. Let's see who's the wolf and who's the little lamb. Let's see who devours whom."
When a gentle soul lost control, it became even more overwhelming. She trembled in his arms, screaming, sobbing, and begging for mercy. Finally, at the moment of climax, she clung to him wildly and murmured, "Adrian, take me away. Let's die together, okay?"
"Okay," he replied.