Chapter 72
Grace's POV
Sunlight filtered through the silk curtains, casting golden patterns across the mahogany furniture. I stretched lazily in bed.
I padded barefoot toward the kitchen, my mind already planning a surprise breakfast for Alex.
I found everything I needed: farm-fresh eggs, thick-cut bacon, artisanal bread for French toast. As I worked, I hummed softly, feeling lighter than I had in years.
"Someone's in a good mood."
I turned to find Alex leaning against the doorway, his dark silk robe hanging open just enough to reveal the sculpted planes of his chest and the sharp line of his collarbone. His hair was tousled from sleep, and there was something deliciously intimate about seeing him this way—unguarded, relaxed.
"I smelled coffee brewing," he said, his voice still rough with sleep. "And something else... your perfume."
Heat crept up my neck. "I wanted to thank you. For everything."
He moved closer, and I caught the scent of his skin—clean and masculine with hints of cedar and bergamot. "You don't need to thank me for anything, Grace."
I was flipping the French toast when I felt him behind me, close enough that his warmth radiated against my back. A dusting of cinnamon had somehow gotten on my cheek, and when I reached up to brush it away, Alex's hand caught my wrist.
"Hold still," he murmured, his thumb gently wiping the cinnamon from my cheekbone. The simple touch sent electricity through my entire body.
His thumb lingered, tracing along my jawline before his fingers wrapped around my wrist. I could feel my pulse hammering against his touch as his thumb brushed over the sensitive skin of my inner wrist.
"Alex..." I breathed, my cheeks flushing pink.
"You're beautiful in the morning," he said simply, but the way he looked at me made me feel like I was glowing from within.
I felt like I was twenty again, experiencing my first real crush. The way my heart raced when he was near, the way I caught myself thinking about him at random moments throughout the day—it was intoxicating and terrifying all at once.
We sat down to breakfast, but Alex's phone kept buzzing insistently on the counter. Each time it rang, he glanced at it but made no move to answer.
"You can take that," I said, cutting into my French toast. "I know you're busy."
"Not this morning." He reached over and turned the phone face down. "I'm tired of being available to everyone else every second of the day. I want to spend time with you."
My heart did a little flip. When did he become such a smooth talker?
"I have to go to the company early today," I said reluctantly. "Board meeting."
"I'll drive you."
"Alex, you don't have to—"
"I want to." His tone was firm but gentle. "Besides, I like the idea of having a few more minutes with you."
---
Twenty minutes later, we were cruising through Starport's morning traffic in Alex's car. Classical music played softly through the premium sound system, and I found myself stealing glances at Alex as he navigated the streets with practiced ease.
I was scrolling through news on my tablet when a headline caught my attention: "Laura Parker Suspected of Bribing Journalist to Publish False Defamatory Article."
My eyebrows shot up. Yesterday, the defamatory article about me had been spreading wildly online. Now, overwhelming evidence showed that Laura Parker was the mastermind behind it all, with audio recordings clearly documenting her instructing journalist Kevin Martinez on how to fabricate the story, even promising him money and connections as payment.
"Interesting how quickly narratives can change," I murmured, showing Alex the screen.
A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. "Justice has a way of surfacing eventually."
I studied his profile. "Did you have something to do with this?"
"Let's just say that anyone who tries to hurt you is provoking me. I simply ensure you get the protection you deserve."
Warmth spread through my chest.
I watched the city blur past the windows, thinking about how dramatically my life had changed. Just over a month ago, I'd been trapped in a fake marriage, believing myself to be barren, thinking I had no family and no future. Now I was the heir to a fortune, engaged to Alex.
When we pulled up to the Wilson Holdings building, Alex turned off the engine but made no move to get out. Instead, he leaned across the center console to help me with my seatbelt, his face inches from mine.
"Dinner tonight?" he asked quietly. "I've already made reservations."
"I'll be ready."
He leaned back, but his eyes stayed locked on mine. "I'll pick you up after work."
I watched him drive away before heading into the building, my heart still racing from our proximity in the car. As the elevator climbed to the executive floors, I caught my reflection in the polished doors and realized I was smiling.
When did I become this person? This woman who glowed with happiness.
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped into my work domain.
The office buzzed with an energy I'd never experienced at Harrison Group. Here, people looked at me with respect, not barely concealed resentment.
"Someone's been smiling nonstop since this morning," Julie observed with a knowing grin. "Should we be expecting something?"
I felt heat rise in my cheeks. "We're just... taking things one day at a time."
"Uh-huh." She waggled her eyebrows. "And I suppose Mr. Morgan personally dropping you off was just a coincidence?"
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed with a text from Alex: Already counting the hours until eight. The chef is preparing something special.
I couldn't suppress my smile as I typed back: Looking forward to it.
"Oh my God," Julie squealed. "You're glowing! This is serious, isn't it?"
The others joined in the teasing, and my cheeks flushed. I quickly turned and headed toward the private office.
If I had to describe the state of things between Alex and me, we were a couple madly in love.
The daytime hours passed quickly, and by the time I finished the work at hand, it was already seven-thirty.
I began touching up my makeup, looking forward to tonight's dinner.
"Miss Wilson? There's a Miss Cooper here to see you. She says she has an important project she'd like to collaborate with you on." Just as I was ready to head downstairs, my assistant knocked and came in.
My good mood faltered slightly. I took the elegant business card: Violet Cooper, Cooper Technologies.
Something cold settled in my stomach.