Chapter One-Hundred-Nine

Chapter One-Hundred-Nine
Grace's POV
"Do you want to see her?" he asked quietly when I didn't move straight away. "Your mother. I would understand if you did. We could go there first."
The question caught me off guard. I'd been so focused on Dad, on how this would affect him, that I hadn't even considered whether I wanted to face Margo. Whether I needed to.
"I don't know," I admitted. "Should I?"
Hunter's thumb traced across my knuckles where our hands were joined. "There's no should about it, Grace. It's entirely up to you. There is no wrong or right answer."
I stared down at our linked fingers, thinking. Part of me felt like I should want to see her, to try one last time to understand why she'd done what she'd done. But the larger part, the part that had been ground down by years of her criticism and manipulation, felt nothing but exhaustion at the thought.
"Do you think it's a good idea?" I asked.
Hunter shrugged, his expression carefully neutral. "Might be the closure you need so we can move on. But the choice is yours alone."
The way he said it, so matter-of-fact, made me look at him more closely. He wasn't pushing, wasn't trying to influence my decision either way. He was just... there. Supporting whatever I chose.
That's when I knew.
"No," I said, surprising myself with how certain I sounded. "I don't need to see her. I don't need closure from someone who never really saw me in the first place."
Hunter's eyes searched mine. "You're sure?"
"I'm sure." I felt lighter somehow, like I'd set down a weight I hadn't realized I'd been carrying. "The woman who raised me—or tried to—that person was never real. She was just another performance, like Helena's. And I'm done being the audience for people who don't know how to love."
A slow smile spread across Hunter's face, pride evident in every line. "That's my girl."
The simple words warmed me from the inside out. His girl. His wife. The mother of his children.
"Besides," I added, reaching for my tea again, "I have everything I need right here. Our family. Our babies. Our future."
"Our future," Hunter agreed, bringing my hand to his lips. "Starting now."
My phone lit up just as we were pulling into the office garage, Max's name flashing across the screen. I glanced at Hunter, who was already frowning at the sight of it.
"Answer it," he said, his jaw tight. He was still a little miffed at Max for kissing me and dating me before he woke up. I had a feeling Max was into Quinn in a big way. But they had this I hate you, but I want to suck your face vibe going on. When they were in the same room together the air was sprinkled with tension. If I hadn't been so in love with Hunter from the start, I would be a little upset with him.
I swiped to accept. "Max?" I said as Hunter pulled into his car parking spot.
"Grace." His voice came through tight, worried. "Turn on the news. Any channel."
My stomach dropped. "We already know, Max. Margo's arrest. It was only a matter of time."
Hunter pulled out his phone anyway and pulled up the news app on his phone.
"Show me," I said to Hunter.
He turned the screen toward me. The headline blared across the news site:
MARGO WILSON ARRESTED IN ILLEGAL SURROGACY SCANDAL
Below it, a photo of my mother being led from her house in handcuffs, her face a mask of rage and humiliation.
"Oh God," I breathed.
But it wasn't the arrest that made my blood run cold. It was the subheading beneath:
Daughter Grace Sinclair, wife of billionaire Hunter Sinclair, was an unknowing victim of medical fraud.
Hunter's hand found mine, gripping tight. "This isn't a surprise. I'm just glad they see you for what you are, the victim in all this."
"Grace?" Max's voice came through the phone, still in my other hand. "You there?"
"I'm here," I managed. "Max, how—"
"Someone leaked information from the clinic, like they're not in enough trouble," he said grimly. "Medical records. The whole thing's blown wide open. Your pregnancy, the egg switch. It's everywhere. The fact you shouldn't have been a surrogate in the first place. Anything to make a quick buck."
I felt the world tilt. Our secrets laid bare.
It was bad enough that there was going to be a court case unless Mom pleaded guilty, then there would only be a sentencing. I hated being seen as a victim. Everything I had ever wanted was mine now. I wasn't sorry. No, I didn't want Helena to die, but I had Hunter and I was carrying our babies.
"Grace?" Hunter's voice cut through the fog. "It's okay."
Hunter's jaw tightened as he scrolled through his phone, his thumb flicking rapidly across the screen. "Quinn already texted. Her reporter contact wants to meet this afternoon."
"This afternoon?" My voice came out higher than I intended. "Hunter, I don't think I can—"
"You can." His hand found mine again, warm and solid. "We control the narrative, Grace. We tell our story before someone else twists it."
Max's voice crackled through the speaker. "She's right, Grace. Get ahead of this. The vultures are already circling."
"Thanks, Max," I said, my throat tight. "I appreciate the call. You are a true friend."
"Anytime. And Grace? You've got this. You're tougher than you think."
After we hung up, Hunter pulled me across the console, his arms banding around me. I breathed him in, letting his scent calm the panic clawing at my chest.
"I hate this," I whispered against his shirt. "Everyone knowing. Everyone judging."
"Let them judge." His voice was steel wrapped in velvet. "We know the truth. That's all that matters. Your mother is at fault, baby, and Helena, but she is beyond reach now."
I pulled back enough to meet his eyes. "My father—"
"We will support him," Hunter finished.
My phone buzzed again. Dad this time.
I showed Hunter the screen. He nodded, releasing me so I could answer.
"Dad?"
"Grace, sweetheart, have you seen the news?"
"Yes." I closed my eyes. "I'm so sorry—"
"Stop apologizing for things you didn't do." His voice was firm but gentle. "I'm the one who should be sorry. For staying with her as long as I did. For not protecting you."
Tears burned behind my lids. "It's not your fault."
"Maybe not. But I'm done making excuses." He took a breath. "I've already released a statement. Full support for you and Hunter. Made it clear I had no knowledge of what your mother and Helena did."
Relief crashed through me. "Thank you. I would like you to come to the office this afternoon. We can all meet with Quinn's reporter together."
"You're my daughter, Grace. That comes first. Always. I'll be there."
"Have you been to see Mom?"
"No, I don't want to. Let the family lawyer deal with her."
After we ended the call, Hunter was already typing on his phone.
"What are you doing?"
"Texting Quinn. Setting up the interview for this afternoon." He looked up. "Unless you need more time?"
"No." I straightened my spine, feeling stronger than I had minutes ago. "Let's do it. Get it over with. I glad I have you and I'm carrying your babies. Everything else is just white noise."