Chapter 23: HATING HE'S RIGHT
GRACE
Something soft supports my head. My throat burns, dry and raw, and my eyelids feel too heavy to even lift. When I finally force them open, confusion hits me first.
Then I instantly recognize where I am.
I’m in Nicholas’ room.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
He’s sitting on the couch across the room, shoulders tense, a pillow abandoned beside him like he never meant to lie down but he's still deep in sleep.
I curl my fingers into the bedsheet and try to sit up, but a sharp wave of pain crashes through my head and forces me back down.
“Ouch,” I mutter.
“Hey.”
Nick’s on his feet instantly. He crosses the room in seconds and sits next to me, cupping my face, his palm warm, and grounding. His brows are drawn together, eyes dark with something that looks dangerously close to fear.
“Are you okay?”
He asks softly. For a moment, I don’t answer. It’s really unsettling, seeing him like this again. The same worry on his face. The same panic he had the last time something went wrong.
“Say something, babe.”
I roll my eyes weakly and pull his hand away, a little sharper than necessary. “I’m fine,” I say, my voice still weak but firm. I try to slide off the bed but he stops me.
Nick pulls me back before I can stand and wraps his arms around me, holding me in place. I freeze. His hand settles at my waist, his breath brushing my ear.
“I’m so damn glad I got there in time,” he murmurs. “I don’t think I could live with myself if something happened to you.”
That does it.
I push against his chest and pull away, my head still spinning slightly. “Please stop, Nick.” I face him, even though my body feels weak. “I’m grateful you saved me. I really am. But we agreed to stay away from each other. I don’t want this to look like… like we’re still something and...”
Before I can finish, he presses a finger lightly against my lips.
“It’s fine,” he says quietly. “I get it.” His voice softens. “You’re still angry. You probably still hate me. But it doesn’t change the fact that I still care so much about you.”
“Nick—”
I barely get his name out before he moves closer. My heart stutters as our eyes lock, his expression unreadable now, heavy with things neither of us are saying.
“I don’t think you can go home for now,” he says quietly. “I didn’t make it in time to stop the fire from spreading.”
“What?” I stare at him. “There was a fire?”
He nods, and the room tilts slightly. Panic rushes over me fast.
“My stuff…” I sit up straighter. “What about my things?”
“I’ll go back there today and check,” he says. “But I doubt much was saved.”
No. No, no, no. Grandma’s ashes were in my room and Evan’s photos too.
The tears come before I can stop them. Exhaustion presses down on me as I bend forward, burying my face in my hands.
“Hey,” Nick says gently. “I’ll get everything fixed, okay?”
“That’s not—” My voice cracks as I lift my head to him. “Grandma’s ashes were there, Nick.” Even though I can't mention Evans to him.
He doesn’t panic. He just smiles at me.
“Nothing happened to that.”
I blink. “What do you mean?”
His thumb brushes the tear from my cheek, slowly like a prince comforting a princess. “When I got you out, I took it with me. I know how much that meant to you.”
Sudden relief crashes through me so hard I don’t even think. I wrap my arms around him, holding on tight.
“God… Nick.” My voice shakes. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
He lets out a soft laugh. “Easy, Grace.”
I don’t loosen my grip right away, I hold on tight for another long seconds. When I finally realize what I’m doing, I pull back quickly, smoothing my dress, suddenly self-conscious, to be sincere, I feel slightly embarrassed.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter in a really small voice, you need an extra ear to hear it clearly.
He frowns at me slightly. “Why are you apologizing?” Then his expression shifts. “Wait… are you blushing?”
“What?” I touch my cheek instantly. “No, I’m not.”
“Then why are you avoiding me?” His tone turns lighter, obviously teasing me.
“I’m not—” I try to move away, but he gently stops me, laughing. “Nick, stop.”
He doesn’t tickle me, he just nudges me enough to make me laugh despite still being mad at him. For a brief moment, it feels… easy. Like we never had a fight.
Then his phone disrupts us.
He glances at the screen, and I see the name before I can look away.
It's Sam.
I forget Sam is still very much in the picture. This whole thing doesn't just disappear because he's been nice to you, Grace.
His smile fades slightly. He exhales and looks back at me. “Excuse me.”
He steps out of the room, his phone to his ear.
I stare at the bed, suddenly very interested in the duvet pattern, reminding myself of what I already know. Nick is still Nick.
By the time he comes back, I’m already prepared and ready to leave.
I don’t even know where I’ll go but staying here with him isn’t an option.
He closes the door behind him and stops when he sees me.
“Are you going somewhere?”
I nod. “Yes. Of course.” I straighten my shoulders. “I can’t possibly stay here. I’ll figure out where to go for now.”
His brows knit together. “I never said you couldn’t stay. You know I live alone, right?”
I stare at him. Is he serious right now?
“Nick, if that’s supposed to be a joke, it’s not funny,” I say flatly. “I can’t live here with you. That’s insane.”
“It’s not.” His voice is calm but urgent. “I’ll sleep in another room. I have more than enough space.”
I hiss softly, rolling my eyes. Arguing with him is pointless. I walk past him and aim for the door.
He follows, catching my arm.
“Wait, Grace.”
I pull my hand free without looking at him, but he steps in front of me, blocking my way.
“Alright,” he says, breathing harder now. “Let’s fix this. I’ll tell you everything. Whatever you want to know. I promise.”
“I don’t care anymore,” I snap. “We broke up. That should be enough.”
“Yes,” he says quickly. “We did. But…” He hesitates, watching my face. “I know you still want to know what really happened between Dominic and me.”
I don’t answer. I just stand there, my fingers curling slowly at my side, hating that he might be right.