Chapter 48 Chapter 48
After four rings, Benjamin finally answered the phone. Before he could speak, she whispered, "Adrian..." As she'd expected, there was a moment of silence on the other end. When the person still didn't speak, she continued in a hoarse whisper, "I feel awful. I have a headache, and I'm a bit dizzy. I think I'm coming down with a cold. Could you bring me some medicine?"
Her voice trailed off as she collapsed to the floor and crashed into something with a loud clang. Her colleagues rushed over, calling urgently, "Ms. Hill? Ms. Hill? Are you okay?"
Grace's eyes remained tightly shut, showing no response. Yet, Benjamin's deep voice came through the phone she clutched tightly. "Grace? Grace?”
Hearing his voice, the weight on Grace's heart finally lifted a little. She couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and release her grip on the phone. She continued to feign unconsciousness. She let her colleagues drag her toward the sofas in the lounge area.
Someone picked up her phone, likely having heard the ongoing call. They explained, "Hello, sir. Ms. Hill just fainted. Yes, she fainted in the hotel lobby. We're not sure what happened yet. Please contact her once she wakes up."
Grace had started out by faking it, but with her eyes closed and all the commotion, she began to feel lightheaded. In her haze, she thought she heard Nathan's voice. Then, she felt her body grow light as if someone had picked her up. After that, she knew nothing more.
When she woke up, she was in a hospital room. The first thing she saw was the sliding rail affixed to the ceiling with an IV bag suspended below it. Following the IV tube downward, she spotted Adrian resting in the chair beside her bed.
"Adrian..." Her throat was so dry that she could barely speak, but the faint sound startled him nonetheless. He snapped his eyes open, leaned over her bedside, and fired off questions in rapid succession. "Awake? How are you? Feeling better? Want some water?"
Grace chuckled. Her voice still hoarse, she asked, "Which one should I answer first?"
Adrian couldn't help but smile, too. "Would you like some water?"
Her lips were parched, so she nodded. "Yes."
He got up to pour her a glass of water and placed a straw in her mouth. As she drank, he gently scolded her, "Why don't you take better care of yourself? This time it's not just a fever—you're really weak. How many meals have you skipped? Your coworkers said they haven't seen you eat at all these past few days.”
Grace's nose was stuffed up, so she had to open her mouth to breathe after every couple of sips. Ignoring Adrian's nagging, she asked, "Do I need to be admitted? How many days will I have to stay in the hospital?"
“The doctor said it depends on how things go. Just stay put for three days first,” he replied, reaching out to wipe her nose. "No running away this time. You're staying here."
Grace had no intention of running away. In fact, she wished she could stay in the hospital longer—then Benjamin wouldn't come looking for her there. She stuck out her tongue at Adrian, then suddenly remembered something and asked nervously, "Did you tell Mom and Dad? Do they know I’m in the hospital?"
“I was shocked when your colleague called. I wouldn’t dare disturb them late at night. But this can't stay hidden forever, and I'm not planning to cover for you. Just brace yourself for your mother’s lecture tomorrow.” Adrian replied.
Sure enough, when Mrs. Hill saw her daughter's exhausted state at the hospital, she was heartbroken and furious. "Is this how you prepare for pregnancy? Look at what you've done to yourself! Are you trying to drive me to an early grave?"
Hearing the words "prepare for pregnancy" sent a sharp pang through Grace's heart. Benjamin had never agreed to use protection. After taking emergency contraception several times, she started taking long-term birth control pills to avoid further damage to her body. She would never allow herself to get pregnant until she had broken free from Benjamin's control.
Yet, when her mother mentioned it, Grace had another idea—a way to gradually lower Benjamin's guard, ease his surveillance of her parents, and ultimately free them from his threats.
She interrupted her mother, adopting a playful tone. "Speaking of preparing for a baby, Mom, let me warn you—if you and Dad want to travel, you better go now. Hit up both domestic and international spots. Once I have the baby, you won't be able to leave for years. Adrian's mom won't babysit, so you'll be the ones taking care of the little one.”
Mrs. Hill pondered this and nodded. "You're right. By the time we've raised your child, your father and I will be too old to run around. We won't be able to go anywhere."
Grace took a bite of her apple and added, "Exactly. Didn't Dad always say he wanted to take you around the world? Tell him to keep that promise now, or else when you're old, the only world he'll be able to take you to is the one in his dreams.”
"You little brat! You're the one who's dreaming!" Mrs. Hill raised her hand as if to swat her daughter but never actually hit her. Instead, she waved her hand dismissively and sighed, "But you're right. Your dad and I are still spry enough. We really should get out and see the world."
Grace smiled and looked past the phone on the bedside table as her thoughts difted. Since making that call last night, Benjamin had remained silent. She was waiting for his reaction to determine her next move. For now, she didn't demand his concern, only hoping he'd stop tormenting her out of consideration for her illness.
Achieving that alone would be a major victory. Once a man's heart softens, his coldness and cruelty can gradually crumble. He'd always be a despicable bastard, but a bastard with weaknesses is easier to deal with than an utterly cold and ruthless one.
On the fourth day, Grace was discharged and returned home. The moment she stepped through the door, Benjamin called. Covering the receiver, she whispered to Adrian, "It's the director. Go put your things away first. I'll take this call."
She sent Adrian to the kitchen while she went to the bedroom and closed the door.
Benjamin seemed to have overheard her exchange with Adrian. His mocking laughter echoed through the phone before he asked, "So, you dare come home now? Tired of hiding from me at the hospital?"