Chapter 63 Chapter 63
Grace stood motionless outside her home for a long time, preoccupied with the phone issue and, more so, with facing her parents' uncertainty.
Because Adrian had called the police, officers came to her parents' home to understand the situation. This is how news of Grace and Adrian's divorce suddenly came to light. Her mother was shocked upon hearing the news. She couldn't believe that her daughter and son-in-law would suddenly divorce. Only after receiving confirmation from Grace herself were they able to accept it.
Her father was so furious that he pointed at Grace, but was unable to speak. Equally furious and heartbroken, Mrs. Hill wept as she tried to calm her husband while simultaneously scolding her daughter. "Grace, you had a perfect life. Why did you have an affair? God witnessed your marriage, yet you betrayed Him.”
Grace couldn't explain. She could only sit there with her head bowed and kept silent.
The house was in utter chaos at that moment. Even now, when Grace recalled the scene, her heart still trembled.
Her phone rang again, snapping her back to reality. Glancing at the caller ID, she hung up and fumbled for her keys to unlock the door. Her mother sat in the living room, clutching her phone. Seeing Grace enter, she craned her neck to look behind her before urgently demanding, "Where's Adrian?"
Grace lowered her eyes, avoiding her mother's gaze, and said flatly, "Adrian and I are divorced. He won't be coming back."
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the study door burst open. Her father appeared in the doorway, furious. "Then why did you come back? Get out!"
Grace's eyes reddened slightly, and she couldn't speak.
Fearing her husband's rage might trigger a heart attack, Grace’s mother hurriedly intervened. It took considerable effort to persuade him to go back to the study. She then turned to her daughter, her expression a mix of heartache and fury. Taking Grace's hands, she demanded, "Grace, tell me the truth. Weren't you and Adrian always fine? Where did this Benjamin come from?"
Grace and Adrian had concealed their affair so thoroughly that her parents hadn't even known about her feud with Alex and the others. Now, upon learning that their daughter suddenly wanted a divorce from Adrian for some stranger, their confusion only deepened.
Since Grace had hidden the past, she certainly didn't want her parents to know about this. She gave a bitter smile. "Mom, matters of the heart aren't something you can easily explain. When you meet someone and fall for them, you don't want to settle for less."
"Bullshit!" Her mother’s eyes flushed with anger. "You and Adrian have been together since you were in college. Over ten years! Don't you feel a shred of regret?"
How could she not care? Her heart wasn't just aching; it felt like her insides had been torn apart. Grace could be strong for anyone, but when facing her mother, she couldn't hold back her pain. Looking up at her mother, her eyes brimming with tears, Grace asked, "Mom, did I do something wrong? Did I embarrass you? Is that why you and Dad don't want me anymore?"
Mrs. Hill hated that Grace had made such a mistake, yet she loved her more than anyone. With tears streaming down her face, she said, "How could I abandon you? Grace, go back and talk things through with Adrian. If you truly want to make amends, he will forgive you."
Grace felt that she needed to give her parents something to hold onto and give them time to accept Adrian's departure. She nodded and said softly, "Mom, don't worry. We're both being rational now. We've agreed to stay friends.”
Her mother hadn't expected such a response. After a long silence, she managed to say, "Fine. You're an adult now. You'll have to handle things with Adrian yourself. I only hope you won't regret this later."
Grace gave a low, choked sob before replying, "Thanks, Mom."
Mrs. Hill said with a bitter smile as she released her daughter's hand. "Go now. You know how your father is. Stay out of his way for a while."
Grace nodded, picked up her purse, and left. She held back her tears all the way home, only collapsing against her doorframe and crying her heart out once inside.
Nothing hurt more than being misunderstood by her loved ones. She had grievances she couldn't share with anyone. It felt like countless needles had been planted in her heart, insides, and throat—the pain was unbearable.
Leaning against the doorframe, she cried until exhaustion overtook her. She dragged herself to the bathroom for a shower, then forced down a large meal. Finally, she returned to her wardrobe to choose an outfit for the evening. She had grasped Benjamin's preferences; he liked women who appeared conservative but were not. In bed, however, he demanded a woman who was uninhibited.
Being too conservative or too uninhibited wouldn't do.
Grace's wardrobe held many outfits. She loved dressing up, and Adrian loved watching her. There were a few that were suitable for tonight, but after pulling them out, she carefully put them back. These were clothes that Adrian had seen her wear before, some of which he had even bought for her. She couldn't wear them in front of Benjamin. She wouldn't let that bastard undress her in them.
He didn't deserve it!
Grace shut the wardrobe decisively, grabbed her money, and headed straight to the department store. She picked out a dress that was form-fitting yet strangely alluring and tried it on immediately. Just before leaving, she had a sudden thought and went to the underground supermarket to buy a pack of sanitary pads.
In front of the large mirror above the bathroom sink, she carefully groomed herself. Her face was naturally pale, needing little enhancement, but her lips seemed too vivid. Instead of applying a base, she chose a bold, exaggerated red lipstick, which made her complexion appear even whiter.
When Michael called, she was at the pharmacy. She took out the painkillers she had just picked up, tossed them aside, and stuffed the remaining blister pack into her purse.
Her destination wasn't Garma, but a villa. When she arrived, several people were gathered inside, playing Texas Hold'em. She scanned the room but didn't spot Zach. She did, however, notice the young man who'd been with him that day. She remembered they called him Landon.
Benjamin sat directly across from the door. Hearing the noise, he merely lifted his eyelids to give Grace a faint, dismissive glance. His gaze lingered on her face for a few seconds before shifting away without comment. Landon, seated sideways, waved at her and greeted her with a smirk, saying, "Ms. Hill's here! Are you the superhero savior Benjamin called in?"
The others at the table chuckled. Even Benjamin couldn't help but curve his lips and mutter under his breath, "Fuck you!"
Most of the people in the room were familiar to Grace. They nodded their greetings to her. She returned their greetings with a faint smile, then handed her coat to a servant. With natural ease, she walked behind Benjamin, bent slightly to examine his cards, and, without asking his opinion, tapped the table and raised the bet threefold.
Benjamin raised an eyebrow in mild surprise and turned his head to look at her.