Chapter 97 Chapter 97
“What should I buy?” Mrs. Hill asked.
Grace replied casually, "I'll send you pictures later. Just buy the same ones.”
"Alright." Mrs. Hill agreed and sat down beside the bed. She looked at her daughter hesitantly and finally asked, "Grace, what does Benjamin do? What's his family situation?"
Grace had anticipated these questions and was prepared. "It's still unclear right now," she said. "I'm feeling a bit uncertain myself. Mom, you and Dad should relax and enjoy yourselves. I need some time to think things through. When you return, we can discuss this properly, okay?"
Mrs. Hill knew her daughter had always been strong-willed. Once Grace made up her mind, few could sway her. A hint of resignation flitted across Mrs. Hill's face as she tried one last time to persuade her daughter. "Grace, you need to think long-term about your future. Don't chase fleeting excitement. Adrian is such a wonderful young man. If you let him slip away, you'll regret it later."
Grace just smiled. "Mom, Adrian and I are still friends. While you're out of town, why don't you reach out to him? He can show you around for a few days. I'd feel much better knowing he's with you." She paused, suddenly remembering something. "Oh, right! I need to drop something off for him. I'll run back and grab it!"
She hopped out of bed, threw on her coat, and headed for the door. Mrs. Hill followed behind her, calling out anxiously, "You're always off to something new, aren't you? Hey! You didn't take your phone!”
"It's fine. I'll be right back." Grace smiled and turned back to remind her mother, "Mom, if my phone rings, don't answer it for me!"
She had deliberately left her phone at her mother's house. Wrapped in her coat, Grace jogged back to her place, grabbed the little porcelain doll from her nightstand, dug out her bank card, and hurried back. Mrs. Hill was puzzled to see her return with the small trinket. “What on earth are you taking that for?”
Grace lowered her head, her fingers gently tracing the doll's round cheek. "I like it. Adrian has one too. I want to pair them.” Mrs. Hill froze at this, and Grace realized she had said too much. She quickly added with a forced smile, "Adrian asked me for it himself. Since he wants it, could you give it to him for me?"
Mrs. Hill couldn't figure out which man her daughter truly loved, why they remained cordial after the divorce, or why they divorced if things were still good. She shook her head and sighed. "Ah, young people. I just don't understand."
The mother and daughter opened the suitcase again, carefully wrapped the porcelain doll, and placed it inside. Grace slipped her bank card in as well when her mother wasn't looking.
The flight was scheduled for the afternoon of the second day. To avoid traffic, Grace drove her parents out before noon. After checking in their luggage and getting their boarding passes, the family went out to lunch. Perhaps because Grace had been unusually well-behaved and sensible these past two days, even her father softened slightly, despite having been cold toward her. He reminded her, "Stay safe at home. Don't wander off.”
Overwhelmed by the unexpected kindness, Grace quickly replied, "I know."
He glanced at her wrist and asked, "What happened to your wrist?"
Grace froze, instinctively pulling down her sweater sleeve. The injury on her wrist hadn't fully healed yet. To conceal it, she had deliberately worn a thick wrist guard and a long-sleeved sweater. She had deceived her mother, but her father had noticed. She gave a wry smile and explained, "I twisted it while moving something. It's fine; it's almost healed."
Mrs. Hill immediately offered to examine it, but Grace didn't dare show her. She quickly hid her wrist behind her back. "Don't touch it. The doctor said not to keep rubbing it—it'll only make it worse."
Mrs. Hill only relented when Grace invoked the doctor's orders, though she couldn't resist lecturing Grace afterward. Feeling guilty and anxious about potential complications, Grace glanced at the time and urged her parents to hurry through security. "You should go inside and wait," she added. "It'll put your minds at ease."
Grace stood up to escort her parents through security. As they parted ways, the pain in her heart threatened to overwhelm her. Forcing a smile, she hugged her mother tightly and then turned to embrace her father. When she turned back around, she clung to her mother again, refusing to let go. "Mom, hug me back!" she whined.
Unaware that their daughter was saying goodbye as if it were forever, Mrs. Hill found her childishness amusing. She sighed and hugged her daughter, murmuring, "You'll never grow up!"
Grace kissed her mother on the cheek before finally letting go. She stood and watched her parents pass through security until they disappeared from sight. Then, she lowered her head and walked back alone.
The bustling airport lobby was a lively scene she couldn't share in. From that moment on, she was truly alone.
She pulled out her phone and called Benjamin. Once connected, she said, "I'm at the airport. I just saw my parents off. Could you send someone to pick me up? I think I hurt my wrist again, and I can’t drive anymore.”
Benjamin asked coldly, "What happened to your wrist?"
Grace explained, "Nothing serious. Probably just a sprain. It hurts a bit."
“Where are you now?” Benjamin inquired.
"The airport," Grace replied. She paused before adding, "If it's inconvenient for you, never mind. I'll just leave the car here and take a taxi back."
Benjamin cut her off. “Which part of the airport?”
Puzzled, Grace asked, "Huh? What do you mean?"
He didn't answer. After a brief silence, he simply said, "Wait at the exit. I'm coming right now."
With that, he hung up before she could respond.
Grace froze. She’d only called Benjamin to find an opportunity to show vulnerability and ease his guard. She hadn’t expected him to rush over.
This was unexpected. Standing there hesitantly, she was about to call him back to stop him when his voice suddenly sounded behind her before the line even connected.
Startled, she spun around to face him, her voice flat with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
Frankly, Grace felt a surge of panic. His sudden appearance made her fear that he was there to monitor her. She dreaded even more that he might have witnessed her earlier farewell with her parents, which would spark his suspicions.
"I came to pick someone up," Benjamin replied casually. He stepped closer to examine her wrist, frowning slightly at the thick protective brace. "Why are you wearing that?"
"To hide it from my parents," she answered.
Benjamin's expression darkened. He carefully removed the brace and unwrapped the bandage to inspect the wound. Only then did his expression soften. "It's not too serious. I'll have Dr. Willie take a look when I get back." Grace stole a glance at him. Seeing no unusual expression on his face, she assumed he hadn't grown suspicious. Relieved, she casually asked, "Who are you picking up?"
Anyone Benjamin would personally come to pick up must be an important figure.
Benjamin looked up at her, offering no pretense. "Vito."
Grace stiffened at the name, instantly recalling Benjamin's sullen, sharp-tongued cousin. She forced a smile. "Then you should go." She pulled out her car keys, handed them to Benjamin, and told him where the car was parked. "Um, I'll take a taxi back. Could you find someone to drive my car home?"
Benjamin had watched her silently until now when he suddenly asked, "Grace, are you afraid to see him?"
Grace lifted her head and studied him intently for a moment before replying, "Benjamin, you don't need to doubt me. I'm not afraid of him. He doesn't have anything on me, and I have no ties to him. I just don't want to put you in a difficult position." She tugged at the corner of her lips, offering a self-deprecating smile. "After all, our relationship isn't normal. And, given what happened before, how would you introduce me to Vito?"
Benjamin was in a terrible mood, yet she seemed oblivious. She continued calmly, "Even mistresses have their distinctions. Some can be taken out in public, while others absolutely must never be seen. Benjamin, I know exactly where I stand.”
After speaking, she smiled at him once more and turned to leave. Unexpectedly, Benjamin grabbed her wrist from behind. Grace gave a resigned smile, unwilling to turn back, but he refused to let go. As they stood in a tense standoff, a sharp, mocking voice drifted from behind them. Tinged with amusement, it asked, "Oh my, what kind of movie are you filming here?"