Chapter 144
Grace's POV
I arrived at the restaurant early, settling into the private booth Charles had reserved. The space felt intimate—soft lighting, burgundy leather, the kind of place where serious conversations happened.
My phone showed several missed calls from Alex. I'd texted him this morning about dinner with Charles and Sophia, catching a flicker of reluctance in his eyes. Despite his injuries, he'd wanted to come, but I'd insisted he rest.
Now, waiting for Charles and Sophia, I felt guilty for not responding to his messages.
The phone rang. Alex's name lit up the screen.
"Hey, stranger," I answered, injecting playfulness into my voice. "Miss me already?"
"Just finished changing my bandages." His voice carried that familiar edge of exhaustion.
"How's the pain?"
"Manageable. I'm fine, Grace."
I smiled despite myself. "You always say that."
"Because it's true." A pause. "I could come pick you up—"
"Absolutely not. You're staying put and resting."
I heard footsteps in the background. Just as I was about to ask, the restaurant door opened, and Charles appeared, scanning the room. I waved him over.
"Charles just arrived. I should go."
"I love you," Alex said quietly.
"I love you too. Rest."
Charles approached our table, carrying the weight of everything—the Harrison Group pressure, Elizabeth's schemes, and his betrayal of me. I stood to greet him with genuine warmth.
"Uncle Charles."
His expression softened slightly. After years of Elizabeth's manipulation, I could sense his guilt toward me.
"You look tired," I observed as we sat.
"Long day." He signaled the waiter. "How's Alex?"
"Stubborn. Wants to work from bed."
"Before Sophia arrives," he said carefully, "I wanted to address the elephant in the room."
My posture straightened slightly.
"Elizabeth's been... difficult lately. I know she's made things harder for you."
"That's one way to put it."
"I want you to know—what I did before, following her lead, keeping information from you—I'm not proud of it." He met my eyes. "I was trying to protect Sophia, but that doesn't excuse betraying family."
I studied his face. "You were in an impossible position."
"I was a coward." The words tasted bitter. "I let fear dictate my choices instead of doing what was right."
"You're here now," I said simply. "That's what matters."
My forgiveness seemed to humble him.
"I understand why you did it," I continued. "And I hope you still consider me family, despite everything."
"Always." The word came out rougher than intended.
The door opened again, and Sophia entered, her usual composed elegance intact despite recent events. She approached our table with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Sorry I'm late. Traffic was murder."
Sophia looked at me as I approached, and I could sense that familiar admiration in her eyes. She'd always handled the complex family dynamics in a way I appreciated.
"No worries," I said, gesturing to the empty seat. "We were just catching up."
She slid into the booth, and I noted the tension in Charles's shoulders. He'd been different since Elizabeth's latest schemes—more protective, more aware of the games being played.
"How's Alex?" Sophia asked me.
"Recovering. Impatient." I smiled fondly. "He wanted to come tonight."
"Men and their pride," she said, rolling her eyes.
We ordered dinner, settling into comfortable conversation about work, family, anything except the underlying tensions.
"Elizabeth's planning something," Sophia said finally, unable to keep pretending everything was normal. "I don't know what, but she's been too quiet lately."
I nodded. "I figured as much."
"If she comes after you again—"
"She will," I interrupted calmly. "The question is how."
"You'll have support," Sophia said firmly. "Whatever she tries."
My smile was genuine this time. "Thank you."
The conversation flowed easier after that. We discussed business, shared stories, avoided the minefield of family politics. But I found myself checking my phone periodically, worried about Alex.
"You should go to him," Sophia said as we finished dessert.
"I don't want to cut dinner short—"
"Grace." She leaned forward. "You've been checking your phone every five minutes. He needs you, and you need to be with him."
I looked guilty but relieved. "Is it that obvious?"
"Only to someone who understands."
The elevator ride down felt endless. Sophia had insisted on walking me out, claiming she needed fresh air.
"There's something I wanted to ask you," she said as the doors opened.
"What is it?"
---
Night was deepening as I hurried out of the elevator and opened the apartment door. The drive home had felt eternal. I'd pushed the speed limit, eager to get back to Alex, my heart racing with anticipation.
Only an hour had passed since our call, but I'd deliberately not reported my whereabouts, wanting to give Alex a small surprise. And to check if he was keeping his word about staying home and resting properly.
The apartment was dark when I pushed open the door. City lights filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across the living room, but Alex was nowhere to be seen. A knot of unease twisted in my stomach as I stepped inside, the silence feeling heavier than usual.
"Alex?" I called softly, setting my purse down on the console table.
No response. The emptiness of the space made my heart race slightly. Where was he?
I moved through the apartment methodically, checking the kitchen first, then his study. The rooms were pristine but empty, and my worry began to mount. Finally, I found him curled up on the floor in the corner of the living room, like a wounded animal seeking shelter.
He was wrapped in a thin blanket, his tall frame somehow looking smaller in the dim light. His eyes were closed, dark lashes casting shadows on his cheekbones. The sight of him so still and vulnerable made my chest tighten unexpectedly.
Relief flooded through me as I approached quietly. I knelt beside him, studying his face in the amber glow from the street lights. Even in sleep, there was tension around his eyes, a tightness that spoke of discomfort.
Gently, I reached out to touch his forehead, then his hand. His skin felt warm—too warm.