Chapter 33
Grace's POV
"Oh my God, Grace! Alex Morgan?!" Julie clutched my hands, her eyes wide with excitement. "This is like a fairytale! A few days ago you were dealing with Richard's bullshit, and the next minute you're engaged to Alex Morgan! Promise me I can come to the actual wedding too!"
My work friends had gathered around me in a corner of the ballroom, their familiar faces a welcome anchor in this sea of wealth and power. Julie was surprised when she received the invitation, and seeing her now—bubbling with genuine happiness for me—made my chest tighten with affection.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," I assured her, grateful for the circle of normalcy they provided.
I glanced around the room, noticing the respectful nods from Morgan family members, the curious glances from the elite of Starport, and the warm smiles from my friends.
Sophie approached, offering champagne flutes to my friends. "Your friends are delightful," she whispered to me. "So much more genuine than the fake smiles at those business functions."
---
A hush fell over the ballroom as Alex entered. Dressed in a custom tuxedo that emphasized his broad shoulders and lean frame, he commanded attention without effort. His expression was composed, confident as he surveyed the crowd of over two hundred guests, but when his eyes found mine, something softened in his gaze.
Camera flashes erupted around us as I straightened my spine and walked toward him, conscious of every eye in the room following my movement. When I reached him, I slipped my hand through his arm with practiced grace, earning a wave of appreciative murmurs from the onlookers.
Alex leaned down, his lips close to my ear. "You look beautiful tonight, Grace. The necklace suits you."
His warm breath against my skin sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. "Thank you," I replied softly. "You clean up pretty well yourself."
A ghost of a smile touched his lips—the closest thing to public emotion I'd seen from him. Together, we moved toward the center of the ballroom where Ethan and Eleanor waited on a small raised platform.
---
"Today, we witness not just the union of the Morgan and Wilson families," Ethan announced, his voice carrying across the hushed ballroom, "but more importantly, the commitment between Alex and Grace."
Eleanor stepped forward, holding a small box covered in dark blue velvet. She handed it to Alex with a warm smile.
Alex took the box and turned to face me. The intensity in his blue eyes made my breath catch as he opened it to reveal a platinum ring with an emerald that matched the necklace I wore.
"Grace," he said, his voice lower, meant only for me despite the microphones nearby, "our journey is just beginning, but I already can't imagine a future without you in it."
He took the ring and slid it onto my finger.
With slightly trembling hands, I took the matching band from Eleanor and placed it on Alex's finger. "Alex," I said softly, feeling heat rise to my cheeks, "I look forward to our future."
Alex pulled me gently toward him, our foreheads almost touching as applause erupted around us. In that moment, with his arms steady around my waist, I could almost believe this arrangement was more than a strategic alliance.
---
After the ceremony, Alex escorted me through the crowd, stopping to introduce me to various dignitaries and business associates. When we reached the area where my friends were gathered, I was surprised by how attentively he greeted each one, somehow remembering all their names despite the brief introductions earlier.
"Mr. Morgan, it's an honor to see you again," Julie said, her usual confidence replaced by star-struck nervousness.
"Please, call me Alex," he replied with unexpected warmth. "Any friend of Grace's is welcome in our home anytime."
Our home. The casual way he said it made something flutter in my chest.
"You two are absolutely perfect together," Julie said, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. "The way he looks at you, Grace—it's not like those fake society couples we're always gossiping about."
I smiled, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. "We're still getting to know each other."
"Well, he'd be insane not to fall for you," Julie said, squeezing my arm. "After everything you went through with Richard the jackass, seeing you with someone who actually respects you... I can't even express how happy that makes us."
"Seriously, Mr. Morgan," another friend added, "Grace is the smartest, most talented woman I know. You've absolutely hit the jackpot."
I felt my throat tighten unexpectedly. These companions had been with me through everything—the long nights at work, when I was diligently managing the company for Richard, while only they knew I was Richard's wife as he kept everything hidden. When they learned the truth, they left the company without hesitation to follow me, which meant more than any promise could.
Alex's lips curved into a small smile—one of those rare, genuine expressions that transformed his normally serious face. "I'm well aware of that." He turned those intense blue eyes toward me for a moment before addressing my friends again. "Actually, I've been curious about something. What else should I know about Grace that she might not tell me herself?"
My eyes widened at his unexpected question. What was he doing?
Julie didn't miss a beat. "She's brilliant with fragrance compositions—she can identify every component in a perfume after one smell."
"And she's insanely loyal," someone added. "When I was going through my divorce last year, she stayed up with me on the phone until 3 AM, then showed up at work the next morning with coffee and bagels for everyone."
"Remember when she developed that special fragrance for the children's hospital?" another friend chimed in. "She worked on that for free, for weeks, because she read that familiar scents help reduce anxiety in sick kids."
As they continued sharing stories, I felt my face burning. Alex listened attentively to each one, his expression thoughtful.
"Alright, if you keep going I won't be able to show my face in public anymore," I said with a laugh, interrupting their storytelling session.
Alex signaled a waiter, who appeared instantly with a crystal glass containing an amber liquid. "I had the kitchen prepare something special for you."
"What's this?" I asked, taking the offered drink.
"Virgin Manhattan. I noticed you weren't drinking the champagne." His eyes met mine. "I assumed you preferred to stay clear-headed tonight."
The fact that he'd not only noticed but had arranged an alternative without any prompting sent a strange warmth spreading through my chest. Richard would have pushed alcohol on me, insisting I "loosen up" at events like this.
"Thank you," I said softly, genuinely touched.
I was midway through my drink when a collective murmur rippled through the crowd. Turning, I saw the cause immediately.
Violet Cooper had arrived.