Chapter 144

“As long as Mr. Reed agrees, Miss Cummins, you may leave the hospital whenever you wish,” the doctor said.

Grace felt an unspeakable weight. Did she need Jason's consent even to leave the hospital?

“Okay,” she replied.

After the doctor and nurse left, she went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Reflected was a delicate face with crescent-shaped eyebrows, almond eyes, a well-shaped nose, and pink lips. The light seemed to give her face a slight glimmer.

Such a face would be considered quite pretty. However, around someone like Jason, beauty was abundant, and she felt inadequate.

What exactly did Jason see in her? Grace smiled bitterly. Was it merely the amusement he found in her mistaking him for a homeless person? Was that why he maintained this brother-sister charade?

She raised a hand and gently touched her lips. The memory of his kiss flooded her mind.

She remembered Lina saying, “Grace, your lips are beautiful.”

“Beautiful lips?” Grace had never given them much thought. She knew they weren't ugly, but nothing special.

“Yes, very beautiful. Their shape makes people want to kiss you. The kind most men would probably want to kiss.”

At the time, she’d thought Lina was teasing her. What kind of description was that?

But now, recalling Jason’s kiss, a burning sensation flared on her lips.

“Don’t think about it, don’t think about it!” she repeated. Jason had promised her a choice; he would surely keep his word. A man like him wouldn't break a promise.

“Let’s treat this as a dream,” she murmured. A dream where she met a man named Jay, cherished him, and shared happy times. Waking, she was alone, just as before.

Grace left the bathroom and changed into the clothes she'd worn to the hospital. She had only her bag and phone. Nothing else.

She sat quietly on the sofa, waiting for Jason.

At the Reed residence, Terrence approached Jason. “Mr. Reed, Miss Cummins is waiting for you at the hospital. She wants to be discharged.”

Terrence’s tone was cautious. Since leaving the hospital yesterday, Mr. Reed had remained at home, behaving abnormally. Until yesterday, he'd mostly stayed at the hospital.

Jason pursed his lips. After a moment, he asked, “Did she say anything else besides wanting to be discharged?”

“No,” Terrence replied, watching his boss's face darken.

Terrence remained silent, waiting. Jason lowered his head, toying with a scarf. Terrence recognized it—a gift Grace had woven for him.

Jason flipped the scarf casually, half-closing his eyes in thought. Finally, he stood. “Let’s go to the hospital.”