Chapter 145

"Yes," Terrence replied quickly, following Jason as they left the Reed residence for the hospital.

When Jason entered the ward, he saw Grace sitting on the sofa, her posture impeccably upright. "Proper" was his first impression; her back was straight, her hands resting on her knees—a textbook example of sitting posture.

"Do you want to leave the hospital?" Jason asked.

"Yeah," she murmured, her gaze drifting subconsciously to the scarf around his neck—the one she had knitted for him. She'd been afraid he'd be cold, hoping to keep him warmer in winter.

In reality, it hadn't been necessary. He had plenty of scarves and ways to stay warm; he didn't need hers at all.

"I'll give you another chance. Think carefully. Do you really not want to stay with me?" he asked. He'd never given anyone a second chance before, but she seemed to be an exception.

She looked up, a suffocating pressure in her eyes. The air itself felt heavy. A sense of crisis overwhelmed her; a wrong answer felt like a life sentence.

"Yes or no?"

Staying with Jason would change her fate. But what would happen after he tired of their "brother-sister" game? Would her life become even more tragic? He was Jason, a nightmare from her past. In prison, his name alone had sent shivers down her spine. Even now, the fear lingered, though it had lessened since her release. Staying by him would resurrect that fear, inescapable, a shadow clinging to her.

She swallowed and replied, "Mhm, I want to be alone. I don't want to stay with anyone."

His face darkened, the cold light in his eyes seeming to freeze her.

"You won't regret it?" Danger laced his voice.

Her body trembled. "No."

As her voice trailed off, he pulled her onto the bed.

"Ah!" she cried, struggling to rise.

He pressed down on her, his hands gripping her wrists, a chilling echo of their last encounter in this very hospital bed.

"Jason, what… what are you doing?" Grace cried.

"I regret it. I shouldn't have given you a choice," he said softly. His lips brushed her cheek, a gentle kiss, as if she were a precious treasure. Yet, his fingers remained tight, preventing her struggle.

"No!" She shook her head, trying to avoid his kiss.

But the kiss pursued her, inescapable.

"Forgotten? If I wanted you, you wouldn't even have the right to refuse," Jason whispered, his cold voice now laced with an alluring emotion.