Chapter 169

A proud man like him would never allow it.

“So, you’re only willing to see me to prove you’ll never agree, no matter how much I beg?” she said, struggling.

His lips curved into a thin smile. He lifted a hand and gently swept stray strands of hair from her forehead, tucking them behind her ear with long fingers. “Back then, you said you didn’t want to stay by my side, that you didn’t need me to help you change your destiny. You said you wouldn’t regret it…”

His actions were elegant; his voice, gentle. He bent, his lips near her earlobe, breathing softly.

She felt his breath on her ear and neck, stiffening as if a boulder pressed on her chest, stealing her breath.

“I’m only seeing you to show you what a joke it was when you said you wouldn’t regret it.” He stared at her.

She felt as if she’d fallen into an icy lake. Indeed, what a joke!

Grace didn’t remember leaving Jason’s place. From the start, he hadn’t planned to give in. She had no right to ask anything of him. That meeting was a humiliating experience.

The next day at work, Grace couldn’t focus. Her mother’s relatives called, saying her maternal grandmother’s condition had worsened. The old woman had awakened but was disoriented, repeatedly asking for her sons. She also had significant memory loss.

The doctor diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease, progressing rapidly. Usually, such a severe stage took years, but her grandmother’s decline was swift and likely to worsen.

Grace’s heart ached. It felt as if only bad things happened to her, and things would only get worse.

“Grace, the doctor said to let your grandmother see your uncles. How much longer will you keep them away?!” Her relatives practically accused her of heartlessness.

Grace smiled bitterly. The situation was beyond her control.

At day’s end, Grace, exhausted, prepared to go home when Chase blocked her path. “Grace, I’ll… I’ll take you home. I have a car. It’s no trouble.”

Chase blushed slightly.

Grace looked at him, wondering how to avoid hurting such a kind man. She knew he had feelings for her and needed to reject him. She wasn’t suitable for him. Accepting his offer would only hurt him more.

“It’s okay, I don’t live far. It’s a short walk,” Grace replied.

“But you don’t look well,” he said anxiously.

“I’m fine, really,” Grace said, walking past him and leaving the Sanitation Service Center.