Chapter 17

After the Urban Management Bureau inspection, Mia told Grace, “We’re having a high school reunion this weekend. Come!”

Grace laughed. Given her circumstances, attending would be disastrous. She suspected Mia intended just that. “You’re so kind,” Grace said, “but no, I can’t go.”

“Oh, come on, Grace! It’s rare! What are you busy with?” Mia persisted.

Did Mia think Grace was born yesterday?

Mia had been consistently cruel and petty. Grace imagined the “reunion”: Mia broadcasting Grace’s fall from grace—former beauty queen and valedictorian, now a sanitation worker with a prison record.

No way.

“I work weekends,” Grace said. “Do you think I get weekends off, given my job?”

Mia was speechless. She’d forgotten.

“However…” Mia began, but Grace interrupted.

“I’m clearing rubbish. Let’s talk later.” Grace turned to leave.

Mia was so obvious. Grace repeated her mantra: It’s okay. You’re okay. Tomorrow is a new day. She couldn't control others, but she could control herself and choose positivity.

Two days later, the Vice Director instructed Grace to deliver a document to someone at the Urban Management Bureau. The problem: it was the weekend, and the Bureau representatives were at a country club luncheon.

Sanitation workers weren’t allowed in. Several club employees tried to stop Grace in the lobby. Wealthy patrons stared, their unspoken question clear: What is SHE doing here? She felt like an alien.

Grace had been to this club before, for dinners and charity events. Sean had been a member.

A staff member nodded. “We’re expecting you,” he said, leading her to a ballroom. Many people were inside.

A familiar voice called, “Look who’s here!”

Mia Jenkins, Maria, and several high school classmates were there.

“There you are, Grace!” Mia announced.

Grace knew this was deliberate. Mia, having connections at the Urban Management Bureau, had orchestrated this. The Vice Director would comply with Mia’s request.

“See! I didn’t lie. The prettiest girl in our class is a sanitation worker!” Maria sneered.

Grace’s uniform clashed sharply with the elegant attire of the others.

Greg scoffed, “Is this our brilliant scholar? Imprisoned for three years. Almost didn’t recognize you. Aw, what’s wrong, Sean didn’t want you after you killed his sister?”

The mention of Sean, Jennifer’s death, and Greg’s presence froze Grace. Painful memories flooded back.

Greg smirked. “Not so high and mighty now, are you?”

Greg had always been entitled. He’d cornered her at a charity auction once, assaulting her until Sean intervened. Now, there was no one to protect her.

Greg touched a scar near his eye. “Your ex is untouchable… but you aren’t. And I still owe you for what he did to me.”

Mia and Maria watched gleefully.

Grace ignored Greg, handing Mia the document. “This is what you requested.”

Mia smiled. “Grace, sorry you had to come.” Her grin betrayed her true feelings—this was better than Christmas for her.

As Grace left, Greg grabbed her arm. “Why the rush? Let’s catch up.” He offered her wine. “Don’t tell me you can’t drink! You were convicted of DUI.”

Grace refused. He spilled wine on himself, slapped her, and shouted, “Do you think you’re still Sean’s girlfriend? You’re an ex-con, a sanitation worker! You don’t know what’s good for you!” He then poured wine over her head.

Her classmates cringed but didn’t intervene. Maria laughed openly. Mia smiled. “Grace, apologize to Greg.”

Grace was humiliated and assaulted, but she wouldn’t apologize. She might be their target, but she had dignity.

“No.”

Greg’s rage intensified. “Do you think you’re still Sean’s girlfriend? I’m giving you a chance to apologize. Even if I raped you right here, no one would stand up for you!”

The meal was announced, and the guests left, ignoring Grace. Greg grabbed her shirt, sending her sprawling. Her shirt tore, exposing her skin.

“No!” Grace screamed as he advanced.

“What’s wrong with her skin?” Maria asked.

“Probably from the accident,” Mia replied.

No. Her pale skin was from her time in prison, and the scars weren’t from the car accident, but from abuse. Maria stepped on Grace’s hand with her heel.

“Grace,” Maria said dramatically, “Why the rush? You haven’t apologized to Gregory.” She twisted her heel, increasing the pressure.

The pain triggered memories of her prison days. But Grace wasn’t helpless now. She pushed Maria’s foot away, stood, and ran.

She was caught by her hair, yanked backward, and thrown to the floor.

“Stop! Leave me alone!”

The door remained closed. Greg twisted her hair. “Are you trying to run away? My family owns this club…”

A familiar voice interrupted: “Greg, what are you doing?”

It was Sean.

Seeing Sean, after everything, felt devastating. And there, beside him, was Lily Atkinson, the woman who’d goaded him to be merciless.

“Let me go,” Grace demanded.

Greg looked to Sean for permission. Sean shrugged. “We’re here for dinner. How you choose to… entertain… yourself is up to you, Greg. I have nothing to do with her.”

Grace’s heart shattered. She’d expected indifference, but this was something far worse. To impress his fiancée?

“Take this outside,” Sean suggested. “Good night.” He and Lily left.

Greg dragged Grace toward a pond.

“I’ll press charges!” Grace declared. “There are witnesses.”

Greg laughed. “You’re an ex-con. And I own this club. Who will they believe?”

Grace dug in her heels, fighting him. He shoved her face into the water. She thrashed, choked, and fought against his grip. He punished her again and again, until finally, a voice echoed from the second floor:

“Enough! Bring that woman to me!”

Grace’s vision blurred, but she knew that voice. “Brother?”