Chapter 21

Brian gently placed Grace on the sofa after entering the lounge. Looking at her left hand, which was cradled in her right, he asked, "Does it hurt?"

"A little," she mumbled.

He saw the pain in her face, knowing she was downplaying it. Her usual calm demeanor was gone; her brow was furrowed, her face pale, and her speech labored. His heart ached.

The sight of her—kneeling, the copper stove crashing onto her hand—had sent a wave of violent pain through him. Almost instinctively, he'd rushed to help her. But why? He'd been in town before, confirming she wasn't the woman he sought, yet he found himself emotionally affected.

Was it her resemblance to someone he remembered? Did she trigger a response despite his knowledge that she wasn't the woman he was looking for?

Soon, the film crew's doctor arrived, quickly examining Grace's injury. He gently checked for bone damage, but when he intensified his examination, Grace winced in pain. Her teeth clamped down on her lip; sweat beaded on her forehead. She nodded and shook her head to answer his questions.

Exhausted, she was covered in cold sweat by the time the examination was over.

"No bone damage," the doctor announced. "Just bruising. Keep it rested and avoid heavy lifting. If you're concerned, get a further examination at the hospital." He added, "I'm just the crew doctor; I can handle minor injuries, but I lack the equipment for more serious ones."

Relieved, Grace replied, "Thank you, doctor." A broken bone would have jeopardized her job at the Sanitation Service Center, where long absences were impossible.

After the doctor left, Brian said, "You should still get it checked out at a hospital."

"I'll just go to the pharmacy for some pain relief," Grace replied. "Thank you for everything."

He frowned. "Why were you kneeling and groveling? Why did you keep repeating it?" He'd seen her earlier, though from behind, so he hadn't recognized her. His visit was an impulsive trip to see Evelyn at work. Only after the accident did he recognize the extra as Evelyn.

"They made me repeat it," Grace said lightly. "To teach the other extras."

Brian narrowed his eyes, focusing on her forehead. The sweat had obscured it earlier, but now, after she wiped it away, he saw a round red mark.