Chapter 235

Grace crept toward the bedside table, her breath catching in her throat as her eyes fell upon a picture frame. Almond-shaped eyes wide with disbelief, she stared at the photograph. It was a picture of her. She had no memory of posing for such a picture; in the photograph, her eyes weren't even facing the camera. Who had taken it? Why was it here? And whose room was this?

Click.

The door opened, and Grace looked up. It was Jason.

"Well, looks like Sis already knows the two rooms connect," he said, walking forward with a smile. His eyes were fixed on the picture frame in Grace's hand. "What do you think?"

"How is there a picture of me here?" she asked.

"I took it, of course," he replied, taking the frame from her and placing it back on the table. "I miss you when I can't see you."

His voice rose slightly at the end, a hint of ambiguity in his tone.

A thought struck Grace. "Is this your room?"

"It is," he nodded.

Grace bit her lip. "Then… get me another room."

"Why? Didn't you say you could take any room? What's the problem now? One of us slept on the bed, the other underneath—there wasn't even a door between us," Jason said.

Grace bit her lower lip, her face flushing. She couldn't help remembering their time together in their old rented house. She could simply look down and see him lying beneath her bed. Even the cold room had felt warm. She could approach him so freely then, but now…

He bent down, a shadow clouding his eyes. "Sis," he said softly, "don't look at a man like that, all right?"

Startled, Grace instinctively recoiled, but his hand settled on her waist, stopping her.

"It's… it's late. I'm going to wash up and go to bed," she stammered, her body stiff, fearing a repeat of his kisses from their time in the rented house.

"Is it?" He held her gaze. His eyes seemed to penetrate her thoughts. She quickly lowered her head to avoid his intense stare. They were so beautiful, so captivating, it felt as if they could draw out her very soul.

Then, releasing her, he smiled. "It's late, Sis. Go wash up."

A wave of relief washed over Grace as she hurried from the room, returning to her own and heading for the bathroom.

In the mirror, Grace saw her reflection: flushed cheeks, lips a vibrant, almost glistening red. A hazy softness lingered in her almond-shaped eyes. No wonder Jason had cautioned her.

With a toss of her head, she turned on the tap, the cold water soothing her burning cheeks. What was wrong with her? Even if she couldn't resist Jason, she didn't have to blush like this.