Chapter 427

She… she actually fell asleep!

"You're awake?" Jason's voice sounded. "Would you like to sleep a little longer?"

Grace was startled and looked up at him. "I… I fell asleep. Why didn't you wake me?"

"You were sleeping so soundly, I wanted you to sleep a little longer," Jason replied.

"But I said I was going to visit Nelson! I overslept…" Grace said, picking up her phone and checking the time. Fortunately, it was only 3:00 p.m.; she still had time to go.

"There's still time to go to the hospital. I'll accompany you," Jason said, rising and putting on his coat. He walked toward Grace.

Grace nodded, thinking about her sleep-mussed hair. She removed her hairbands, gathered her hair, and quickly tied it into a ponytail. The whole process took only five or six seconds.

Jason watched, slightly stunned. "Do you always fix your hair that fast?"

"Not really," Grace began, "I used to take half a day… and then, when I was in prison…" She trailed off. Her past incarceration was a painful subject for both of them.

"I'm sorry," Jason said softly.

"No… it's nothing. You're not the reason I was sent to jail," Grace responded quickly, trying to lighten the mood. "Although prison life was bitter, it showed me people's true nature. I now know who is genuinely kind and who wears a mask." Otherwise, she might still be caught up in self-deception.

Jason's eyes darkened imperceptibly. "Are you not afraid I'm wearing a hypocritical mask?"

Grace stared at him for a moment, then laughed. "I have nothing to lose. If you were wearing a mask, you'd have a reason. But I don't think you do."

"Yeah, you're right." Jason smiled faintly, taking her hand. "Let's go."

Unknown to Grace, his biggest goal was for her to love him. He feared that if she discovered his secrets, she would leave him. He swore he would never let her find out.

They arrived at Nelson's ward, which was better than Grace expected—a spacious single room. Nelson, however, was asleep. Grace placed the toys she'd bought for him on the bedside table.

Kyla Corbyn was surprised to see Jason and Grace together. Although she knew his name, she'd never seen him before, and there were few online photos.