Chapter 52

“Sister, do you like that man because of what he said?” Jason asked, his dark eyes boring into hers. An unsettling feeling, akin to attraction or anticipation, tickled her spine. But this was her “brother,” and she pushed the thoughts away.

Grace cleared her throat. “No, I don’t like Chase.”

He tilted his head, a lock of thick hair shadowing one eye. Jay was handsome, and the boyish tilt only enhanced his good looks. Grace sucked in a breath, catching his scent and wanting to lean closer, to see if the smooth skin on his neck tasted as good as it smelled.

She searched his eyes, swallowing hard as his gaze dipped to her mouth, then back up. Did he want to kiss me?

“Oh God, what am I thinking?!” Grace laughed at the thought.

“Are you sure?” he pressed.

What was he asking about? Her mind was still on kissing… Chase. Right. “No, I don’t like Chase,” she replied. “I can only apologize for his feelings.”

Her reply seemed to please him; his lips curved. He was likely protecting her, as any brother would. She knew she shouldn't dwell on a normal future. Even if a man claimed her past didn't bother him, she knew it would eventually.

Jason stared at her. “Sister, do you really not like that man?”

“Why would I lie?” she retorted. “Since leaving jail, I haven’t considered falling in love. I did that once, poured all my emotions into someone, and was devastated when abandoned. I don’t want to go through that again.”

A touch of joy flickered in his eyes. “Then you must reject him. Otherwise, a man like him will likely wait forever.”

“I’ll reject him,” she said. Chase deserved better. “Since I don’t reciprocate his feelings, I won’t string him along. He’s a good man and should be with someone who truly belongs to him, not waste time on me.”

Jay’s lips thinned. “How does he know about your jail time?”

Grace’s face darkened. “A colleague learned about my car accident years ago; now the entire Sanitation Service Center knows about my imprisonment.”

Shame washed over her. She wouldn’t forget their accusing stares, the whispers, the sidelong glances. “All right, let go of me. I still have to tidy the room.”

Jason released her. Her moods affected him; her joy buoyed him, her sadness weighed him down, making him want to right the world’s wrongs just to see her smile. Such feelings were unacceptable. This was a game, a diversion.

He’d wanted a glimpse behind her facade, harboring doubts about Grace Cummins. But each day revealed another layer, and what he saw didn’t match his preconceptions. He was… growing attached.

Even this pitiful apartment delighted him, simply because Grace was in it. He didn’t know how long they could play this game, live in this insulated bubble. But as he thought it, his subconscious whispered he could do this… for the rest of his life.

For the next few days, Grace’s colleagues continued to whisper and gossip at the Sanitation Service Center, many intentionally distancing themselves. She’d prepared herself, but knowing and experiencing were different. The cruel gossip hurt.

However, Claire treated Grace as usual, supporting her at work, which Grace appreciated.

“Grace, you’re a university graduate. Why this job? Do you really want to sweep roads for life?” Claire asked during their lunch break.

“I have a criminal record; it’s not easy to find a job,” Grace said frankly. “Many employers asked about the incident. When they learned I was the perpetrator who killed Mr. Reed’s fiancée, Jennifer Atkinson, they all rejected me.”