Chapter 68

“Jay,” she called, louder this time. “Stay with me.”

Grace held his face, staring into his eyes. The memories surged, a wave dragging him miles out to sea. He wasn’t ignoring her, but once he embarked on this path of recollection, it was hard to shake the details and emotions that flooded in. It wasn’t just his mother; it was his father’s death, his grandfather’s abuse, and the absence of family and familiarity. Was it any wonder he’d turned out this way? His past had forged him into the man he was now—one who could lie effortlessly and manipulate people as if life were a chess game.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing.” Nothing anyone could fix.

“That’s good.” She sighed in relief. “You looked like…” She paused, searching for the right words. “Like a piece of glass about to shatter. You scared me.”

“Glass?” He chuckled, a dark, hostile glint flashing in his eyes before disappearing. His gaze returned to normal. “Sister, in this world, no one can break me.”

Grace dropped her hands. She seemed unsteady, as if seeing him for the first time. Was she finally sensing he wasn’t a misshapen man needing saving? Was she seeing that he’d appointed himself her protector and would destroy anyone who came between them?

He didn’t know why. He’d asked himself that question often.

“As long as you’re okay,” she whispered.

And there it was—absolute trust. Grace was too smart and perceptive to believe everything was as simple as it seemed, but she didn’t pry. She didn’t force him to be anything other than what he claimed. Would anyone else have indulged his secrets? He doubted it.

He stared at her. “Sister, you’ll never leave me, right?”

She smiled. “Didn’t we agree? You won’t leave me, and neither will I.”

“Yes, I just forgot,” he murmured, pulling her into an embrace, savoring her presence. Of all the souls on Earth, he was most content with her.

Yet, despite her promise, he felt uneasy. Was he afraid she’d desert him if she discovered his true identity? ‘Brother’ Jay could stay by her side, but what about Jason Reed? Could he?

In the Stevens family living room, Mr. Stevens asked his son, Sean, “Lily said Jason had his secretary pick you up. Why did he suddenly want to meet privately?” A hint of concern colored his words—a tone Sean rarely heard, and knew the reason for. The Stevens family was embroiled in dealings with the Reeds, their business worsening daily. Their impending marriage alliance with the Atkinsons was their only hope for recovery. His father feared Jason harbored prejudice against the Stevens family, jeopardizing the marriage.

“What did he say?” Mr. Stevens pressed.

“Nothing much,” Sean said.

“‘Nothing much’ because you say so, or because there actually is nothing to tell? I don’t believe that, Sean. Why would Jason send his secretary for no reason?” Mr. Stevens asked angrily.

“That’s right, Sean,” his mother said, entering the room. “Lily’s right to contact us—we should have heard about Mr. Reed’s visit from you. If anything happened, just be honest,” she said persuasively.

Sean took a deep breath. “It’s really nothing.”

His father crossed his arms. “It had to be something. Quit playing games.”

Sean couldn’t tell them. If Jason Reed learned he’d shared his “relationship” with Grace Cummins, the retribution would be swift and brutal. Jason Reed didn’t make idle threats. The old Reed patriarch was rumored to be severe, but Sean felt Jason was the true menace. Jason feared nothing and no one, his influence seemingly boundless.

“Does Jason still hold a grudge? Does he want to take action against us?” Mr. Stevens asked.

“It has nothing to do with the Stevens family,” Sean lied. “He just talked about my engagement. He wished us happiness and success.” It was the only excuse he could think of.

His parents visibly relaxed at this.

Meanwhile, Sean’s sister, Zoe, said indignantly, “It’s all because of Grace. If it weren’t for her, why would our family be so nervous about this marriage?”