"No," he said, but he recalled that after carrying her back to their rental apartment, he'd wanted to put her on the bed. She clung to him. When he tried to lay her down, she pulled him onto the bed and rolled on top of him. A man of rigorous control and training, how had he let his guard down? Before he could get up, she touched his face.

"Your eyes are so beautiful I really like them" she murmured.

"Like?" The word wasn't strange. Many women had said they liked him, and his eyes. When he was young, his father would gaze into his eyes, lost in thought, muttering, "The kind of eyes you have are deceptive. They look very emotional, but in reality, they're the most heartless. I don't know if you'll be emotional or heartless in the future."

"They're clean" She traced his brow with her fingertips. "Clear."

He sneered. She was drunk. Of course his eyes were clean or clear; he'd showered that morning.

"It's like they've never been tainted by any sin they're clean" She was so drunk she didn't seem to notice her face was almost touching his. "Jay, don't be afraid I will protect you"

She then lay on his chest and fell asleep. Protect him? This woman couldn't protect herself, yet she wanted to protect him? What a joke.

Grace's face flushed as she stared at him. She didn't remember.

"You didn't do anything. You just fell asleep."

She sighed in relief. His eyes fell on the red, swollen part of her cheek. "Does your face hurt?"

Her eyes widened. "It's fine." It was true; she'd endured much worse in prison.

"What happened yesterday? How did you get hurt and drunk?" he asked.

"Nothing, I just met a drunkard and had a little conflict," she said lightly, unwilling to reveal last night's darkness. She always felt he was pure, untainted by the world's horrors, even though he'd wandered the streets. She hoped he'd stay that way.

"Is that so?" He frowned. "It would have been better if I'd arrived earlier. You wouldn't have been hurt."

In reality, he could have intervened sooner. This was a game, adding spice to his boring life. He'd even anticipated something might happen after she entered the private room. But seeing what happened, he wasn't happy.

"It's good enough you came to the club. Otherwise, I might have slept in the street," Grace said, tugging his hand. "Thank you, Jay. It's really good to have you here. And I'm fine, really. Just a slap. Nothing."

It was nothing to him either. But the bruise offended him, and her smile, her look of adoration… it stirred something within him.

"What? Evelyn tricked you into drinking with a man? She's shameless! I'm going to find her!" Lina had seen Grace that day; her face was still faintly red and swollen.

"So what?" Grace restrained Lina. "I was careless. I thought she'd try to get money. I didn't expect but luckily, Jay picked me up."

"Jay?"

"He's living with me. Think of him as my younger brother. I got him to call me 'sister'," Grace said, a smile appearing unconsciously.

"Younger brother? How old is he?" Lina asked.

"Twenty-seven, a few months younger than me."

Lina almost choked. She couldn't believe her friend was living with a man.

"What are you thinking? What if he has evil intentions? You studied law! Are you not thinking about the risks!"

"I know, but, Lina, I don't feel as lonely. Plus, Jay is nice."

"Lonely? You still have me! I'll move in with you!" Lina said.

"Don't. Your parents will hate me even more," Grace said.

During her car accident, she hadn't been drinking, but the evidence suggested otherwise. No one believed her except Lina, who'd worked tirelessly on Grace's case, even giving up studying abroad. This angered Lina's parents, who felt Grace had ruined Lina's career. And it was true; without Grace's case, Lina would have a better life.

"Jay's like a little brother. I always wanted one. Now my wish came true," Grace said.

Lina knew she couldn't dissuade her. "Let me meet him next time."

"Sure," Grace replied.

"This is a copy of your case and some information I've found," Lina handed Grace documents. "Are you planning on reopening the case?"

"I don't know. I don't know where to find the witness, and the evidence still points to me. I haven't been able to reverse the verdict for three years. In the future…"

"Perhaps we'll find an opportunity. Don't forget you're Grace Cummins, and you don't give up easily," Lina said.

Grace smiled, a forced smile. Three years in prison had dulled her spirit, and she acknowledged the system's corruption.

Grace returned to the apartment, finding it empty. Jay was gone. The emptiness deepened. She liked his company, but how would she feel when he left? Would this time have been a balm or would she feel worse, even more lonely?