Chapter 76

Grace took the check and left the store with Lina. Cursing and muttering followed them; Grace imagined the store personnel gossiping—and she didn't care. She'd intended to get under their skin. It was petty and unnecessary; she'd only wanted Sean to feel a few seconds of shame. But he'd called her bluff and followed through. Sean wasn't wealthy by accident; he was incredibly stingy—except when trying to impress.

"Grace, don't you think this is a little weird?" Lina said as soon as they were outside. "Sean wrote you a huge check and gave it to you without hesitation. Lily was there too! Isn't he afraid his 'fiancée' will lose it?"

"It is quite strange," Grace replied neutrally.

"Uh, does Sean still like you?" Lina ventured.

Grace shrugged. "No, I don't think so."

"Grace, he just spent an obscene amount of money on you."

"True. But I don't think it's affection. I don't even think it's ego. Sean's too cheap for that. I think it's fear. He's afraid I'll get angry at Zoe and harm the Stevens family," Grace explained, voicing her intuition.

Lina found this ridiculous. "Isn't he overthinking it?"

"Who knows?" Grace shrugged, holding up the check. "What are you going to do with it anyway? Are you going to tear it up?" Lina asked. "Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see you spend it on yourself. It's the least that piece of shit can do, after how he and that trash Lily treated you. But something tells me you won't be taking it to the bank."

"No, I won't."

Lina shook her head incredulously. "You're just going to tear it up?"

"No. Why tear it up? I'll donate it to someone who needs it," Grace said, carefully putting the check in her bag.

Lina beamed. "That's more like it!" Then she sighed. "That prick will probably use it as a tax write-off."

Both women laughed, instantly forgetting the unpleasantness of their encounter. After walking around for a while, they shared several small dishes in the mall food court. It felt like old times! Grace almost imagined the last few years hadn't happened, and they were just catching up after a long work week.

But the past was undeniable. And since she wouldn't be who she was now—stronger and more self-aware—without it, she didn't resent it. If not for everything that happened, she wouldn't have met Jay.

"Let's head back," Grace said. She'd saved half her food and the baklava for Jay. She was eager to get home to him.

As they approached the escalator to the underground parking lot, they saw Sean, Zoe, and Lily again. Ugh, these people were a persistent nuisance!

The trio looked miserable—expressions of anger, disbelief, and hatred evident on their faces. They fell silent as Grace and Lina approached.

Grace paused, almost suggesting they take a longer route, but she didn't want to appear weak. She followed Lina's lead, lifting her chin and looking straight ahead.

Zoe glared and shook her head.

"Don't even think about it," Sean warned. "If you say another word to her, I'll have you sent abroad."

Zoe was incredulous. "You'd punish me!? For this murderous bitch!?"

As Grace neared the escalator, Zoe deliberately tripped her. Grace fell forward, tumbling down the moving steps.

Lina screamed, rushing to the emergency stop button. It was too late; Grace had rolled down many steps.

Lina raced down the stairs. "Are you okay? Can you move? Tell me what hurts?" Before Grace could answer, Lina was yelling at Zoe. "Do you know you could have killed her?"

Zoe clutched her chest, feigning disbelief. "She walked without looking and hit my foot. It's her fault she fell!"

"Don't bullshit me," Lina yelled. "We'll check the security cameras! And if she's hurt, I'm pressing charges!"

She looked nervously at Grace. "Grace, are you okay?"

"It hurts…" Grace gasped, shocked and breathless. Every bone ached; she feared a broken bone.

"I'll take you to the hospital," Lina said urgently.

"You fell down some steps and you're going to the hospital!? You're making a big deal out of nothing. Are you going to ask me for medical reimbursement next?" Zoe sneered sarcastically.

Unexpectedly, Zoe's face was viciously slapped, nearly knocking her off the escalator.

"Brother!" Zoe cried, clutching her face and staring at Sean in disbelief.

Sean's face was hard. "Apologize! Apologize to Grace right now!"