Chapter 81

“You need to eat more, Sister.”

Grace made a strangled sound.

“I’m serious,” Jason said. She was too light in his arms. While most men might find that satisfying, for him, it only reinforced her frailty. How easily she could be hurt or taken from him. That fall… it could have killed her. The night he met her… those men could have killed her. That man at his country club could have drowned her. The electric bike could have run her down. And… he shuddered… just how many times had she faced death while in prison?

Her face pressed against his, and she nestled closer as if seeking his warmth. “I can’t remember the last time someone carried me. In my memory, as a child, Mom was the only one who ever did this.” Her voice was wistful. “My memories of those times are too vague.”

He made a soothing sound.

“Jay, you’re so nice,” she murmured.

She could almost feel him smiling. When she glanced up, his mouth remained straight, but his eyes glowed mischievously. “Are you going to say that I’m a nice person again, Sister?” he asked.

“Yes. I want to say that you’re a good brother. I’m very lucky to have a brother like you,” she replied.

“Brother…” He shook his head.

Jason carried Grace to the hospital entrance. Lina’s car arrived shortly after. After they got into the car, Lina launched into a tirade.

“Don’t you dare interrupt me, Grace, because this has gone on long enough!”

Without pausing for breath, Lina relayed the day’s events. Although Jason had already heard a rough account from Terrence, his expression darkened dramatically at Lina’s telling.

“That Zoe went too far! Not only did she maliciously intend to have the store attendant kick us out, but she also intentionally tripped Grace! Can you believe that?! Grace could have been seriously injured. She could have died. This wasn’t a minor fall. That bitch tripped her down an escalator!!!”

“Let it go,” Grace said tiredly.

“Are you insane? Grace, what part of ‘you-could-have-died’ did you not hear!?”

Lina slammed on the brakes at an intersection, and Jason threw out his arm to stop Grace from lurching forward. His hand caught her shoulder, and he gently guided her back against the seat. Seeing Lina’s aggressive driving—a clear reflection of her mood—Jason slung his arm around Grace’s shoulder to cushion her and hold her more securely.

“It’s all because Zoe is a Stevens…” Lina seethed.

“What does that mean?” Jason asked carefully.

“Surely you’ve heard of the Stevens family. They own a significant portion of this city—real estate, businesses, commerce. It’s like they have their greedy hands in everything. And Zoe… she’s the worst! Acting entitled and as if everyone else is dirt beneath her feet.” Lina slapped the steering wheel. “If it weren’t for Grace’s luck, she might have been seriously injured!”

“I’m fine, Lina,” Grace said.

“Your foot is broken! You have bruises all over.” She eyed Jason in the rearview mirror. “Is she crazy?”

Lina turned back to the road. She gnashed her teeth in hatred. “Zoe relies on the Stevens family, which allows her to act so brazenly!”

“The Stevens family…” Jason mumbled softly, with a hint of mockery. “So what if she’s from the Stevens family?”

“Oh, Jay, you really shouldn’t underestimate the Stevens Group.” Her voice was tired. “Look, I can complain about them—and they are a bunch of elitist a**holes—but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re one of the city’s ruling families.”

“Ruling family?” Jason scoffed.

“Money buys a lot of things,” Grace said quietly.

“Exactly,” Lina agreed. “And given their reach and influence, if this went to court, who do you think would win?” She shook her head and hit the brakes hard at a yellow light. If not for her injured passenger, she probably would have run it.

“You weren’t there… before,” Grace said softly. “When the accident happened, it involved the Reed family and the Atkinson family.” Her dark eyes drifted to his. “I was an attorney, Jay, and I swear I was not under the influence. It made no difference.”

“So you think the court case was… influenced by these families?” he asked carefully.

Grace glanced away and stared out the window. “It doesn’t matter now. What’s done is done. I can’t get back my life. And neither can Jennifer Atkinson.”

“Grace, that doesn’t give Zoe the right to harm you,” Lina argued.

“Taking her to court… what difference would it make? Even with the mall surveillance video, what would happen? She’d pay a small fine?” Grace shrugged. “It isn’t worth the effort.”

“Then let’s not go to court,” Jason said.

“Then wouldn’t Grace be at a disadvantage?” Lina’s voice was outraged. “No, they have to compensate her for all the medical fees and her lost income. Even though these fees won’t mean much to them, we still can’t be on the losing end.”

Jason’s hand unconsciously tightened on Grace’s shoulder. “Your suffering will not be in vain, Sister. Whoever hurts you will have to pay for it,” Jason replied coldly.

Rage bloomed in his eyes.

Grace gasped. Fear filled her eyes as she stared at him, almost as if she were seeing him clearly for the first time. She had the abrupt sensation that the Jay sitting before her was a stranger—a dangerous stranger.

And yet, the rage in his eyes disappeared, replaced by their usual calmness.

His lips opened and closed. “What’s wrong?”

“Noth-nothing.” She shook her head, telling herself she was imagining things. When they arrived at Grace’s apartment, Jason carried her again. She cherished the way he held her, but part of her wondered what sort of violence those same hands were capable of.