Chapter 99

Grace had repeatedly told the kind elderly woman from their neighborhood that Jay was not her boyfriend, but her "brother." However, even after learning there was no blood relation, the woman insisted on treating them as a couple.

The old woman chuckled at the absurdity. "Maybe not now," she said with a smile, "but you will be in the future. What brother and sister? It's just a figure of speech. Your friendship will be the foundation of your future relationship."

It sounded profound, but Grace couldn't allow herself to hope. She stood to lose too much and could only hope things remained as they were with Jay. If so, she would consider herself incredibly lucky.

Jay, when addressed as Grace's "boyfriend," never protested or argued; he even smiled.

Jason gently seated Grace on a park bench and said, "It's colder today. I'll get you more clothes."

"Mm. Okay," she agreed.

Returning with more clothes, he saw several women from the community surrounding Grace, talking to her. She blushed and waved her hands, denying something.

Jason slowed his steps. He found her blush adorable, even endearing.

The women grinned and left, winking at Grace, which made her blush even deeper.

"What's wrong?" Jason asked, wrapping another layer of clothing around her.

Her almond-shaped, jet-black eyes were embarrassed; she bit her lip, glancing up at him. He thought she was undeniably adorable, but also beautiful, radiant, even luminous. He sensed something special in her.

The elderly women had recognized it. Perhaps instinctively, he had too, the night he first saw her. Grace was good, kind, giving, and strong, yet flexible. He marveled at her resilience and generosity, given all she'd endured. It was incredible.

Her face flushed crimson, her cheeks like an apple's skin. He felt a surge of lust, quickly suppressed, but a strange feeling lingered. Her influence on him was growing; even her blush made him want her.

"Theythey thought you were my boyfriend," she whispered.

"Haven't they thought that for a while?" he asked.

"Then they said you were too beautiful," she said, even more embarrassed.

"And then?"

"After that, they started teaching me husband-taming techniques." She couldn't bring herself to elaborate.

"Well then, you can use them on me later to see if they work," Jason said.

"Why, you too" Grace bit her lip.

His throat tightened. At that moment, her phone rang. She answered in a low voice. After the call, she said, "I'm going back to my mother's hometown for Thanksgiving. My grandmother wants to see me."

When her father married her stepmother, he'd sent Grace to her mother's home. Her grandmother cared for her until her health failed, then her grandfather took over. Grace only visited during holidays. After high school, she'd save for bus fare to see her grandmother—until a disaster three years prior. Her grandmother's health worsened, relatives distanced themselves, and calls were ignored. This was the first contact from her mother's side in three years.

"Jay, my family has avoided me since the accident. Why would they call me home now?"

Jason could only imagine, and it filled him with dread.

Author's Note: Thank you for your love for Grace and Jason. I've read your comments and apologize for any mistakes. Please let me know if you have any further questions.