Chapter 3

Grace didn't know where to turn for twenty thousand dollars. At 9:00 pm, she called Ethan again. A deep, slightly hoarse voice answered, reminding her of snowflakes on a winter night.

"Grace Lambert?"

An invisible hand seemed to tighten around her throat, suffocating her with grief.

"Hello, Ethan. Can you lend me twenty thousand dollars? I'm in the hospital and can't afford the medical bills."

Only steady breathing and the faint rustle of fabric responded. Just as Grace braced herself for rejection, he asked, "Account number?"

"Let...let me find it."

She frantically searched the bag beside her, fearing he'd hang up. The nurse had assured her it was hers, but it contained only cosmetics. Finally, she located a card in the innermost compartment and read the number aloud. Within a minute, a bank transfer notification arrived.

Grace hesitated to end the call. Ethan was the only person to acknowledge her since her amnesia. She paused for three minutes, unsure what to say. Surprisingly, he didn't hang up. In the silence, they could hear each other breathe.

"Ethan, I…"

"Are your injuries serious?"

His voice lacked gentleness, carrying the chill of a late-night breeze. Yet, to Grace, it was the first genuine concern she'd heard since waking. Something stirred in her heart, but her words failed her. "I'm fine now. Thank you. I'll find a way to pay you back."

"Grace, how long are you planning to lie to me this time?"

Her heart leaped. Panicked, she hung up, her mind a whirlwind. What did he mean? Had she lied to him before? She couldn't understand. All she could do was settle her hospital bill and arrange her discharge.

Stepping out of the hospital, she was lost. She had no money and no idea where she lived. She found an address in her messages and took a taxi. The destination was a beautiful villa with a meticulously maintained garden.

The taxi driver tapped the steering wheel. "That'll be a hundred dollars. Cash or transfer?"

Grace exited the car, looking awkward. A luxury car pulled up. Yancey was behind the wheel; Alice, looking radiant, sat beside him.

Alice stepped out, concerned. "Grace, why did you leave the hospital?" Her dress shimmered with crystals; her handbag was a limited-edition model worth at least three million dollars.

"Didn't Yancey tell you? Your boyfriend is Ethan Henderson."

Alice's eyes reddened. "Are you here because of me again? What do you want from me?"

Before Grace could answer, Yancey emerged, his gaze mocking. "I thought you'd last longer, but you couldn't even hold out six hours. Grace, do you have no shame? I like Alice. Do you enjoy being humiliated? Why do you make things difficult for her?"

Alice leaned into his embrace, shaking her head. "Forget it, Yancey. I'm used to it."

Grace's face drained of color. Still in her oversized hospital gown, her lashes trembled. She looked away and whispered, "Do you have a hundred dollars? Can you lend it to me?"

Yancey scoffed, his disgust evident. "I'd rather give it to a dog."

He looked at Alice. "Let's go inside. Ignore her."

Alice wiped her eyes and smiled softly. "Grace, here. Take my card."

Grace wanted to accept it; she was desperate. But as her fingers reached for the card, another luxury car arrived. Her mother, Carmen Oblak, stepped out, furious. Seeing the scene, she slapped Grace.

"Are you bullying Alice again? Haven't you taken enough from her? Grace Lambert, what do you want from us? Do you want to make everyone miserable? Ever since Alice was found, you've made her life difficult. Why weren't you the one kidnapped? Alice has suffered enough. Grow up!"