The Art of Resentment

(Grace's POV) There’s no real reason that Jasper Montgomery and I hate each other. Maybe it’s because his Jezebel of a mother seduced my grieving father after my mom died. Maybe it’s because we briefly dated years ago. Maybe it’s because I’m pretty open about how much I hate his guts. Either way, it’s beyond me how this man child thinks he can just uproot my life like this. I mean this was low even for him. “What’s low for me exactly?” "Fuck." I must have said that out loud. I snapped out of my daze as I looked up at him. For such an asshole, he was blessed with looks. He stood a full foot above me at 6’2, his tall frame somewhat bulky. He used to be so skinny back in high school. I remember how his friends would tease him for being built like a stick. Looking at him now, the extra weight looks good on him. His muscles seemed to dip and curve in all the right places effortlessly. He gazed down at me past his thick dark hair that was hanging slightly in his eyes. The old me might’ve brushed them away just to gaze at his autumn eyes better. But not this time. I had to come back into reality again. He had changed since high school. Sure, physically, it was obvious, but there was something else about him that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. A confidence, maybe. Or maybe it was just arrogance. Either way, it irritated me that I was standing here feeling flustered by someone who used to be nothing more than a background character in my life. Now, he had a presence that was impossible to ignore, as though he knew exactly how to fill up space and demand attention without even trying. I hated the way he made me feel—like I was the same awkward, invisible girl from back then. I had spent years growing, finding myself, and becoming someone who didn’t shrink in the presence of others. Yet here I was, under his gaze, feeling as though all that progress could vanish in a heartbeat. “You coming here. God, I can’t believe you,” I rolled my eyes at him and quickly turned on my heel to walk away. Carrying his bags into the house he frowned at me slightly, “Well that’s not very welcoming, Gracie.” I hate when he calls me that. “Where’s the rest?” Since my dad got sick last year, his health has been rapidly declining. I have to admit that it’s been a lot to deal with all by myself, but that didn’t mean that I wanted the Montgomery’s to move in with us. “They’re a few minutes away. I drove solo…and I wanted to have the pleasure of saying hello to you first,” He smirked at me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. Jasper’s smirk was infuriating, a reminder of why I loathed him so much. His casual demeanor, like he had every right to be here, only made things worse. “Pleasure? Please,” I snapped, not bothering to turn around. “The only pleasure you’re getting is the satisfaction of watching me lose my mind.” He chuckled, that maddeningly smooth, self-assured chuckle that always made me want to throw something at him. “I didn’t realize my presence was such a hardship. It’s just a few months. You can handle it.” I whirled around to face him, my frustration barely contained. “You think it’s that simple? This isn’t just about you crashing at my house. This is about everything—about you and your family barging into a space that was never meant to include you.” Jasper’s eyes softened momentarily, a flicker of something—guilt, maybe?—before his usual smirk returned. “I didn’t realize my mother’s choices were a personal affront to you. But since we’re airing grievances, let’s get one thing straight: I’m not here to make your life miserable.” “You’re doing a damn good job of it already,” I retorted. His expression grew serious. “Look, I get it. My mom and your dad, that whole mess… it’s a lot to process. But we’re all adults here. Can’t we just make the best of it?” It definitely was a mess. The whole thing was insane. His attempt at diplomacy did nothing to quell my anger. If anything, it made me more irritated. “Make the best of it? This is not some summer camp where we all hold hands and sing Kumbaya. This is my home. My life.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair, which only made him look more disarmingly attractive. “I’m not asking for a truce, Gracie. Just… let’s not make things harder than they need to be. I’m here to support my family, and that includes you.” The sincerity in his voice was almost enough to make me doubt my own anger, but then I remembered why I’d built these walls in the first place. “You want to support your family? Fine. But don’t expect me to roll out the red carpet. We have a lot to work through, and I’m not about to pretend everything’s okay just because you say it is.” Before he could respond, the sound of car doors slamming and muffled voices from outside cut our conversation short. The Montgomery's were here. I could already feel the pressure of their arrival like an unwelcome weight on my shoulders. “Looks like the real fun is about to start,” Jasper said with a hint of amusement. “Shall we?” I didn’t answer, instead turning away to greet the new arrivals. Jasper followed, his presence a constant reminder of the unwanted changes coming to my doorstep. As his family came into view, I braced myself for the tortuous months ahead.