Chapter 3 Only One Bed
989 Words
At the Montgomery Manor, there were only two people Grace couldn't refuse: Ethan and Chloe.
Five years ago, Grace had unknowingly saved an elderly woman having a heart attack by the roadside, only to later discover that woman was Ethan's grandmother.
Because of this, Chloe had taken a liking to Grace, leading to her becoming Ethan's wife.
Grace texted Ethan her location.
When the black Maybach pulled up to the curb, she hesitated briefly before getting in.
In the driver's seat, Ethan was dressed sharply in a tailored suit. His chiseled features had a way of making people's imaginations run wild. However, he looked tired, with faint dark circles under his eyes.
Grace couldn't help but feel concerned but also scolded herself for being too soft-hearted.
"Found a job so soon?" Ethan's tone carried a hint of genuine curiosity.
"Just at a law firm. Doing something I enjoy," she replied.
Ethan hummed in response, his gaze flickering with a complicated emotion.
"Looks like I wronged you by asking you to be a full-time wife before," he said.
Grace had spent five years as a full-time wife in the Montgomery household.
Startled, Grace quickly realized he'd misunderstood her.
"Seatbelt," Ethan suddenly said before she could explain.
Before she could react, Ethan leaned over, reaching out habitually to buckle her seatbelt.
The close proximity made their breaths mingle. His warm breath brushed against her ear, and her cheeks flushed.
She had always been sensitive to Ethan's touch.
But remembering their current relationship, Grace snapped out of it, fumbling to fasten the seatbelt herself.
"It's okay, I got it," she said hurriedly.
Noticing Ethan's paused movement, Grace pushed down the sour feeling in her chest and explained, "I need to start getting used to doing it myself."
She had never learned to drive and often forgot to buckle up.
For five years of marriage, Ethan had always remembered.
What she once thought was a sign of affection now seemed like nothing more than habit.
Grace didn't want to misunderstand anymore.
At Montgomery Manor, Chloe was surrounded by a team of medical staff, her persistent cough filling the room.
"Grandma, are you feeling any better?"
Grace pushed through the crowd, worry etched on her face as she looked at Chloe, whose hair was now streaked with white.
Hearing her voice, Chloe lit up, pulling Grace into her arms.
"Oh, my darling Grace! I missed you so much. Just seeing you makes me feel better already."
Grace froze, caught off guard, but the butler, Adam nearby explained softly, "Mrs. Montgomery has been missing you."
Grace was still processing when Chloe began coughing again. The doctors attended to her until she finally looked more comfortable.
Grace anxiously asked the doctor what was wrong, but they couldn't pinpoint the cause, only suggesting rest and avoiding stress.
"Grandma, I'll stay with you," Grace said, her voice full of determination.
Chloe nodded, delighted.
"My sweet Grace. I knew you wouldn't abandon me," Chloe said, sitting up excitedly. "Butler, prepare a room for Grace to stay with me."
Ethan stood silently nearby, his gaze thoughtful as he glanced at the doctor.
Chloe quickly turned grumpy.
"Ethan, you ungrateful boy! You've forgotten your grandma now that you have a wife. It's been ages since you brought Grace to see me!"
Grace couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Chloe's behavior.
Normally, Chloe was close to her but never this openly dramatic.
Chloe grabbed Grace's hand, her expression softening.
"Grace, Ethan hasn't been giving you a hard time lately, has he?"
Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "Five years ago, you took such good care of him. If it weren't for you running around, taking care of everything, Ethan wouldn't have recovered so quickly. I remember how awful his temper was back then—breaking dishes and slamming tables every day. Only you were kind enough to put up with him."
As Chloe reminisced, Grace and Ethan remained silent, perfectly in sync for once.
But Chloe wasn't done. After some rambling, she made the two of them promise her one thing.
"My only wish at this age is to hold a great-grandchild. You two have been married for years. It's time to make it happen."
Grace's face burned with embarrassment.
Chloe, however, wouldn't let up until they agreed. Left with no choice, Grace tugged at Ethan's sleeve, silently pleading.
Ethan pressed his lips together but hadn't responded before Chloe added dramatically, "I don't know how much time I have left to see my dream come true… cough, cough…"
Hearing this, Grace couldn't bear it anymore. Gritting her teeth, she nodded.
"Grandma, I promise. But you have to take good care of yourself and live a long, healthy life."
"Doctor!" Ethan called out, instructing them to help Chloe rest.
After ensuring Chloe was settled, Grace was thinking of how to politely decline staying at the manor when Adam suddenly appeared.
"Mrs. Montgomery insisted that you and Ethan stay here until you're expecting. Only then can you move back out."
"But—"
Adam sighed softly, cutting her off.
"Mrs. Montgomery, she found out you moved out, and it upset her so much she got sick."
He paused before adding, "As for Ms. Flores, Mrs. Montgomery has made it clear. She says that woman has no loyalty, and any ties with her are long gone."
Grace didn't know much about Ethan and Lily's past.
All she knew was that they had been childhood sweethearts, but Lily had left for another country after Ethan's car accident five years ago.
Rumors said Lily had abandoned Ethan.
Lost in thought, Grace returned to the room only to find Ethan already in pajamas.
"Grandma isn't in the best health. Looks like we'll have to stay for a couple of days and figure it out later," Ethan said, his tone serious.
Grace nodded, not wanting to argue further.
However, the room had only one bed.
- Writer
