Chapter 6 The One She Can't Let Go Of
1086 Words
The two were standing very close, their breaths mingling in the warm, heavy air.
Grace felt herself enveloped by Ethan's heat, her heartbeat quickening. The atmosphere between them was thick, almost suffocating. Instinctively, she tried to pull away but nearly bumped into the nightstand.
"Careful."
Ethan reached out swiftly, pulling her into his arms. The sudden motion caused her to wrap her arms around his waist for balance.
The position was too intimate.
Feeling the searing warmth of Ethan's body, Grace's entire being stiffened. She scrambled to free herself, her voice panicked. "What are you doing?"
Ethan raised an eyebrow, an amused glint in his eyes. It was the first time he had seen Grace so flustered. Her bright, expressive eyes carried a mix of embarrassment and frustration, and it made him want to tease her even more.
"You're the one who hugged me first," he said with a smirk.
Grace's cheeks burned. "That's because you startled me! Who sneaks up on someone in the middle of the night?"
Ethan's grin widened. "Fine, fine. My fault."
Grace huffed, clearly annoyed by his playful attitude. She turned her back to him and muttered angrily, "Your spot is on the couch."
Ethan's smile faded as his gaze darkened. He watched her back for a moment before speaking.
When he had come back earlier, she had been in the middle of a nightmare, crying out a name repeatedly.
"Alex."
It wasn't the first time.
Even in her dreams, Grace couldn't let go of him. Was it the boy from that photograph? The childhood crush she couldn't forget?
Ethan had tried to investigate many times but always came up empty-handed. When he'd asked her directly, she had avoided answering, her silence speaking volumes.
Grace still held someone else in her heart.
Ethan's thoughts grew colder. His previously unreadable eyes turned icy as he rose to his feet. His tone was detached. "We should find a time to tell Grandma about the divorce soon. Lily can't handle any more stress."
With that, Ethan closed the door behind him, leaving Grace alone.
Tears streamed down her face, soaking into the pillow. Because of Ethan, her tears always seemed uncontrollable.
For the next week, Grace threw herself into work, leaving early and returning late.
Ethan, as if in silent agreement, didn't push her. In front of Chloe, they maintained the illusion of a happy couple, but once out of her sight, their interactions were reduced to silence.
On Friday night, Grace stayed late at the office, only to have her phone ring incessantly.
Frustrated, she finally picked up. It was Ethan's assistant, Jayden Turner.
"Mrs. Montgomery, Mr. Montgomery's had too much to drink. He's been asking for you."
Amid the background noise of loud music, Grace thought she heard Ethan's voice calling her name.
"Grace, where are you?"
Jayden hesitated before adding, "Mr. Montgomery's stomach isn't in good shape, and he's been drinking non-stop. I… I can't stop him."
Despite everything, Grace couldn't bring herself to ignore Ethan. She sighed. "Where is he?"
Jayden let out a breath of relief. "Thank you, Mrs. Montgomery."
The event was a business gathering. Most of the attendees had already left after noticing Ethan's state, leaving him alone in the private lounge.
When the door opened, Jayden was surprised to see someone arrive so quickly—only to realize it wasn't Grace but Lily.
Dressed in an ivory hospital gown with a red coat draped over her shoulders, Lily looked pale but delicate.
"Ms. Flores," Jayden greeted politely. "Ethan's had too much to drink. Are you here for something?"
Lily arched an eyebrow. "Of course. I came to take care of him."
Without waiting for a response, she walked into the room and sat beside Ethan. "You can go. I've got this."
Jayden hesitated. "I already called Mrs. Montgomery. She's on her way."
Lily gave a soft smile. "Ethan's been consulting divorce lawyers recently, hasn't he? Don't you get it yet?"
Jayden froze, then awkwardly grabbed his keys and left the room.
Lily poured a glass of water and brought it to Ethan's lips.
Half-conscious, Ethan allowed her to tend to him. But as the strong scent of her perfume reached his nose, he opened his eyes and frowned.
"You? What are you doing here?"
Lily bit her lip, her expression shy. "A friend told me you'd been drinking. I was worried, so I came."
She reached out hesitantly. "Let me take you somewhere to rest."
Ethan's frown deepened. "You're sick. Go back to the hospital. I'm not drunk."
His tone was sharp, and Lily's eyes filled with tears.
"Ethan, are you still angry with me? Five years ago, even when you had that car accident, I still wanted to marry you. But my family took my phone and forced me to leave the country. They even had people watching me overseas. I finally escaped and tried to come back to you, but then… I was kidn*pped and almost sold. If it weren't for my heart condition acting up, I'd still be locked away in some foreign clinic…"
As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.
"Stop crying," Ethan said with a sigh. Though his voice remained cold, his anger had faded. "You've been through a lot these past five years."
Lily sobbed harder. "Then why are you so mean to me?"
"I'm not," Ethan replied firmly. "Lily, I told you the first time we met—whatever we had is over. But for what you've suffered because of the past, I'll make it right."
Lily lowered her head, her eyes reddened, saying nothing.
Ethan exhaled deeply. He knew it would take time for her to let go, and pushing her wouldn't help.
"I'll call a driver to take you back to the hospital," he said, standing to leave.
But before he could move, Lily stepped in front of him.
"Ethan, can you hold me? Just once?"
Her body trembled as she cried, but her eyes held a glint of calculation.
"If you hold me, I'll listen to you. I'll go back to the hospital, let go of the past… please?"
Before Ethan could refuse, Lily flung herself into his arms, gripping him tightly.
Ethan frowned and tried to pull away, but at that moment, the door swung open.
Grace walked in, freezing at the sight in front of her.
Lily was nestled in Ethan's arms, and Ethan was leaning down slightly, his arms around her.
The scene was undeniably intimate.
Grace's breath hitched.
'Are they… kissing?'
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