Chapter 34
Facing Aileen’s pleading gaze, how could Grace, who had grown up starved for love, not feel moved?
But some wounds couldn’t be erased with just a few words or material things, especially after she grew up.
Grace still shook her head slowly but firmly. “Mrs. Parrish, from the moment I was born until now, I’ve deeply understood that nothing is meant to be someone’s regardless of blood ties, affection…”
She smiled under Aileen’s sorrowful gaze. “Mom, I really used to wish you could love me the way you loved Kyla. But now, I truly don’t need it anymore. No one dies from lacking someone else’s love.”
Grace paused, her voice softening. “Especially not me.”
The sharp words were like a slap in the face.
Aileen had felt a flicker of hope when Grace called her “Mom“, but her face turned pale at what followed.
“Grace, won’t you even give me a chance to make things right?”
Before Grace could answer, the red light above the door of the operating room suddenly turned off.
A doctor walked out. “Are you the patient’s family? You can rest easy. The patient is out of danger because he was sent to the hospital in time for emergency treatment.”
“Thank you, doctor. When will he wake up?”
Grace stood up, her bloodstained clothes unable to hide her tough and striking temperament.
“The patient has been under a lot of stress recently, so he might be in a deep sleep for a while. It’s hard to say. Maybe in a few hours or even a day or two.” the doctor said honestly.
“Alright.” Grace nodded.
Since he wouldn’t wake up anytime soon, there was no need for her to stay at the hospital..
“Mrs. Parrish, could you please notify his assistant? I have some work to attend to, so I can’t stay any longer.”
That earlier “Mom” seemed like nothing more than a figment of Aileen’s imagination.
Or perhaps it was just a fleeting act of pity before cutting ties completely.
Aileen watched Grace, her heart aching more and more with every passing moment.
“Grace!” Aileen couldn’t help but call out as Grace turned to leave.
“Is there something else?” Grace turned back, puzzled.
“No.” Aileen forced a smile. “Just take care of yourself, Don’t work too hard.”
“Alright, thank you,” Grace replied politely yet distantly.
Only when Grace disappeared around the corner of the hallway did Aileen collapse into a chair as if her backbone had been ripped out.
She looked at the documents in her hands.
Ch
Even though Grace didn’t want them, these things still belonged to her.
Meanwhile, in the VIP room. Antonio’s brows were furrowed even in his deep sleep
He was clearly dreaming of Grace again
In his dream, Grace was hazy, always pushing him away.
“Grace, I was wrong. I was wrong to choose a fake marriage with Kyla when I loved you the most. I was wrong to send you to prison even when I swayed. Grace, is it too late to say I love you now? I love you… I really do. ”
Antonio tried to grasp the blurry shadow, but shadows couldn’t be caught.
Even if caught, it would slip through fingers and vanish.
“Grace. I’m sorry. I’m willing to accept any punishment and give up everything, as long as you’ll look at me again, smile at me, and let me love you.”
How pitiful and laughable! He could only confess his love in his dreams.
But Grace would never know any of this.
At No. 8, Cloud Road, exhausted, Grace took off her clothes and stood in front of the floor–length mirror.
On her waist, there was a vivid blue Morpho butterfly.
Some of the shallow scars left on her in Pine Prison had faded through surgery,
But the deeper ones, though lighter, still marked Grace’s skin.
She gently touched the lifelike butterfly.
The pain of getting the tattoo seemed to linger on her skin.
“Antonio, even the scars on my body can’t completely disappear. How can
forget the past and love you again? It’s just impossible.”
