Chapter 8 Grace Kaufman
The wedding was in two days, yet Antonio didn’t act like he was getting married at all.
He hadn’t prepared anything–no bridal gown, no wedding photos, no reception.
Zelma had to take care of these things herself, but the wedding photos had to be taken with Antonio.
“Antonio, I know you’re worried, but we can’t find Grace now. Why don’t we take the wedding photos first?”
Antonio pushed Zelma’s hand away, stood up, and looked down at her. “Zelma, I told you this marriage is just a deal where we get what we want. Don’t go too far.
“I have to find Grace. How could she leave without even saying goodbye?”
Grace disappeared as if she had vanished into thin air, with no news at all.
Antonio used all his connections and searched for three whole days, but he couldn’t find even a trace of Grace.
That evening, he leaned wearily against his desk.
Suddenly, Barrett called him. “Antonio, go back to our
hometown tomorrow. There’s something important we need to talk about.”
“Okay.”
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Chapter 8 Grace Kaufman
Antonio looked up at Grace’s portrait in his study. He never allowed her to enter his study.
Benbury was not far from Wintervale; it was just a three–hour flight away.
Since Antonio came of age, Barrett seldom let him return to the Kaufman’s home and didn’t pry much into his affairs.
The hall was packed with people. All descendants of the Kaufman family had come.
Although Antonio was Barrett’s adopted son, he had long been included in the Kaufman family genealogy and was a true Kaufman.
When he was wondering what was going on, Barrett walked in, holding onto his cane.
And right beside him was Grace, who had disappeared!
Grace’s dad had once argued with Barrett and had his name removed from the genealogy, but she was still a Kaufman.
Antonio’s hands trembled as he looked at Grace in disbelief, his eyes pleading with her like a man begging from the depths of humility.
But Grace didn’t look at him.
Barrett’s voice was strong and clear as he spoke, “Everyone, it’s true that Grace’s dad did something bad! But Grace is part of our family. Now that Evan has passed away so young, how could I let his only daughter be out there all alone? So I called all of you here today to bring Grace back into our family!”
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Chapter 8 Grace Kaufman
Grace bowed slightly to the people there.
Antonio shook his head at her. His eyes looked kind of blank, and he said softly, “Grace, don’t…”
Grace didn’t say anything. She knelt and bowed to the Kaufman family’s memorial tablets.
“First bow!”
The village chief, who was there as a witness, shouted out loud.
Antonio’s face cracked with pain, as if he had lost all strength, his outstretched hand halting in mid–air.
“Second bow!”
“Third bow!”
Grace closed her eyes. She had fulfilled her promise and would never disturb Antonio’s life again.
The ceremony was at its last part.
“From now on, you shall resume the family name Kaufman and be named Grace Kaufman,” Barrett said with a gentle
smile.
He reached out and patted Grace’s head. “Grace, go and greet everyone with your new name.”
Grace turned to her relatives and began her greetings.
“Derek, Kate, Johnson, Candice, Victoria, Phil.”
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Chapter 8 Grace Kaufman
Lastly, she walked slowly up to Antonio, bowed her head respectfully, and greeted him, “Antonio.”
