Chapter 218
Chapter 218:
“No way p>
Reality hit her hard. She threw back the blanket and felt her heart plummet.
Moving quietly, she slipped out of bed and out of the guest room without making a sound.
Once she reached the downstairs hallway, there was no sign of Valeria or any of the maids; the whole house felt strangely empty.
Wasting no time, Gracie hurried out of the villa.
A bar, late at night.
Jessie kept an eye on Gracie, who sat in silence beside her, downing drink after drink. “That’s enough, Gracie p>
She grabbed the glass away. “I’ve been here for half an hour, and all you’ve done is drown yourself in booze like it’s the end of the world p>
“Jessie…” Gracie whispered, pressing her lips together as her eyes filled with tears.
Jessie’s tone softened. “Hey, come on, don’t cry. Tell me what happened p>
With a shaky breath, Gracie confessed, “I don’t know how I’ll ever face Brayden again p>
She told Jessie everything that had happened, leaving Jessie stunned.
“Wait, are you saying Valeria set you both up with something, and that’s how you and Brayden ended up in bed together p>
“Exactly.” Gracie raked her hands through her hair, frustrated. After escaping Valeria’s house, she’d just driven aimlessly, unsure where else to go.
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Along the drive, she replayed everything that had happened in her mind.
She remembered drinking the nutritious soup and then, without thinking, being the one to reach out and hug Brayden, even insisting she’d never regret it.
They were supposed to be nothing more than business partners, but after spending the night together, how could they face each other again?
Jessie just shrugged, unfazed. “So what? First, you’re husband and wife in the eyes of the law. Second, even if it’s just a marriage on paper, neither of you is tied to someone else. Chalk it up to being an adult p>
“But I went against our agreement.” Gracie’s lips turned down in a pout. “We signed a contract—strictly in name only. Nothing real p>
“This isn’t just your mess to worry about,” Jessie said seriously. “You’re young, successful, and gorgeous. You’re not the one losing out here p>
She leaned over, giving Gracie a playful nudge. “Come on, tell me, what’s it like sharing a bed with the man every woman in town is obsessed with p>
“What did it feel like?” Gracie blinked, a little dazed. “My back hurts p>
Jessie laughed, throwing an arm around Gracie’s shoulders. “So he’s not just a looker, but also skilled where it counts, and best of all, he’s not the clingy type. Seriously, don’t overthink it. You slept with him, so what p>
Gracie watched the beer swirl in her glass, her voice a little rough. “Still, I need to be careful. Without Brayden’s help, I wouldn’t have landed Lenora’s investment. If I tick him off now, it could ruin everything p>
“You already thinking of a way to fix this p>
“I’ll figure something out.” Gracie finished her drink in one long gulp, trying to steel herself. “Jessie, I’m going back p>
“Go for it, Gracie! I know you’ve got this.” Jessie gave her a fist bump for encouragement. There were some things only a wife and husband could resolve, but she could still cheer her friend on.
Gracie called for a driver, and by the time she arrived back at the Stanley estate, the night had nearly slipped into morning. Stepping into the villa, she found only the dim glow of a voice-activated lamp near the entrance.
The butler appeared from the back, draped in a heavy coat. Gracie offered a polite nod. “Don’t worry about the lights. I can find my way p>
Her eyes swept across the room before she abruptly asked, “Where is Brayden? Has he not come back yet p>
“His mother summoned him again. He’s been gone for two hours now,” the butler explained. “He asked me to tell you not to stay up and to get some rest instead p>
A pang of worry tightened Gracie’s chest. Was Brayden deliberately keeping his distance?