Chapter 95

Chapter 95:

“Are you… Brayden’s wife, Gracie?” Aiden Stanley’s voice came out soft, almost hesitant. He kept his head bowed, long bangs shadowing his eyes so she couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

“Yeah, that’s me,” Gracie replied casually, her voice steady, almost cool.

“Breakfast will be ready soon,” he informed her. “My father asked me to call you both to his house p>

Gracie inclined her head in acknowledgment. “All right. I’ll change and be there shortly p>

He gave a quick nod and turned away. She watched him go, her gaze lingering on the quiet stiffness in his posture, the way his shoulders seemed to carry invisible weight.

“What’s caught your attention?” Brayden’s voice came from behind her, low and unreadable.

Gracie averted her gaze, hiding the flicker of thought behind her eyes before turning toward the mansion. “Nothing,” she said smoothly. “I’ll get changed, and then we can go have breakfast together p>

By the time she came downstairs, Brayden stood waiting by the door, composed and effortlessly elegant, his striking features betraying no hint of impatience.

He extended an arm with practiced grace, and Gracie slipped her hand through it. “Do you know Aiden?” he asked lightly. “You didn’t seem like strangers a moment ago p>

A soft laugh escaped her. “Still suspicious, are you? With your resources, you could easily find out if I’ve ever crossed paths with him. Are you really questioning me just because I looked at him twice p>

They walked side by side through the morning light, their movements unhurried and perfectly in sync.

From a distance, they could’ve passed for a couple still basking in the glow of newlywed affection.

Brayden’s tone stayed measured as he asked, “Do you believe in metempsychosis or things of the sort p>

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The sudden question drew a faint crease between Gracie’s brows. “You actually believe in it p>

A low laugh escaped him as he answered, “I used to think it was nonsense. But lately, I’m not so sure. You and Ellie… I’ve seen too many things that don’t make sense p>

His mind kept circling the same puzzles—her unnervingly sharp instincts, her sudden changes in mood, the way she seemed to know things beyond her reach.

When every logical answer failed, even the impossible began to sound plausible.

Brayden turned toward her, his gaze steady, searching her face for the smallest flicker of guilt or hesitation that might betray a lie. Yet she was unreadable, her calm almost teasing.

“Maybe I should start a fortune-telling stream,” she said lightly. “You can be my first fan—just remember to tip generously p>

The barest hint of a grin crossed his face. “Deal. I’ll make you an overnight sensation p>

At the head of the long dining table, Kevin sat in quiet authority, his sharp gaze softened by the sight of the couple strolling in arm in arm, sharing a private laugh. The scene pleased him immensely.

“Now that’s what I like to see. You should all learn from them,” he declared, his tone genial yet edged with meaning as his eyes swept across the rest of the family.

Theo pulled out a chair for Ellie, set her utensils neatly before taking her hand with an easy smile. “Don’t worry, Grandpa. Ellie and I are doing great p>

Ever since Alan had returned the funds he’d embezzled, the tension between Theo and Ellie had finally eased, restoring their relationship to the warmth it had at the beginning.

But when Theo finished, silence met his words. Confusion flickered across his face as he turned—then he stopped dead. Ellie’s face had gone rigid, her gaze locked on something outside the window.

Her fingers balled tightly on the table, knuckles whitening as her teeth pressed together in suppressed fury.

For so long, she had convinced herself that Brayden was incapable of affection—that apart from Lia, no woman could reach him.

But she’d been wrong. He hadn’t just defended Gracie; now he was laughing with her, speaking to her with an ease Ellie had never known.

So it wasn’t that he was incapable of caring. It was that she had never been the one he cared for. Jealousy flared sharp and hot, coiling into something darker—an ache that tasted of humiliation and rage.