Falling For My Contractual Wife (Brian and Grace) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9 

Louise checked herself in the mirror, then glanced at her back. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw no blood. “It’s okay, no bleeding,” she said softly. 

Brian, looking really grim, was angry at Grace. “You can’t even handle this small thing. What else can you do?” he said fiercely. 

“Brian, I said it’s okay, please leave!” Louise pushed him out of the dressing room. 

“Thanks. I’m really not good at this. Maybe let the shop assistant help you,” Grace said awkwardly, looking at Louise. 

“Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal. I’m not mad. Honestly, I’d really like to be friends with you. Would you be my bridesmaid?” Louise held onto her, smiling openly. 

Louise’s eyes were earnest, making it seem like she truly wanted Grace as her bridesmaid. 

Grace felt a stabbing pain in her heart, glanced away, and said softly, “Let’s talk about it later.” 

“Okay,” Louise replied, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. 

After changing into the wedding dress, Louise stepped out, blushing, and asked Brian, “Do I look good?” 

Brian stood up and walked over, gently holding her shoulder. “You look great in anything,” he said tenderly, turning her towards the full–length mirror, lifting a few stray strands from her neck and shoulder. 

Suddenly, he noticed Grace’s slender figure in the mirror. He paused for a couple of seconds and then looked away. 

They were so busy with the upcoming photo shoot that they barely had time for lunch. Louise ordered takeout after picking out the dresses. Grace was starving after a busy morning, but the smell of fried food made her uncomfortable. Coincidentally, Louise insisted on sharing two chicken legs with her. 

Grace wanted to decline, but Louise was adamant. Grace thought if she didn’t eat now, she might pass out in the afternoon. So she gritted her teeth and ate the two chicken legs despite the discomfort in her stomach. 

Their chosen spot for the photoshoot was a lavender field in the suburbs. Couples and good–looking people flocked to this place, yet Brian and Louise stood out as the most eye–catching pair among them all. 

Grace sat in the least noticeable corner, watching Brian and Louise pose for the camera with sweet smiles, just like a prince and princess from a fairytale. She couldn’t help but feel the irony. Brian, her husband, was now taking photos with another woman, while she, his true wife, could only sit by, observing their affectionate photo session. Adding to that, Grace might end up being Louise’s bridesmaid in the future, which made the situation even more ironic in her eyes. 

As she dwelled on these thoughts, images of the two of them walking into a church flashed in her mind. Grace’s nose stung with bitterness, but she hurriedly pushed those thoughts away. Fortunately, she didn’t have much time to overthink. Soon, a camera assistant rushed over, saying, “Hey, could you help us? Our 

lighting technician had an emergency and had to leave. Can you lend a hand with the lighting?” 

Grace looked over, noticing Brian half–squinting at her. Seeing his gaze, Grace felt she had no right to refuse. Though reluctant, she had no choice but to reluctantly stand up and join Brian and Louise, holding up the lighting board. 

Under the scorching sun, Grace’s sweat trickled down her forehead, accidentally seeping into her eyes, making it hard for her to keep them open. Due to her pregnancy, she had been going makeup–free lately. She hadn’t even applied sunscreen when she left, and within half an hour, her face had turned bright red from the sun. 

Brian’s peripheral vision caught Grace’s condition, and he furrowed his brows slightly. The photographer couldn’t resist giving instructions. “Sir, please keep smiling and avoid furrowing your brow.” 

Brian masked his subtle facial changes, but after a while, he couldn’t help but glance towards another direction involuntarily. Unsure if it was his imagination, he felt as if Grace might collapse at any moment. 

The photographer repeatedly tried to get him to focus on the camera, but Brian became increasingly distracted. Suddenly, his peripheral vision caught Grace’s frail b*dy swaying, and the lighting board slipped from her hands. 

He furrowed his brow, immediately wrapping his arm around Grace’s waist, instinctively calling out, “Grace!” 

She collapsed into his arms, having lost consciousness. 

Louise’s eyes flickered with a momentary cruel gleam, then she anxiously asked, “What happened to her?” 

“To the hospital,” Brian replied, scooping her up and heading swiftly out of the lavender field. 

Louise glanced at the props in her hands, her expression turning grim, before hastily following them. 

Without much thought, Brian carried her ahead, opened the passenger seat, and settled her in, fastening the seatbelt securely. 

“Brian, let her sit in the back. I’ll sit with her so I can take care of her,” Louise suggested, squinting as she watched his movements. 

Brian frowned deeply, hesitating momentarily before saying, “Okay.” 

The car sped away. This was the suburbs, and it would take at least half an hour to reach the hospital. Brian himself hadn’t noticed how fast he was driving. 

Louise clenched her fists in silence. At that moment, she understood that Brian must deeply care about Grace. If Grace were insignificant to Brian, he wouldn’t be so anxious right now. Realizing this, Louise gazed at Grace beside her, her expression difficult to comprehend. 

After about twenty minutes, Grace slowly regained consciousness. 

“Are you awake?” 

As Grace opened her eyes, she saw Louise’s perfectly made–up face. Grace slowly sat up and looked out the 

) 

window.