Five Years Wasted Now They Beg Her Back novel Chapter 249

In the mountains of the Northwest, late autumn arrived especially early.

The forests were a riot of color, a mix of red and yellow, as beautiful as an oil painting.

But Grace was in no mood to admire it.

Her leg was starting to ache again.

The pain was like a thousand needles drilling into the marrow of her bones.

"Grace!"

That loud voice called out again from beyond the courtyard gate.

Grace sighed, putting down the old clothes she was mending.

It had been ten days.

That man, Calder, came to report for duty every single day, rain or shine.

And he never came empty-handed.

Sometimes it was a basket of eggs, other times a wild rabbit, and once even a bundle of freshly chopped firewood.

His enthusiasm was unsettling.

Grace went to open the gate.

As soon as it opened, Calder's large, sun-darkened face was right there, grinning so wide his eyes disappeared.

"Hey, Grace! Look what I brought you!" Calder said, presenting a hot water bottle from behind his back like a treasure.

It was an old-fashioned, red rubber one.

"My dad told me city folks use these to warm their feet."

"I rode my motorcycle all the way to town to buy it!"

"Your leg gets cold, so you can fill this with hot water to keep it warm!"

Grace stared at the brand-new hot water bottle, a complicated feeling stirring within her.

Was she touched?

Yes, a little. After all, in a place where she knew no one, it was something to have someone think of her like this.

But mostly, she felt… uneasy.

She hadn't done anything to deserve such kindness.

The Fenwick family, both father and son, were being a little too good to her and her grandparents.

"This is too much…"

Grace tried to refuse.

"My dad already talked to your grandpa. They're at my house playing chess right now."

"So it's settled! I'll come get you tonight!"

Before she could protest, he turned and ran off, as if afraid she would change her mind.

Watching his sturdy back retreat, the unease in Grace's heart grew stronger.

For the past few days, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her.

A prickling sensation on her back.

Especially at night, she would see shadowy figures moving outside her window.

But every time she opened it, there was nothing but the dark forest.

Was she just being paranoid?

That afternoon, her grandfather returned.

But his expression today was very strange.

Usually, when he came back from playing chess with Mr. Fenwick, he was always cheerful.

But today, his face was grim, his brow was furrowed, and the pipe in his hand was trembling.

"Grandpa?" Grace was in the yard preparing vegetables when she saw him. Her heart skipped a beat.