Please Me Daddy (Gracie) novel Chapter 49

**TITLE: Across Distant Skies Lies Hope Waiting To Be Found by Kade Rowan Flint**

“Did your boss bully you, Aunt?”

Grace

With a resigned sigh, I plunged my spoon into a tub of mint ice cream, savoring the cool sweetness as it melted slightly at the edges. The taste was soothing, a small comfort amidst the chaos of my thoughts. I didn’t mind the melting; it felt fitting, somehow, as I too was beginning to feel a bit out of control.

From their spot at the far end of the couch, Eleanor and Wyatt exchanged glances, their eyes dancing with unspoken questions, yet they remained silent. The room was softly illuminated, the dim lights casting a warm glow, while the flickering images from the TV provided a subtle backdrop to our gathering. The twins’ cartoon played on, their laughter ringing out like music, a stark contrast to the tension I felt inside.

On the floor, Liana and Lucas were a bundle of joy, snuggled up together under a cozy blanket, sharing a tub of vanilla ice cream. Their giggles filled the air, innocent and carefree, as they reveled in their sugary treat. Meanwhile, Eleanor and Wyatt were enjoying their strawberry-flavored indulgence, while I clung to my mint-flavored comfort like a lifeline.

Another sigh escaped me before I could even lift the spoon from my mouth, my mind swirling with unvoiced worries.

Eleanor finally set her ice cream aside, turning her full attention to me, her eyebrows raised in curiosity. “What happened to you?” she asked, narrowing her eyes as if she already had an inkling of the answer. “Are you planning to sigh your way through the entire evening?”

Caught off guard, I blinked at her. “Am I really sighing?”

Wyatt chuckled softly, the sound lightening the mood a bit. Eleanor shook her head at my obliviousness, an amused smile playing on her lips.

“You didn’t even notice,” she teased, her tone playful.

Liana, her gaze glued to the screen, chimed in with the seriousness of a sage. “You’ve been sighing a lot, Aunt Grace. It’s like you’re lost in thought and getting sad all over again.”

Lucas nodded vigorously beside her, his little brow furrowed in concern. “Yeah. Like… you’re disappointed in your brain.”

I stared at the twins, momentarily stunned. Disappointed in my brain? What on earth did that even mean?

Rubbing the back of my neck, I replied, “I didn’t even realize I was sighing.”

Wyatt leaned in, his expression shifting to one of genuine concern. “Is something bothering you?”

I hesitated, feeling a flush creep up my neck, warming my cheeks. “No, I’m just tired,” I managed to say, hoping to end the conversation there.

Eleanor scoffed, her voice dripping with playful skepticism. “Tired, my foot. You’re probably thinking about that hot boss of yours.”

An awkward silence enveloped the room, the air thick with unspoken thoughts.

All three of them turned their eyes toward me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

My face ignited with embarrassment. “That’s not—”

Liana’s expression turned serious, her little brow furrowing in determination. “Did your boss bully you, Aunt? Because if he did, you need to tell me. I’ll go and fight him.”

Lucas nodded, his tiny fists clenched in solidarity. “Me too.”

I nearly choked on my ice cream. “No, he didn’t bully me!” I waved my hands in a frantic gesture. “That’s not it at all!”

Eleanor leaned back, a smirk spreading across her face. “No, kids. He didn’t bully her.” She shot me a knowing wink. “But your aunt keeps thinking about him. Especially today, since it’s the last day of the—”

Whipping my head around, I quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, panic rising within me. “Are you out of your mind?” I hissed, but she was already laughing behind my palm, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Liana tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “Last day for what?”

Lucas joined in, his brows knitted together. “Yeah, for what?”

Eleanor continued to giggle, attempting to speak under my hand. I shot Wyatt a desperate look, silently pleading for him to intervene.

With a resigned sigh, Wyatt stood up, his voice calm and authoritative. “Alright, that’s enough for tonight. Kids, it’s bedtime.”

“But whyyy?” Liana whined, stretching her legs dramatically. “We still want to stay up and hear about what’s troubling Aunt Grace! We want to help!”

Lucas nodded earnestly, his eyes wide with eagerness. “Yeah. We can help.”

Wyatt bent down, effortlessly scooping Liana into his arms as she squirmed playfully. “You can’t help,” he said in a patient tone. “And it’s late.”

He reached for Lucas with his free arm, lifting him up as well. Lucas let out a tiny “oof,” but didn’t protest, clearly trusting his uncle.

“I’ll put them to sleep,” Wyatt said over his shoulder, already heading toward the stairs.

“Tell us when you’re done being sad, Aunt Grace!” Liana called out, her voice echoing down the hallway.

“Yeah! Tell us!” Lucas echoed, his enthusiasm unwavering.

I let out a slow breath, watching them disappear up the stairs, the sound of their laughter fading into the distance.

“Grace?” Eleanor’s voice broke through the haze, pulling me back into the present.

I looked up too quickly, my heart pounding. “Huh?”

“You just froze. You looked like you saw something that scared the hell out of you. Are you okay?”

I swallowed hard, the weight of the message pressing down on me. I couldn’t tell her. If Grayson said he’d hurt my friends, he wasn’t bluffing. That man didn’t bluff.

Forcing a shaky laugh, I replied, “O-oh. It’s nothing. Just work stuff. The company wants me to come in for something.”

Eleanor frowned, her concern palpable. “This late? I thought you said you had a break. Can they even do that?”

I nodded slowly, the tension in my chest tightening. “It’s last minute. Probably something urgent with my department.”

She studied my face, clearly unconvinced, but chose not to press further. Instead, she stood and reached behind the couch, pulling out a thick, oversized hoodie that belonged to Wyatt.

“It’s cold out. Put this on,” she said, handing it to me with a soft smile.

I took it silently, my fingers still trembling as I slipped it on, feeling the warmth envelop me.

“Don’t wait up,” I said, trying to sound casual, though my heart raced with uncertainty.

Eleanor nodded, her eyes following me as I moved toward the door. “Be safe, okay?”

“Always,” I replied, forcing a smile.

The moment I stepped outside, the chill of the night air hit my face, a stark reminder of the reality I was stepping into. My footsteps echoed on the pavement as I walked down the street, the world around me fading into a blur. When I spotted a cab, I raised my hand to hail it.

It slowed beside me, and I opened the door, sliding inside with a sense of impending dread.

The driver turned slightly, his voice breaking the silence. “Where to?”

“Grayson estate. 67 West Hollis Drive,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

As the cab pulled into the road, I stared out the window, gripping Wyatt’s hoodie tighter around me.

Whatever lay ahead, I had to face it alone.