Wealth Without Him Rising from Betrayal (Grace Wilson) novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Alex’s POV

50%

Hot water cascaded over my tired body as I closed my eyes, letting the steam chase away the chill of the night’s vigil.

I turned off the water and walked out of the bathroom with just a towel around my waist.

1 quietly walked to the guest room. I approached the bed to check on Grace’s condition. Suddenly, Grace reached out and grabbed my arm with surprising strength that caught me off guard.

I lost my balance, trying to grab the nightstand but missing. The next moment, I found myself on the bed, just inches away from her, one hand braced beside her head to avoid crushing her.

“Alex?” Her voice held confusion and alarm.

I could feel her breathing quicken, her gaze fixed on my half-naked torso. Her cheeks rapidly flushed, eyes widening, clearly startled by my near-naked state. I felt a strange satisfaction seeing her usual composure broken.

“I…” she seemed unable to find words, her eyes traveling over me, unable look

Youd you eve

away.

For a moment, something shifted between us. The air seemed charged with electricity, something more primal and instinctive connecting us. I found myself unwilling to break the moment, curious to see how it would develop.

But rationality quickly took over. With a practiced grace, I pushed myself off the bed, adjusting the towel that had nearly slipped.

“I was just checking on you,” I explained, noting my voice was deeper than usual. “Was planning to get dressed first.”

Grace was still staring at my shoulder. “What happened there?” she asked, obviously trying to break the tension.

I glanced down at the scar on my shoulder. “Souvenir from three years ago Wrong place, wrong time.”

She slowly sat up, pulling the blanket to her chest. “You were shot?”

“Someone tried to attack some of the attendees,” I said calmly.

Seeing the surprise in her eyes, I almost laughed. People were always shocked by my calm descriptions of danger.

“You talk about nearly dying like it was just a minor inconvenience,” she commented, bewilderment in her voice.

My lips quirked slightly. “Would dramatizing it change the outcome?”

She studied me carefully, something flashing in her eyes that I hadn’t noted before-not just curiosity, but a hint of admiration. “No,” she admitted. “But most people don’t react so calmly to life-threatening experiences.”

I walked toward the chair where clothes had been laid out for me, but didn’t turn my back to her. “If we continue with the arrangement we’ve discussed-our marriage-that same decisiveness will extend to protecting you, Grace.” There was a promise in my voice I hadn’t anticipated.

As I turned to leave, I could feel her gaze still on me, tracking my every move. The sensation was foreign and strangely satisfying.

|||

<

1/2

11:57 Mon, Feb 23.

Chapter 32

That night, alone in my study, memories flooded back of being trapped under debris with Robert a year ago.

It was he who took the bullet meant for me.

以含50%

“I’ve spent my whole life working for the business, and the only woman who ever carried my child disappeared,” he said as we waited for rescue, his voice weakening from blood loss.

His sad smile haunts me still. “My only wish is to find her.”

Though we were both rescued, Robert passed away not long ago due to his injuries.

When I learned he had found his daughter and confirmed it was Grace, I knew exactly what I needed to do. Not just to repay a debt of gratitude, but to address the regret of that encounter we once missed.

The next morning, the ringing phone woke me from sleep. Grace’s phone, which I’d placed with my clothes, lit up with an incoming call. The name displayed: Richard Harrison.

I hesitated, remembering the private investigator’s report. The man who had pretended to be Grace’s husband for two years, who was actually married, who had used and betrayed her.

Comments

LIKE

Write Comments

SHARE

2/2

11:57 Mon, Feb 23

Wealth Without Him: Rising from Betrayal

Chapter 33

After a moment’s deliberation, I picked up the phone and swiped to answe

ས 3 50%

“Grace,” his voice came through immediately, tense and demanding. “Thistle drama has gone on long enough. You know the company needs

you.”

His entitled tone ignited cold anger within me. “Mr. Harrison,” I replied, deliberately keeping my voice calm and dismissive, ‘she’s quite busy.”

There was a stunned silence on the other end.

“Who the fuck is this?” he finally managed, shock evident in his voice. “Where’s Grace?”

“As I said, she’s busy.” I glanced toward the guest room where Grace was still resting.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify