Grace waited for a moment before Skyler finally appeared.

"What did Mr. Curtis say?" Grace reached out, hoping to pull him closer.

Skyler didn't respond immediately, his tone ambiguous. "Grace, you've been a bit over the line lately."

"Is it because I brought Xenia with me today?" Grace asked. "She was helping me at the shop this afternoon when things went south, and when she heard I was visiting Mr. Curtis and Leanne, she said she wanted to meet Leanne and asked if she could come along. Leanne is so welcoming. I thought she wouldn't mind making a new friend."

Skyler looked at her, her expression a mix of anxiety and guilt. "I didn't know Mr. Curtis would be upset. Did I make things difficult for you?"

Skyler didn't answer, but after some silence, he asked another question. "Last time I proposed, you turned me down and never told me why. Can you tell me now?"

Grace lowered her head. "Your family doesn't think I'm good enough for you, and Leanne and the others don't approve of me, either. I know all this. I want to be better to stand beside you with confidence."

Her voice grew more despondent. "I should call Leanne and apologize."

The Davis family had fallen on hard times, and Skyler had seen her struggles.

"You don't need to try to please everyone," he comforted, taking her hand gently. "Grace, you're wonderful. Devin is always sharp-tongued. Don't mind what he says. No matter what, I'm on your side."

still looked down, and her voice choked up. "You're too good to me. I don't deserve it." Skyler's empathy had overshadowed

night, Leanne was soaking in the

a reminder from Joy, recalling Xenia's features, she did see

concerned, only wondering

was deep in thought, the bathroom

shirt and black pants, Curtis paused at the doorway

toward her leisurely, taking off his watch and unbuttoning his

reached the bathtub, he stepped

water rippled, and Leanne found herself lifted onto his

around her waist, his lips

Leanne squirmed as his breath tickled her neck,

just have

the window, shining on Curtis'

let out a soft moan that sounded like a feather light touch to

coaxed in a warm voice. "Baby, can you call me

for some reason, as if her vocal cords refused to

"I won't."

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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