Chapter 82

Jason carefully placed Grace in the chair and propped a storage box beneath the kitchen table so she could elevate

her foot.

“You need to eat,” he said. Then he busied himself in the

kitchen reheating the food she’d prepared earlier.

“You know,” Lina said. “I wasn’t too keen on this whole

arrangement. You kind of came out of nowhere and basically moved in.” Lina laughed softly as she took in the small

changes around the apartment. “I definitely wasn’t buying all that sister/brother stuff.” She laughed again.

Jason arched a brow at her.

“But now,” Lina went on, “It’s clear you’re good for my friend. Thank you for helping her.”

Jason turned back to plating up food for Grace. “There is no reason to thank me. Grace would do the same for me.”

As he said it, he realized that was true. She’d be there for him. No questions asked. No stipulations or expectations of something in return. And she wouldn’t leave his side.

Could he say that of anyone else in his life? Anyone who wasn’t on his payroll, that is. Or who wasn’t out to gain something from him?

Lina yawned.

“You should go home and rest,” Grace said. “This has been… a stressful day. I’m sorry you got dragged into this drama.”

Lina gave Grace a hug. “The other people brought the drama when they tried to bully you.”

Grace just shrugged. “I shouldn’t have engaged. I know

better…

“That’s nonsense,” Lina argued. “They had no right to target

you.”

tightened like she wanted to reply but

her head. “Can I do anything else -do you need

home. I’ll call you

Lina to the door and closed and locked it behind her. Then he fed Grace her dinner. She protested at first,

feeling so tired and weary. Her ankle ached. Most of her body did. But mostly, she just felt beaten down. Like she was

don’t like that look,” Jason said

looked away. “I need to clean

the dishes to the sink

dazed, watching. Given all that she had experienced, she seldom allowed herself to wallow or to feel sorry for herself. What point would

felt

Jason was done tidying up, he asked, “Sister, do

“Huh?”

he asked as if

blushed to the roots of her

and wobbled on her feet.

back down.

do you

awkward but she

left her standing, and waited to make sure she

he

face grew

him asking, he had been paying attention to how frequently she relieved herself. On the one hand, it was

she hobbled out of the bathroom, Jason was there. He swept her up and carried

walk. There’s a slight bone fracture in only one of

but the

you should move as

me taking care of you

no.” She shook her

and reached out to lightly stroke her

getting hurt, Sister,

She was a

have to carry you. If you want to eat, I’ll feed you. When you’re thirsty, I’ll be the one to

me.”

Grace swallowed hard.

more personal, more… intimate than

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

Comments ()

0/255