My Gorgeous Wife is an Ex-Convict

Chapter 17

After the inspection from the Urban Management Bureau ended, Mia told Grace. “We’re having a reunion with our high school classmates this weekend. Come and join us.”

“A gathering?” Grace laughed. Given her current condition, she would be mocked if she were to go. No doubt, that was exactly what Mia intended. “You’re so kind to think of me,” she said.

“But, no. I’m not free, and I won’t be going.”

“Oh come on, Grace. These events are impossible to pull together. It’s a rarity. What is it you’re busy with? Come and join us!” Mia tried to persuade her.

Did Mia think that Grace was born yesterday?

This woman had been rude, spiteful, and petty. She could just imagine how a ‘reunion’ would play out-with Mia, no doubt, telling everyone how Grace, former beauty and valedictorian, lost it all, went to jail, and was currently working in Sanitation.

Nope. Not happening.

“I need to work over the weekend. Do you really think that weekends would be rest days for me given the scope of my job?” Grace asked.

Mia was speechless when she heard that. Indeed, she had forgotten.

“However…”

“I’m clearing the rubbish. Let’s talk another time.” Before Mia could finish her statement, Grace turned to leave.

She was not stupid. And, seriously, Mia was so obvious.

It’s okay. You’re okay.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Grace repeated her mantra and pushed the negative thoughts from her mind. She couldn’t control the mean or shallow people around her, but she could control herself. And she could choose to meet experience with positivity.

Two days later, the Vice Director instructed her to send a document over to someone from the Urban Management Bureau, only problem was it was the weekend, and the Management Bureau representatives were at a country club luncheon.

Ordinary sanitation workers were not allowed to enter such a place, and more than one employee at the prestigious club tried to intercept her as she entered the lobby.

Grace caught the odd stares of other wealthy people, their looks saying clearly, ‘what is SHE doing in here!?’ Like she was some other species or something.

Grace had been to this particular club many times before for

dinners and charity events. Sean belonged to this particular country club.

One of the staff nodded to her. “We’re expecting you,” he said.

“Follow me.”

“Sure.”

The sooner she could hand off this paperwork, the better.

Then she could leave.

The staff member led her down one hallway and into another. Then he opened the door to a ballroom. Many people were inside.

When Grace stepped in, she heard a familiar voice, saying, “Look who’s here!”

Grace saw Mia Jenkins, Maria, and some of her high school classmates.

“There you are, Grace!” Mia called out loudly.

Grace knew immediately that Mia had deliberately made this arrangement. As she was from the Urban Management Bureau, the supervisors would be eager to get on her good side. As long as Mia wanted a document and specified the person she wanted to bring it to her, the Vice Director would accede to her request.

“See! I didn’t lie to you. The prettiest girl in our class has become a sanitation worker!” Maria said, looking snobbish.

Grace’s uniform completely stood out from the classy attire of the rest of the people in the private room.

“Is this our beautiful super scholar? You were imprisoned for three years and I almost couldn’t recognize you.” Greg looked down his long nose at her. “Aw, what’s wrong, Sean didn’t want to dote on you anymore after you killed his sister?”

Between the mention of Sean, the horrible accident that ended Jennifer’s life, and seeing this man in front of her, Grace froze.

The pain of so many memories slammed into her like a flood.

high and mighty now,

stepped back instinctively. Greg had been a rich and entitled jerk back then and he didn’t appear to

for a bit of fresh air. Greg grabbed her arm and assaulted her. If Sean hadn’t come

taught him a

no one here to protect her now.

untouchable… but you aren’t. And I still owe you for what he did to me.”

like this was the greatest show they’d

a few feet over to

“This is the document you

document, she said, “Grace,

Sure, she was.

the way Mia grinned, this had been better than Christmas.

of her arm. “Why are you in such a hurry? This is our

wine and put it to Grace’s lips. “Come on, drink up. Back then, you were

She turned

became angry and gave Grace one tight slap in the face, shouting, “Ugh! Do you think you’re still Sean’s girlfriend? You’re an ex-con and a sanitation worker. You don’t know

was shouting, he took up the bottle of red wine beside him and poured

her body, embarrassing

chilled her more were the looks her other classmates gave her. They shook their heads and cringed, but no one called Greg to stop. No one tried

Maria laughed openly.

to Greg quickly. He may forgive you.”

the idea

but she was expected to apologize to Greg.

their jokes and she might have to deal with being looked down upon for the rest of her life, but she still had

pursed her lips. “No.”

you think that you’re still Sean’s girlfriend? I’m giving you a chance to apologize to me. Even if I raped you right here,

bell sounded, signaling the meal, and Grace was horrified as the other guests filed out of the room, ignoring her plight

entirely.

by the shirtfront and sent her flying. She hit

as he

none of her classmates spoke for her, let alone stood up

wrong with her skin?” Maria asked.

accident,” Mia replied.

she hadn’t been exposed to any sunlight during her three years of imprisonment, making her fairer than anyone. And the scars… they weren’t from the car accident, but from the beatings and abuses she endured while imprisoned.

had not faded away, and they

and though she pushed to her knees, her hand

stepping on her right hand with her high

hurry to leave? You have not yet apologized to Gregory,” Maria said. She looked as if she couldn’t wait to see Grace in a more pathetic state as she twisted her heel and

of her prison days when her finger bones had been broken inch by agonizing

unable to defend herself

might to push Maria’s foot away from her right hand. Then she lunged to her feet

get out of this place. She had to get out!

by her hair and yanking

Leave me

to the room remained closed and no one came to help

you trying to run away? Don’t you know that my

he

heard a familiar voice saying, “Greg, what are

froze-instantly. That’s…

Grace shivered.

never expected to meet Sean again-let alone in such a sorry stale

ex-girlfriend is here to have a meal with me too. However, your ex-girlfriend doesn’t know what’s good for her and

Sean replied

his brow. “I’m thinking I owe her from

hair, forcing her to lift her

to face

that had transpired, it was like a chasm of grief was

besides Sean… Lily Atkinson.

bones. Who’d stood

mercy of Greg,

me go,”

Sean as if asking

dinner,” he said. “How you choose to…entertain…yourself is up