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.

“You’re not so high and mighty now,

a rich and entitled jerk back then and he didn’t appear to have matured at

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

him a

no one here to

untouchable… but you aren’t.

were glittering like this was the greatest show they’d ever

a few feet over

to her, saying, “This is the document you asked

said, “Grace, sorry you had to make the trip.”

Sure, she was.

this had been

Greg caught hold of her arm.

it to Grace’s lips. “Come on, drink up. Back then,

to open her mouth. She turned her head and pushed him away.

down his shirt. He 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

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

cold wine soaked her body, embarrassing

and cringed, but no one called Greg to stop. No one tried to help her escape.

Maria laughed openly.

saying, “Grace, apologize to Greg quickly. He may forgive you.”

found the idea ridiculous. She was

was expected to apologize to Greg. No. That

jokes and she might have to deal with being looked down

pursed her

girlfriend? I’m giving you a chance to apologize to me.

as the other guests filed out of the room, ignoring her plight

entirely.

shirtfront and sent her flying. She hit the ground hard and her shirt

as he advanced on her.

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

her skin?” Maria

from the accident,”

of imprisonment, making her fairer than anyone. And the scars… they weren’t from the car accident,

scars had not faded away, and they were

to stand up, and though she pushed to her knees, her hand

was stepping on her right hand

to Gregory,” Maria said. She looked as if

her prison days when her finger bones had been broken

to defend herself and was

of her might to push

this place. She

forward. However, a strong force came from behind her, catching her by her hair and yanking her

Leave me alone!”

to the room remained closed

you trying to run away? Don’t you know that my family is one of

paused as he

a familiar voice saying, “Greg,

That’s… Sean’s voice.

Grace shivered.

meet Sean again-let alone in such a sorry stale after getting out of prison.

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

Sean replied

the scar near his brow. “I’m thinking I owe her from our last

pulled Grace’s hair, forcing her to lift her

to face Sean.

a chasm of grief

there, besides Sean… Lily

him on to break her bones. Who’d stood beside him and goaded

being at the mercy of Greg, was

go,”

at Sean as if asking

choose to…entertain…yourself is up to you,