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,

had been a rich and entitled jerk back then and

auction when she’d gone outside for a bit of fresh air. Greg grabbed her arm and assaulted her.

him a lesson that day.

no one here to protect

ex is untouchable… but

and Maria’s eyes were glittering like this was the

Greg. She walked a few feet over to Mia

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

“Grace, sorry you had to

Sure, she was.

the way Mia grinned, this had been better

when Greg caught hold of her arm. “Why are you in such

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

to open her mouth. She turned her

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

up the bottle of red wine

wine soaked her body, embarrassing her.

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

Maria laughed openly.

Greg quickly. He may forgive

idea ridiculous. She was

assaulted, but she was expected to apologize to Greg. No. That wasn’t happening.

being looked down

her lips. “No.”

a chance to apologize to me. Even

as the other guests filed

entirely.

Grace by the shirtfront and sent her flying. She hit the ground

screamed as he advanced

her classmates spoke for her, let alone stood up for

wrong with her skin?” Maria

accident,” Mia

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.

scars had not faded away,

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

on her right

such a 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

Grace’s hand reminded her of her prison days when her finger

had been unable to defend herself and

she wasn’t going down without a fight. She used all of her might to push Maria’s foot away from her right hand. Then she

get out of this place.

force came from behind her, catching her by her hair and yanking her backward. She screamed, feeling hair ripped from her scalp and then she gasped

me

the doors to the room remained closed and no one came to

held in her hair. “Are you trying to run away? Don’t you know that my family is one of the shareholders of this club…

as he made that

voice saying, “Greg, what

froze-instantly. That’s… Sean’s

Grace shivered.

Sean again-let alone in such a sorry stale after getting

have a meal with me too. However, your ex-girlfriend

Sean replied neutrally.

the scar near his brow. “I’m thinking I owe

Grace’s hair, forcing her

to face

a chasm of grief

there, besides Sean…

woman who’d egged him on to break her bones. Who’d stood beside him and goaded him to show no mercy.

them, being at the mercy of Greg, was like

go,” she

looked at Sean as if asking his permission.

“How you choose to…entertain…yourself is