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.

not so high

instinctively. Greg had been a rich and entitled jerk back then

air. Greg grabbed her arm and assaulted her. If Sean hadn’t come out to find her, she knew it would’ve

had taught him a lesson that

there was no one here to protect her

corner of his eye. “Your ex is untouchable… but you aren’t.

Maria’s eyes were glittering like this was the greatest

walked a few feet over to

“This is the document you asked

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

Sure, she was.

way Mia grinned, this

turned around and was about to leave the room when Greg caught hold of her arm. “Why are you in such

lips. “Come on, drink up. Back then,

She turned her head

balance and spilled the red wine 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 worker. You

the bottle of red wine beside him and poured it over

wine soaked her body, embarrassing

other classmates gave her. They shook their heads and

Maria laughed openly.

apologize to Greg quickly. He may

the idea

was expected to apologize to

have to deal with being looked down upon for the rest of her life, but

her

became more infuriated. “Grace, do 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

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

entirely.

She hit the ground

he

her classmates spoke for her,

her skin?” Maria asked.

accident,”

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

faded away, and they were hideous.

and though she pushed to her

right hand with

Maria said. She looked as if she couldn’t

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

defend herself and was forced

to push Maria’s foot away from her right

this place.

behind her, catching her by her hair and yanking her backward.

Leave me alone!”

the room remained closed and no one came

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

paused as he made

saying, “Greg, what are you trying to

That’s… Sean’s voice.

Grace shivered.

Sean again-let alone in

your fiancée here for a meal? What a coincidence. Your ex-girlfriend is here to have a meal with me too. However, your

replied neutrally.

his brow. “I’m thinking

spoke, he pulled Grace’s hair, forcing her to lift

face

him, after all, that had transpired, it was like a chasm of grief was boiling up to swallow her

besides Sean…

her bones. Who’d stood beside him and goaded

of Greg, was like a nightmare roaring to

go,” she demanded.

Sean as if asking his

you choose to…entertain…yourself is