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

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

Greg grabbed her arm and assaulted her. If Sean

had taught him a lesson that

was no one here to protect her

fingered a small scar near the corner of his eye. “Your ex is untouchable… but you aren’t. And I still owe you for what

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

a few feet over

her, saying, “This is the document you asked for.”

said, “Grace, sorry you had to make the

Sure, she was.

grinned, this had been better than Christmas.

about to leave the room when Greg caught hold of her arm. “Why are you

it to Grace’s lips. “Come on, drink up. Back then, you were convicted of driving under the influence. Don’t tell me that you can’t

turned her head and pushed him away.

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

red wine beside him and poured it over Grace’s

her body, embarrassing her.

and cringed, but no one called Greg to stop. No one

Maria laughed openly.

saying, “Grace, apologize to Greg

found the idea ridiculous. She was

was expected to apologize to Greg. No.

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

her lips. “No.”

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

signaling the meal, and Grace was horrified as the other

entirely.

She hit the ground hard and her shirt tore open, revealing

Grace screamed as he advanced

classmates spoke for her, let alone stood up

her

from the accident,” Mia replied.

her fairer than anyone. And the scars… they weren’t from the car accident, but from the beatings and abuses

scars had not faded away, and they were

to her knees, her hand remained anchored to

on her right

in such a hurry to leave? You have not yet apologized to Gregory,” Maria said. She looked as if she couldn’t wait to see

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

to defend herself and was forced to accept the treatment.

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

of this place. She had to

her torn clothes around herself and ran forward. However, a strong 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 as her body connected with the floor.

Leave me alone!”

doors to the room remained closed and no one came

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

as he made that statement.

saying, “Greg, what are you

That’s… Sean’s

Grace shivered.

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

Have you brought your fiancée here for a meal? What a coincidence. Your ex-girlfriend is here to have a meal with me too. However, your ex-girlfriend doesn’t know what’s good for

replied

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

Grace’s hair, forcing her to lift her

to face Sean.

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

besides Sean…

bones. Who’d stood beside him and goaded

Greg, was like a nightmare roaring to

go,”

as if

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