Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 1861: Extra: I

[Extra 1]

Grace and Haines sat in the dining room in total silence. She had her eyes down while Haines stared at her with conflict.

It had been a while since Haines started staying at her place. However, he had noticed that Grace wasn’t taking any medicine; the only ones she was taking were vitamins. So, he assumed she was hiding them.

Now, with Haines’ surgery scheduled in five days, he finally mustered the courage to talk about her condition. It was risky because they could have continued as they were, but he felt he needed to let her know that he would be with her regardless, whether it was just another day together, another month, or even a year. It didn’t matter; he wanted to be with her in this battle.

"You... know?" Grace lifted her eyes ever so slowly, disbelief and confusion swirling in them. "How?"

Haines pressed his mouth and sighed. "I’ve seen the medicines in the bin... the day I woke up at your place after Penny dropped me off here."

But that was quite a long time ago.

Her brows knitted, thinking about the developments in her relationship with him. The more she thought about it, the more she realized one thing.

She scoffed. "Is that why... you agreed to go out with me? Not because you’re interested? But because you... pity me?"

No, he wanted to say. But there was a kernel of truth in that. It might not be the main reason, but it played a crucial role in how this all began.

His silence was enough to answer her question.

"..." Grace raised her brows as she leaned back, laughing in mockery. "I feel like a joke."

"Gracie—"

"Haines, a pity gesture is one thing," she spat out, her eyes sharp. "But going out with me to fulfill someone’s dying wish? God. I wish you had just stabbed me because this is worse."

Haines reached out to her, but she pulled away before he could touch her. His hand paused, looking up at her as she got to her feet.

She gazed down at him. "Sleep in the spare room. I don’t think I want to talk to you for now."

With that, she walked away. Haines could only stare at her apologetically.

He knew this would happen when he decided to bring it up. Even Mildred and Miss Sandford had advised him to keep it from Grace for the rest of his life. However, Haines couldn’t stomach it, especially knowing that Grace was going through something and enduring it alone.

But just before Grace disappeared from view, she stopped at the entrance.

breath, not looking back at him. "Because not so long ago, I

things differently. It made me realize just how short and fragile life is. So, I thought, why not pursue the man I’ve been interested in? After all, I almost

whispered. "But what I didn’t pursue is to be pitied by the very man

her steps, holding back her frustrated tears. Now, she couldn’t help but question

She hated it.

already risen to his feet, shock plastered across his

he whispered, his complexion pale.

he found out because her medicines were in the bin. He thought

medications because

"I’ve... messed up."

---

and Grace didn’t talk to Haines. She didn’t kick him out, but she pretended

told you so," Mildred clicked her tongue continuously while Miss Sandford sighed. Both women were seated

could see how this was affecting him. Well, he had just sabotaged his relationship. This wouldn’t

you wouldn’t have known that she’s already cancer-free," said Miss

good point," Mildred

eyes on their distressed friend. Today should’ve been the day Haines planned to introduce Grace to

them, desperation clear in his

Miss Sandford offered him a kind smile. "She’s upset and hurt, but

long as you show her your dedication, you’ll eventually win her over," Mildred

between the two, and as they advised, he did everything to win Grace over. Although he didn’t know what else to do because everything he

came home, prepare her nutritious warm meals, and do many

---

prepared dinner for her. But for some reason, Grace returned home early

is that?" Grace stopped at the entrance of the kitchen,

who was in the kitchen, turned to her. "Oh, you’re home early? I’m boiling some beef, and—" he stopped when she suddenly

"Grace?"

from here—" Grace gagged again and ran away as if she were running from the smell. She ended up throwing up in the bathroom, feeling a bit suffocated by the lingering scent of the beef he

She felt dizzy, so she came home

her and stopped at the bathroom door. His brows knitted as he watched her throw up into the toilet. "Darling,

the corners of her mouth with the back of

the smell you’re cooking, probably because I haven’t

trailed off, then snapped

"You