Nancy suddenly stopped talking.
Grace trudged forward as if she were stepping on cotton. She snatched her phone away from Antonio and hung up.
Astonished, Antonio stared at her, wondering why she was overreacting.
“What was that for?”
His confusion told Grace he didn’t hear his mom out.
Relieved, she looked away and tried to stay calm when she replied, “Nothing. I just didn’t want you to fight with your mom because of me.”
There had been conflicts between Antonio and his family because of Grace lately. They wanted to break Antonio and Grace up. Antonio had indeed fought with his family several times.
Antonio was convinced and asked about the examination results.
“There’s nothing serious. They’ll discharge me today.”
Antonio hardly went out in the next few days after Grace was discharged. He stayed home to keep Grace company.
She was no longer as perky as before. The smile on her face was gone. Most of the time, she just sat in a corner, absent–minded and dispirited
Baffled, Antomo meant to hug her to cheer her up. But Grace stood up and went to the bedroom.
“I don’t feel well. I need a rest.”
Watching her leave, Antonio was surprised.
He thought Grace was still mad at him because he’d made her apologize to Sofia. So, he had his assistant prepare a surprise for her.
Antonio held a banquet for Grace’s birthday.
He was quite influential. Most of his acquaintances came for his sake.
They were nice to Grace when Antonio was around.
But after he left, they gossiped about and judged her.
“If it weren’t for Mr. Kaufman, I’d never come to the birthday banquet of a domestic worker’s daughter. It’s demeaning!”
“What does Mr. Kaufinan see in this woman? She stinks of poverty and pettiness!”
“Mr. Kaufman is too kind. If I were him, I’d have given her some money and sent her away. Marrying someone like her is a disgrace to the Kaufman family.”
Grace was supposed to be the person of the hour, but she stood there alone. No one talked to her.
Insults and mockery kept coming to her ears. The guests couldn’t even be bothered to lower their voices. She felt exhausted,
She was afraid Antonio would sense something unusual. Otherwise, she wouldn’t even be here.
The hostility from the guests made every second insufferable.
The banquet suddenly became lively at 7 p.m.
All heads turned toward the entrance to the hall. The disgust on the guests‘ faces was replaced by flattery.
Words traveled fast. Everyone knew that Antonio got into a fight because of Sofia. Obviously, she was still important to him. So, they all went to butter her up.
“Mr. Kaufman, it turns out you left to pick up Ms. Conley. After so many years, you two still care about cach other.”
“Of course. They’re childhood sweethearts, after all. Besides, Ms. Conley is elegant and gorgeous, and Mr. Kaufman is dashing. They look great together.”
Listening to the comments, Grace watched Antonio and Sofia walk in hand–in–hand. It was a dazzling sight.
Sofia wore a fancy, customized evening dress. The shining diamond. necklace accentuated her slim figure. Her pretty face radiated a noble and refreshing air only wealth could cultivate.
Even the overbearing Antonio couldn’t outshine and intimidate her.
Somehow, Grace recalled the faceless portrait Antonio sketched after he regained his sight.
He said he’d drawn it out of boredom. Grace had thought it was beautiful. That was all.
But now that she’d seen Sofia, she knew whose portrait it was
Antonio wasn’t getting back together with Sofia. He was never over her
Grace looked down and turned around silently
Sofia called out, “Ms. Parrish. I hear it’s your birthday today. So, I came, although uninvited. You don’t mind, do you? I have a present for you.”
Then, a pure white puppy was brought to Grace.
“Its name is Harley. Adorable, right?“.
The dog scampered to pounce on Grace. Frightened, she took a few steps back and bumped into a table.
Her face went pale. Fear and panic were plain in her eyes.
“Get it away from me! I hate dogs!”
