Chapter 34
“Hello, Grace,” Russell said through the phone. “I know that it’s Omar’s birthday, so I got him a gift.”
Startled, Grace was about to respond when Russell abruptly ended the call.
Almost immediately, noise erupted downstairs. Grace flinched and rushed downstairs.
But the scene she found pinned her in her place. It was Russell, his face flushed with anger, swinging his cane mercilessly at Antonio.
“How many times have I told you? You’ve married Grace! Why are you still involved with this woman?”
Kendra was on her knees, pleading. “Grandpa Russell, I came on my own. Please don’t hit Antonio!”
Antonio stayed silent, but his gaze toward Grace grew colder.
Back then, Grace would have rushed to Antonio’s defense, her heart aching.
But now, she watched the scene with a calm detachment, her heart steady, even though she was concerned for Russell.
Suddenly, Omar broke free from the maid’s grip, stormed over, and shoved Grace with all his might, pummeling her.
“You did this!” he yelled. “You told Grandpa that mommy Kendra
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was here and now he’s hitting daddy! You ruined my birthday!”
Grace stumbled and fell down the stairs.
“Omar, be a good boy,” Russell snapped at him. “Stay away from that woman. Your mother is Grace and not Kendra. Stop calling her that.”
“If Omar wants to call Kendra Mommy, let him,” Antonio said coldly.
“No!” Russell barked at him. “He will call his mother that. He will reserve nothing for that woman!”
Grace, not wanting to ruffle Russell’s feathers, lightly placed a hand on his arm and spoke gently. “Grandpa, it’s okay. Omar can call anyone Mommy if he wants to. It doesn’t bother me. And Ms. Jermyn is a guest I invited.”
Russell looked at Grace, his eyes filled with confusion.
He sighed deeply, and the weight of that sound pressed inside the room.
Grace guided Russell to sit, her voice soothing. “Today is Omar’s birthday. Let’s not let this ruin it. Let’s go eat.”
As they ate, Antonio, perhaps feeling a pang of guilt, made an effort to serve Grace.
Russell glanced at Kendra before deliberately addressing Grace and Antonio. “Both of you are still young. Are you not considering having another child?”
Grace was caught off guard, her mind racing.
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The only time Antonio and Grace had sex was the night they conceived Omar. After that, there was nothing.
With her plans to leave, another child was the last thing on her mind.
Before Antonio could say anything, Grace whispered, “Grandpa, Antonio and I are happy with just one child.”
Antonio’s eyes flickered with surprise, a silent question hanging in the air.
It was a topic Grace had never brought up before.
Grace didn’t even look at Antonio. She made sure Russell had his meal and then walked him out.
The next day, she busied herself with the work she had taken to the hospital with her.
She was buried in paperwork for her trip overseas when a buzz in the hallway caught her attention during her lunch break.
“Wow, that guy’s a total hottie!”
“Who is that guy? And is that his kid? I’m curious, who’s the lucky mom of such a cute little boy?”
Grace thought they would be heading for her. But no, they headed straight to Kendra.
Omar threw his arms around Kendra, grinning. “Mommy Kendra! I miss you so much!”
Antonio, not usually one for smiles, had a slight grin as he
offered his congratulations. “Glad to see you’ve found a job
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you’re really into.”
The crowd watched, impressed.
“Can’t believe the new Dr. Jermyn has such a handsome husband and such a cute son. She’s really hit the jackpot.”
“Can’t agree more. I’m so jealous right now!”
Antonio had kept his relationship with Grace under wraps, and that’s why no one really knew who she was.
Back then, she would have cried about this.
But now, she just looked away.
What Grace didn’t see was Antonio finally catching sight of her, his face flashing with unease.
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