Falling for My Contractual Wife

330

No way. If Louise and Daisy were familiar with each other, Daisy would've recognized her when Daisy first showed up at Brian's home. So, what was Louise's deal? She knows about my past, Grace thought.

This was just perfect. Grace had no clue where to even start digging into her own with Louise.

origins, but this gave her the idea to start

Ava caught the changes in Grace's face and frowned. "What's up with you? You don't buy that she did you dirty?"

Grace kept her cool, her heart racing. "I knew what kind of snake Louise was way before I split with Brian. But you're no saint either. How can I trust what you say?"

Ava couldn't think of a solid proof. To show she was sincere, she let out the truth.

"Grace, you're sharp. You get I'm spilling 'cause I want you to handle Louise, but I ain't fibbing today. Louise got me by the throat! She knew. She knew I spiked Brian last time we hit the hotel. And she knew that I had a hand in the dealings after you bolted from Seefer City. I was scared she'd spill to Brian. I was petrified. If Brian caught wind, I'd be toast! So, I had no choice but to do what she said, even if it meant hurting you."

Grace sensed Ava was telling the truth. Ava couldn't pull off a charade even if she wanted to.

"I regret it too! I hate Louise more than you! If you want, we can team up to take her down!" Ava gritted her teeth.

Grace lowered her gaze, avoiding Ava's eyes.

"Grace, you gotta trust me! Louise is a real piece of work. Like a viper. You still love Brian? You gonna let him get duped by such a venomous broad?" Grace met her gaze. "I'm done with Brian."

"I came here for a heart-to-heart. Since you spilled, I can tell you're sorry. Then be a good person from now on!'

With that, Grace got up, footed the bill, and left.

She had a mission now. She had to head to her hometown and snag the clothes Daisy and Frederick stashed.

Back home, she told Carson she was headed out.

Carson wanted to tag along, but Grace worried about going out with the kid. There were no cameras and no backup if things went south.

*****

The next day, Grace hitched a ride solo to her old home.

Clearview Village was a remote spot. It was in the middle of nowhere. When she was a kid, Grace would walk 0.6 miles for a bag of salt.

Back in the day, the villagers wanted nothing more than to build a house in town. Once Grace grew up, Daisy and Frederick built their house in town.

Now, more than a decade later, it was different. The roads were cleared the wilderness was replaced by cocoa trees.

In the cab, the driver asked in a simple twang, "Ya from 'round?"

"Yeah, but it's been ages since I came back. Everything's different now. Can't even recognize the place.